Launch! and book tidbits

This Sunday 7 January, from 10:30-11:30, i, nemophile will be officially launched at the Sooke Library. Readings from the book (by both me and few writer friends), book sales, and author Q&A with questions by you. Join us if you can; I would love to see you there!

I’ve had a bit of a crazy winter break with some unexpected events, but there have been moments of slowness, some days to sleep in on, some beautiful family time, and a hike or bike ride or two to keep me going. Also amazing views like this:

Now just for fun, I’m going to tell you a few secrets about this book.

First of all, I didn’t hire a proofreader. I’m the best proofreader I know, so I did it myself. Multiple times. If you find a typo, I bow to you!

Secondly, my editor recommended that I choose a different title. She gave a number of good suggestions, and I tried them all out both in my head and in writing. And in the end, somehow, I couldn’t bear to change it. I grant that ‘nemophile’ is an esoteric word; people aren’t going to know what it means unless they read the back cover, Google it, or are fluent in those obscure-nature-word memes on Instagram. Also, the pronunciation isn’t necessarily obvious. But I couldn’t give it up, so for better or for worse, it’s still i, nemophile. (In case you need to know, it means a person who loves woodlands and forests, specifically groves.)

Thirdly, I have a double motive for asking a few writer friends to read a favourite poem from the book at the launch event as well as my own readings: partly I’m being selfish, as I’m terrified of public speaking (which very much includes reading my own poetry), and partly I really love hearing how other people interpret my poems and finding out which are their favourites.

That’s all for now. And whether I know you or not, I wish you all the comfort and magical depth that the darkness of winter can give (if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere at least). Right now for a few reasons I feel like a mess, but I’m a content mess at this moment, and I hope you’ve had a contentedly messy slow time as well, if you’ve been able to take some slow time this season. Thanks for reading <3