March has been a busy month with Denman Island’s annual herring spawn.

The island where I live is home to an annual herring spawn that occurs between late February and early March. The millions of herring that arrive on our shores turn the water the colour of the Caribbean. A cacophony of sea lions, seals, eagles, and seagulls, follows, along with the fishing fleet. I took this video in early March to give you an idea of what it looks and sounds like.

Oceana Canada provides a more in-depth explanation on YouTube.

It’s loud, it’s bright, and it’s busy. At night, when we’d normally only see stars and a few distant lights on neighbouring islands, we instead look out on what could be mistaken for a cityscape with glaring lights in constant motion.

I wouldn’t want to live with that full-time, but once a year it’s an exciting change of pace.

Witch Book Progress

I’m thrilled to report that my WIP (work in progress) now sits at 80K. The finished draft will end up between 90-100K.

When I’m writing, I find it useful to find a photo that looks like the character I’ve created in my head. This is who I picture for the main character, Adeline Thorne. Adeline is a thirty-four-year-old witch who didn’t come into the magic she should have inherited. In real life, this woman is Magdalena Zalejska, a Polish model.

Upcoming In-Person Events

Can you believe I’m already booking Christmas? Continue Reading

Ah, Christmas Eve . . .

My favorite day of the holidays. It’s the day that’s still pregnant with possibility. It’s the day my ultra-organized self can relax because all the prep is either done or I’m resigned to it not getting done. I can put my feet up, sip a hot toddy, and enjoy a crackling fire with zero pressure. That’s what I wish for you, too, this holiday season. Zero pressure. I know the holidays aren’t easy for everyone, but I hope you can all find that quiet place where there are no expectations.

On the Writing Front

I continue to pluck away at the next Dark Dreams novel, though I’m making slower progress than I’d like. Some books are like that, making me work harder for the story, but I don’t mind. It’ll be all the sweeter for the effort when it’s done. In many ways, this is the best stage of writing. It’s where the outline is still fluid, and anything can happen.

Ghost Mark News

Though it feels longer, can you believe it’s only been six weeks since Ghost Mark was released? My publicist, (Shout out to Mickey Mikkelson!) has kept me super busy with interviews, podcasts, Vlogs, signings, and even a CTV Saskatoon interview with host Jeff Rogstad. All my media events are available to watch or read on my Media tab here.

Thanks to everyone who braved the unseasonable cold and snow to chat with me and get signed copies of my books at Blue Heron Books in Comox and Abraxas Books on Denman Island. If you got stuck in the snow, they still have signed copies available. Signed copies of my books are also available at Coho Books in Campbell River.

What I’m Reading

On the recommendation of Dirk, the owner of Blue Heron Books, I read Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu. Carmilla is the book that inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and is considered the original vampire story. Written 26 years before Dracula, Carmilla has become a cult classic, “steeped in sexual tension and gothic romance.” Given all that, how could I not read it?

What’s Next

The frantic pace of Ghost Mark’s book-release promotion is slowing down, and I’m settling into a quiet lull. I spend my days writing, and most evenings we have a fire going. It feels like heaven.

Next week will be full of “looking back at 2022” from all the usual news and entertainment outlets. When I look back, I see a year of unexpected surprises. Blood Mark has earned ten awards and high praise from reviewers. Ghost Mark is just starting out, but has already earned a Gold Literary Titan award, a glowing review from the Ottawa Review of Books, and a RONE crowned heart review published in InD’Tale Magazine.

Thank you for your kind support this past year. Your reviews, comments, and word-of-mouth recommendations for my books warms my heart. May 2023 be a year filled with joy and health for you and your families.

With much love, from my house to yours, Merry Christmas.

Photo by Waldemar Brandt on Unsplash