Kelly's Summer Solstice Newsletter

LATEST NEWS:

This summer solstice began with a bang, literally and politically, but I fortunately had a gentle entry. My friend Vicky Higgins, held a Summer Solstice Ceremony with ceremonialist Anthony Barr, @anthony_sacred_sevens, with prayers and music and good intentions. Barr reminded us that as we honoured the solstice we were connecting with other people celebrating around the world, and I found that idea of a spiritual connection with others across the globe deeply comforting. It felt like an auspicious antidote to the derision and conflict that abounds. Books and all forms of art and culture are other ways that we connect across time and space.

BOOKS:

My new project is a war book, so I’ve been devouring novels in that genre, as well as lots of historical fiction. I loved Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale, also The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. I’m editing my novel that takes place in India and always love checking out Indian authors. A friend of mine Nirmala Thomas had a story in Feeling Kerala, an anthology of Indian writing, which offered a rare insight into the changing times in that part of the world. On my TBR pile right now—The Art Spy by Michelle Young, The Magician’s Daughter: A Memoir by Katy Grabel, The Women by Kristin Hannah, and Your Roots Cast a Shadow by Caroline Topperman among others. In a writer’s union meeting recently I was horrified to learn that Canadians, although great book buyers and readers, only select Canadian authors 12% of the time. So, I’m making more of an effort to support Made in Canada literature and local talent. Especially now as AI looms on the horizon and threatens to usurp creatives everywhere.

ARTS AND CULTCHAR!!!

The highlight this past season for me was going to Hamilton Arts Week for the first time. It’s a weird and unwieldly event, cast over many genres and locations that I’ve never really got a handle on it. But this year I was determined to venture out. We went to see Bird Fiction, a fun interactive game combining local birds and some poetic prose, put together by local poet @GaryBarwin and Sarah Imrisek. Afterwards we stumbled into a candlelit performance of folk songs from around the world by the Children’s Choir of Hamilton, which was transcendent. Check out their upcoming events: https://hamiltonchildrenschoir.com/concerts/

I had a busy winter travelling and promoting The Weeping Degree. The book has been on a podcast tour, and I’ve met so many wonderful hosts and fallen in love with many new podcasts along the way. Below, are two of my recent interviews and some podcast suggestions: Get Lit by Jamie Tennant https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/get-lit/id1482521422?i=1000700107565

And Jason Emde’s Writers Read Their Early Sh*t: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/writers-read-their-early-sh-t/id1566749480?i=1000699577348

EVENTS:

I will be at Bookapalooza again at the Minden Community Centre in Haliburton Highlands on Saturday, July 12 from 10 am – 4 pm. This time I’m travelling with my friend, fellow writer Donna Reid. I love small book fairs, they are so much more fun, because I get to meet readers face to face, and chat about my favourite subject— books! I’ll be discounting some books at the fair, so look for deals. I will also be running giveaways in August on Amazon, so stay tuned: @kellywattauthor

Happy summer.

Thank you for caring about books and the people who write them.