Last night's reading and BIG Godblog news!!

First the news.  Finally, it can be told.  I've been sitting on this because it's been in the works since early April at least, but now we're down to the short strokes, and I announced it publicly at the reading last night for the first time, so...

I'm about to sign a contract for the film rights to Godblog with an independent Canadian production company.

Can I get a YAY?  The screenwriter who'll be adapting the book is a friend of mine, and he has my trust.  He brought this producer into the project, and will be a co-producer himself.  We've already talked a little about creative direction, because some things will have to be changed for a film, and I'm not alarmed by anything they're thinking about.  In fact, I even gave them some ideas for changes.

Film development takes time, so "when is it going to be shot?" and "when can I see it?" are not questions for now.  Not every film that starts development gets made.  So for now, I'm just celebrating the fact that there's an option on the book, that lets them start developing a script and looking for funding, and I get a fee it.  But mostly, I'm jazzed about the idea that there are people out there who are so enthusiastic about my work, that they are now putting their professional time and energy into it. 

Now, the reading.  It was great.  Small, iconic Toronto independent bookstore with a 30-year history, and 20-some people on folding chairs filled it.  Despite the credentials of the other authors, at least half the audience was from my invite list. I read first. 

Jun 1709 lineup

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Jun 17 09 reading

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Michael Wex did an amazing performance, not a reading because he did it from memory, sort of a beat-poet thing on Yiddish that was hilarious.  Mark Leiren-Young read from his book Never Shoot a Stampede Queen, and was hugely funny, too.

Here's me and Mark, who had also introduced me as a "superhero" in my day job protecting screenwriters and "fantastic" person and mentioned my cat rescues and everything.

Mark and Laurie

And here's the piece of cake I had with Mark and his girlfriend at about 10:45 p.m., after the whole dealio. 

Mmm cake

This was my first food since a few carrots at about 4 p.m.  I didn't get home till after midnight.  This week has been such a whirlwind with chores and cats and obligations and all and my mind is still going 90 miles a minute with all I have to still do before getting on a plane tomorrow.  But last night was huge, huge fun.