George Bowering is the author of an astounding number of works across innumerable genres. During his visit to the Islands next week (Sept. 18 in QC and 19 on Tow Hill Road near Masset), he'll read from any number of them. It could be his new book of poetry, My Darling Nellie Grey, which features 12 month-long poems. Or his swashbuckling history of British Columbia, Bowering's BC, or one of his historic novels, like Burning Water, which he features Canada's greatest, yet never heard of couple, Captain George Vancouver and Spanish naval officer Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra (ok, he used artistic license on that one)."I'm the kind of person that tends not to over plan what I'm reading," he told The Observer from his home in Vancouver.The Governor-General award-winning author (plus Order of Canada and Order of BC recipient), is getting ready to embark on his trip here, his first visit ever, although he's arriving by way of Rossland, BC, so he's got a lot of travelling in between. Along the way he'll be able to retrace his father's steps. Eighty years ago, in 1930, Bowering's dad trekked up to Terrace to take a teaching position. His car only made it as far as Hazelton before it had to be shipped by train the rest of the way. Bowering is excited to finally get to this northwest corner of BC himself. "Everyone always talks about it as a kind of a dream place," he said. His dearie, Jean Baird, who will accompany him on the trip, came here about 20 years ago, he said. "She's always yearned to come back.He's even willing to brave the tempestuous Hecate Strait, although he admits he's prone to seasickness. "See how much Canadian writers will sacrifice bringing culture to our nation?" he said.A huge baseball fan, he asked The Observer if it was likely he'd catch a game while he was here. We intend to find out.Mr. Bowering reads at Queen B's in Queen Charlotte on Sept. 18 at 7:30 pm and at the Trouthouse on Sept. 19 at 7:30 pm.