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 natural dog supplement
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.  Just as I dug in my heels to stay the entire evening (I was having too much fun!), Teresa Young and her sidekick, Darlene, descended upon me with promises of a cheap supper and beer. How could I refuse? Teresa is a long-time friend and also the gifted illustrator who will be providing illustrations for the PDF/Audio book version of Darwin’s Paradox, due this summer.  

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.

 Hope to see you there. Come and say hi. You might even get a chocolate (if that little kid in the blue top doesn’t get them all first!).