A Little Check-In
Oh, my goodness, we are into March 2025, and the days just keep flying by. I suppose that’s what happens when you live in interesting times?
I'm working on the sixth book in the Circus Salmagundi series, ‘A Bitter Tide’, which is due out this summer. Because of this, I’ve been spending time in Nanaimo, strolling along downtown streets and studying old photographs, and trying to re-create the city as it existed in the autumn of 1921.
I won’t give too much away, but this has been a fun novel to write, and I’m really looking forward to sharing it with you! I aim to release it in June 2025, and so far, I’m on target — but the stress and uncertainty of current events is pretty damn distracting. One thing I didn’t foresee when I started writing this series would be the stress of watching modern history unfold alongside my research of post-WW1 Canada, with key themes and unsettling echos ringing down through the decades. I even had one reviewer contact me to talk about the parallels between ‘Knife and Bone’ and certain current events in the US — she had to check the date when the novel was published, because it was mirroring that day’s news.
The old adage is true: those who don’t learn history are doomed to repeat it. And those who do learn history? Well, apparently they’re doomed to scream their unheeded warnings into an abyssal void.
Anyway. Enough of that. It’s late and I’m worn out, and I’m sure you are, too. Let’s look with hope and optimism towards the future, and talk about what the spring has in store.
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The latest news:
Thanks again for all your support, friends! Happy reading, and keep telling and sharing your favourite Canadian stories.
I won’t give too much away, but this has been a fun novel to write, and I’m really looking forward to sharing it with you! I aim to release it in June 2025, and so far, I’m on target — but the stress and uncertainty of current events is pretty damn distracting. One thing I didn’t foresee when I started writing this series would be the stress of watching modern history unfold alongside my research of post-WW1 Canada, with key themes and unsettling echos ringing down through the decades. I even had one reviewer contact me to talk about the parallels between ‘Knife and Bone’ and certain current events in the US — she had to check the date when the novel was published, because it was mirroring that day’s news.
The old adage is true: those who don’t learn history are doomed to repeat it. And those who do learn history? Well, apparently they’re doomed to scream their unheeded warnings into an abyssal void.
Anyway. Enough of that. It’s late and I’m worn out, and I’m sure you are, too. Let’s look with hope and optimism towards the future, and talk about what the spring has in store.
********
The latest news:
- Today started with a review from BC Studies for ‘A Place Called Cumberland’, and despite all the other ups-and-downs, it brought a ray of joy to my heart. If you haven’t picked up a copy, I highly recommend it! You’ll find copies for sale through the Cumberland Museum and Archives, as well as other BC-based booksellers.
- Market season is gearing up, and it’s going to be BUSY! So far, I’m booked at the River City Spring Market on April 5, 2025 in Campbell River and at the Union Bay Easter Market on April 6, 2025 in Union Bay. There’s more in May and June, but I’ll leave those for the next newsletter! Come by and say hello, and pick up a little bit of springtime reading, too.
- Sharon McInnes of the Comox Valley Writers Society also interviewed me for the CVOX program, Beyond the Page, and we had a great conversation about writing, landscapes, unreliable narrators and historical fiction. I’ll add a link here for you to listen.
Thanks again for all your support, friends! Happy reading, and keep telling and sharing your favourite Canadian stories.
