With All the Colors of Darkness now available in the US, Peter’s getting set for a long US book tour. You’ll be able to meet him and get books signed, ask questions, and hear him read, at dozens of locations. Here’s the current list, with dates and times. We’ll add new information is it becomes available.
(Click the link below to see the list of dates.)
It’s a long overnight flight from Toronto to Sao Paolo, about eleven hours, and that wasn’t the end of my journey. After clearing customs and immigration I had to take an internal flight to Porto Alegre, which meant a two hour wait and another hour and a half in the air. Needless to say, I was in dire need of sleep when I finally arrived in Brazil’s tenth largest city (around 1.5 million) for the 54th Feira do Livro. But the festival people take very good care of their authors, and that doesn’t always result in much time for sleep!
The view from the hotel in Porto Alegre.
In the hotel lobby I was introduced to my “Angel” Vanessa, who was to take care of me during my stay. Luckily for me, she had spent a year in London and her English was near perfect, as I don’t speak Portuguese, and it’s not always as easy as people assume to get by in Brazil on a little Spanish. And Carol Zappa, from my publishers, Record Editions, was also around to help. Between them, they got me to events, interviews, lunches and dinners on time–or at least as late as is reasonable in Brazil.
Peter with his “angel” Vanessa.
Peter answers questions in the Guardian’s Why I Write column today. Find out his favorite books as a kid, why and how he got started writing, and learn about his daily writing routine. Also, find out what Peter’s working on as his next book; or not. :-)
The University of Leeds has announced the Peter Robinson Scholarship, which “will be awarded for the first time in autumn 2009, providing a total of £1,000 for each of the 3 years of the degree programme.” Peter is doing this to help up-and-coming writers.
Discussing this, Peter said, “As an unemployed young man, I wanted to study English so that I could fulfil my dream of becoming a writer. A University education didn’t seem a viable option until I came here and had a chat with the head of English, who set the wheels in motion. I’m delighted to help support the next generation of talented English students at Leeds.”
Peter attended the University of Leeds in the 1970s, after which he “moved to Canada where he completed an MA in English and Creative Writing at the University of Windsor, Ontario followed by a PhD in English at the University of York, Toronto. Peter now divides his time between Toronto and North Yorkshire.”
Published two weeks ago, All the Colours of Darkness has shot up the best-seller charts. It debuted at #5 on the Maclean list, and at #8 on the Globe and Mail list. It’s also #3 in Mysteries and #23 overall on Amazon.ca, #5 on Chapters “in store” bestseller list, and #10 on their “online” bestsellers list.
The book is off to a rousing start, and you can get a chance to meet Peter as he embarks on his Canadian tour to promote the book. If you’re a fan of Inspector Banks, make sure to come out and say hi.
Things have been rather hectic on the travel front lately. First, a couple of weeks ago, I had a trip to Washington, DC, for the National Book Festival. This was a great thrill, as it is by invitation only and includes breakfast at the White House. I hasten to add that it is a non-political festival to promote reading and literacy, so we’ll keep the politics out of it!
The first evening there was a gala banquet for the 70 or so attending writers at the Thomas Jefferson Building, the Library of Congress. My taxi got stuck in rush-hour traffic on my way, and just before we arrived the heavens opened. For some reason I couldn’t fathom at the time, all the streets in the area were blocked off by police, so I had to run about two blocks to the entrance through the torrential rain, wearing my brand new tux for the first time. No raincoat. No umbrella. I was soaked through when I got there, which made standing around sipping white wine (the only kind available) at the reception a bit uncomfortable. Also, I didn’t know anyone there. I searched for Alexander McCall Smith, the only other writer on the list I do know, but I couldn’t find him. And I prefer red wine. Still, it’s a magnificent building–all marble columns and colourful frescos–and there were plenty of cops and secret service people to watch, so I didn’t get bored.
We were soon ushered into the Coolidge Theatre, and in no time at all I saw the reason for the heavy security. The President and the First Lady walked across the stage and sat down a few rows in front of me. The cameras flashed and suddenly the hall seemed full of men with wiggly wires growing out of their ears. As the evening went on, with performances from four of the festival writers, I started to dry out. By dinner time I wasn’t feeling too wet. And there was red wine. I didn’t know anyone at the table, but it was a cosy enough group and in no time we were all chatting away. The food was excellent, and I would like to give special thanks to the young lady who kept my glass brimming! Getting back to the hotel was another nightmare of rain and scarce taxis, but volunteers from the festival kept us dry with umbrellas while we waited at the street corner, and I ended up sharing a ride with three delightful ladies.
Breakfast at the White House was early and I wasn’t particularly hungry. I can’t even remember what I ate. Still, it was interesting to wander around the east wing and look at the portraits and exhibits of historical presidential china and crystal ware on view in glass cases. And I finally found Alexander McCall Smith. Security didn’t seem quite so invasive here, except for the sniper on the roof. After a group photograph, I found myself standing next to Laura Bush, so I smiled and she stuck out her hand and said hello.
The talks and signings took place on the Mall just below the Capitol building, and the whole event had the atmosphere of a fair. Everyone seemed to be having a good time despite the heat and humidity and the occasional shower. I wasn’t on until late afternoon, so I spent much of my time before that in the authors’ pavilion near the massive air-conditioner. The event was short and sweet, and I got to chat with lots of people at the signing. I even met some fans from Yorkshire who just happened to be on holiday and saw my name. Hard to believe, but we even had a mutual friend!
Continue reading “Peter’s Journal: Washington, Baltimore, Movies, Books and Music”
Peter’s going to Brazil for a week, where he will be present at a couple of events at two literary festivals. To all Brazilian fans, drop by and say hi.
Wednesday, November 5, 7.30pm. Round-table discussion, “The Literature of Suspense,” in the Erico Verissimo Cultural Centre at the Feira do Libro, Porto Alagre, Brazil. www.feiradolibro-poa.com.br
Thursday, November 6, time to be announced. Round-table discussion with William Gordon and Martin Brock: “Three Points of View on Noir Fiction” at the Forum das Letras, Ouro Preto, Brazil.
Here are two photos of Peter at the festival in Washington. Photos by Carol Kilroy.
Peter was at the National Book Festival in Washington, DC, and he sat down for an interview which you can listen to on-line, or download as a podcast.
“Crime novelist Peter Robinson talks about how his character Inspector Banks has evolved over 21 years; shares writing tips that he teaches in his classes; and reminiscences about the writers who influenced him, including his tutor who became a world renowned author.”
If you’re in Washington, D.C. at the end of the month, be sure to stop by the National Book Festival to meet Peter, along with dozens of renowned authors. To mention just a few, Peter will be alongside Geraldine Brooks, Brad Meltzer, Richard Price, Francine Prose, Salman Rushdie and Alexander McCall Smith. There will be panels, discussions, signings and much more. For now, the following events are scheduled:
Saturday, September 27.
2.30 – 3.30: Book signing at The Booksigning Pavilion, The National Mall, (3rd Street and Jefferson Drive, NW)
4.25 – 4.55: Talk with Q and A.The Fiction & Mystery Pavilion, The National Mall
Peter Robinson 