But first, welcome friends and new subscribers. Happy spring!

Okay, the above photo doesn't look very spring-like, does it? It was taken in Edmonton on March 8th, International Women's Day (because the studio might be the best gift I have ever given myself, and it's appropriate to mark it on a day dedicated to celebrating women and their accomplishments).

Today, March 20th, at 10:46 (EST), it is officially spring. And that means we have made it through the necessary season of hibernation and are now into the fruitful awakening. 

This newsletter is coming to you from la belle province of Quebec. If you're an early subscriber, you'll remember that last year around this time, I stayed in my friend's Montreal apartment while she went to Vancouver for a month. She sent photos of cherry blossoms, and I sent photos of snow squalls. We were both happy. 

This year is no different (snow squalls and all). We are two working artists keeping costs down by subsidising one another's trips. It's the perfect, mutually beneficial exchange. 

Since the winter newsletter, I have been busy.

The journey from turning over an idea that might merit a novel, to then writing it, submitting it, and finally getting it to publication is an arduous one. Needless to say, I'm pleased to be in the later stages of this book journey with Dog Days of Planet Earth.

In mid-January, I reached another milestone and received the copy edit, which means a third person (not me or my editor) reads the manuscript, makes sure it follows the ECW Press house style, and ensures there are no inconsistencies or factual errors. NOW is the time to flag things and address them.

My editor gave me a two week turnaround time to return the manuscript. I had one burning question: "Can I still tinker and change things?" 

"Yes, this is the last chance to tinker."

Last chance? GULP. And tinker I did. 

We then tackled a cover design and landed on something that pleased the editorial team and everyone involved. 

Next step? Another milestone: I received the typeset text for the book that shows how the interior design will be laid out. 

One step remains: the proofread. THIS, I think, will be a challenge. It is the last chance for me to review the manuscript. No tinkering. No re-writing. My job will be to look ONLY for spelling and/or punctuation errors. 

The back cover copy was written for the ECW catalogue at the end of October, and I think it hits the right notes to intrigue librarians, book store owners, and readers. 

And now, here is the moment you've been waiting for ... drum roll, please ...

COVER REVEAL!

It's an odd thing to have other people in charge of designing a cover for the story I have lived with for so long. But it's also a relief. I'm a writer not a designer.

My thoughts? I love the vibrant colours. And I love the focal point of the circle (moon) that draws the eye. And I love the image of a man and his dog, and I also love the dotted line that is the road in the moonbeam (you will understand the significance once you read the book).

And THAT, more than anything, is what I look forward to — introducing you to the characters that have lived in my head the past seven years (I started the draft on April 5, 2019).

What does it feel like to be almost done with Dog Days of Planet Earth? It might seem odd to admit, but I'm going to miss spending time in that world.

My sister Kate once asked if I know what happens to my characters after my books end. 

"What do you mean?" 

"Like, do you know how they die and things?"

I had never thought about it before and was intrigued by the question.

"No," I replied. "When the book ends, the character end too. I don't imagine their futures."

"You don't?"

"No. I don't."

I think she was disappointed, but it's not an abandonment, it's simply an end. 

But who knows, maybe I'll write a sequel to one of my novels someday. 

And in the meantime, another book has moved into the space in my head. I started my New York novel in August of 2023 and, as I love working on multiple projects, the new Alberta book has now claimed some space in my imagination. I started that draft in December 2025.

And after that? I don't rigorously plan that far ahead, but let's just say there's an idea on the horizon that's related to Montreal. I was 23 when I moved here and quite the mess. This city was good to me. I was less of a mess when I left. There's something to play with there. 

Such is the life of a working writer. 

This event at Shelf Life Books in February was great fun. 

Calgary writer Julie Sedivy asked wonderful questions about my two published novels and gave me the opportunity to read an excerpt from my forthcoming book. And the folks in attendance were attentive and asked interesting questions.

I was surprised to discover that I hadn't been in Calgary since 2014, so it was a treat to spend time there and to meet new writers and readers.

Below are photos taken on a walk with Julie at Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park. Check out that cloud action!

The above photo is me playing with shadows at the Kiyooka Land Trust Foundation, in British Columbia's Robson Valley. Looking for an artist residency in a place of extreme beauty? Look no more. 

There is the natural landscape of Canada that we love, but there's also the cultural landscape. The Kiyooka Land Trust Foundation recognises the need to provide affordable space for artists contributing to our country's artistic ecology.

Have a look. Spread the word. 

I do love a good epistolary novel. 

There's something wonderful about the container that is "the letter." What it holds. What it withholds. What it delivers. The container both has limits and no restrictions at all. What happens, for instance, when letters cross?

Having recently finished and loved Virginia Evans's epistolary novel The Correspondent, a friend asked if I'd read Julie Schumacher's Dear Committee Members. It, too, is an epistolary novel, but it's in the form of Letters of Recommendation written by a creative writing professor. 

I honestly don't know how I missed this 2014 novel. It's rare that I laugh out loud when reading, but Schumacher's humour and insights (she's a prof herself) are gold. If you've ever done a degree in an English or Creative Writing department, or if you've taught courses in either, this book will speak to you. 

Join me in wishing my two sisters a Happy Birthday! Today is my younger sister Kate's birthday, and my older sister Darlene celebrates hers on the 22nd. 

Huzzah! Let there be cake.

Thank you for reading. 

I enjoy writing this seasonal newsletter.

Do you have any questions about the writing life and/or how to stay creatively inspired? Feel free to contact me. 

I hope you enjoy spring, and I'll see you next season. Until then, stay engaged, and may great books find you.