The Never Witch is Finalized

July 18, 2025 By JPMcLean 3 Comments

I’m pleased to report that The Never Witch is finalized. The ebook and paperback editions are now available wherever pre-orders are permitted. I’ll soon have a copy to hold in hands and will share photos when it arrives. In the meantime, here’s a look at the bookmark:

Upcoming In-person Events

The following are my upcoming events. Come by and say hello. Pick up a beach read for yourself or a gift for a friend. (All of my in-person events are listed here.)

Campbell River Farmers’ Market, Sunday, July 20, 2025, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, in Spirit Square, Shoppers Row, Campbell River, BC

Parksville Summer by the Sea Street Market, Tuesday, July 22, 2025, 6:00-9:00 pm, on Craig Street in downtown Parksville

Comox Valley Makers’ Market, Saturday, July 26, 2025, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm, at The Old Farm Market (across from the courthouse), 660 England Ave, Courtenay, BC

Comox Nautical Days, August 2-4, 2025, 10-6 Sat & Sun, 10-5 Mon, at Comox Marina Park, 127 Port Augusta St, Comox, BC.

What I’m reading

Or perhaps rereading. I picked up Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare, but I have the sneaky suspicion I’ve read it before. Regardless, I’ll keep reading because I don’t recall how it ends.

I’m also bingeing Louise Penny audiobooks set in Quebec and centred around her character, Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec. Penny has thoroughly hooked me, and so has the narrator, Robert Bathurst, who is masterful.

The Denman Island Readers and Writers Festival

Denman Island’s annual festival is taking place July 18th to 20th this year. The festival organizers have, once again, lined up an interesting mix of authors to present their work. I’ll be attending and volunteering. Looking forward to it, especially Caroline Adderson, A Way to Be Happy, and Timothy Taylor, The Rise and Fall of Magic Wolf.

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Until next time…

December update

December 2, 2024 By JPMcLean 8 Comments

Audio Book December Update

It’s almost done! The third book, Scorch Mark, is +60% finished. I thought with this December update, I’d be further along. And I may have been if not for Mother Nature and the wind storm she unleashed that knocked out power and then the internet for a four-day stretch. I’ll continue plugging away and keep my fingers crossed for a 2024 release.

In-Person Events

My final event of the year will be Comox Valley Makers’ Market Decorates Christmas. It’s a two-day event, December 7th and 8th, at the Comox Legion. I love attending Makers’ Market events. There’s a warm sense of camaraderie among the vendors and loads of laughs. I hope you’re able to make it, and if you do, please come by and say hello.

Date: December 7 and 8, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 160
Address: 1825 Comox Avenue, Comox, BC
More Event Info

Happy Holidays

Thank you all for your continued support of my books. Merry Christmas and happy holidays with all my best wishes from my home to yours.

To learn more about me, my writing life, and my home on Denman Island, please sign up for my monthly newsletter, where I share photos, updates, FREE short stories, and insider scoop. I never share your email address, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Fall is in the air

September 1, 2024 By JPMcLean 4 Comments

September’s in-person events:

Though fall is in the air, summer’s not over yet! My final summer in-person event will be September 8th, where I’ll be signing books and chatting with visitors at the Union Bay Fall Craft Fair and Luncheon. It will take place from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm PST at the Union Bay Community Club, 5401 South Island Highway in Union Bay. What I like most about this annual event is that it feels like a block party with lots of laughs and fabulous food.

My last event, Nautical Days in Comox over the August long weekend, was a huge success. Thank you to everyone who stopped by my booth. For those of you who picked up the first books in the series, I’ll have all the other books in both series available at the Union Bay Fair. I’ll also have the popular three- and seven-book gift packages of The Gift Legacy with me.

In other news, I’m still in Ontario visiting family. I’m relaxing and spending quality time with my mom and dad, siblings, aunts, uncles, cousins, and neighbours. Our family’s history goes back several generations in this small community, so there’s lots to catch up on. This is a photo of where I’m staying, taken from a boat on the tea water of the Manitouwabing River. It’s a gorgeous spot.

I do hope you’re enjoying your summer. If you’d like to see more photos, please join my VIP Reader newsletter list. I send out a monthly newsletter with FREE short stories, insider scoop, new release news, and writing/audiobook updates. You can unsubscribe at any time, and I never share your contact details.

August events and a quick update

August 1, 2024 By JPMcLean 2 Comments

August’s in-person events include two of my favourites:

cartoon pirate parrot logo for Comox Nautical Days The first event is Comox Nautical Days in Marina Park. It takes place over the August long weekend, August 3, 4, and 5. Nautical Days is a three-day family-orientated party, and it’s the biggest event on my calendar. There’s live music, children’s entertainment, food trucks, a beer tent, a splash park, a parade and vintage car show, and more than a hundred juried vendors! I’ll be signing books at booth #63.

If you’ve never been to Nautical Days, you’re in for a treat. Marina Park has spectacular views of the harbour, boats, and the glacier. You’ll also appreciate the clean washrooms, and that this event is organized and well-run.

The second event is my annual trip to Ontario to visit my family. Though I hate the travel portion of the trip, I look forward to lazy hazy days sipping coffee and wine on my sister’s porch, or my parent’s deck, and cooling off in the Manitouwabing River. I’ve posted photos on previous visits here and here (scroll down to see the photos).

And finally, thank you to everyone who came out to the Christmas in July event last Saturday at the Lighthouse Community Hall in Qualicum Bay. I donated a copy of Blood Mark to the door prizes and hope whoever won it enjoys the story.

To receive FREE short stories, insider scoop, and new release news, please join my VIP Reader newsletter list. I send out a monthly newsletter with photos, news, and writing/audiobook updates.