Five years later…

Posted January 1, 2012 by Terry Fallis

Time to look back on my writing year, as I’ve done annually since starting this blog back in January, 2007. It was another year of counting my literary blessings. Here are a few highlights that made 2011 such a memorable year for me:

I did 95 talks and readings over the course of the year, a pace of nearly two each week. I travelled to Vancouver, Whistler, the Sunshine Coast, Calgary, Banff, Halifax, Ottawa, and all through Ontario.

In early February, The Best Laid Plans, due largely to Ali Velshi’s stellar advocacy, snared the 2011 Canada Reads crown. This put TBLP on the bestsellers list for much of the year and even dragged The High Road on to the list in its wake.

In April, The High Road was shortlisted for the 2011 Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour.

In May, I officially signed with McClelland & Stewart for my third novel.

In June, I started teaching at the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies Creative Writing program. I developed, and have now twice taught, a five week course on how to build an audience for your writing.

In July, TBLP was the only novel included in the twelve books shortlisted for the Best Canadian Political Book of the Last 25 Years honour compiled by the Samara Foundation and The Writers’ Trust.

In late October, I finished the manuscript for my third novel, tentatively entitled Up and Down, and in November, passed it along to my wonderful editor and publisher at M&S, Douglas Gibson.

In November, I started my stint as CBC’s resident blogger for Canada Reads 2012.

Also in November, CBC announced that it is developing The Best Laid Plans as a six-part television miniseries.

In December, the City of Woodstock announced that The High Road had been chosen as the official Woodstock Reads 2012 selection.

Finally, to close out the year, Margaret Atwood “tweeted” very positively to her nearly 289,000 followers after reading The Best Laid Plans.

As you can see, it was a very happy fifth year in my life as a writer. I am one, very grateful novelist.

Looking ahead, there’s more excitement coming in 2012. First and foremost, my third novel will hit bookstore shelves in September. Beyond that, who knows?

Terry on Substack

4 responses to “Five years later…”

Kathleen O'Hara says:

January 1, 2012 at 10:42 am

Happy 2012! You are a relatively new Facebook friend and a great addition to my virtual reading … As a recent, first-time author, I very much appreciate your honesty, admitting how thrilled you are about your success! Too many people would try to conceal their “Gee Whiz” feelings, but you let them all out! It’s wonderful and inspiring … although almost unCanadian! Thank you and keep them laughing, Kathleen
Cathy Olliffe-Webster says:

January 1, 2012 at 3:08 pm

I met Margaret Atwood the same weekend as I met you â€“ in Muskoka â€“ and I must say you both made a huge impact on me.

Since then (and since your kind words of encouragement), I have gone on to write more than 55,000 new words of my novel â€“ an incredible feat. I can see light at the end of the tunnel and I have you to thank. So, yes, meeting Margaret Atwood was phenomenal, but no more phenomenal than meeting Terry Fallis.

I have passed your book titles on to many of my friends and they all love your books and can hardly wait for number three. Also, I can hardly, hardly wait to see what the CBC does with Best Laid Plans.

You have had a wonderful year and totally deserve all of it. May the muse of 2012 smile just as kindly.
Angela says:

January 2, 2012 at 4:57 pm

Terry,

Happy new year and a heartfelt congratulations on every success and the many more en route; you are an inspiration for so many of us with stories yet untold.

Very best,
Angela.
Timothy Peters says:

January 18, 2012 at 6:27 pm

off topic but I thought you might have a political theory on this. What is your opinion on the U.S. Congress and their latest internet bills SOPA (I dont know what the initials are but I know what they imply)