Big Night

Well, let’s just say it was like walking back in time.

Not way, way, way back. The picture above was actually from about 1993. My pal Gord Stellick looks the same. I’ve changed a wee bit:)

This more recent walk back in time didn’t go back quite that far. Gord and I did a book together, “‘67,” back in 2005, and celebrated with a launch party in downtown Toronto. Nineteen years later, we did it again, this time at the Uptown Pub House in Toronto in celebration of our new book, “Revival: The Chaotic, Colourful Journey of the 1977-78 Toronto Maple Leafs.” The picture you clicked on to read this post was from last night, with the lovely and talented Christine Simpson squeezed between Gord and I. It was a great night that began with a phone conversation a year ago between Gord and I following the tragic passing of Leaf great Borje Salming, and a year later, here we are, with a book I think lots of hockey fans and, obviously, Leaf fans, will enjoy.

Working with a co-author is a different experience, but one I’ve always enjoyed probably because I enjoy being part of a team. I did one with writer Gare Joyce, another with Hall of Fame goalie Martin Brodeur, two with writer Andrew Podnieks, and now a couple with Gord. The only one I did completely on my own was about the ‘93 Stanley Cup playoff series between the Leafs and Los Angeles Kings. Can’t say I enjoyed doing it myself anymore than I did working with someone else. With Gord, many have asked about our process. Well, it’s a pretty informal process. He has all these memories and stories, plus a particular attachment and affection for the Leafs that I don’t have. Together, I think we’ve been able to strike the right chord, one that celebrates great athletes and their accomplishments while at the same time taking a hard look at what has been at different times one of the more dysfunctional franchises in professional sports.

For “Revival,” we were able to convince our long-time colleague, the brilliant editor Karen Milner, to come along for the ride. Yes, it was like getting the band back together, because Karen, then with Wiley Publishing, had worked with us on “‘67.” If you’re ever looking to write a book, call her at Milner and Associates Inc.

So what happens now? We wait I guess, and see how many books we can sell, either in individual bookstores on on Indigo.ca. Being a newspaper guy, I never wrote a piece imagining how many newspapers I might sell or subscriptions that might be generated, and with books, I’m kind of the same. You do the best job you can, and the public decides if it’s interested. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn’t, but it really doesn’t change the process for me as long as I feel the effort and time was put in to create something unique and interesting.

Gord and I hope this one is worthy of your consideration. Otherwise, the launch party was filled with many beloved friends and family members, and we had a great time.

The band got back together for one last big concert, and the three of us are thrilled how it turned out.