30 Dec So Long 2023 – It’s Been Swell!
Happy New Year (in two days), Everyone! It’s time for my yearly look back, and it’s been a good one in many ways. I’m thankful to my family, friends and readers for continuing to support my book journey.
April 1st saw the launch of When Last Seen, book two in the Hunter and Tate series. We gathered at Irene’s Pub on Bank Street one Sunday afternoon in May. The Houghian Brothers Band entertained us, and my daughter Julia Weagle was a terrific MC. Mayor Sutcliffe said a few words and presented me with a certificate from the City, which made the day very special. Jim Sherman, owner of Perfect Books, was on hand with copies, and Fred Taylor was the official photographer. I’m so grateful to all who helped put on the event or came out to celebrate. Here are a few of Fred’s photos from the day.
I visited several book clubs this past year and every one was a delight. I’m pleased to say that I already have three more lined up for the new year!
I also visited a few bookstores for signings, usually on a Saturday. Thank you to Coles Carlingwood, Books on Beechwood, Chapters Gloucester, and Coles Billings Bridge for hosting and for your warm welcomes. I’m already lined up to visit a new bookshop in my neighbourhood, Westboro Books, on June 9th and Coles Billings Bridge has asked me to return around the time of my next book launch.
As for media, I was fortunate to appear on Daytime Ottawa with the warm wonderful host Derek Fage to promote When Last Seen. And speaking of warm and wonderful, Charlie Senack, Editor of Kitchissippi Times dropped by one morning and interviewed me for the paper. I was also fortunate to be interviewed by my alma mater, Lakehead University for its alum magazine Journey. While not the Rolling Stone, it was a still quite a thrill to make the cover 🙂
Another highlight of this past year was being asked by Sean Wilson to interview Kathy Reichs at the Ottawa International Writers Festival in October. I spent a great deal of time preparing, and we had a lovely chat about her writing career and latest book, Bone Hacker.
Also this year, Dundurn began releasing the seven books in the Stonechild and Rouleau series with new covers as well as the last five books in audiobook format. Before each book is rereleased, the editor and I go through another light round of editing, tidying up a few irksome errors that slipped past on the first go-round. So far, Cold Mourning and Butterfly Kills are available in the new versions.
I continued to write book three in the Hunter and Tate series. Fatal Harvest will be out in April 2024, and the cover is already complete. The work to finalize the text continues as we enter the new year. This story is set mainly in and around Ashton, a small village about half an hour’s drive from Ottawa. Ted and I made the trek a few times, especially keen to soak in the ambiance at the Ashton Brew Pub. Research for these books can be a lot of fun.
So there you have it – another year in the books. I stayed close to home in 2023, not planning any trips with the pandemic still hanging on. Perhaps I’ll venture out in the upcoming year, which I hope is kind and joyous for each of you. Cheers to 2024!