HarperCollins Canada launched Charlotte Gray’s Reluctant Genius: Alexander Graham Bell and the Passion for Invention with the help of Bell Canada, which paid for copies of the book to be distributed to attendees. (Photos by Tom Sandler/Courtesy of HarperCollins Canada.)

Geoffrey Taylor, director of Toronto’s International Festival of Authors, entertains HarperCollins publicist Debbie Gaudet with some of his favorite sea shanties.

Lawson Hunter from Bell Canada (which sponsored the event and provided free copies of the book to guests) and Charlotte Gray attempt to crush each other’s right hand.

The victorious Gray addresses the crowd.

Gray poses with her editor, Phyllis Bruce, and publicist, Melanie Storoschuk.

Author Daniel Stoffman, Toronto Star reporter (and Daniel’s wife) Judy Stoffman, and columnist Richard Gwyn engage in a tense standoff over who gets the last two free copies of Gray’s book.

Giller Prize founder Jack Rabinovitch poses with Judy Clarke (left) and Arlene Perly Rae (right).