CanZine Book Launch!
- By Jennifer Chen
- •
- 10 Sep, 2018
- •
a.k.a. How to survive without hyperventilation?
Event alert:
CanZine is happening in less than two weeks, and I will be there to promote and chat about my debut, YA novel, Super!. Come out and say hello!
Event details:
What: CanZine Toronto
When: Saturday, Sept 22, 2018, 1 - 7 pm
Where: The Art Gallery of Ontario
Who: Tons of amazing indie artists and publishers will be attending
Why: Admission is free! And what better way to enjoy your afternoon than by indulging in Toronto's underground art scene?
Why: Admission is free! And what better way to enjoy your afternoon than by indulging in Toronto's underground art scene?
So, after a few surreal weeks, it's finally starting to sink in that I will be talking engaging my three hidden fears: Talking to people, being interesting, and promoting myself. The introverted part of me wants to catch a flu and bail, while the gung-ho part of me wants to meet it head-on like a jouster rushing headlong into a wall.
"Make it a learning experience!" screams my Ravenclaw side, which happens to be incredibly dominant, so I suppose my subconscious views fear as a sort of flag for a Teachable Moment. And I will
make it a learning experience. I have attended conventions before, but I have never managed a table. Fortunately, my drive to experience and assimilate new situations overrides every other instinct in my body (including, foolishly, the fear response). So, I will go, remind myself to not show too much teeth while smiling, try not to knock anything over with my exaggerated gesticulations, and probably have a merry good time after all.
All that text to say, "I'm nervous, but excited, but very nervous. But also excited!"
I
will also be hosting a drop-in arts-and-crafts activity between 3-4 pm that
involves immortalizing yourself as a superhero on a personalized trading
card. Who doesn't love superheroes? Who doesn't want their own trading
card? Bring the kids! They'll love it too. Today, I got my first look at what the card templates, and wow, is it beautiful or what?
Many thanks to Lisa Bissnauth for the design (visit her at her Society6
store for more awesome art).
So, yeah, nerves. How to get rid of them? Regulate all experience to a learning experience, apparently.
Once the event passes, I think I will finally allow
myself to use the title of "author" when introducing myself to new
friends. I've been holding off on doing so due to a strange, self-imposed sense of
honour. Like, I can't use the word until I officially publish a novel. Which I have now.
Some days I still think it's all a dream.
Peace out!