Summer’s over, but I’m having trouble letting it go. I’m still wearing dresses, and a fun pair of Keds (the right foot shoe features a bright pink flamingo) as long as the weather allows. This year, summer also meant the start of my new phase of solo adventures — finding my way out of a writing rut by getting out and experiencing something new.
On August 24, that meant checking out Victoria’s first ever Caribbean Festival, put on by i-Land Fest – YYJ Carnival. How could I not be inspired by the bright costumes and energetic music representing the countries and peoples of the Caribbean? Thanks to the organizers for making this event happen and bringing the greater community together. Looking forward to the next one!
See more photos from the event
A Little Bit of Paris in Victoria
And speaking of travelling without leaving home, the James Bay neighbourhood here in Victoria felt very French on August 31. It’s the closest I can get to Paris for now, but I’ll take it! And I got to meet up with a Parisian-Canadian author and writer ☺️.
What a dream (and a lot of fun!) meeting and hanging out with Lily Heise! If you’re looking to fill your craving for all things Paris, check out her books and articles on her website.
Inspiration
During my walk through James Bay, I had just been talking about my next book (set in Sicily) and the nerves, struggles, and doubts that have been holding me back from writing it. Then I found this book in a curbside giveaway pile.
Does this count as a sign? 😳
Side, Side Gig
Lately, I’ve had a few people ask me about editing services. So, by popular demand, I’m officially open to clients! (Limited numbers at a time, to ensure focused, dedicated attention.) I now offer copy and line editing, publicist services, and archives services — I am an archives professional with over 15 years of experience. See the new Services page of my website for more information, plus some lovely testimonials from clients I’ve worked with recently.
And Just For Fun
I spent waaay too long one evening creating themed highlights on Instagram. I’m choosing to lump this under author marketing, haha. It counts, right? My Instagram story themes now include Vintage, Paris, Words (quotes, poems, and musings that inspire me), New Friends (as I meet authors and others in the publishing world and beyond), and Book Travel, which chronicles the adventures my book has had without me! Find them on my Instagram profile page.
Change in Plans
Just when I thought I was ready to get to work on that Sicily novel …
I’ve now been asked to write two different articles! Actually, I think deadlines are exactly what I need right now. 😃 I’ll share the links once the articles have been published, so stay tuned.
Thanks for asking. 🐶 😂
(Can you spot the second dog?)
Les Bouquinistes
In honour of meeting Lily Heise, this month’s feature book is her first novel, Je T’Aime, Me Neither.
Is Paris really the eternal City of Love? Dumped suddenly by her Parisian boyfriend, sultry expat Lily is left wondering if je t’aime still exists. Instead of crying into her glass of wine, she decides to heal her bruised ego and quash her romantic doubts with a carefree summer fling . . . or as the French call it: une aventure.
Supported by her faithful friends and trusty Saint Amour wine, Lily embarks on her presumably easy quest. Little does she know what—or whom—this adventure has in store! Rather than guide her into the arms of a perfect summer amoureux, the sexy streets of Paris lead her from one impossible candidate to another: disappearing foxy Frenchmen, unavailable Latino heartthrobs, overly-mysterious world travelers, mistress-hunting married men, and not-so-single amnesiacs—oh la la!
As her amorous mishaps accumulate, Lily gradually re-evaluates her strategy. But will her good intentions be enough to lead her to the right homme . . . one who might last out the summer—and maybe even beyond? Or will she continue to get embroiled in more mésaventure? This novelized memoir tells the tantalizingly true romantic odyssey of a 21st-Century young woman caught in the mire of desires—which is only intensified by the passion of Paris.
As always, thanks for reading. Merci!
Sonia
Sonia Nicholson 