Armchair BEA: Introductions

While most of my co-workers are having fun at Book Expo America in New York City, I’ll be sitting at home. Most likely in bed, wearing pajamas  and surrounded by my computer, my Blackberry, and lots of books. 

I’m at Armchair BEA.

All this week, book bloggers from across the interwebs will have their own virtual convention. And it starts with introductions:

Please tell us a little bit about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

I’m not a book blogger. This isn’t even a book blog! I’m a young publishing professional in Toronto. I want to enable the dreams of writers. Right now I do that by editing. One day I’ll do that by agenting. (Or publishing… who knows?!) This blog is about 4 years old but its current purpose is to be a hub for my thoughts, adventures, and advice regarding the publishing industry.  Welcome!

What are you currently reading, or what is your favorite book you have read so far in 2012?

I’ve read some fabulous books so far but my top three would be Half-Blood Blues by Esi Edugyan, The Headmaster’s Wager by Vincent Lam, and Salsa Nocturna by Daniel José Older. I’m currently reading manuscripts! But next on my pile is The Beauty of the Humanity Movement by Camilla Gibb.

Which is your favorite post that you have written that you want everyone to read?

The re-launched version of this site is still very new but check out this post about my (current) favorite children’s book! 

If you could eat dinner with any author or character, who would it be and why?

This answer changes depending on which books I have read recently but I am always drawn to strong women. I’d love to break bread with Janie Crawford (Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston) and Aminata Diallo (The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill). Both of these women are remarkable in different ways and it would be a joy to learn from them.

What literary location would you most like to visit? Why?

So many choices! I think I’d visit Hogwarts in the springtime. It’d be gorgeous with everything in bloom and the air just a little crisp. I’d spend hours in the library and then bring as many books as I could carry out to the lawn.  I would definitely get lost (my sense of direction is bad enough without shifting staircases) but then I could just take wander and take in all the history and beauty of the castle. Yup. I’d go to Hogwarts.