R.M. Almonte cancels Ontario bookstore tour dates amid funding gap

R.M. Almonte has canceled 16 Ontario bookstore appearances scheduled for Nov. 7–22 because of financial constraints after completing 18 Canadian store stops across five provinces. The author and two-time RecordSetter world record holder says the tour is not over, but future dates depend on new funding and may resume in December or be pushed to spring 2027.

Why it matters: - Almonte’s Ontario cancellation pauses a Canadian bookstore campaign tied to two additional world-record attempts. - The schedule change affects readers in 16 Ontario communities and delays a tour that had already covered five provinces. - The outcome now depends on whether Almonte can raise enough money to keep traveling and appearing in stores.

What happened: - R.M. Almonte canceled 16 Ontario bookstore appearances originally scheduled for Nov. 7–22, 2026. - The cancellations were driven by financial constraints, after Almonte said he exhausted the resources needed to keep paying tour expenses. - Almonte had just completed 18 bookstore appearances across Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Quebec in about one month. - The Canadian tour began Oct. 2 with visits to Indigo, Chapters and Coles stores. - The tour is not permanently canceled, and Almonte and business manager Samuel Hamodey are seeking support to resume appearances in December. - The team also hopes to reschedule the canceled Ontario stops for late March or early April 2027.

The details: - Almonte has been personally financing transportation, accommodations, flights, meals, publishing expenses and other operating costs. - Book sales from the Canadian appearances do not generate immediate cash for the tour. - Almonte said publishing distribution payments can take about 120 to 180 days to reach the distributor, with additional processing before money reaches the publishing company. - That timing creates a cash-flow gap because travel costs must be paid up front. - Almonte said the delay in available revenue made it impossible to continue the Ontario schedule as planned. - The interruption affects his attempt to set two additional world records after a prior U.S. bookstore campaign. - Almonte previously completed a 50-state bookstore journey in 192 days, with appearances at 64 Barnes & Noble locations. - RecordSetter recognized those accomplishments as two world records. - Almonte estimated he received about 600 rejections from Barnes & Noble locations during preparations for the U.S. campaign. - Indigo said in a statement that it was enthusiastic about Almonte’s Canadian effort and noted that he is partnering with Indigo and working closely with stores coast to coast. - Indigo described the project as a record-breaking U.S. tour followed by another record attempt in Canada.

Between the lines: - The cancellation shows how quickly a touring author project can stall when revenue lags far behind spending. - The model depends on store inventory, book sales and outside cash support, which makes momentum fragile even after strong early participation. - Almonte’s public comments suggest the setback is as much emotional as financial, given the scale of the travel and the pressure of the record attempt.

What’s next: - Almonte and Hamodey are evaluating whether December appearances can happen if more funding comes in. - The team is asking readers and supporters to help by buying books, donating to the GoFundMe campaign or sharing the effort. - Readers can look for Fogs of Time at participating Indigo, Chapters and Coles locations, subject to local stock and ordering availability. - Copies had already been distributed to participating stores in Atlantic Canada and Quebec, and customers are being told to confirm availability with individual bookstores. - The Ontario stop at Coles Bayshore Shopping Centre and Chapters Peterborough was canceled before copies of Fogs of Time had arrived, according to Almonte. - The remaining canceled Ontario locations were expected to have inventory, but availability should be checked directly with each store. - Direct support is being sought through the Canadian tour fundraiser. - Readers can also check the full book listing for Fogs of Time. - Almonte also shared a personal interview about the campaign.

The bottom line: - Almonte’s Canadian record chase is still alive, but the next leg depends on money now, not later.