Following Sea washes into the wider world in one week’s time, and we’ll be celebrating its arrival at McNally-Robinson Booksellers in Winnipeg. I’m both excited and nervous and need to get my hair cut (and I hate getting my hair cut…)

Bloggers who are reviewing and writing about the book have been asking me questions about its creation, since the whole thing is rooted in J.’s and my long and trying effort to have a child, and how that journey made me start looking back at my own ancestry, a terrain that will be familiar, I think, to many women. As Lorri Neilsen Glenn said in her advance praise: “Following Sea speaks to the listening heart, to those who know intimately how barren territory inspires strength that survives generations.”

So, it’s been a bit hard starting to revisit that time but also interesting. This morning J. and I were talking about how much we appreciate our lives now, our freedom, our relationship (which was certainly tested by that experience). Anyway, I’ll point you to those reviews and posts as they’re published.

In the meantime, I’ve had a few questions about how to get the book if you can’t come to my launch or what you can do to help spread the word (I love you, you author-supporters, you!)

Here are a few places that are ready to take your orders – but, you can always hit up your favourite local independent bookseller and ask them to get it in for you (which doubly helps since then they see the book, as well).

Turnstone Press (my lovely publisher!)

McNally-Robinson Booksellers

Amazon

Chapters-Indigo

Or, you can order it directly from me, and I’ll send you a signed copy.

Other things?

Libraries!

My sister asked me the other day about libraries and because we live in a country that supports artists by giving them a little bit of money every time a book is signed out of your local library (thanks to the Canada Council for the Arts), writers love their books showing up in libraries.

So, you could always ask your friendly local librarian to get the book and you’ll be triple-blessed: by helping your library build their collection, helping me get into more libraries, and being able to enjoy the book for free.

Goodreads also has the book up now, along with that enticing little blank box that will become This Has Nothing To Do With You. So, if you use the platform and want to add my books to your ‘Want To Read’ lists, I’d be grateful.

And, of course, it’s also on the 49th Shelf, which kindly included it in their recent list of the most anticipated poetry coming out this spring (if you were ever worried about the state Canadian poetry, just take a scroll through…)

I am planning a trip east this spring but am not yet sure where or when I’ll be reading. Will let you know as soon as I know!

Now that we’ve reached the end of all this squirmy self-promotion which every artist has to do, I want to tell you all how grateful I am for your readership, the little notes you send me, the support you’ve given me over the years, and your interest in my voice. I am truly blessed.