PJ Bracegirdle in British Columbia

For my Book Week, I had the pleasure of touring the interior of British Columbia, visiting the province’s northern most city, Prince George—or ‘PG’ as it’s affectionately known. PG is undergoing a transformation from a historic industrial town into a cosmopolitan city, with great cuisine, culture, and art all available to enjoy.

Upon my arrival, the community made me feel immediately welcome. Sitting in a café on the first Sunday, I was even recognized by a nearby table of librarians! After my picture appeared in the newspaper, it seemed like every second person I spoke to knew who I was.

During the week I gave thirteen presentations to groups between Grades 4-7, although sometimes even high school students would ask to attend. Towards the end of each session, I would read from a manuscript I was currently working on. A young adult suspense-thriller, I was keen to test its purposely mind-bending opening on actual audiences.

The responses, as it turned out, were among the most vocal and enthusiastic I have ever received as an author, with loud applause, shouts (“Epic!” was my favourite) and a couple of standing ovations that had me happily flushing with embarrassment. Left hanging by the chapter’s ending, the kids and teens of PG would then demand to know the story’s secret, becoming wonderfully infuriated when I would not reveal it. Agonized, they would begin offering up their own theories before begging me to get the book published as soon as possible. (Look for it Fall 2012, guys!)

Prince George was a very surprising and inspiring place. There is no shortage of avid readers in the north of BC, I discovered, who are lucky to be supported by a great team of teachers and librarians. I felt very privileged to meet and, I hope, entertain everyone.