In this newsletter:
· Canadian Authors Association Puzzle Update
· New Workshop Dates
· Upcoming Events
· Thoughts on Christmas
· What I’m reading
It’s here
This beautiful puzzle is ready to ship. All you need to do to be entered in the draw for your choice of a 500 or 1000-piece version is to send me a picture of you with a copy (any format) of What the Living Do. If you don’t yet have your copy, several independent bookstores in Ontario and BC have copies, many Chapters/Indigo stores carry it, as do Barnes and Noble. Amazon in Canada is a bit weird—I can’t figure out why they only have the Kindle edition—but Amazon.com has copies. Another weird thing is that many libraries have acquired a copy of the novel, but for some oddball reason, Orillia Library (my local library) hasn’t, despite numerous requests… I even donated a copy but they haven’t catalogued it. Anyway, enough complaining—a library copy will absolutely get you into the draw!
I’ll video-record the draw and send out the puzzle as soon as Canada Post sorts themselves out.
The workshop calendar is up-to-date through to May, with two-hour events on almost all Mondays and Thursdays, a couple of three-hour weekend offerings, and of course… 10 days in Spain!
The month of February is now Amherst Writers & Artists’ Write Around the World extravaganza, with dozens of workshop facilitators volunteering online events to raise funds for AWA’s social justice programs. I’ll be leading four of them. Stay tuned for the link to the calendar which will go live once all the facilitators’ events have been tallied. With a variety of time zones and themes, you can jump into however many you choose.
Upcoming Events
What the Living Do was released on March 19 of this year and I’ve been so pleased with how my little book has made its way in the world. Aside from several interviews and podcasts, I’ve been honoured to be a guest at several book clubs, which I adore doing, both online and in person. I have a few more in the new year, including one where they are going to feed me!
I’ve been advised by a couple of friends with best-selling books that Probus meetings are the way to go. I’ve attended one and can see why.
So far, I’ve mostly been interviewed, so putting together a presentation is a whole new category for me. I’ll admit, standing in front of a hundred people to talk about the road well-travelled is more than a little daunting. My dance card is quite full until I return from Europe in June, so I’ll likely propose a summer date.
Dance Card Highlights:
On Saturday, March 29, 2025, I’ll be a guest of the Severn Library in Coldwater, Ontario from 1 to 3 pm. Interview, reading, author talk, treats, etc.
On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at 6 pm, Ramara Library will host me for all of the above —(chat, reading, treats, etc.)
I would love to meet you there!
Christmas
I’ve struggled with this time of year since my twenties. The anticipatory frenzy preceding Christmas inevitably ended in tears. My mother sobbing, “I try so hard.” So much enthusiasm culminating in ash.
The first time I was out of Canada for Christmas was a relief such as I’d never known. Rome, 1978, we arrived too late to see the pope, and the skinny Baba Natale with his plastic beard and donkey cart in Piazza Navona made me laugh. One memorable moment was when my partner and I stood at a zinc bar in a café on Christmas afternoon with our tiny cups of espresso and custard-oozing cannoli, enjoying the strange poetic quiet that had settled over the city. An American couple hunched over their cappuccino at a nearby table, their coats open, scarfs tight at their necks. The woman half straightened, shook her head, and spat, “You’re the one who wanted to come on this fucking vacation.” Our eyebrows shot up and our mouths clenched to prevent laughing right out loud. In the days that followed, if our feet were cold or the train to Florence was delayed, we’d turn to each other and say in unison, “Well, you’re the one who wanted to come on this fucking vacation.” And laugh because even though we weren’t dressed for the cold, we were happy and grateful to be on that fucking Italian vacation.
In the years that followed I shared an apartment with a Jewish friend who, each Christmas held what she called a “Good News For Jews” open house on Christmas Day. The day-long party was for anyone, not just Jewish people. Many friends dropped by with well-wishes, wine, and wonderful company. My friend prepared a groaning board of delicious snacks and finger food. I loved those Christmases. No drama. No tears.
For several years I was either in an Oregon commune or an Indian ashram where Christmas passed blissfully without notice.
Then there was a marriage and a family of my own where I gave Christmas a run for its money (literally, we were so broke), attempting to create something that would sparkle and shine. Sometimes it worked, but often I’d find myself cleaning up in the kitchen muttering something like, “I try so hard,” while the family dropped crumbs and lounged in the living room.
When the marriage fell apart, leaving only my son and me, I took us to all-inclusives in Canada, Mexico, and Cuba. Those holidays helped us to look away.
I’ve spent some pleasant Christmases at my sister’s house where, in her usual elegant style, always laid out a feast that included everyone’s particular dietary requirements. But driving in the winter is one of my least favourite things and she’s three hours away in good weather.
So now, it’s my son and his partner. No drama, no tears. We have quiet Christmases with a small tree, eggnog, and thoughtful gifts. Whew.
What I’m Reading
I have The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich on my nightstand but have been captured by Sally Rooney’s, Intermezzo. Deceptively simple storytelling. No frills. Brilliant. Two brothers, three women. I’m loving it. As always, I lean in close to try to figure out just how the hell she does it—captures me so completely when the drama is quiet and the stakes are low. It takes great skill to seamlessly move back and forth from interiority to dialogue and action, and she nails it
What are you reading?