Collected Works Redux: Save the Bookstores 2012

For the second Saturday afternoon in a row I had the pleasure of appearing at the Collected Works bookstore on Wellington Avenue in Ottawa. This time I was happy to be there to support the Save the Bookstores 2012 event.

As noted by Publisher's Weekly, this event has been created to assist independent bookstores in Canada and the United States and to draw attention to their invaluable contributions to the literary marketplace. Literary agent Kelly Sonnack, with the Andreas Brown Literary Agency, has set up a Facebook page to promote the event.

 In the afternoon I joined Scott Fotheringham, Peggy Blair, Sandra Nicholls, Missy Marsten and Jeff Ross at the authors table. Fellow crime fiction author Brenda Chapman was also able to make a brief appearance, although just to listen! We each read an excerpt from one of our books and chatted with members of the audience afterwards.

It was a very pleasant way to spend the afternoon. Thanks to everyone who came out. Remember, it's vitally important to support the independent bookstores in your community. They are the purest and most genuine connection that you have to the authors and books that enrich your local culture, and they deserve your ongoing support.