Aside from my annual visit to my hometown of Osoyoos, British Columbia, this summer’s pace has been anything but “dog days” level. But I’m actually okay with that! Because this busy bee has been filling her time with passions, learning, and other activities that will (hopefully) help her achieve more goals.
For one, I’ve been taking Enrolled: Self-Publishing 101, a seven-session course through the Federation of British Columbia Writers. I had vague idea of the steps in that publishing path (my first book was published by a small press, and my subsequent books are with my agent, so this is new for me), but I wanted to really build knowledge in that area. The idea is that, eventually, my literary magazine Andorinha Press will bring more than poetry and short stories to life in future! In that same vein, I’ve also applied for a Canadian publishing mentorship. Realistically, I won’t get it — everything is so incredibly competitive these days — but I had to give it a shot. It would be an amazing opportunity!
My other recent endeavours have included registering for my first book fair (finally!), working with a Belgian archives counterpart on pitching our new archives and storytelling workshop, and contributing to a local society working to acquire and preserve a historic estate. Plus, a client project which involves sourcing archival photos for a non-fiction book, and prepping for an overseas trip for my day job.
See what I mean? If teenage me were reading the above, she would be blown away. Very, very cool.
Fair Season
Mark your calendars! I’ll have a table at the Little Fernwood Book Fair in Victoria, British Columbia on Sunday, November 8. More information to come closer to the date. But a fun archives + Paris book makes an excellent gift — just saying! And my table will definitely be decked out Parisian-style.
Writer Wednesday
I’ve started a new weekly series over on my Facebook page where each Wednesday, I share a photo/tidbit combo so you can get to know me better. Follow me there to get all the posts!
Once You’ve Been to Paris
Looking at this photo, you might think I’m back in France. And I wouldn’t blame you! It was a lovely afternoon on the terrasse — complete with fresh baguettes, meats, cheeses, and, of course, delicious wine — thanks to Hester Creek Estate Winery in Oliver.
Taking Flight
We’ve gathered our four-and-twenty blackbirds for Issue 2! Watch for this new flight to land in late September/early October 2026. (Editor’s note: I love how it’s come together!) And in working with current contributors, we’ve received some beautiful feedback on how we do things.
This makes our little bird hearts soar 🥹
If you want to show your favourite literary magazine some extra love, support them during #LitMagWeek, taking place September 28 to October 2. During the last week of September, literary magazines from around the world will offer discounts and share insider stories, recommendations and discuss the history of literary magazines!
Les Bouquinistes
The Book of Disquiet, by Fernando Pessoa
I’m embarrassed to say (especially given my Portuguese heritage) that I hadn’t read Fernando Pessoa until now. Every page just hits. Not a typical book to take on vacation but … wow.
From Goodreads:
Fernando Pessoa was many writers in one. He attributed his prolific writings to a wide range of alternate selves, each of which had a distinct biography, ideology, and horoscope. When he died in 1935, Pessoa left behind a trunk filled with unfinished and unpublished writings, among which were the remarkable pages that make up his posthumous masterpiece, The Book of Disquiet, an astonishing work that, in George Steiner’s words, “gives to Lisbon the haunting spell of Joyce’s Dublin or Kafka’s Prague.” Published for the first time some fifty years after his death, this unique collection of short, aphoristic paragraphs comprises the “autobiography” of Bernardo Soares, one of Pessoa’s alternate selves. Part intimate diary, part prose poetry, part descriptive narrative, captivatingly translated by Richard Zenith, The Book of Disquiet is one of the greatest works of the twentieth century.
As always, thanks for reading. Merci!
Sonia
Sonia Nicholson 