Publishing and ping-pong enthusiasts put on their game faces on May 8 for the first Pongapalooza fundraiser for First Book Canada. It was a hit, raising $22,000.

We had no idea how enthusiastically people from the publishing and business worlds would embrace this event. Clearly this was a group who do love a good paddle, dimpled rubber, and lots of balls! says Tom Best, executive director of First Book Canada.

The event, held at SPiN Toronto, boasted 30 volunteers and 32 writers and illustrators leading registered teams as honorary captains.

I’m very confident we will be doing it again next year and already know that certain teams are planning to begin training soon to exact revenge for early eliminations at this first tournament, Best says.

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Coach House Press publicist Evan Munday (right) strikes a pose <I>(Photo: David Cuthbertson, DC Photography)</I>

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The Kids Can Press team <I>(Photo: David Cuthbertson, DC Photography)</I>

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Author Andrew Pyper (centre right) and KPMG employees hug it out after a big win <I>(Photo: Nancy Paiva)</I>

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Taking a hit! <I>(Photo: Nancy Paiva)</I>

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Random House of Canada's Katerina Ortakova goes in for the hit, supported by teammate Cathy Paine <I>(Photo: Nancy Paiva)</I>

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Opposing teams battle it out <I>(Photo: Nancy Paiva)</I>

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Authors Kim Izzo and Robert Hough <I>(Photo: Nancy Paiva)</I>

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Anansi's Erin Mallory and Lonny Knapp <I>(Photo: Nancy Paiva)</I>

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Poet Dani Couture and novelist Grace O'Connell <I>(Photo: Nancy Paiva)</I>

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Author and political commentator James Laxer with Sarah MacLachlan, publisher of House of Anansi Press <I>(Photo: Nancy Paiva)</I>

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Authors Nino Ricci and Anthony De Sa <I>(Photo: Nancy Paiva)</I>

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