Writing...Just because!

There's a little more than a week to go until the launch of Corinne Hoebers's Tethered Spirits—Wiaqtaqne’wasultijik na Kjijaqmijinaq on October 18th and available for pre-order now . We're excited for the launch party that will take place at the Halifax Central Library, and to have an opportunity to recognize and celebrate Mi'kmaw History Month, (visit our event page for more details). All are invited! Tethered Spirits Against the violent backdrop of the French and Indian (Seven Years) War, two German siblings come to learn about and understand the Mi'kmaq. Christian, now named Bear Cub, lives with the ancient People and develops a deep bond with his chosen brother, Eagle Feather, while his new family’s way of life is increasingly threatened. On the outskirts of Lunenburg, Hanna, his younger sister, befriends a Mi’kmaw Elder and questions her papa’s ownership of the land they are settling. Christian immerses himself in the Mi’kmaw language and the ways of the land...

The next title coming out from OC Publishing is an historical fiction, set in the mid-1700s in Lunenburg Nova Scotia.  Tethered Spirits - Wiaqtaqne’wasultijik na Kjijaqmijinaq by Corinne Hoebers tells a story against the violent backdrop of the French and Indian (Seven Years) War, as two German siblings come to learn about and understand the Mi'kmaq. Christian, now named Bear Cub, lives with the ancient People and develops a deep bond with his chosen brother, Eagle Feather, while his new family’s way of life is increasingly threatened. On the outskirts of Lunenburg, Hanna, his younger sister, befriends a Mi’kmaw Elder and questions her papa’s ownership of the land they are settling. Christian immerses himself in the Mi’kmaw language and the ways of the land, prepared to defend the People alongside Eagle Feather. Christian’s father and older sister, Elisabeth, refuse to accept his new way of life; nor will they recognize the humanity of their perceived enemy. Christian is caught b...

 We are spooling up to the launch of The Arrows of Fealty by Jill MacLean , the sequel to The Arrows of Mercy that tells the story of Edmund of Flintbourne’s son. Haukyn is a serf who owes fealty to the lord of the manor and whose life is tied to the soil, yet he craves adventure beyond the boundary stones of his village. In 1373, he leaves for John of Gaunt’s campaign in France. There, during five months of combat and loss, futility and atonement, he learns how armour-clad knights can be brought as low as any serf. Home again, he is caught between two women, pretty Annabel and Ilotte of the sloe-black eyes. Neither marriage nor fatherhood tames his restless spirit. When a knight who was his sworn enemy in France becomes the new lord of the manor, Haukyn leads his neighbours in rebellion against ancient custom and unjust taxation. England’s southern counties march in open revolt on London, where Haukyn witnesses the king grant freedom to every serf in the country. Unimaginable ...

As we celebrate the launch on June 22 of  Where Did i Go? a Memoir Plus by Nova Scotia-based author, Francene Gillis, we're reaching out to reviewers, bloggers, podcasters, YouTubers, and avid readers who would like to receive a review copy. Our tour schedule is starting to take shape so wanted to share with you those who have already joined the virtual book tour. Make sure you visit and follow these folks and show the love for those who support authors in their mission to spread the word! As reviews, author interviews and spotlights run, we will be updating the links so come back often :) If you have a favourite book blogger/reviewer, podcaster, BookToker, or Tuber that you think would be interested, add them in the comments below. The Where Did i Go?   T our Line-up: Francene Gillis Sarah Butland's Imagination Captured Author Takeover - Kicked off the tour on May 14 Tea with Francene Gillis on  Toons & Wooden Spoons  with Mary Janet MacDonald - June 8 Lisa Has...

If you enjoy learning about an author's writing processes, how they come up with their ideas, how they published, and other insights into the writing life, I invite you to take in some of the interviews we've done over the past few years on The Author Journey . This week's show featured Marjorie Simmins , a journalist, teacher, and author whose recent book, In Search of Puffins ( Pottersfield Press 2025), was the third in a memoir trilogy that began with Coastal Lives (Pottersfield Press 2014), followed by Year of the Horse (Pottersfield Press 2016).  For those who are writing memoir, Marjorie's book, Memoir: Conversations & Craft (Pottersfield Press 2020) should be on your must read list. I hope you enjoy this episode of The Author Journey and I invite you to subscribe to our channel where we broadcast live on Tuesdays at 4 pm Atlantic. If you are an author or industry expert and would like to be on the show, drop me a line at anne@ocpublishing.ca. OC Publishing...

    Where Did i Go? a Memoir Plus by Francene Gillis, coming out on June 22, tells the author’s story of the arduous years and months that followed a tragic accident—a slip and fall on black ice on her way to work as a high school English teacher—that caused a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), the symptoms of which lasted many years. Francene shares the story of her uphill battle that ensued in the hunt for the right treatments and providers at a time when the simplest task was nearly impossible due to the 'hidden' injury she suffered. Her symptoms were very real, from severe balance issues and brain fog, to speech impairment and more. Along with being a teacher, Francene was also a regular columnist for her local paper, both of which came to a halt following her injury. As she slowly regained the ability to focus for short periods of time, she began writing her story in the hope that she could help those with mTBI and other 'hidden' injuries by sharing her experie...

 For a few years now I have been doing a regular broadcast called The Author Journey where I feature authors of all genres and publishing pathways, and industry experts. Recently, I mixed it up a bit and added a short video series called WIP Tips where I offer helpful advice for writers, and personal insights from my own writing journey to hopefully spark an idea or inspiration for the books they have underway.  This episode was on bringing scenes to life for the reader. If you have any thoughts on this or advice to share, or a topic you'd like me to address, leave it in the comments below. If you have a reference book, website, podcast you would recommend, let me know and I will highlight it. If you're an author and would like to be featured on The Author Journey, email me at anne@ocpublishing.ca.  I hope you drop by, catch a few of our Author Journey interviews and subscribe to our channel while you're there - youtube.com/ocpublishing  For more information on OC Pu...