How am I spending my time these days, gentle blog reader?

Meet Zaine, the 16-year-old protagonist of Push Back (James Lorimer & Co., fall 2018 release).

Aside from reviewing the copy edits on Push Back, developing a new teen story to pitch, and addressing the realities of allergy season, muddy-dog season and shedding-dog season (I can never decide if it’s a good thing or not that those three seasons collide), I am….

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to leave dog hair and mud all over the floor.”

….preparing to go on tour!

Along with 17 other Alberta authors, illustrators and storytellers, I’m proud to be a Cenovus Wordpower 2018 touring artist. For next week’s tour, the artists’ fees — hotels, food, transportation, speaking fees — are generously sponsored by Cenovus Energy.

Many thanks to Cenovus Energy for again sponsoring Alberta’s Wordpower literacy tour.

In addition to covering those various touring fees, Cenovus Energy has also bought hundreds of copies of books by Alberta artists to send to the schools that we will be visiting.

I am delighted that Turk, Vienna, Simone and Lily will be accompanying me on tour next week.

The tour was 100% organized by a literacy-based group called the Young Alberta Book Society, or YABS, which operates out of Edmonton. I can’t imagine the work involved in putting the many moving pieces together for a tour of this magnitude!

Many thanks to Cenovus Energy for again sponsoring Alberta’s Wordpower tour, and to YABS for organizing it.

On Sunday, I will be hitting the happy Wordpower trails, where I will be offering presentations and workshops that will fire up students’ imaginations about reading, writing and books.

Even before I meet all those wonderful kids and teens, I already know that I’ve hit the jackpot — because my tour partner this year is none other than the incredible Jacqueline Guest.

Jacqueline Guest is the award-winning author of 19 books for children and teens.

An experienced and popular visitor to the classroom, Jacqueline engages students with her Métis heritage and historical lessons. Her body of work is renowned for advancing diversity in children’s literature, and for promoting Indigenous culture. In 2016, Jacqueline became a Member of the Order Of Canada.

Over the years, Jacqueline has made strong contributions to youth literacy — and that’s before we even consider the impact she will have at the 9 schools that we will be visiting together next week. Wow!

If I had to pick a favourite book by Jacqueline Guest, I would choose “Outcasts of River Falls.” It is the sequel to “Belle Of Batoche.” Absolutely fascinating!

It’s time now to go organize my presentations and props. And to pack some “real clothes” — because apparently my usual writerly dress code of business-casual pyjamas and workout “athleisure” gear won’t quite work next week. I’d better see to that!

And as I like to tell my students…

“Be careful, you guys! Anything you say or do might end up in a book.”

Thanks again to Cenovus Energy for its generous sponsorship of Wordpower 2018. Thanks also to YABS for herding all us cats organizing all us artists for next week’s tour. You are both amazing!