Archive for the 'Appearances' Category
Nina recently made signing appearances at two Indigo bookstores on the North Shore of Vancouver, British Columbia. She met many interesting people and signed lots of books.
“I really enjoy meeting my readers and having stimulating discussions with people on topics of evolution, chaos theory, endosymbiosis and the like,” said Munteanu in a recent interview in a downtown bistro over a glass of red wine. “I find the readers at Chapters to be generally very intelligent with a diversity of backgrounds and interests. It doesn’t matter whether they buy the book or not; they always have something interesting to say about these topics. For instance, I met Tove Peterson, a scientologist who writes poetry and belongs to the Northshore Writers Club. There’s Stephen who’s favorite author is Wilbur Smith. There’s Martin, a physicist who builds solar power projects; then there’s Joanna Schilling, a keen evolution student at Langara College; and Phil who went to Ryerson with Robert J. Sawyer. As Forrest Gump said, ‘you just never know what you’re gonna get’.”
Nina continues her local booktour with signings in March at the Langley Chapters (Langely Centre on March 9th), the Surrey Chapters (Strawberry Hill on March 15th), the Vancouver Chapters (Broadway & Granville on March 22nd), and the Burnaby Chapters (at Metrotown Centre on March 29th). She then takes her booktour abroad to Europe and finally ends in Eastern Canada (Ottawa) in April.
The book signing at Chapters in Pinetree Village (Coquitlam, British Columbia) was splendid. I first met with wonderful and helpful Chapters staff (they are all so friendly!), including managers Jenny and Linda. They even treated me to a Hazelnut latte from the Starbucks there! (I guess they wanted me awake and spry to glad-hand potential Darwin readers, which of course I did!).
No sooner had I set up my Valentine’s Day table, when a diverse and interesting group of readers streamed in and greeted me with avid interest. I met young and old (thanks to the chocolates I had out front, no doubt!) and engaged in some diverting and challenging discussions on evolution, creationism, artificial intelligence, synthetic life, among other topics. For instance, I met Louise, an environmental activist at Simon Fraser University, George Meech, another writer (see his “The Mating of Mala” by I Universe, available at Chapters), Janet and Kimberley, a mom and daughter (about the same age as Julie and Angel); Brent, who is fascinated by the architecture of the universe and topics like chaos theory, autopoiesis and synchronicity; Dominika, a behavior psychologist (she’s going to have fun reading about Julie!); John and his daughter, an avid sociologist. I also met Bruce (a fantasy writer) and Gina, a teacher, both who are writers looking to publish.
As always, these signings are a wonderful opportunity for me to connect with readers of different backgrounds, cultures and interests (and not necessarily those who read my book), all intelligent and interesting people. I thank Chapters and their kind staff for this wonderful opportunity. My tour continues in the Lower Mainland with these events:
- Book signing: Saturday, February 23 at Indigo, Park Royal in West Vancouver from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
- Book signing: Saturday, March 1 at Indigo on Marine Drive in North Vancouver from 2 pm to 5 pm
- Book signing: Saturday, March 8 at Chapters at the Langley Town Centre from 1 pm to 4 pm
- Writing Workshop: Thursday, March 13 at the Fraser Valley Regional Library (Pioneer Library) in Ladner at 7 pm
- Book signing: Saturday, March 15 at Chapters, Strawberry Hill Center in Surrey at 1 pm to 5 pm
- Book signing: Saturday, March 22 at Chapters, Granville & Broadway in Vancouver at 1 pm to 4 pm
- Book signing: Saturday, March 29 at Chapters, Metrotown Centre in Burnaby at 1 pm to 4 pm.
For those of you visiting or living in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia (Vancouver area), Nina is making several appearances in February and March. You can still catch her at the following venues:
- Book signing: Sunday, February 10 at Chapters, Pinetree Village in Coquitlam from 1:20 until Nina decides to party…
- Book signing: Saturday, February 23 at Indigo, Park Royal in West Vancouver from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
- Book signing: Saturday, March 1 at Indigo on Marine Drive in North Vancouver from 2 pm to 5 pm
- Book signing: Saturday, March 8 at Chapters at the Langley Town Centre from 1 pm to 4 pm
- Writing Workshop: Thursday, March 13 at the Fraser Valley Regional Library (Pioneer Library) in Ladner at 7 pm
- Book signing: Saturday, March 15 at Chapters, Strawberry Hill Center in Surrey at 1 pm to 5 pm
- Book signing: Saturday, March 22 at Chapters, Granville & Broadway in Vancouver at 1 pm to 4 pm
- Book signing: Saturday, March 29 at Chapters, Metrotown Centre in Burnaby at 1 pm to 4 pm.
Nina will be signing copies of Darwin’s Paradox and engaging in discussion about related topics with interested readers. I’ve heard that on one occasion she even juggled six chocolates while counting backwards (no mean feat for this math-challenged writer). Sorry, no picture. Nina will then be continuing her book tour in Europe (Paris and possibly Berlin) and returning via Ottawa.
Posted under Appearances. Tags: Darwin’s Paradox, books, book signings, Chapters-Indigo, Nina Munteanu
Toronto, ON ~ Bakka-Phoenix Science Fiction Books.
It’s Canada’s oldest science fiction bookstore. Located in Toronto’s funky Queen Street West, this shop has hosted many a big name science fiction writer signing, including Robert J. Sawyer, who used to work there during his salad days. Those of you passing through Toronto, Canada, or who live there, you can now find my book, “Darwin’s Paradox” on the shelves of this genre bookstore. And if you can’t find my book, it’s only because it’s temporarily sold out! (so I was told the other day). More were on order and may have arrived by now.
I will nonetheless be appearing there this Friday to sign the last remaining copy (or others, if they’ve arrived) as Bakka waits for more to come in (very soon!). If you live in or are visiting Toronto, please consider visiting this independent bookstore dedicated to good science fiction, and support the independent bookstore industry by buying something from the knowledgeable and friendly staff (well, you know which book I’m going to suggest!).
Here’s their address:
Bakka-Phoenix Books
697 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON, M6J1E6
CANADA
From my vantage point in the aft lounge of Nina’s spaceship, I had the remarkable view of the stirrings going on below on planet Earth. I kept getting interceptor messages all morning about the teleporter schedule being booked to capacity already for next month.
Wondering what all the commotion was about, I checked the ship’s logs. Sure enough, Miss Nina has scheduled yet another science fiction conference ~ this time in the lovely Vancouver, British Columbia.
VCON 32 will play host to the Vancouver’s Science Fiction, Fantasy & Gaming Convention this October 19-21 at the Radisson President Hotel. Among the featured guests will be Eric Johnson, lead actor of the upcoming Vancouver-filmed science fiction series, Flash Gordon. Nina will be participating in workshops, panels and giving readings of her new book: Darwin’s Paradox.
News Flash ~ Grab your tickets before the Klingons get them all! See you there 
