It’s been a hot minute since my last blog post, and with good reason – the past few months have been very busy here in raincity! My son started a new grade, there’s some ongoing medical things happening, and I’ve been working on an exciting new writing project that’s challenging me in the best possible way.
But I had to take a moment and share my joy with everyone, because my biggest project to date – my short story collection 24 SLEEPS TILL CHRISTMAS – is finally here!
I can hardly believe this day has finally come – I started working on this book almost three years ago, and I put so much of my heart and soul into crafting each and every story. Many of the events are inspired by my own life experiences, and memories of my late father are woven into several characters. It’s beautifully put together and colorfully illustrated with such heart and love and effortless inclusivity, representing the wonderful diversity of our communities. I love this book so much, and in the interest of full disclosure, I do not receive a single penny in royalties (I was paid as a writer for hire) – I genuinely do think it’s just that good a book!
And there’s even a poem! Yes, to celebrate Christmas day, I had to finish the book with a poem, capturing in some small way the joy, energy, and unbridled chaos of that early, early morning celebration. You’ll just have to pick up a copy at your favourite library or independent bookstore and give it a read!
Christmas is still a ways away yet (though I’m noticing it tends to creep up on me more and more quickly every year), so I won’t share anything too explicitly Yuletide-related this week. Instead, a celebration of that most festive of shrubbery, the prickly ivy and its ruby-red berry.
Holly – Christina Rossetti
But give me holly, bold and jolly,
Honest, prickly, shining holly;
Pluck me holly leaf and berry
For the day when I make merry.
Have a lovely week, poetry-loving friends! And if you come across my book anywhere, whether at a bookstore or library, I’d *love* to hear about it! Travel isn’t in my future at the moment, so I love being able to travel through my books. <3
Matt is our Poetry Friday host this week!
Jane, congratulations! That is a big accomplishment. The book sounds really fun, and a good one to share with the small people in our life.