Word on the Street: Toronto (henceforth WOTS) happened this past weekend, and as a first time experience, it was enjoyable—if a bit claustrophobic—and people up in my personal bubble is no bueno. Also foodtrucks. Also authors. Also more people.
I made the trek from suburbia, hoping to arrive at WOTS around noon to find Wendy (of A Cupcake and a Latte) as she was kindly letting me have her extra copy of Trial by Fire (Josephine Angelini).
That didn’t happen.
Thankfully, I made arrangements to meet with Amanda (of Brains, Books, and Brawn) as she gifted me her ARC of Patrick Ness’ The Rest of Us Just Live Here. I CANNOT EVEN. There was a lot of heart-clutching action happening. Fucking feels, right? It also happened that Wendy departed early but left Trial by Fire with Amanda – so thank you both!
For most of the early afternoon, I was searching for solid sales (re: frugal me demanded it). I took a break from this mission and listened in on some local slam poetry talent; retrospectively, I should have chilled in the shade rather than evaporating under the sun. But I guess a little tanning isn’t so bad.
I wanted to picture-log this event but brilliant me forgot to put the battery into the camera post-charging. I am le smart.
I attended Kevin Sands’ panel and mosey’d on over to his signing. It was wonderful to speak with him—if a bit awkwardly on my behalf—about his debut, The Blackthorn Key (still stands among my top 2015 reads). Actually, it was more like me vomiting my feels—the bromance, the pigeon named Briget, the part that I cried during—all met with grounded explanations as to its intent. It was awesome to hear that a sequel is in the making [even if the first book can be read as a standalone]. But seriously: you should consider reading it.
All around, there were some pretty good deals ranging from 20% off cover price and $5/3 hard/paperback respectively to getting bags of [unknown] books for purchasing a title at full price. The only book I purchased at the event was the hardback of Blackthorn because it just so happened that I had to place two parcel orders from Book Outlet a few days prior…so I opted not to destroy my wallet. Otherwise, there were a lot of free books being given away! The only one I came across that remotely interested me was Run with the Wolves (it’s been a while since I’ve read a paranormal-fic).
Also got myself an event t-shirt to support the organization! (Photo credit to: WOTS Instagram.)
Anyhow, it was still a wonderful day surrounded by the literary community! Special thanks to Amanda and Jerome for letting me third-wheel parts of their day LOL.
Afterthoughts:
Did you attend WOTS (Toronto or other chapters)? I’d love to hear your experience! If not, I hope to see you next year or at the next event – because impromptu blogger meet-ups is pretty darn neat.
Cheers,
Joey
connect: afterthoughtAn // twitter | anotherafterthought // goodreads
thoughts and afterthoughts. 
WOTS sounds like such a fun event! Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks for reading! I definitely tried to make the most of it despite the solo trip haha. But by the end of it, I didn’t want it to end!
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That’s so cool, yet another thing to check out in Canada if I ever go there. I wish they had something like that where I live (West Coast, USA). You got those books for some great prices too 🙂
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Haha this is only once a year so unless you time yourself for this event, it’ll be hard to check out (but not impossible!) I feel like they have a lot of stuff in Western USA. Isn’t that where YALLWest is? That was a pretty big event!
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Actually, yes it is :). I haven’t been to any yet but I’m hoping to go to YALLWest since I only live 5 hours away! The only problem is that it’s during the school year. *fingers crossed*
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For a second I thought he wrote “Let’s build a snowman”… but I’m glad you got to word vomit your feels. That shirt is really cute!
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I would be okay with that quote too…
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Do you wanna build a snowman?
Come on let’s go and plaayyyy.
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This sounds like it was so much fun! Besides people. Ugh too many people. #IntrovertHere
But gosh darn I’m jealous of you and all the others who attend these events! Yet I don’t have the courage to go to one myself.
Wonderful post, Joey!
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I know the feeling. I went to my first blogger event this past summer and it was an eye-opening experience. And it’s these people that you see at other events!
Plus there are so many bloggers in Australia too that you shouldn’t feel intimidated to meet all these people you talk to on the daily. It’s that one step that I know is daunting but once you do, you’ll wonder why you worried to begin with! I’m sure when there’s an event in AUS, you’ll be able to meet up with Aentee, Brett, Jeann or Jenna (just some names off the top of my head).
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Yes! I know all four of those wonderful bloggers. Yes, hopefully I will soon be able to muster up the courage to haul my self to one of these awesome bookish events if they ever come up in Australia!
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Toronto always gets the fun stuff. Sigh. I wish we have such a thing. I think the Winnipeg Writers’ Festival just happened, but because I’ve been buried under some real life angst, I couldn’t find it in me to see people. Lol. Anyway, looks like fun, J. And kind blogger-friends are kind. 🙂
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NEGATORY. Patrick Ness is going to VanCity instead of Toronto for his Canadian debut >_____>… if you ever decide to come to Toronto, you should let me know. Homeboy’s gotta ritual dance with momma Joy.
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Damn, another Toronto event that I missed! I have to be more proactive about these things!
Sounds like a lot of fun, I’ll have to keep this event in mind for another time 🙂
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