If you believe in astrology — the power of the stars and the signs — then according to the general trend of posts probably generated by bots, April 2026 marks a pivotal point in my life. New opportunities, new experiences. Even a shift in my fashion style. Now, whether it’s planets, algorithms, or a lucky guess, the predictions have actually been true for me.
Part of this comes from preparations for my trip to Paris next month. While I’ll be there doing a self-curated residency, my (very fun) research and writing will take me to museums and other sites across the city. If there’s a place to launch a new phase of life, Paris is it — with the outfits to match. (I’ve definitely gone more Parisian: stream-lined, capsule, and classy.) Celebrating my birthday while I’m there will be a delightful bonus. Extra points for standing in front of a Monet that day.
Last month, I wrote about art. And fashion and art are not only a perfect pairing, but sometimes they’re even one and the same. Interchangeable. All part of curating our own life-style.
Watch for photos and stories next month!
Momentum
So, I think I’m experiencing some writerly momentum? Just in the last week of March, I had a new client reach out hiring me to write a family history book; participated, by invitation, in the inaugural meeting of a new Portuguese artists collective; and received interest in my archives+storytelling workshop for a new storytellers festival. WHAT IS EVEN HAPPENING!? (See above!)
I’ll share more about these as I can, including registration details for my workshop. For now, though, here’s some information on the festival itself hosted by the Parksville Museum in June. (Note: the call for participant applications is closed, but this post gives you a great sense of what’s in the works!)
Taking Flight
Issue 1 contributor spotlight posts have been ongoing on Andorinha Press’s Instagram and Threads accounts, and submissions have been coming in for Issue 2: Art. (Which might have something to do with why my own author socials and newsletter have a little less meat these days!). For anyone thinking of sending in work, please note that I won’t be reviewing submissions during my Paris adventure.
I’m so pleased with the response to the first issue. I love this collection of work — other than the ads interspersed amongst the pieces. This comes with the territory of a free WordPress site. But, to be honest, I’d kind of like to take care of that sooner rather than later. If you’d like to help, we’ve set up a KoFi campaign to help us collect the $68 needed for one year of web hosting and a domain name, without the pesky ads! Your support is so very much appreciated.
Les Bouquinistes
Chasing Cézanne by Peter Mayle (1998)
During the first real sunny afternoon this Spring, I took this thrift store book find outside (along with my furry friend) and got blissfully lost for a few hours in the south of France, art crime, good food, and a fun cast of characters.
Description:
Hanky-panky on the international art scene is the source of the hilarity and fizz in Peter Mayle’s new novel. He flies us back to the south of France (a region some readers of his irresistible best-sellers believe him to have invented), on a wild chase through galleries, homes of prominent collectors, and wickedly delectable restaurants. There are stopovers in the Bahamas and England, and in New York, where that glossiest of magazines, Decorating Quarterly, reflects the cutting-edge trendiness of its editor, Camilla Jameson Porter. (Camilla has recently broken new ground in the world of power lunches by booking two tables on the same day, and shuttling between them, at the city’s trendiest restaurant.)
It is Camilla who has sent our hero, Andre Kelly, to Cap Ferrat to take glamorous photo-graphs of the houses and treasures of the rich, famous, and fatuous. He happens to have his camera at the ready when he spots a Cézanne being loaded onto a plumber’s truck near the home of an absent collector. Odd, thinks Andre. And in no time he’s on the trail of a state-of-the-art art scam, chasing Cézanne.
It’s a joy to follow him and the crowds intent on speeding or foiling his quest–including a beautiful agent; a super-savvy art dealer attracted to the finer things in life, especially if they promise the payoff of a lifetime; an awesome Dutch forger; some outstandingly greedy New York sophisticates; and, invisible in the background, the parade of remarkable chefs whose mouthwatering culinary masterpieces periodically soothe the hero and tantalize the reader of Chasing Cézanne.
As always, thanks for reading. Merci!
Sonia
Sonia Nicholson 