Letter to the Editor, Federation of BC Writers, October 18, 2023

Thank you FBCW for making a remarkable event available to the membership. I had the good fortune of attending In Conversation: Jack Knox with Ian and Will Ferguson at the Langham Court Theatre in Victoria on Sunday (October 15, 2023). This presentation was one of the best I’ve ever attended. Nothing has topped this one for me as a writer.

Not only are the Ferguson brothers icons in Canada’s literary world, but their ability to share their creativity in front of a live audience is magical. The audience was spellbound by their stage presence. I felt we were treated like family as they related stories about theirs. As Leacock Medal winners, Ian and Will Ferguson naturally had us in tears of laughter with their biographical sketches, anecdotes about their developing careers, and sharp repartee with their host, Jack Knox, author and columnist for the Victoria Times Colonist.

Brimming with excitement after the presentation with my fresh copy of Ian and Will’s new book in hand, I Only Read Murder, I was third in line for the signing.

“You guys have inspired me tonight. I can hardly wait to get back to my manuscript.” I said rather whimsically.

“You’re a writer?” asked Will.

“Yes. And Munro’s sells one of my books but it’s not selling as well as yours,” I replied differentially.

My wife was standing behind me about to ask if she could take a photo of the three of us when Ian said, “Gary, come on back here so your daughter can take a picture of us. Let’s take our glasses off and look pensive like writers.”