After almost three years, I’ve decided to conclude Seen Reading, the project. SeenReading.com will continue as a personal blog, and umbrella for past, present, and future projects such as 30 in 30, Readers Reading, and Book Madam. I’d like to thank Ami McKay, Saleema Nawaz, and Monique Trottier for coming on board for such a short (yet sweet) time. I still envision Seen Reading as a community and am open to suggestions. Until that time, however, I’m taking an extended hiatus to regroup and, well, write.
I’m renewing my efforts to craft a collection of microfiction loosely based on the over 600 sightings amassed here. This will be, I hope, the first in a series of such collections. I haven’t abandoned my novel; I’m simply allowing myself to own that this is voodoo that I do do (she said, doo doo) so well. That I should also enjoy writing it as much as I enjoy eating orange creamsicles and drinking french-pressed coffee is what makes life hella kinda cool.
To write about, and to, the readers I’ve seen on my daily travels has been a joy and privilege that I don’t expect to repeat. The reasons to end now are mindful and plenty, but they can be summed up in a reader sighting quite different from the one I’ve often cited as the starting point for Seen Reading, the woman seated at a bar who upon closing in on the final pages of Miriam Toew’s A Complicated Kindness had to leave because it wasn’t the right place to be when she finished the book. Not unlike that day, when something twigged inside me and I realized that I not only wanted to note the reading habits of those I encountered, but that I also wanted to respond to what they’d been reading, this truly other reader showed me that the stories of readers everywhere.
I’d place him in his mid 70s. For years, I’ve seen him on benches along the Danforth and in Withrow Park, always by streetlight. When weather permits, he appears and takes up residency for the night, plastic bags beside him, nose buried deep in a new book. A year ago, I started to leave a book out from time to time in the hope that he’d find it. I had no idea if my tastes matched his, but, each morning, the book was gone. Walking through Withrow Park one particularly hot evening, I noticed that all the benches were occupied, in some cases by more than one person. I started to leave more books out; again, each morning they were gone. If you’ve partnered with me for a contest, there’s a good chance your book has found it’s way into the hands of one who may not be able to afford more than multiple readings, someone who, like me, enjoys the ritual of being transported into a world of someone else’s design. All that’s to say that on the other side of this hiatus, I hope to be engaging in more one-to-one conversations with readers from all over, and all circumstances. Reader Relations.
Publishers, I still plan to talk up your books. Continue to contact me at julie[at]seenreading[dot]com.
Indie booksellers, my offer to advertise your stores for free is still in effect.
And, as always, I’m open to innovative ways to reach readers. If you want to partner for a contest, you know where to find me.
So, there we are. To suggest that I’ll be seeing you in all the familiar places is a bit hokey, but, nonetheless, true. And it’s to my great delight that I’ll be able to once again join the ranks of readers who obliviously miss their stop, pay no mind to the noise at the neighbouring table at the coffee shop, and read into the dusk at the park, moving from one bench to the next in search of the last of day’s light.
Schedule for final entries:
Ami McKay — Monday, August 3
Saleema Nawaz — Tuesday, August 4
Julie Wilson — Wednesday, August 5
Monique Trottier — Thursday, August 6
Be seein’ ya.
Julie Wilson
On one hand I’m sad to see the project end because it was a fantastic project. I always kind of wished that you had seen me reading somewhere when I lived in TO but well, I pretty much was home all the time.
On the other hand I have to applaud you for knowing when it was time to be done. I’m very much looking forward to seeing how this will morph into your personal blog. Enjoy your hiatus (but don’t stay gone, ok?).
Comment left by sassymonkey on July 8th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
Julie, I’ve been following Seen Reading since the beginning and I love that story about the woman and Complicated Kindness, just as I love this last one. I look forward to whatever you do next and I know I’ll see you around, hopefully in person as well as online!
Comment left by Clare on July 8th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Wow Julie. Congratulations on a great run. SeenReading.com is one of the things that really enriched Toronto bookland. Sad to see it gone but excited to see what you will do next.
Comment left by Mark on July 8th, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Julie! You are a pleasure to read! I will still be stopping by to see when/what/how you start up again.
Comment left by Hannah Sung on July 8th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
Hats off to Seen Reading! It’s been wonderful.
Comment left by Brenda Schmidt on July 8th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
Julie, this has been a wonderful, fascinating project, and thank you for doing it. I’ll be first in line to buy your microfiction collection!
Comment left by Isabel White on July 9th, 2009 at 6:02 am
Julie,
We’ve been lucky to have your wit and words as long as we did! Thank you for all you’ve done for books, reading, and public transit!
Ever,
Rebecca
Comment left by Rebecca on July 9th, 2009 at 11:38 am
[...] has collected on the site. The blog’s final entries will be posted on the week of August 3. Visit the blog for her full explanation on ending the project, and a story about her how her sightings have [...]
Comment left by She’ll be seein’ ya: Julie Wilson ends Seen Reading | Quill & Quire on July 9th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Excellent work and words, Julie. I know you’ll have more share, in one form or another, quite soon.
I also loved 30 in 30, and will look forward to reading darn near anything you write.
Go celebrate!
Best,
Hannah
Comment left by The Storialist on July 9th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
[...] Seen Reading no longer watching you read after three years. [...]
Comment left by Bookninja » Blog Archive » Hidden Masterpieces, Zombies in Seven Parts & Psychotic Housewives on July 9th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
It’s been fun to follow along, Julie.
What’s next?
Comment left by Jake Mooney on July 9th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
{Big breath} Nnnnnnoooooooooooooooooo!
Take care, keep in touch.
Comment left by Corey Redekop on July 9th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
It was a great ride, Julie. But I’m sure you’ve got another great idea brewing - one that will further push the envelope and bring the reading community together.
Cheers!
Comment left by Anthony De Sa on July 9th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
you made me look at people differently. thank, you.
Comment left by Camilla Gibb on July 9th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
Can’t wait to see what’s next, Julie. Thanks always for the inspiration - your dedication and creativity are like sparks to dry kindling. Keep the flames reaching high!
Comment left by Morgan on July 10th, 2009 at 9:15 am
For as long as I’ve been following it, I’ve always thought Seen Reading was a gem.
On the subway or a bus, I’d open my copy of ‘Life of Pi’ or ‘A Martian Sends a Postcard Home’ ever so much wider, in hopes that you were sitting just behind me, looking over my shoulder. (God only knows how many scores of copies of ‘Pi’ I’ve bought for other people, but any little bit helps!)
I’ve been mostly a reader, but had to pipe up to say - good luck, Julie! Your work’s been a page-turner….can’t wait for the next chapter.
Comment left by Sam on July 12th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Hi Julie, I’ve enjoyed following Seen Reading and will miss it. But if we can help you with any further ventures just call.
Good luck!
Comment left by Cathy Francis on July 14th, 2009 at 11:25 am
[...] Be Seein’ Ya. Thanks for three great [...]
Comment left by Seen Reading » Blog Archive » The Night is a Mouth, Lisa Foad (Exile Editions) on July 16th, 2009 at 7:34 am
[...] Be Seein’ Ya. Thanks for three great [...]
Comment left by Seen Reading » Blog Archive » Vagabonding, Ralph Potts (Villard) on July 16th, 2009 at 7:36 am