Reading at Runnymede

Yesterday I did a reading of The Royal Woods at the Chapters Book Store in the old Runnymede Theatre on Bloor Street. It was by far the most fun I've had so far in the year 2008. In fact, it's probably more fun than I had during all of 2007.

The books clubs from three schools came to the reading - Fern, Howard, and Keele Mountain View. I couldn't have hoped for a better audience. The kids were all just unbelievable. I think everyone there had either read the book or were well into reading it. I knew that as soon as I walked in because everyone recognized me from my picture at the back of the book. "Look! He's still wearing that same coat!" I heard one girl say to her friend.

After I finished reading part of one chapter, I asked if there were any questions, expecting to be met with an awkward silence. Instead, about sixty hands shot up in the air. We ran out of time long before I'd finished answering all the questions. What impressed me most of all was how interesting and intelligent the questions were. I think that's because the book club members are not only close and careful readers, but a lot of them are serious writers as well. Some even suggested interesting possibilities for my next book. For example, I got an excellent idea for sequel about Janet, the chicken. I'm now considering writing a mammoth ten part book series based entirely on the adventures of Janet the chicken.

After it was over, I was given a big card with the book's cover beautifully drawn on the front, and inside there are signatures from all the students in the book club at Keele Mountain View. Then I sat down and signed books for everyone, which was great because it meant I got the chance to talk with the kids, learn their names, and find out something about each of them.

The whole thing was a fantastic experience.

I want to thank the teachers and students from all three schools - Howard, Fern and Keele Mountain View - for coming out and being such a great audience.

I also want to give a special thanks to Tessa Griffin for organizing the reading. She's helped to start book clubs at a number of schools, and also organizes book readings for them. Way to go Tessa!

first blog ever

Hi everyone.
Is anyone there? Probably not, but if so, please don't hesitate to write into this blog. I'd love to hear from you.
This is my first time blogging anywhere about anything, so I'm not certain what I should blog about. What I had for lunch? (egg salad on a bun) Maybe not. Instead I'll just introduce myself (hi, I'm Matt) and write a thing or two about my book, The Royal Woods.
The first thing I'd like to mention is that The Royal Woods was the funnest thing I've ever written. I learned something from that, and you might be interested in hearing about it if you also like writing. What I learned is that you should always write what's fun for you to write. It's not easy to write, so you should at least make the task as enjoyable as possible by writing about something that's fun.
Another reason why it was so fun for me to write this book was that I wrote it for my daughter M. J., who was eight at the time and is now eleven. I'd write a chapter every week or so, and then read it to her. She'd tell me what she liked and what she didn't like, and make some suggestions as to what should happen next - not that I always took her advice.
The point is, it's much easier to write if you have an audience. Writing is a solitary task, and it can get pretty lonely. It helps if you have someone in mind who you are writing for. Maybe you don't have a daughter that you can force to listen to your book like I do. But a parent or a brother or a sister or a friend might be willing to listen to your story. I bet a dog might also work, although I doubt that a cat would be very helpful.
That's all for now on my first official blog. I can't wait to read all the responses that come pouring in. If you do have any questions or comments, please do blog away on this blog. I promise to blog back at you.
take care,
Matt

Get lost with Sydney and Turk in The Royal Woods

All it takes is one look.

One look for twelve-year-old Sydney and her nine-year-old brother Turk to know that everything had changed. The farm where their Uncle Frank and Aunt Lily used to live was gone, and along with it their dreams of a "happily ever after." No safe place to hide from all that had gone wrong in their world; No one, even, to say that hopping a freight train and heading West probably wasn't the best idea the pair had ever had. The farm had been their destination, but in its place was a strange new subdivision: The Royal Woods.

Now what? Rather than return home and admit defeat, Sydney and Turk embark on the adventure of a lifetime. With an eccentric wanderer and friendly gas bar attendant as their only friends--and some neighbourhood bullies as their sworn enemies--the pair struggle to make a life for themselves in their odd new surroundings.

In The Royal Woods, Matt Duggan has created a world where fantasy and reality collide--where chickens ride ponies, where golf putters are magic, and where children survive on the strength of their own wits. In this strange and wonderful neighbourhood, you never know what will happen next.