View from Church and State Wines, December 2023. (Author photo)
Some of you might recognize the above photo from my book contract announcement last month. It’s become one of my favourite shots — I’m still thinking of framing it, but haven’t gotten around to it yet. In the next few weeks, though, I’ll be creating a new writing space for myself, so that might be just the nudge I need. This photo would look lovely alongside copies of my book covers, I think! If all goes well with setting up my creative nook, I’ll share an update and photos in the next month or two.
For now, I’m happy to have a quieter schedule. The holidays were … the holidays, with all the commitments and events they can entail. My family even fit some travel in, taking the ferry from Vancouver Island to the mainland after Christmas and then driving to the Okanagan (the setting for A Year of Summer, release date to be announced) to visit my parents and enjoy some snow. Spoiler: there was no snow — at least not at the time. It was great to see them, of course, even if there was no white stuff on the ground. But I was also eager to get home, reset, and wrap my head around a new year.
Year in Review
2023 Year in Review.
It never feels like I’ve done enough, but now that I go back and take stock of my writing accomplishments for 2023, I don’t think I’ll be able to match that pace in 2024. We’ll see. Provenance Unknown was released in March. I’ve had multiple poems, short stories, and articles published, been interviewed for various blogs and podcasts, and just under the wire, signed a contract for my second book. (If you’re curious, check out the full list.) I’m grateful for all of it.
I learned that January 16 was Book Publishers Day, so I’d like to recognize the small press publishers who have believed in my work and given me the opportunity to share it with the world.
You’ve made this small-town dreamer’s wish of being an author come true! ✨
Goes the Clock
BookTok has been trending for a while now. Although I swore I wouldn’t add yet another social media platform, I finally caved and joined TikTok. It’s hard to ignore what’s arguably one of the most influential forces in publishing today.
I’m still feeling my way through it and trying different things, but you can expect a mix of bookish content and video clips of my adventures, including Hockey Day in Canada events in Victoria on January 20. And I’m always open to collaborations, whether on TikTok or elsewhere — just reach out.
Hockey Day in Canada in Victoria, BC, 20 January 2024. (Author photo)
Coming of Age
401 typed pages and over 110,000 words later, I’ve finished transcribing a set of WWII letters for a local archives. (This was my “taking a break from my current book” volunteer project.) Amazing, amazing stuff. The people and stories are going to stay with me for a long time.
Due to copyright issues, I won’t be able to publish them in a book as originally intended, but I in no way regret spending this time immersing myself in the letters. In fact, if another set presented themselves, I would do this again. The archives now has a searchable electronic copy, and who knows? The letters may inspire a fictional work in my future.
One Star
Well, it finally happened: someone gave my book a 1-star rating on Goodreads. This is a rite of passage, right? 🫠
This wasn’t the best way to start the New Year.
(If anyone wants to read it and add a rating/review of your own to maybe help offset, that would be grand.)
But you know what? After I had some time to vent a bit, I took any leftover negative energy and turned it into my first poem of 2024. A poem I quite like. A poem I’ve now submitted to a literary magazine. I hope to share it with you soon!
I haven’t finished reading this book yet and it doesn’t take place in France, but if you enjoyed Provenance Unknown, this book is definitely the same vibe. Anything featuring archival records gets my vote! I’ll be checking out Alex Brown’s other books, including A Postcard from Paris.
From the author’s website:
Grace Quinn loves her job at Cohen’s Convenient Storage Company, finding occasional treasure in the forgotten units that customers have abandoned. Her inquisitive nature is piqued when a valuable art collection and a bundle of letters and diaries are found that date back to the 1930’s.
Delving deeper, Grace uncovers the story of a young English woman, Connie Levine, who follows her heart to Italy at the end of the Second World war. The contents also offer up the hope of a new beginning for Grace, battling a broken heart and caring for her controlling mother.
Embarking on her own voyage of discovery, Grace’s search takes her to a powder pink villa on the cliff tops overlooking the Italian Riviera, but will she unravel the family secrets and betrayals that Connie tried so hard to overcome, and find love for herself?
Book cover, A Postcard from Italy.
As always, thanks for reading! Merci.
Sonia
merci chocolates — a most appropriate Christmas gift I received!
These days, it’s still quite dark when I leave the house in the morning. I hate it. I hate the weird time that can’t decide what it is. Dusk or dawn? Day? Night? Who knows! (My body and brain certainly don’t.)
Despite the wildfires in August, I miss summer. I always miss it, but the longing has become more urgent in recent years. There was a time when I actually preferred spring or autumn, but now I can’t seem to let the sun go. The past few months have passed by in a wet, dim blur.
But one thing I like about doing these newsletters is that they give me an account — important reminders — of the warm, cozy spots of light I’ve experienced over the previous month. Something to keep me going, even (especially?) through a dark time. An author gratitude journal. It’s easy to forget the little things, but when you compile them, they sure are bright.
How do you remind yourself of the light around you?
Escape to Paris
I’m calling my first author reading a success! Thanks again to Vancouver Island Regional Library Sidney/North Saanich branch for hosting me on November 25; and to everyone who attended, asked questions, and listened to me talk about my favourite things: history, archives, and Paris. I’m hoping to get the opportunity to do more of these types of events in future. 🙌
If you’re a card holder in this system, there are several copies available to sign out.
Side note:
What does one offer as a snack for a France-themed author talk? St. Michel, of course! (Can you spot the biscuits in the photos?)
Qu’offre-t-on comme collation pour une présentation d’auteur sur le thème de la France ? St. Michel, bien sûr !
Corben Takes Flight
December 3rd was for the birds — and that was a wonderful thing! Archivists Who Write member Emily Lonie’s book launch for Corben and the Crow Commute took place at the Stanley Park Nature House. (Another opportunity for our group to reunite!) Pick up your copy from the Stanley Park Ecology Society, or request it from your favourite retailer.
The Archivists Who Write critique group.
More Library Love
There are two new libraries to add to the list of those showing Provenance Unknown some love. Print copies are on the way to Penticton Public Library and Edmonton Public Library, but you can place your holds now. (Just click on the links.)
I’m still looking for cardholders in the Okanagan Regional Library system to request it. You can suggest a title online — it’s quick and easy! (And if you have any questions, let me know.)
More Reviews
New reviews up on Amazon! Each one means, and helps, a lot. 🙏
You know I love any opportunity to dress up, costume or otherwise, so for a recent Christmas party across the pond in Vancouver, I decided to go full-out vintage. (It wasn’t a costume- or themed party but I didn’t care. I don’t get out often, so I’m going to take full advantage of the occasion. I need this!)
For the record, my tendency to look to the past for inspiration was part of me long before I became an archivist. The profession probably does help it along, though.
Buenos días
Just when I thought travel had slowed down for Provenance Unknown (remember how it was gallivanting all over Portugal, Spain, and Wales?), I received these photos from México. I’ve gotta say, I love how the cover’s colour scheme fits in so seamlessly in the taco restaurant. ¡Muy bien! Is this considered French-Mexican fusion cuisine?
Coming home after a relaxing getaway! (Photo submitted)
Not-So-Vague Publishing Post
Just under the wire for inclusion in this newsletter (and before the holidays), I can now officially announce that my second book, A Year of Summer, has found a home with Okanagan Publishing House! I’m so, so thrilled to be able to call myself a two-time published author.
A huge thank you to Church & State Wines for helping me celebrate the contract signing. I couldn’t think of a better place to help me make the connection between Victoria (where I live now) and my roots in the South Okanagan, the heart of the book’s setting. It’s perfect that Church & State has a location here in the Victoria area and in Oliver, British Columbia. I followed up the signing with a celebratory wine tasting — obviously! The staff was fantastic, and I can’t wait to visit again.
The book was inspired by the memorable year I spent as the Youth Ambassador for the small desert town of Osoyoos, British Columbia when I was sixteen, and the wacky things that happened on my travels.
In A Year of Summer, Julia Summers, an aspiring travel writer with social anxiety, reluctantly takes a temporary job in her hometown in British Columbia’s southern interior. But when the position turns out to be more than advertised — thrusting her into the festival and fair circuit, not to mention the paths of a handsome prince and suspicious stranger — she must decide whether to head for the hills or stick it out in the struggling desert village she’d left in the rear view. Better buckle up — it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
This tongue-in-cheek book celebrates what it means to be Parisian and is sure to be a hit with Francophiles worldwide. A unique international take on what it means to be Parisian by Australian writer Emily and Belgian illustrator Sarah who have both lived in Paris for many years with their families and created this beautiful, fun book to embrace the best (and most clichéd) aspects of French culture. With witty one liners and engaging illustrations, it appeals to children and adults alike.
Cover for The Parisian ABCs.
As always, thanks for reading. Merci! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
There are good things coming, but I’m also in a lull. (Yes, both things can be true at the same time.) I was hoping to be able to share some very special news this month. Unfortunately, it has to wait for now. Fingers crossed for December!
I’m about halfway through writing my third novel but am taking a bit of a break. In the meantime (because I don’t have enough to do 😆), I’ve started working on what could become my first local history book, based on a set of WWII letters from an area archives.
Getting and not getting enough rest, false starts and stops: it’s all part of the beautiful, colourful journey.
Wishing you gold, and the rainbows to lead you there. 🌈
Author Wish List
Four copies of my book are apparently available on the shelves at Bolen Books!! 🤯 🎉 This is on the wish list for every Victoria author, so I’m beyond excited. Heads up to the staff: I’ll be stopping by the store soon to see for myself!
Screen shot of book listing from Bolen Books website.
Update:
The rumours were true! I found copies of my book at Bolen Books in Victoria, and the staff was kind enough to invite me to sign them.
You can find copies in store on both the fiction and “Local Authors” shelves. (Also, I’m in amazing company next to Jean Paetkau’s best-seller Blood on the Breakwater!)
Local support means so much 🙏
Book signing at Bolen Books.Provenance Unknown on the shelf at Bolen Books in Victoria.Provenance Unknown on the Local Authors shelf.Sign at Bolen Books: “We Support Local Authors.”
In Conversation With
Sometimes it’s just about getting the right inspiration at the right time.
I joined Pinhole Poetry’s interview series to talk about my poem ‘stitch (in time)’ which is featured in their DIALOGUE with Jan Hondereon’s photograph ‘Three Dresses.’ Over on their website I share more about what I’m working on, my constant poem companion, and where I go for writing community.
“Escape to Paris” Saturday, November 25 at 2:00 pm.
Who You Gonna Call?
Long-time followers might remember my love for dressing up in costume, and this Halloween was no different.
I ❤️ Dr. Jillian Holtzmann (Ghostbusters: Answer the Call) so much. This is a two-part costume I’m going to keep building on for sure. Maybe the Ghostbusters of British Columbia will let me join? 😀👻 See film stills below for comparison purposes. I have some work to do, but it’s a good start.
Delve into the art of loving and living in every moment.
What does it mean to be French?
Is it pausing to enjoy a glass of good wine or a spread of cheese? Being a flâneurdown laneways steeped in history? Knowing just how to dress so you always look effortlessly chic?
This book is a celebration of the French lifestyle—an education in drinking to savor the moment, travelling indulgently, and cherishing food and culture. A lesson in the joy of taking things slowly. We may not all live in France, but anyone can learn how to be un petit plus français with this guide by Janine Marsh.
Book cover for How to be French by Janine Marsh.
As always, thanks for reading. If you know someone who might enjoy my content, feel free to forward this post and invite them to subscribe via the website.
View from the Arc de Triomphe to La Défense, Paris, 1990s. (Author photo)
I swear the recurring travel theme in these posts is unintentional. With a book set in Paris, it’s inevitable, I suppose. Read on for a new poem and podcast episode, a wrap-up on my book’s recent overseas adventures, an upcoming author event (live and in person!), and more.
Dialogue
I’m thrilled that my poem, “stitch (in time)”, was selected for the new DIALOGUE feature in Vol. 2, Issue 3 of Pinhole Poetry. Bonus: It’s the second time my work has appeared in this publication, which is exciting not only because they’re Canadian but because the quality of their work is top-notch. I’m honoured to have been included twice.
Pinhole Poetry is a digital poetry journal that loves the upside-down view and the fact that some art can only happen in the dark. We aim to be the pinprick of light for your work.
From the Pinhole Poetry website
Pinhole Poetry cover, Vol. 2, Issue 3.
Exploring the Seasons of Life in Paris!
I had a fan girl moment when Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles asked me to be a guest on the podcast where she chats about all things French! 🇫🇷 And it was wonderful talking about comparing visits to Paris at various stages of life to the seasons of the year, as I wrote about for Inspirelle.
Please listen, and share with the France-obsessed people in your life. 🤩
Screenshot of podcast episode on Buzzsprout.
End of the Road
That’s a wrap on my book’s mystery trip to Portugal and Spain. I never knew where it was going until I received another message, and although I’m not usually a fan of surprises, I’m really happy about this one. (Even if I WAS jealous.)
I put together a short reel of all its stops. Watch it on Facebook or Instagram!
Plaza Mayor, Madrid. (Photo contributed)
Remember how my book (original cover edition) was travelling through Wales? It’s now reached the end of its journey, and in the most wonderful way.
Exciting enough to watch from the other side of the world as it travelled by canal boat past lush countrysides and lots and lots of sheep, but this is just fantastic. Can’t top that.
Charity Toy and Book Sale. (Photos contributed)
Live From The Library
Event news! The Sidney/North Saanich branch of the Vancouver Island Regional Library will be hosting me for an author talk on Saturday, November 25 at 2:00 pm. I’ll talk about Paris (of course) and archives (obviously), share some photos, read a few passages from Provenance Unknown, and have copies available for purchase. There will be lots of time for questions and chatting, too.
I keep having visions of no one showing up and me talking to a room of empty chairs 😆 😭 , so please share with any friends or family in the Greater Victoria area. It will be a casual, cozy get-together, and a great way to spend an hour on a dark, rainy November afternoon.
I almost forgot! September 28 marked exactly 6 months since Provenance Unknown was published. I know it’s not a long time, but that day meant so much, especially since it was my first book.
Sincerest thanks to my publisher, Sands Press, for saying yes to the story I’d carried around for over 10 years.
The inspiring and delicious memoir of an American woman who had the gall to open a cooking school in Paris—a true story of triumphing over French elitism and falling in love with a city along the way.
When Jane Bertch was eighteen, her mother took her on a graduation trip to Paris. Thrilled to use her high school French, Jane found her halting attempts greeted with withering condescension by every waiter and shopkeeper she encountered. At the end of the trip, she vowed she would never return.
Yet a decade later she found herself back in Paris, transferred there by an American bank. She became fluent in the language, gradually earning the respect of her French colleagues as she excelled in her new position. But she had a different dream: to start a cooking school for foreigners like her, tourists who wanted to take a few classes in French cuisine in a friendly setting, then bring their new skills to their kitchens back home. Predictably, Jane faced nay-saying Frenchmen—how dare an American banker start a cooking school in Paris?—real-estate nightmares, and a long struggle to find and attract clients.
Thanks to Jane’s perseverance, La Cuisine Paris opened in 2009. The years since have been filled with triumphs and heartbreaks. Several times the school almost closed, thanks to the pandemic and terrorist attacks that kept tourists away. Now the school is thriving, welcoming international visitors to come in and knead dough, whisk bechamel, whip meringue, and learn the care, precision, patience, and beauty involved in French cooking.
The French Ingredient is the story of a young female entrepreneur building a life in a city and culture she grew to love. As she built La Cuisine, Jane learned how to charm, how to project confidence, and how to give it right back to rude waiters. Having finally made peace with the city she swore never to revisit,she now offers a love letter to France, and a master class in Parisian cooking—and living.
Published by Penguin Random House, it’s available for pre-order now!
Cover for The French Ingredient : A Memoir — Making a Life in Paris, One Lesson at a Time.
Autumn often feels like more of the start of a new year than the actual calendar New Year. In Victoria, we’ve suddenly shifted from months of hot, dry weather (which I love but which isn’t great for wildfire risk) to rain and rare thunder and lightning. And even though there’s still more summer to go, I’m already feeling nostalgic for visits to the ocean and get-togethers with family and friends. Strings of lights under the gazebo and around our propane fire pit area. (I realize we can use these all year, but the rain and cold will make it less appealing.) Wearing dresses and sandals every day — I’m not digging this whole pants and closed shoe situation. At all. You get the idea. Give me more of the Mediterranean vibe I channeled all season.
So, if you’re sensing some nostalgia in this post, now you know why.
Strings of lights in backyard at dusk. (Author photo)
Shoutout to Quadra Cedar Hill Community Association for handing out postcards and promoting Provenance Unknown. The book features the park, its beloved pink elephant statue, and neighbourhood and local history!
Quadra Cedar Hill Community Association sandwich board.Sonia Nicholson with Provenance Unknown books, Music in the Park.
(I’m still looking to be added to more library systems, so please use the “Suggest a Title” option to help make that happen!)
Screenshot from the Medicine Hat Public Library catalogue entry for Provenance Unknown by Sonia Nicholson
And if you have a library card you likely have access to Hoopla, which gives you instant access to millions of audiobooks, ebooks, comics, and more for free.
The ebook version of Provenance Unknownis there too! (If it doesn’t show up in your library’s specific offerings, then ask them to make it available. 😃)
WIP (The Right One)
A young person in my life tells me that to kids these days, WIP means your new ride. Playing with language is fun, but I think I’m going to stick with the writing meaning of “Work in Progress.”
I think (?) I mentioned last month that this summer I made a huge pivot from what I thought was going to be book #3 to a completely different one. This was 100% the right move, because in addition to creating a mood board and working cover that I love (essential parts of drafting 😆), I’m already more than a quarter of the way through the writing! It’s such a different story and style than my previous two, but I’m so excited about where it’s going. 22,000 words down, 53,000 to go!
Old vehicle (buggy), Kelowna, July 2023. (Author photo)
AWW
There’s the cute kind of AWW, and the awe-some (see what I did there?), writing critique group kind! In the past month, the Archivists Who Write group celebrated two member achievements.
It’s such an awesome feeling holding my friend Emily Lonie’s book Corben and the Crow Commutein my hands. You can purchase it from Amazon.
Corben and the Crow Commute, by Emily Lonie. (Author photo)
A beautiful, poignant new piece by my friend Sylvia Stopforth has been published in The Ex-Puritan.
Screen shot from The Ex-Puritan website, page showing Sylvia Stopforth’s work.
Please show both of them your support by reading/sharing/buying their work.
Easy there, Pumpkin Spice. Like I said before, Summer’s not officially over yet, and there’s never a bad time for a beach read. Now’s the time to pick up Provenace Unknown and dream about Paris. If you already have: thank you ☺️.
If you can spare a minute, I would really appreciate a quick review on Amazon or Goodreads.
Happy reading and happy travels! ☀️
Provenance Unknown book by Sonia Nicholson, shown in Paris. (Reader photo)
Pack Your Bags
I got word a few nights ago that my book is going on a mystery adventure for two weeks! I literally know nothing about where it’s heading other than NOT to Paris, so I’m looking forward to photo updates along the way. (Update: the first stop was Montreal. Then it made it to the Azores, Porto, and Lisbon, Portugal 🇵🇹, the homeland of my family 😭 !)
To be clear, I’m not anti-any-season-that-isn’t-summer — and I’ll prove it. The fact is, seasons cycle through. As much as I love the dresses and sandals, there’s a lot to be said for cozy throws, cooler weather, and a good book. (And maybe a glass of wine. 🍷) Especially when you can share the experience with others.
Want to dig into a lighter story with layers? Would you love an escape to Paris through the pages? This autumn, I’ll be available to speak to your book club! If your group chooses to read and discuss Provenance Unknown, let me know and I would be happy to attend a meeting (in person if local, or virtually) to chat and answer questions. As a bonus, I’ll throw in one copy of the book for local groups. Cheers/Santé!
Book Club offer to have guest author Sonia Nicholson attend.
Sprouting
Provenance Unknown is now listed on Booksprout! That means it’s available for download for qualified reviewers — join over 190,000 other users who are already reading and reviewing great books. Sign up is free and easy with a Facebook or Amazon account, or by email address.
Find free review copies from your favorite authors (including me 😃)!
Booksprout logo
Dialogue
Pinhole Poetry, which previously published my poem “some things maybe”, has announced that their next issue will be out October 13! Not only is it filled with beautiful poetry, it’s also got their new series ‘DIALOGUE’ featuring pinhole photographs by Jan Hinderson with poems in response. I’m excited to have a piece included in the ‘DIALOGUE’ series.
Mark your calendars!
Contributed list for fall issue. (Image from Pinhole Poetry)
Les Bouquinistes (Movie Edition)
I’ve been re-reading parts of Provenance Unknown to pick out an excerpt to be published in a literary magazine next year (more to come on that in 2024), and it got me thinking about Paris movies again. I don’t watch movies often, so when I do, I want to make it worth my while.
My favourite Paris films — in no particular order, because I flip-flop between first and second choice — are:
Amélie
Midnight in Paris
I do remember enjoying French Kiss with Meg Ryan back in the day, but it’s been so long that I can’t recall much about it now. So looking towards my next France fix, I’m considering Before Sunset. But I’m more than open to other options.
Do you have any romantic, fun, Paris film recommendations for me? Send them along so I can check them out and potentially include them in future posts.
Osoyoos Lake, Osoyoos, British Columbia, 28 July 2023. (Author photo)
An abbreviated August update because, as I’m sure you know and as I’ve experienced in the past couple of weeks, plans can be disrupted with little notice. I’ll explain. But first, summer.
Paddling
On the water, yes, but this time also in Paddler Press. There’s so much talent in Issue 9: Grace Notes, and I’m honoured that my poem, “desire/path”, was selected. I was inspired to write it when I learned it takes as few as 15 trips over the same area to create a new pathway. These unofficial pedestrian routes aren’t necessary, but rather reflect a shared, unspoken desire.
Read online, or order a hard copy to support this Canadian literary magazine.
Elk Lake, Saanich, British Columbia, 21 July 2023. (Author photo)
Humankind
Also in acceptance news, I was happy to learn that a poem of mine that’s seen its fair share of rejections has finally found the right fit.
“viso” will be included in Humankind Zine’s “Tasting Memories” issue, due out soon. (I’ll share the direct link in the next newsletter.)
Humankind Zine is dedicated to the exploration and celebration of what it truly means to be human through different mediums of art.
By providing a platform for creatives, we strive to have viewers and artists connect with each other to form a sense of unity and community. Our goal is to confront the unimaginable, deliberate the unintentional, and elevate the voices of those typically unheard.
Humankind Zine website
Highway 3 west between Osoyoos and Keremeos, British Columbia. (Author photo)
Closer
There are two types of closer on my mind lately: becoming closer to each other (as Humankind Zine strives to facilitate); and getting closer to goals.
One of my (many) author goals has been to see Provenance Unknown in as many libraries as possible; and specifically, in places with which I have a connection.
Patrons of Penticton Public Library: the Provenance Unknown ebook is now available to you through Hoopla! One step closer to having physical copies of my book in the South Okanagan, where I grew up. 💕
Out of the Sun …
And speaking of my home turf, I spent a couple of hours of my vacation/visit home to Osoyoos writing in Okanagan Regional Library’s Mission Branch in Kelowna. Gorgeous space, friendly staff. The only thing that would make it better is having my book on the shelves 😁.
Visiting the Okanagan Regional Library’s Mission Branch in Kelowna. (Author photo)
… Into the Fire
Back to disrupted plans. Shortly after that Kelowna day trip, things went off the rails while I was still staying with my parents in Osoyoos. If you watched the news at all on or immediately following July 29, you’ll probably already know what I’m going to write about here.
What began about mid-day as a puff of smoke across the Canada-US border in Oroville, Washington became, by nightfall, an inferno.
Early stages of the Eagle Bluff wildfire in Oroville, Washington, 29 July 2023. (Author photo)
Unfortunately, it really was a story of the wind. The steady gusts fanned the flames and, through the course of the afternoon, across the border and kilometres northward. The speed at which the wildfire moved was, to be frank, shocking. Let me show you.
Eagle Bluff wildfire in Osoyoos, British Columbia, looking west towards the intersection of Highways 3 and 97, 29 July 2023. (Author photo)
Having grown up there, fires weren’t new to me. However, this was the first time I had been under evacuation alert, the alarm for which came wailing through our phones at 11:30 that night. We packed up our essentials and stacked them at the front door, just in case. Unlike others, we were lucky and were able to remain. It was a sleepless night for all. (If you’d like to see my photo and video montage of the day, you can view it on Instagram; or go back through my posts on X for the sequence of events as I watched them unfold.)
I shared updates online throughout, and soon various media outlets reached out to me. In the end I did four interviews. 😱 They went well (I think), and doing them was my way of helping in some way. Sharing information is in my wheelhouse. Here’s the interview list, if you’re wondering:
Global BC Morning Show (Vancouver) – 30 July 2023
Vancouver Sun/Province Newspaper – 30 July 2023
Chek News (Victoria) – 31 July 2023
CHED Radio (Edmonton), Shaye Ganam Show – 1 August 2023
I’m happy to report that thanks to the excellent work of fire crew, no structures were lost and no one was hurt. I think I can safely say that the whole community of Osoyoos is grateful.
The Plans We Make
We make plans — like vacations, or novels — with the best of intentions. But as I’ve been reminded, plans change.
I’ve hinted before that my next book was to be an Italy-based story involving olive oil. When I did, I swear I meant it. But even the best-laid plans can be waylaid, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing.
My planning and writing process has changed with each book, and that’s playing out more than ever this time around. Firstly, instead of working on the novel I’ve spent months plotting, I wrote a synopsis for, and basically figured out, a completely different book. And in only a few hours instead of months. 😳 I’m so conflicted!
It’s funny how inspiration works…
I’ve finished the first three chapters, except they’re half the length so there will be more than before. This book has an energy, and the story’s taking over, demanding to be written. I’ve decided to ride the wave.
I swear the books and characters decide how it’s going, rather than the author. Doesn’t matter if I have a formula or not … 🤷♀️
The lesson here? Keep swimming.
Les Bouquinistes (Canadian Edition)
My friend and fellow Archivists Who Write Critique Group member Emily Lonie’s first book is out! It’s a lovely middle grade story based on Vancouver’s famous and well-documented “crow commute”, and I’m excited to share it here with you.
Cover, Corben and the Crow Commute by Emily Lonie.
CORBEN AND THE CROW COMMUTE introduces a cheeky young crow, his family, and the creatures he encounters when, bored with his life, he decides to strike out on his own. In this action-packed middle grade adventure story, Corben makes friends with an articulate seagull, a hyperactive squirrel, and a playful brood of bunnies. But when he finds himself in serious trouble, he learns just how important family and community can be.
Here’s the blurb from the back:
Corben Crow craves adventure but his parents just don’t get it. They want him to grow up and join the crow commute like all the other crows. After a big fight with his father, Corben sets off alone to find adventure in the big city. Along the way, he meets new friends (some feathered and some furry) who show him the wonders of the world beyond the crow commute. But adventure might not be all it’s cracked up to be. When an old enemy darkens the sky, will Corben be able to find his way home again?
I’ve ordered my copy! You can get yours on Amazon. (And don’t forget to leave a review after you’ve read it.)
BOOK NEWS!! I have a super exciting announcement about Provenance Unknown! 🤩
If you’ve already bought a copy, then congratulations! You now have a limited edition, because my publisher is releasing the book with a brand new cover. I’m really excited about it (if you can’t tell). I hope you love it as much as I do!
So without further ado, here it is!!
Nothing changes in terms of where you can buy it, so use the same retailer links to purchase the new cover edition.
One Day Only
And just to tempt you even more, it will be on sale for one day only, July 20, for only $0.99US! Browse to the Amazon and Barnes and Noble online stores on July 20 to take advantage of this steal, courtesy of my publisher, Sands Press.
While you’re there, you can get the same deal on books by two other Sands Press authors:
Paragraph Planet has been publishing one 75-word paragraph every day since November 2008. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram, and visit their website to read all the paragraphs and give some support.
More Reviews
Every review helps more people see my novel, and I appreciate each one. Thank you!
Goodreads reviewAmazon reviewAmazon review
Summer is Here …
Keep those Provenance Unknown countdown-to-summer beach read pics coming. (Even though summer has officially arrived.) 📸 ⛱️
This recent submission take us to the lake. Thanks for sharing! There’s still time to send in your own.
Do you have your summer beach read yet?
… And That Means Tunes
Did you know that Provenance Unknown has a playlist on YouTube? (This is what writers do instead of writing 😆)
There’s a song for each chapter; check out the playlist description to see which go together. If you listen to it and have read (or are reading) the book, let me know what you think of the music match-ups!
Class Notes
I’m included in the “Class Notes” section of the Spring 2023 edition, UVic Alumni Torch Magazine (p. 32). It was very cool to be listed with all of those accomplished University of Victoria grads.
As it says in the write-up, I credit my French degree, along with my own adventures in the City of Light and nearly fifteen years of experience in archives, with helping achieve authenticity in Provenance Unknown.
The Little Book Barn
After a kind invite through Instagram, I swung by The Little Book Barn in Saanich just before Canada Day to drop off some Provenance Unknown postcards!
This little free library is super cute, and inspiring too. I’m hoping to one day soon install my own curb-side lending library on my street and fill it with books that transport us either in time (history), place (travel), or emotionally (romance). I’ll keep you posted. 📚
Library Love, Continued
Recently, I woke up to this message on Facebook and it made my day!
I would still love to see my book in the Okanagan Regional Library, my childhood stomping grounds. This is at the top of my library wish list. It’s not there yet, but patrons of the Penticton Public Library can now sign out the ebook via Hoopla. Progress!
If you’re a card holder, consider suggesting a title. It only takes a minute online, and I’d really appreciate it.
Both Michelle Moggio’s novel and excellent Paris blog share the name The Paris Effect. The book poses the question, “How would you spend seven days in Paris?”
Blurb: Mia’s Custom Paris Travel doesn’t begin to describe the pains she takes to deliver the ultimate custom tailored vacation in the City of Light. She offers them a front row seat for a fun, life changing holiday. Tooty – fitness fanatic, she doesn’t want to gain an ounce in delicious Paris. Susanne – a slave to shopping, she can’t escape the high demands of her 24/7 job and absent love life. Justine – helicopter mom to the core, she wants to escape her empty nest and distant husband. Ruth – a Parisian native, she has returned with a dark secret and bitter feelings toward the country of her birth. Mia – in love with her favorite city in the world, her mantra is THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH PARIS. Chart the course of these uniquely diverse women as they explore the wonders of Paris. Taste it, feel it, love it. The Paris Effect will transport you. Note from author: The fictionalized character of Ruth is based, in part, on her own mother’s experiences during WWII.
Cover, The Paris Effect
The blog is well worth a read, too. I particularly like the 2015 post on 100 layers of Paris! The numbered list consists of,
One hundred declarations of devotion exalting the symphony of this unparalleled city, forever confident There’s No Such Thing as Too Much Paris.
Paris is shameless in her outright beauty, the ability to bring countless visitors to their knees, inciting many of us to dream with our eyes wide open about the chance to return again and again.
Not that you Paris lovers need any reminders of why you love this city.
It’s the first title that came to mind, and I’m going with it. But now, because I’m endlessly curious, I have to look up June bugs. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen one before. Do we have them on south Vancouver Island?
(I checked, and apparently we do. A type of striped beetle. Still don’t think I’ve seen one, though.)
Other than in my garden, the past month has been surprisingly free of bad bugs, both the insect and the technical variety. Let’s keep it that way.
School’s out, University of Victoria. (Author photo)
More Library Love
This was a happy surprise: the Vancouver Island Regional Library has 5 copies of Provenance Unknown in circulation! Thanks for supporting local authors. 👏
If you’ve got a VIRL library card, you can request a copy through the online catalogue.
Screenshot from the VIRL online catalogue showing entry for Provenance Unknown.
The e-book is now available from a public library near you via Hoopla. Thanks to libraries like Jefferson County Public Library, Boston Public Library, and Oakland Public Library for making it available to their patrons.
(Also, how cool is it that I’m on the same slider as Agatha Christie?!)
Screenshot showing slider of new fiction available from the Boston Public Library.
It’s really exciting to see Provenance Unknown starting to travel around the world. Thank you also to the libraries at West Virginia University at Parkersburg and Philipps-Universität Marburg (Germany!) for carrying the e-book and making it available to students.
Screenshot from WorldCat.
Whether you borrowed a copy (digital or otherwise) or purchased your own, please consider leaving an online review. I’d really appreciate it!
Hometown Pride
In early May, I dropped off a copy of Provenance Unknown at The Happy Paper Parlor in Osoyoos—my home town! Super excited to connect with proprietor and fellow author Lindsay, too. If you’re ever in the area, check out this cheery shop.
(And yes, I know that my face kind of matches the sun’s face 🌞 😆.)
At The Happy Paper Parlor!
Reality Check (The Good Kind!)
So … on May 15, I spent 20 minutes walking through Indigo Mayfair with a stupid smile on my face after finding my book (real, physical copies!) on the shelf. Right there between Sara Ney and Brenda Novak. No big deal. I’m fine. Everything’s fine. 🤯 And to top it all off, I got to sign my books. THEY HAVE A STICKER!
(Oh yeah, and you can now pick up a copy from a Chapters / Indigo store near you, etc.)
My book is on the shelf! (Author photo)“Signed by Author” copies at Indigo Mayfair in Victoria. (Author photo)
Merci
This time it’s not just my sign-off, it’s the name of my poem that was published in The Viridian Door’s May 2023 special issue on “The Poet”. This edition is all about poets and writers, and I’m glad that the editors agreed that my piece was a fit.
Screenshot from The Viridian Door website showing cover of special edition, and list of contributors.
For Page and Screen
You might remember my short story, “Through the Looking Glass”, was published by For Page and Screen magazine in their most recent issue. They kindly asked me to be part of their first annual Summer Podcast Series, and my episode is out!
This is honestly up there with the most enjoyable interviews I’ve done. We talk writing (of course), publishing advice, and more.
The summer countdown is on! So, I’m sharing a Provenance Unknown beach read pic (or more than one 😃) every week until the end of June. And I’d love to include you! Here’s how to join in:
☀️ Get outside!
☀️ Take a photo of Provenance Unknown wherever you like to enjoy the season. Invite a friend to follow my page and take pics of their own.
☀️ Submit your photo(s) via direct message (Messenger, Instagram messaging, etc). Let me know if you’re having trouble sending them. OR, post them on your own page and tag me and the locations.
☀️ Watch for your pics across my social media channels and share!
Have fun with it! I’m looking forward to seeing your creative summer snaps.
Don’t have a copy of the book? No problem! It’s available at many retailers, both brick-and-mortar and online. (Let me know if you need help finding one.)
Do you have your summer beach read yet? 🏖️ 🌞 🕶️ 📚
Provenance Unknown with hat and sunglasses, poolside. (Author photo)
Years ago, Juliet left a little piece of her heart in Paris – and now, separated from her husband and with her children flying the nest, it’s time to get it back!
So she puts on her best red lipstick, books a cosy attic apartment near Notre-Dame and takes the next train out of London.
Arriving at the Gare du Nord, the memories come flooding back: bustling street cafés, cheap wine in candlelit bars and a handsome boy with glittering eyes.
But Juliet has also been keeping a secret for over two decades – and she begins to realise it’s impossible to move forwards without first looking back.
Something tells her that the next thirty days might just change everything…
There’s life before you’re a published author, and life afterwards. I was worried that once the excitement of the Provenance Unknown launch had died down, I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.
View at the Osoyoos Desert Centre, August 2021. (Author photo)
It’s partially true. With my second book, A Year of Summer, still with my test readers, I suddenly have time on my hands. Odd.
I couldn’t sit still for long, though. I’ve started researching and plotting my third book, which takes place in Sicily, Italy. (I’ve even connected with an olive farm there, and the owners have invited me to visit. Better start saving up now … ) But a recent stomach bug that swept through my house forced me to slow down.
Message received. Ish.
The Marketing Machine
It never stops. Most authors hate this part of the industry, but it’s actually my favourite. (In fact, I’ve been told I should start a business to help fellow authors with this side of things. I’m considering it!) And thanks to my friend technology, I generally don’t have to get out of my pyjamas to do it.
In April, I participated in MoodPitch, a Twitter pitch + moodboard event. Held twice a year, it allows authors to share a quick snapshot of their story in the hopes of grabbing an agent’s attention.
Who are we? Well, we are passionate authors who created this Twitter pitch event because we, like so many other writers, LOVE moodboards to go along with our WIP (works-in-progress). We love looking at them, we love making them, and we love using them to maintain the excitement while drafting our projects. And we know so many of you do, too! But there’s a lack of pitch events on Twitter that allow the use of moodboards. So we wanted to create something that allows for these beauties to be showcased.
From the MoodPitch website’s About page.
Though I didn’t attract agent interest this time around, pitching A Year of Summer helped me refine my hook for the book—plus I connected with some new author friends. Here’s my moodboard. Let me know what you think!
Screen shot from Twitter of moodboard and pitch for A Year of Summer.
Poetry to Podcasts
The Valentine’s 💘 issue of Poetry as Promised Magazine was worth the wait! Once again, they’ve made the poems so visually stunning 🤩. Find my contribution, “Crown Shyness”, on page 12—but definitely read ALL the wonderful work from the featured poets.
Made by our hands to find a home in yours
Poetry As Promised Magazine is a homemade literary magazine devoted to publishing your poetry, prose, short stories, photography, and visual arts in a way that speaks to the readers and you! With 2 poet/photographers looking over every submission and handmaking each page, we ensure your work is in very loving hands. We pride ourselves on our eye for detail and promise to do everything in our power to deliver a masterpiece you can be proud of too.
From the Poetry As Promised Magazine website.
I was also delighted to receive an invitation from For Page and Screen Magazine, which published my short story “Through the Looking Glass”, to be on their new podcast as a past contributor. This will be part of their first-ever Summer Interview Series. This should be a lot of fun, and I’ll be sure to share the links (both audio and YouTube) once the episode is up.
My Book Baby
I couldn’t stay away from Provenance Unknown for long! The momentum around it right now is wild, and, quite frankly, blowing my mind. Just because I’m still riding the high of the launch, I’ve included a few more photos below. But first, news!
Library Love
Toronto folks!Provenance Unknown will soon be available at a public library near you. I’m thrilled to announce that the Toronto Public Library has ordered 5 copies. Watch for them soon at the following branches:
Armour Heights
North York Central Library
Don Mills
Swansea Memorial
Toronto Reference Library
It’s easy to suggest a title for your library to purchase! Here are a few links:
As jealous as I am of my book’s recent travels in Paris without me, I’m still hoping to see—and share—more photos of its adventures. Going to Paris soon? I’d love it if you would take a copy with you and document the fun. Reach out and we can chat about it.
Austen Keller was living her dream. She landed a career-defining job which moved her and her husband to Paris. <Swoon!> Shortly thereafter, she was divorced. <Thud.> This wasn’t the plan. Yet there she was—pushing 40 and starting over.
A decade after she’d last been single, Austen enters the dating scene playing by a new set of rules in a different language, culture, and lingerie standards. She experiences every type of miserable first date imaginable and lives to tell the tales of Pierre the Mansplainer, Simon the Snoozer, Emile the Over-Sharer, Guillaume of the Gym Shorts, and many more. On most dates, she struggles to get past one glass of Bordeaux without wanting to bolt. Even worse, no one chases after her when she runs. It doesn’t take long for her to realize that whoever said French men were romantic deserves a swift kick in the pants.
A rewarding and high-powered career. <Check.> Fabulous female friendships. <Nailed it!> True love. <Umm?>
Austen continues to ask herself: Is “having it all” too much to ask?
A genuine and tragically hilarious novel about an ex-pat woman’s journey of self-discovery through a string of disastrous dates, relationships forged in a deep cultural divide, world travels, and wine. A lot of wine.
Cover for Will There Be Wine? by Whitney Cubbison.
Zoe Barlow knows the pain of loss. By the age of 18, she’d already lost her father to suicide and her reputation to an ill-fated love affair, not to mention other losses too devastating for words. Exiled from her home and her beloved younger sister by their stepmother, Zoe has been dumped in Paris without a friend to help her make her way.
Now, four years, later Zoe has forged a new life as a painter amidst fellow artists, expats, and revolutionaries who are all struggling to make sense of the world in the aftermath of the Great War. Zoe has adopted this Lost Generation as her new family, so when her dear friend Hadley Hemingway loses a valise containing her husband Ernest’s writings, Zoe happily volunteers to track it down. But she doesn’t realize that her hunt has put her in the crosshairs of a merciless killer.
Betty Webb is the author of three mystery series—her new PARIS series, the LENA JONES series, and the GUNN ZOO series. Before writing full time, Betty was a journalist, interviewing everyone from U.S. Presidents, astronauts who walked on the moon, and Nobel Prize winners. She is a member of the National Federation of Press Women, Mystery Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime.
Beach scene at a tropical resort, March 2023 (Author photo)
What better place to celebrate the launch of my debut novel than a much-needed, relaxing vacation to somewhere tropical. Now that I’m back, I can forget about all the stress and anxiety (MAJOR anxiety—did I mention anxiety?) leading up to it and focus on the wonderful memories I made.
Plus, I can celebrate that while poolside, I finished my first big round of editing for my second book, A Year of Summer. And before you judge me for working on vacation, I find it relaxing to get lost in the story. Now, it’s in the hands (er, devices) of my trusted test readers.
Editing by the pool. (Author photo)
Provenance Unknown Book Launch
Speaking of travel, I’m grateful to the friends, family, community members, and strangers who came from far and wide to attend the first Provenance Unknown book launch celebration on April 2, hosted by the Roundhouse Cafe in Saanich (Greater Victoria, British Columbia). Right next to Rutledge Park, the venue gave attendees a first-hand look at one of the key locations in the book!
Sonia Nicholson at Roundhouse book launch.
Bonus: for the first time, the Archivists Who Write critique group met in person, and it filled my heart. Learn more about the group through a two-part blog post from the Association of Canadian Archivists.
The Archivists Who Write.
Missed it? Fear not! I’m hoping it was the first of many bookish events. If you have one you’d like me to attend, please reach out using the Contact page.
Where It All Began
The day after the launch, I dropped off a gift for Rutledge Park neighbours at the Rutledge Park Little Free Library. 📚 🎁
The park—including its signature pink elephant—plays a major role in this story, so it was only fitting that I share the book with area residents!
While I’ve been occupied with launch-related work, my book is having fun in Paris. (Without me 😭). After checking out the rooftop view from Galeries Lafayette, this copy of Provenance Unknown ended its adventures by hiding out somewhere in Shakespeare and Company. If you find it, it’s yours!
Despite being jealous of everything my book is getting up to 😆, I love getting book photos from readers. Keep them coming!
Provenance Unknown with Eiffel Tower in the background. View from Galeries Lafayette, Paris. (Photo provided)Lineup outside Shakespeare and Co. bookstore in Paris. (Photo provided)
Victoria: City of Gardens
I’m sensing a theme here. People. Places. Travel.
I got my copy of Rivanna Review – Issue 7 in the mail a few days before jetting off. My article, “Victoria: City of Gardens”, is a feature! If you like a side of archival research with your travel writing, this one’s for you.
I didn’t realize until after I’d read the book that Laura is a fellow Victoria resident. Bonus! While not a Paris book, it’s 100% French. And just such a great, smooth, read that I’m confident in selecting it as my pick for this month. My favourite part? The cast of characters the author meets in and around Beaune, Burgundy. Note to self: go back and read the whole series.
Here’s the blurb from the author’s website:
Is Laura’s sudden decision to choose a Revolutionary-era ruin in a tiny french village over a legal career in London profoundly wise or utterly insane?
In My Grape Escape, the fifth book in Laura Bradbury’s #1 bestselling Grape Series, Laura emerges from her final law exams at Oxford far from unscathed. Everyone expects her to follow the well-trodden path of establishing a prestigious legal career in London, but instead she buys an eighteenth century ruin near her husband’s village in Burgundy.
Laura’s idealistic visions of bicycling through French vineyards with fresh baguettes under her arm had not included steaming plates of veal brains for breakfast or taming an electrician named Tin Tin. Still, as Laura learns the art of bartering for antique furnishings and rekindles her romance with Franck, she gains a newfound perspective. Will running from the law to the vineyards of France trump the expectations she has long held for herself? Find out in My Grape Escape, book five in Laura’s beloved Grape Series.
The past little while has been hectic for me, for obvious reasons. I promise to have more Bouquinistes picks next month!
Author climbing stone steps in Paris. (Author’s Collection)
It snowed last night. In Victoria, we usually get one dump every February—some bigger than others. After that, we know we’re in the clear and the daffodils will open soon. Luckily, this time we received only a skiff. Bring on the blooms. [Author’s note: it’s now March 8, and the daffodils are indeed ready to burst!]
I’m writing this March newsletter at the end of February because I’m looking at my calendar for next month, and it’s, um, pretty booked up. I’ve referred to these scheduled items as distractions in the title above. The term isn’t fair, though. It’s a catch-all for everything from dentist appointments and meetings (yuck) to my book launch and even a tropical getaway (yay!). Bring on Spring Break.
You would think there wouldn’t be much to say this close to the last post, but you’d be wrong. I was certainly surprised once I started jotting down what’s come up in the past couple of weeks, (and I don’t just mean flowers.)
🚨 Giveaway! 🚨
Enter to win one of two advance, signed copies of Provenance Unknown on Goodreads! Contest open to residents of Canada and the United States—enter by March 10. Please share far and wide.
(And if you’re not lucky enough to win but you do purchase your own copy, a friendly reminder that posting a review is hugely helpful to authors. nudge, nudge)
Bonus: My publisher, Sands Press, put together a nice little video promo. Provenance Unknown is still on pre-order until the March 28 release date.
Screenshot from video promo showing book spine.
When it does come out, a little birdie told me it’ll be also be available as an audio book! Recording is already underway.
Reviews!
Reviews are starting to come in for Provenance Unknown. In a world of algorithms and online presence, they make a big impact for authors. It’s the easiest way to show your support. 🙏
… The author has written a love story wrapped in a love story—that of Michele and Sébastien, as well as her grandparents. Each chapter begins with an excerpt from the diary, telling about her grandparents’ romance. It is an interesting juxtaposition of the present and the World War II era. Some readers may find it difficult to sympathize with Michele early on. She makes decisions like an impulsive teenager. As the story unfolds, however, the author deftly portrays a young woman struggling to get her life on track who undergoes a transformation through learning about those who came before her. She emerges with a more mature outlook. This romance novel should appeal to fans of the genre, as well as anyone who has experienced and understands the excitement of researching their family history.
Here are my Paris picks for this month. Get your French fix through these books, websites, and podcasts. If you have any to add, please use the Contact form to send them my way.
Not a new book, but new to me when I read it in 2022. A must-read for anyone interested in the creative scene in Paris at the start of the twentieth century.
A lively and deeply researched group biography of the vibrant figures who invented modernist art in bohemian Paris at the dawn of the twentieth century
When the young Pablo Picasso first arrived in Paris in 1900, the most progressive young artists all lived and worked in the seedy hillside quarter of Montmartre, in the shade of the old windmills. Over the next decade, among the studios, salons, cafés, dance halls, and galleries of Montmartre, the young Spaniard joined the likes of Henri Matisse, André Derain, Maurice de Vlaminck, Georges Braque, Amedeo Modigliani, Constantin Brancusi, Gertrude Stein, and many more in revolutionizing artistic expression.
Blending exceptional scholarship with graceful prose, Sue Roe paints a remarkable group portrait of the men and women who profoundly changed the arts of painting, sculpture, dance, music, literature, and fashion. She describes the origins of such movements as Fauvism, Cubism, and Futurism, and reconstructs the stories behind immortal paintings by Picasso and Matisse. She shows how daily life in Montmartre—which brought artists together with acrobats and dancers, prostitutes and clowns—provided an essential cauldron for artistic experimentation and for the colorful relationships, friendships, loyalties, and feuds that gave rise to some of the most pathbreaking and lasting works of the twentieth century.
In Montmartre is a thrilling account of an extraordinary group of artists on the cusp of fame and immortality that brings vividly to life one of the key moments in the history of modern art.
I stumbled on the Instagram account for This French Life first and then went down a (pleasant) rabbit hole.
This website and blog provide tips and tricks for everyday expat life in France—along with stunning visuals. There are so many resources available that’s it’s hard to summarize them. But core topics covered include French food, travel, style, garden and home, culture, and moving to France. Whether you’re looking to dip a toe or dive right in, This French Life is a great place to start.
I believe that France is the most incredible country in the world! I am absolutely in love with this dream I’m living every day. My goal is to be a resource to all of you who want to live your French life.
Logo for Don’t Mind If We Do, a podcast for women.
Season 2, Episode 3 of this podcast from Victoria-based photography studioVintage Chic recaps their recent trip to Paris, where they took a group of women for luxury experiences, photo shoots, wine, and more. 🥰 (And they’re going to do it again in Italy in 2023.)
Listen to co-hosts Chelsea and Michelle make each other laugh—and cry—as they recall the Eiffel Tower, champagne, Versailles, broken down boats, food tours, perfume … and photo shoots, of course! Find out what a Vintage Chic dream trip looks like, and learn about the upcoming trip in October 2023 to Montelparo, Italy!
Listen below:
Vintage Chic photoshoot on the Trocadéro, Paris. (Image from the Don’t Mind If We DoFacebook page.)
See you in April. As always, thanks for reading. Merci!
Let’s get right to it. There’s been a lot happening on the writing/publishing front for me over the past month. Spring is coming, and the year’s picking up speed. Here’s the recap:
Book Launch Celebration Event
Yes, that’s an unnecessarily long and awkward title. But while at first I thought you could only have one actual book launch, I came to the realization that and is better than or. There’s nothing saying I can’t do a whole series of events. Mind. Blown. 🤯
So in that spirit, the first book launch celebration event for Provenance Unknown will take place on Sunday afternoon, April 2, 2023.
The venue is the Roundhouse Cafe in Saanich (Greater Victoria, British Columbia), right next to Rutledge Park, one of the key locations in the book!
What to expect: ✍🏻 Author meet-and-greet 📚 Books available for purchase ($20, cash only) 📖 Book signing
Grab a coffee and treat (support local!), pick up a copy of Provenance Unknown, and see some of the locations featured in the story, (including Rutley, the pink elephant structure). Drop in anytime between 1:00 and 4:00 pm.
Thank you to the Roundhouse Cafe for hosting. Situated right in the heart of main character Michele’s neighbourhood, it’s the perfect spot for this event.
Rutley, the pink elephant structure at Rutledge Park. (Author photo)
Where’s the Writer?
Like Where’s Waldo. Sort of.
As book promotion kicks into high gear, I’ve been “spotted” both around town and online. Postcards continue to be distributed in little free libraries across Greater Victoria, thanks to Saanich Councillor Dr. Teale Phelps-Bondaroff. (See his Twitter account for photos!)
In the last year, the Association of Canadian ArchivistsIn the Fieldblog has interviewed archivists “who have written novels in addition to RAD descriptions.” (A little archives humour.) In a two-part series, they featured the Archivists Who Write, a writing group made up of Denise Dale, Emily Lonie, Sylvia Stopforth, and myself. In Part One, read about the ups and downs of the writing life and the value of the connections found in a group like this one.
Important sidebar: I couldn’t have asked for a better critique group—I feel lucky to have found these supportive, talented people whom I now call friends.
In Part Two, meet each member of the writing group and get to know the why, how, what, and where of our writing practice. To read both blog posts, head to In the Field.
Author and her novel Provenance Unknown paired with Bourgogne Chardonnay, Maison Louis Latour, 2020. (S. Nesbitt photo)
In other news, I’m officially part of the Books and Bevies family! 🥂 Check out my 🇫🇷 French wine pairing, and while you’re on the blog, find other wonderful authors to follow and support. 🎉
The brainchild of author Kerry Fryar Freeman, the blog features writers … with a “twist.” Authors choose the perfect beverage to pair with their work. It’s a fun concept, and I’m glad I decided to participate.
I was also happy to be a guest on the South Branch Scribbler. Thanks to fellow Canadian author Allan Hudson for having me. In the post, I share “the story behind the story” for Provenance Unknown, plus some insights into me as a writer. If you’re a fan of behind-the-scenes, give it a read!
South Branch Scribbler logo.
I met Sonia on Twitter when I was drawn to the beautiful cover on her debut novel and she kindly accepted my offer to be our guest this week. When you visit her website you will read, “Using my words for good.” I like that. Let’s go meet Sonia.
South Branch Scribbler
What About the Writing?
It may seem like all I’ve been doing lately is promotion, but occasionally some actual writing happens. I’ve nearly finished the first draft of A Year of Summer (more on that another time)—I’m in love with this novel and can’t wait to share it with you. I know, I know: one step at a time. But the finished product will be out there eventually. Maybe next year? 🤞
My latest publication credit appears in For Page and Screen, a magazine which began as a single-person blog run by writer/filmmaker Sarah Edmonds. It has since expanded to include a variety of voices from all different kinds of storytellers. Their goal is to explore the creative process. To find similarities and differences in how they tell stories across genre and form. Recently, they’ve added their own literature and film magazine to the mix so that they can help to showcase amazing work from storytellers around the world.
“Through the Looking Glass” is one of only six stories in Issue 3: “After”. 😮 Sincerest thanks to For Page and Screen for including my work.
Sometimes the routines and mundanity of our day-to-day lives can trick us into believing that the present state of being is as it will always be. In reality, we and the world around us are in a perpetual state of change. Our lives may change from the expected to the absurd, from feeling content to being ripped from your comfort zone, or even moving from a place of hopelessness to finding that one small thing that makes tomorrow worth living. While the reality of our lives is fluid, we often measure our time in moments and define our growth by the moments of greatest change. The amazingly talented storytellers included in this third issue of For Page & Screen Magazine understand that, when every moment holds so much potential, there is only one question left to answer. What happens after?”
Introduction to Issue 3, For Page & Screen.
Les Bouquinistes
Les Bouquinistes, riverside booksellers, are an enormous ‘open-air bookshop’ that is a part of the Parisian landscape, adding to the charm of the Seine riverbanks. They provide a lively atmosphere, cultural attraction, and literary and historic heritage. Located on the Right Bank, from Pont Marie to Quai du Louvre, and on the Left Bank, from Quai de la Tournelle to Quai Voltaire, some 226 riverside booksellers with their 900 ‘book boxes’ have 300,000 or so old and modern literary works to discover – a veritable treasure.
I won’t be able to offer nearly as many books as they do, but it’s a fitting name, I think, for a new feature where I share Paris-themed books, blogs, and more. A small way for me to pay it forward after receiving so much support on my publishing journey. Read on to discover a few gems—if you haven’t already found them on your own.
What would you do? Stay in Paris indefinitely or return to one of two homelands: a polarized and chaotic U.S. or a let’s-pretend-everything’s-normal-even-though-it-isn’t Sweden? After two weeks in Paris, Michelle’s choice was clear, persuaded by President Macron’s reassuring leadership and the imagined thrill of frolicking in a tourist-free Paris. A series of incremental incidents that left her ‘stranded’ in France without income converted Michelle’s two-month stay for camaraderie, cuisine, and culture into a transformative sixteen-month journey of self-discovery, path realignment, romantic adventure, and a deeper relationship with the City of Light, one often haunted by memories of her rich, insouciant ex-lover, Trocadéro Man.
Join Michelle the Art Historian as she explores the jasmine-scented streets of Paris, navigates the world of senior dating, weekends with aristocrats, winters on the Côte d’Azur, and converses with her favorite artworks. Meet the new people in her world–Puzzle Man of Montparnasse, Amazing Accordionist, Madame Chocolat, Jim the Expat, and Caroline the Professor–who made her (first) pandemic year one of metamorphosis and joy.
The Honeybee Emeralds is a lighthearted mystery set in the world of Parisian expats as four women work together to uncover the secrets of a stunning diamond and emerald necklace.
Alice Ahmadi has never been certain of where she belongs. When she discovers a famed emerald necklace while interning at a struggling Parisian magazine, she is plunged into a glittering world of diamonds and emeralds, courtesans and spies, and the long-buried secrets surrounding the necklace and its glamorous former owners.
When Alice realizes the mysterious Honeybee Emeralds could be her chance to save the magazine, she recruits her friends Lily and Daphne to form the “Fellowship of the Necklace.” Together, they set out to uncover the romantic history of the gems. Through diaries, letters, and investigations through the winding streets and iconic historic landmarks of Paris, the trio begins to unravel more than just the secrets of the necklace’s obsolete past. Along the way, Lily and Daphne’s relationships are challenged, tempered, and changed. Lily faces her long-standing attraction to a friend, who has achieved the writing success that eluded her. Daphne confronts her failing relationship with her husband, while also facing simmering problems in her friendship with Lily. And, at last, Alice finds her place in the world―although one mystery still remains: how did the Honeybee Emeralds go from the neck of American singer Josephine Baker during the Roaring Twenties to the basement of a Parisian magazine?
“Written in California by a Francophile who loves books, movies, music, and more.”
The 5-year-old blog is run by Darlene, a San Francisco Bay Area native, mom, and academic human resources professional. She admits to being a Francophile since she was 12 years old. (I can relate!)
It aims to:
connect with people from all around the world and exchange ideas
inspire more travel through its postcard series
promote the study of French language and culture through a French song playlist, book reviews, and more
The blog is meant to accompany the Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles podcast about all things French. Episodes provide “tips and ideas that aren’t in the tourist brochures for Aussies travelling to France” (but I’m sure are applicable to all!), and share French experiences and inspiration. The links to listen to the podcasts are in each blog post.
Subscribe wherever you listen to your favourite podcasts or follow Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles on Instagram and Facebook to be notified when new episodes are out.
Logo for Loulabelle’s FrancoFiles.
Thanks for hanging in all the way to the end of a newsletter that turned out to be much longer than I expected. Things at this time of year have a tendency to grow. It’s almost Spring, after all. (In Victoria, anyway.)
As always, thank you for reading. I truly appreciate your support.
![2023 Year in Review graphic:
1 Novel published
5 Poems [published]
4 Short stories, articles [published]
9 Appearances
1 New Book Contract](https://sonianicholson.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img_1241-1.jpg?w=580)
Sonia Nicholson 