Terry Fallis - Best Laid Plans

I was browsing on Indigo today when I noticed an “Online Bestseller” banner across the top of TBLP. I have no idea exactly what it indicates, beyond I suppose that sales lately have been strong. I’m curious to know what it really means and have e-mailed Indigo in the hopes of finding out. In the interim, I’ve certainly no complaints about being tagged as an “online bestseller.” I guess the Leacock Medal honeymoon continues…

Back in February 2007, Steve Paikin, the outstanding host of The Agenda, TV Ontario’s great nightly public affairs program, was kind enough to interview me about the then unpublished TBLP. Here’s the blog post Steve wrote in the wake of the Leacock Medal announcement:

The Funniest Book In Canada

As my wife Nancy and I were driving home yesterday from Orillia where the Leacock Medal luncheon was held, James Adams of the Globe and Mail called my cell phone.  We did a quick interview as I tried to drive down highway 400 while still floating off the ground.   Anyway, here’s the result:

Stay tuned.  I’ve been informed that the official Globe and Mail review of TBLP will run this Saturday (gulp).

I’m sure my 15 minutes must soon be up. Because of the Leacock Medal shortlist, the Toronto Star ran a nice piece in the Sunday Star this past weekend. They even teased the story on the front page of the Entertainment section. I’d done the interview and photography last week. I’m amazed at how many people have e-mailed me in the wake of the article, including some who have said that they’ve ordered the book. Every little bit helps!

The Leacock Medal is a pretty big deal in Canada having been awarded to many of my literary heroes including Roberston Davies, Mordecai Richler, and Paul Quarrington. Earlier today, I found out by reading a Google News Alert that The Best Laid Plans has been named a finalist, along with four other books, for the 2008 Leacock Medal. I am stunned and immeasurably grateful for this completely unexpected recognition. (I didn’t even dare contemplate the possibility.) The winner will be announced at a luncheon on April 30th in the Leacock home. I’ll be there, likely still walking around in a haze of incredulity.

Here’s the photo from the Orillia Packet & Times. This is how I discovered the news… by noticing my photo on the board.

I hope to be able to construct coherent sentences and touch back down to earth in a few days. But until then, I just can’t believe it…

I just discovered when reviewing my monthly sales summary from my publisher that the Ottawa Public Library system has ordered 15 copies of TBLP to distribute among its 33 branches. As far as I know, this is the first library order I’ve received.

For what it’s worth, here’s a partial screen shot of the New Titles On Order list from the Ottawa Public Library website. Very, very cool.

Pages is one of Canada’s premier independent bookstores offering an extraordinary range of literary fiction, nonfiction and art books. It’s located on trendy Queen Street West in Toronto and TBLP is now available there.

I’ve just been invited to speak at the prestigious Literary Table, a crowd of writers and book lovers that regularly meet for lunch at the famed Arts and Letters Club in downtown Toronto. A fixture in the Canadian arts and lit scene for over a century, The Arts and Letters Club occupies a wonderful heritage building in the heart of Toronto. Needless to say, I’m chuffed (a word Angus McLintock would use) at the invitation. I’m to speak for a half hour about TBLP and then answer questions. I’ve also been encouraged to peddle a few books while I’m there. I’ll keep you posted.

My 20 minute interview with Ken Rockburn, host of CPAC’s Talk Politics aired this past Sunday. Ken was great and I had a blast. I love that he referred to TBLP as “a scathingly funny political satire.” Nice. Here’s hoping it moves some books.

You can watch the interview here. I close the show so feel free to scroll through until about two thirds of the way through and you’ll find my radio face.

Tom Allen is the much-loved host of CBC Radio’s Music and Company. A music expert in his own right, it’s Tom’s story telling and his casual and warm approach that makes listening to his show seem like sitting in his living room. Tom is a good friend and was very helpful and supportive when I was writing TBLP. Our sons play on the same hockey team and so we spend many a hour together at innumerable arenas. Tom is also a respected writer and published The Gift of the Game in 2005. It’s a wonderful reflection on hockey and his son.  Here’s what Tom has kindly said of TBLP:

“Terry Fallis has found the cure for Canada’s political malaise: a stubborn, old, irreverent Scotsman with nothing to lose. Until Angus McLintock walks out of fiction and into public office, where he would surely save the nation, the only place to find him is right here among The Best Laid Plans.”

You should all go out and buy Tom’s book! Thanks for all your support Tom.