To the Moon and Back

It’s true what they say: time flies. Or more accurately, it speeds by like a rocket. Anyone else wondering where September went? Or for that matter, where the entire summer went?

I sure am.

Somehow I thought it would be the bonkers first half of the year that kept me off the grid. After all, between January and August, I had:

• a poetry micro-chapbook release in February, with all the work that comes before and after
• a Spring Break trip to Mexico
• the April re-release of Provenance Unknown, plus associated interviews and events
• two day-job conferences to plan and carry out, with follow up afterwards (May and July)
• major milestones and changes for some family members (June and August)
• two trips to my hometown (June and July)
• a super productive run of poetry writing

It’s been quite the journey in so many ways. And yet, now that things have slowed down, relatively speaking, I feel I’ve been less visible. (Not great in terms of feeding the social media machine, I know.) Maybe it’s because I’ve embarked on writing (well, planning) a new France-based novel and am up to my eyeballs in research, happily tumbling down one rabbit hole after another. Maybe, in keeping with the season of fall harvest, it’s because I’ve been reaping the benefits of work I submitted ages ago, with two new poems and a history article on the way. (Can you say editing?)

Either way, I’m still here, even when I’ve gone quiet. And there will be more exciting voyages to come. Hope you’ll stick around for the ride.

Counting Stars

Another lovely review from a reader 🥰. Thank you for showing my Paris novel some love!

Add your quick review to support this lowly author.

How Times Flies

On August 26, I received the Stripes Literary Magazine e-newsletter and it reminded me it’s been 5 months since my chapbook Asleep/Awake hit the world 💕

Their suggested activity for the week was to read and review it, so if you’re so inclined, here’s the link.

Keeping it Canadian

For Official Languages Day, I support Canadian books!

This year, Canadian Heritage celebrated Official Languages Day (September 11) by encouraging everyone to promote Canadian books and support local culture.

It’s an opportunity to discover works by Anglophone, Francophone and Indigenous authors in their original versions or translated into your preferred official language (if you’re Canadian). Reading has the power to be a vehicle for openness and intercultural understanding.

And it’s never too late to join in! Share a photo of a Canadian book with the hashtags #canadianbook and #OLDay

Looking for other simple ways to support Canadian books?

🇨🇦 Buy a Canadian book at your local bookstore
🇨🇦 Borrow a Canadian book from your public library
🇨🇦 Listen to a Canadian audiobook
🇨🇦 Follow and share content from Canadian authors on social media

Find info, graphics, and more.

Campus Life

Turns out when you visit the university library on an August evening — well in advance of classes starting — to do book research, you not only get an amazing pick of resources, but you also have the place to yourself.

A hint about my latest project (which may be too ambitious haha!):

Coming Soon

So … this is happening! I’m excited to announce my archives + storytelling workshop January 31 for the Victoria Genealogical Society — attendance in person or online, registration now open:

You’ve compiled the names, dates, and places and gathered photographs. But how do you transform those facts and images into an engaging story?

In this workshop, we will review archival resources and types of materials to enrich your family story. Going beyond basic genealogical information, we will also explore setting, voice, and the use of nostalgia and details to add colour to your writing. We will also look at how to bring these elements together through real examples of strong storytelling from museums and archives, family historians, and other sources. Finally, we will discuss paths and platforms for sharing your story, from digital, no- or low-cost options, to printing and publishing.

Scarf Season

When my 6-word story was chosen as a winner in the first collaboration between Vestige Story and The New Quarterly, the prize included a scarf personally selected by VS founder and designer Aileen Lee to fit the story. I was so moved by her thoughtfulness, and I love the Vancouver company’s philosophy of slow fashion, mindful consumerism, and storytelling.

September felt like a great time to try out my new fav accessory. 🧣

The Night Cafe

Believe it or not, I had never attended, let alone participated in, a writers’ open mic night — until now. Not gonna lie: I was nervous. Like, clammy, tingly palms-nervous. But the crowd and vibe at Gigi’s Cafe were reminiscent of the Café des Deux Moulins from the Amélie movie, in the best possible way, and the whole experience fed my soul. Thank you for letting me read a few of my poems, and for sharing your wonderful words. There’s a strong chance I’ll become a regular.

“Amélie has a strange feeling of absolute harmony. It’s a perfect moment. A soft light, a scent in the air, the quiet murmur of the city.” —Amélie (2001)

Les Bouquinistes

I, Claude Monet, a documentary film by Exhibition on Screen

I thought this would be a typical documentary but I quickly realized it wasn’t what I was expecting — it was better. The only narration comes directly from Monet’s letters (translated from French into English), while the visuals of his paintings and their locations alongside photographs fill the screen. A heavily archives-based documentary would already win me over (archives for the win!), but the film is so well put together and moving that I actually became emotional at the end.

Here’s the description:

Monet’s life is a gripping tale about a man who, behind his sun-dazzled canvases, suffered from feelings of depression, loneliness, even suicide. However, as his art developed and his love of gardening led to the glories of his Giverny garden, his humor, insight and love of life are revealed. Told through Monet’s own words and shot on location at the very spots he painted, the film features his most loved paintings in an unforgettable, immersive art experience.

I was able to watch for free via Kanopy, thanks to my local public library. But there may be other platforms where it’s available.

As always, thanks for reading. Merci!

Sonia