The Latest on Bark! Fest, the Book Festival for Animal Lovers, and the Panel Recordings Coming Soon

Beautiful suggestions on Bark! Fest and an replace on when to anticipate the recordings.

By Zazie Todd, PhD

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Bark! Fest, the guide competition for animal lovers, befell on-line in September 2024 and I believed it was superb. I am delighted that so lots of you probably did, too. I completely beloved listening to all the authors discuss their books and browse from them.

I initially deliberate this as a one-off, dwell occasion to rejoice the launch of my guide Bark! The Science of Serving to Your Anxious, Fearful, or Reactive Canine. There’s one thing particular about doing issues with a dwell viewers and that was definitely the case here–especially as there have been some individuals who got here to all or nearly all the occasions, or who watched all the recordings.

We had 11 writer panels, 23 authors, an extremely enjoyable tips class, as much as 500 individuals who signed up for particular person events–and greater than 1600 individuals who signed up for a part of the competition.

By the top, it actually felt like we had an exquisite group of people that care deeply about canines and cats (and their people), and that was very particular. I am so grateful to the viewers for turning as much as these occasions in such a constructive approach and being so welcoming to and interested in our audio system.

There have been some challenges, together with the truth that my laptop died on the primary evening, leaving me to run the remainder of the competition from my husband’s laptop computer, which runs Linux. I ended up liking Linux but it surely took some getting used to. This felt like a catastrophe on the time however ended up being a blessing in disguise, as a result of it meant that when there was a household emergency I might run the remaining occasions from elsewhere on my shiny new laptop computer.

As a result of I’ve had loads of issues happening within the final a number of weeks, some fantastic and a few very onerous certainly, to me Bark! Fest already looks like a lifetime away. However I lastly have time to start out catching up on getting the recordings out.

I initially did not have plans for the recordings past letting those that signed up prematurely watch, in case they could not attend dwell on the day. However on condition that some occasions reached capability and there have been many individuals who needed to attend however could not, I can be making all the recordings of the panels out there.

I do know that some folks choose video whereas others choose audio of recordings. And I am proud to say that our podcast, The Pawsitive Put up in Dialog, is at the moment no. 4 in Canada on Apple for podcasts on pets and animals. So the recordings will exit as each video on my Youtube channel and as audio on the podcast.

I’ve one other podcast episode that has been ready within the wings for some time. So I will get that out first, quickly, and after that, I will begin to launch the recordings. It should not be an excessive amount of work, though it is the type of factor the place it at all times takes extra time than you assume. So I will purpose for one every week and hopefully this may match round my work schedule (however please be affected person if there’s sometimes a delay. Thanks. Like I mentioned, I’ve bought so much happening in the intervening time).

The video of the panel with Dr. Patricia McConnell is already on Youtube as a result of that was the primary one to achieve capability. So this would be the first one to go on the podcast too, and after that I will share them in chronological order.

These of you who’re signed as much as my electronic mail checklist will get a notification at any time when there is a new episode, and in case you like you may also subscribe by way of your podcast app or Youtube to be notified there.

I do know that you will love each single one in all these recordings. We had some completely superb authors with essentially the most fantastic books.

Keep in mind that you could assist the authors, and me, by shopping for our books. They’re out there from all good bookstores, together with Bookshop, Amazon, and UK Bookshop.

At each occasion, we had been capable of give a set of books away to somebody who attended dwell. This was actually enjoyable and I’m grateful to all the authors, publishers, and publicists who helped make this occur, together with my very own writer, Greystone Books. The checklist of winners is right here.

Suggestions on Bark! Fest

I used to be completely delighted by the suggestions we bought on the competition. Thanks to everybody who took the time to finish the shape.

Listed here are only a few of the beautiful feedback that we obtained:

“Nice format, attention-grabbing audio system that supplied fantastic insights – additionally beloved the time allotted because it was simply sufficient to squeeze into the day. Authors had been very beneficiant with their info and perspective; so attention-grabbing to take a look behind the guide! Actually beloved this!”

“I actually loved that it wasn’t all canine trainers and habits books. Granted, I LOVE these books, and adore these authors, however seeing the wealthy tapestry of all of the methods animals intersect with our studying/training/leisure was refreshing, completely different, and pleasant!”

“All of the occasions I attended had a really heat, welcoming and cosy ambiance, it nearly felt like sitting down for a cup of tea with shut associates. The audio system had a superb rapport, and I really like how we bought to listen to every of them learn from their work – it instantly made the books “come to life” for me. Additionally, nice work scheduling the occasions in a approach that labored for everybody’s time zones – no simple feat!”

“Among the finest on-line occasions I’ve ever attended – a literary competition in my front room about my favourite matter – animals!”

“The Bark! Fest was a supply of inspiration to me as a canine guardian to know that there is an present group that values respect, considerate and caring relationships and interactions with our companion animals, science-based and humane coaching/elevating/educating strategies. A lot gratitude and appreciation for the authors’ contributions.”

…and there are lots of extra related feedback.

In case you did not full the suggestions kind however want to share your ideas on Bark! Fest, you may ship me an electronic mail.

There have been additionally some nice solutions for authors ought to I occur to run it once more. I am holding off on making a choice on that till the brand new 12 months. There’s so much to weigh up, because the Zoom licence is pricey and it was an amazing quantity of labor behind the scenes.

Whether or not or not I ever run one other Bark! Fest, I’m extremely joyful that I used to be capable of host such a beautiful occasion.

Thank You

It solely stays to say a heartfelt thanks to Kristi Benson for all of her assist and fantastic co-hosting, to Greystone Books for his or her assist behind the scenes, to all of our superb authors, to Erica Beckwith for the tremendous enjoyable tips class, to my agent for her assist and encouragement, and to everybody who attended Bark! Fest, whether or not you got here to 1 session or to all of them.

It was an enormous success, even higher than I dared to think about when planning the occasion, and I am so grateful to everybody who was a part of it. Thanks!

Picture: Elen Nika/Shutterstock