Allan Hudson's Blog, page 3
July 4, 2025
Looking for your next book?
Hello everyone.
I expect that if you visited mywebsite today, you are most likely an avid reader, always searching for thenext great book.
Well then, you’ve come to the rightplace and I intend to introduce you to a few terrific New Brunswick authors andtheir awesome stories.Read on my friends.
One.
This has been one of my favouritereads from a NB author.
Well researched and a well written.
Amid the SplinteredTrees
Heather McBriarty.
From Goodreads:
August 1914 - Emma has dreamed of becoming a doctor all her life, not an easy task for a woman. Will wants Emma as his wife, but she is worth waiting for. They both imagine a life together, a family, and a future of happiness - someday.
But suddenly, the conflict in Europe erupts into war, and they are asked to sacrifice everything. Nothing could have prepared Will for the death and devastation he faces in the muddy trenches of the Western Front. As his losses mount, he struggles to remain the man Emma knows and loves. Emma is forced to tackle her own obstacles as a woman in a man’s world of medicine, alone, without his support. From her patients to her classmates, it seems no one truly believes her capable. Just when she thinks things cannot get worse, a devastating explosion levels her city, and Emma is called to her own front line.
From the blood-soaked ground of Ypres, the Somme, and Vimy to the 1917 Halifax explosion, each of them are tested in ways they never could have imagined. Wounded in body and soul, can they find a way back to each other or will their future be destroyed by the Great War?
From the author of Somewhere in Flanders: Letters from the Front comes a sweeping novel of love, loss, and redemption during the First World War.
Buy it HERE.
Two. I must admit, I have not read this novel yet but I have read all the previous Thief for Hire novels by this clever writer and I’ve never been disappointed. I do have a copy coming soon.
Lost in London.
Chuck Bowie.
From Goodreads:
Loic Wedden, a friend of Donovan has a problem. His daughter Áine has disappeared. He believes she is with friends, likely visiting art galleries in London.
Áine’s secret, however, is that she is on a mission to steal Irish artefacts from England and return them to their Ireland. Things change in the midst of the first theft, and now Áine is Lost in London .
Donovan must extricate her, while avoiding placing her friends in peril. The crimes begin to mount up, and he begins to suspect that all of the friends are indeed lost. The mess becomes more complicated, and an attempt at a rescue could force a choice between saving Áine, or saving her friends.
Buy it HERE.
Three
Thisis a well told story from a debut novel by another talented author. Publishedby Merlin Star Press and their #1 choice, it has received a lot of wonderfulreviews.
The Widow and the Will
Rhonda Bulmer
FromGoodreads:
Lindy Hall has begun a promising career in Toronto with her boyfriend, George. When Grandma Runa, her only living relative dies, Lindy receives a shocking bequest—the d’Avray Manor Inn in Harmony Bay on New Brunswick’s Bay of Fundy.Lindy takes two weeks off to visit the inn. Locals call it The Widow’s Inn, haunted by the grieving widow of its first owner. She finds herself on a collision course with the proprietors, Tony and Anne Allaby. In the face of bankruptcy, Anne is bitter. Lindy is sure the couple is holding something back.
When a handsome tour operator vies for Lindy’s affections, and the ghost of Elizabeth d’Avray visits her, an impatient George urges Lindy to forget it all and come home.
Could Gram’s final wishes and The Widow’s Inn be the keys to unlock Lindy’s mysterious past—and her future?
Buyit HERE.
Four
Thisis a cozy mystery which I truly enjoyed reading, as I have with all hisprevious novels. This was book #2 from Merlin Star Press and it also isreceiving great reviews.
The Romanian Cleaning Lady
Zev Bagel
FromGoodreads:
Lizzy Bright has just opened her office as a private investigator and her first inquiry seems like a prank. When the case takes her into the murky world of prostitution and human smuggling Lizzy is in over her head, until retired Detective Inspector William Breasy appears. But Breasy also has his air of mystery, not least the fact that he was a friend of Lizzy’s father, who vanished when she was eleven. The shadows from her past weave through the darkness of the present, pulling Lizzy deeper into a web of dangerous secrets.
Based in the historic city of Canterbury in England, this is the first in the Bright & Breasy mystery series by Zeb Bagel.
Buyit HERE.
Five
Thisnovel is another terrific read from an author more know for his scary tales butwith a neat change in genre, he has spun another delightful story.
Something Happened in Carlton
Pierre Arseneault
FromGoodreads:
Life in a small town can be hard, it's nearly impossible when the bonds between neighbors and friends begin to unravel.
People used to say that nothing ever happened in Carlton, but there is a lot going on in this small town, and Police Chief Clovis McPhee is in the middle of it all even as he struggles to let go of the life he worked so hard to have. Neighbors Garth Blackett and 93-year-old Eli Woodman's feud over garbage threatens to become more than a war of words as Garth runs into the reality that he's not as great as he thinks he is. Raylene McPhee is doing anything and everything she can to support the man she has loved her entire life, but at what price? Mayor Jack Ledger is furious that the elderly Ms. Musgrave has erected a huge Christmas display in her yard in July, and nobody but him seems to care how this will affect his reputation. Officer Libby Terwilliger must let go of the man who has been like a father if she's ever to step into his shoes while Bonnie Campbell desperately tries to keep the Carlton Gazette from failing before its time. The seemingly mundane and random events of this small town coalesce as something happened in Carlton.
Buyit HERE.
Six.
Ilove this lady’s stories. This novel is a winner and I’m sure you will enjoyit.
Birch Island: And the Secrets it Held.
Suzanne Casey
FromAmazon:
Away on a bachelor party weekend getaway, Leo Clement makes the acquaintance of Peaches King while staying at Birch Island Resort. An odd friendship ignites between the young reporter and the enigmatic owner of the quaint vacation spot.Leo starts to come to the island every Tuesday for lunch and a game of Scrabble with the eccentric octogenarian. He listens to Ms. King reminisce about her eventful past while nibbling on Neapolitan wafer cookies.
She shares details about her upbringing, her schooling and her marriage. However, the more Ms. Peaches talks, the more questions Leo has, including the disappearance of several staff members.
Hired by Peaches' own daughter to uncover the truth, Leo goes on a fact-finding mission that takes him from Nova Scotia to Massachusetts. By doing so, he uncovers more than he expected.
Buy it HERE.
Seven
I was familiar with this gentleman’s writing skills from his contribution to the Path Anthologies and eagerly awaited his debut non-fiction collection of essays. I was not disappointed. Good stuff!
This Rare Earth
Jeremy Thomas Gilmer
From Amazon:
This Rare Earth is a graphic account of twenty-five years working for some of the largest mining and engineering companies in the world. Much of this work was conducted in conflict zones where Jeremy Thomas Gilmer supervised the construction of dams, mine tailings structures, and oil and gas facilities. Through personal stories and detailed observations, he brings to life the daily realities of those caught in the crossfire of progress―miners, villagers, and local leaders who grapple with the promises and perils of development.
Gilmer describes nerve-wracking situations dealing with corrupt authorities, natural disasters, and project failure. He writes about his time in Northern Angola at the end of a bloody civil war, discusses building a gold mine in cartel territory in Colombia, and looking for water in the windswept pampa of southern Argentina. He writes about crawling a kilometer into a pipe in the high Andes to inspect damage and about night shifts at a vast Arctic diamond mine. He has driven through a blazing jungle in Eastern Bolivian forest fires and survived tense standoffs with armed Pork-knockers, or South American itinerant miners.
Gilmer writes from a place rarely heard from in the debate: an industry linked not only to the environmental challenges we face as a species, but to the very systems our lives― and economy―depend on. This Rare Earth is an unsparing, thought-provoking, and frankly confessional dive into the unseen costs of our technological and industrial addictions.
Buy it HERE.
Eight.
You like spooky stories? This gentleman knows how to tell a story that will keep you looking over your shoulder and to make sure the lights are on when reading it.
Tremendous storyteller.
The Boy in the Canvas
Cristopher Sweet
From Goodreads:
“You’ve gotta listen to me a second,” she said, her face suddenly serious. “If you can do what I do, you’re gonna find out not every painting is nice. Be careful about which ones you visit and which ones you jump to…Paintings are magical. They’re a reflection of the artists passions, dreams, and loves, but also their fears and doubts. I think there might be some things out there that thrive on that stuff. You’ll know what I’m talking about when you see them. You mind them.”
When twelve year old Joseph tragically loses his mother, his world is shattered. Left with his angry, alcoholic father in their rundown apartment, he finds himself longing to be free of the life he’s been stuck with.
Staring into a generic landscape painting in the church basement at his mother’s funeral, he almost gets his wish; a mysterious girl in an Iron Maiden vest steps out of the picture, opening his eyes to impossible and incredible worlds. Joseph longs to follow her into the painting but before he can join her, he is ripped away and sent to St. Theodore’s Academy, a correctional school run by a sadistic headmaster.
Aided by his only friend, Odilon Mercier, Joseph will stop at nothing to escape St. Theodore's. His only hope at freedom is through the magical, strange, and dangerous worlds of the paintings he finds within the school.
But something else lurks within them. Something dangerous. Something hungry.
Buy it HERE.
Nine
Well,you know I can’t recommend some stories without including one of my own. So,forgive me for blowing my own horn. This is my favourite story to date. I lovedwriting it.
One Bedroom Ark
Allan Hudson
FromGoodreads:
Jeb Coyne, proprietor of Coyne’s Confectionary, will have been widowed for two years tomorrow. Tending to his daily business takes his mind off the looming anniversary for a moment, as do his customers, whether cheerful or grumpy. But he’s never felt so alone. With the workday finished, Jeb is a few minutes from locking the doors. He goes out to bring in the sign board his father made and is interrupted by a tiny voice asking if he is closing. Olivia Fletcher stands before him, a teenager with wet strands of hair across her cheek, a baby in her arms. This chance meeting will change both of their lives forever.
Buyit HERE.
LikePorky Pig always said,
“Th…th… that’s all folks”
Thanksfor visiting.
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Ihope you find your next read within this group and thank you for supportingNew Brunswick authors.
Youreaders and visitors are the COOLEST!
Tell us about your favourite book, or author in the comment section below.
June 22, 2025
The Story Behind the Story with Author Kathleen Lippa of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
Looking for a terrific book?
Kathleen’s new book is receiving ravereviews.
The five stars are piling up.
She has kindly accepted ourinvitation to tell you about it.
Hello readers. I’m Kathleen Lippa, a Canadian journalist, and brand-newauthor of a true-crime book published by independent, Canadian publisher DundurnPress. I grew up in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and obtained a B.A. in Englishfrom Memorial University of Newfoundland in 1998 before embarking on a careeras a newspaper reporter and editor. I’m married to Arctic historian and authorKenn Harper, and we divide our time between Ottawa and St. John’s.
Title: Arctic Predator: The Crimes of EdwardHorne Against Children in Canada’s North
Synopsis: In the 1970s, a youngschoolteacher from British Columbia was becoming the darling of the NorthwestTerritories education department with his dynamic teaching style. He waslearning to speak the local language, Inuktitut, something few outsiders did.He also claimed to be Indigenous — a claim that would later prove to be false.In truth, Edward Horne was a pedophile who sexually abused his male students.
From 1971 to 1985 his predations on Inuit boys woulddisrupt life in the communities where he worked — towns of close-knit familiesthat would suffer the intergenerational trauma created by his abuse.
TheStory Behind the Story:
I went to theCanadian Arctic to work for the Northern News Services in 2003, and theexperience up there changed my life. I had a front-row seat on the creation ofa new territory in Canada, Nunavut. I got to travel throughout the EasternArctic for my work as a reporter. And while I was spending time in thecommunities of Nunavut I heard about the crimes of Edward Horne, a compelling schoolteacherwho hailed from British Columbia. Horne had won praise from his bosses in theeducation department of the Northwest Territories at the time, but in truth, insecret, Horne was a pedophile, and abused many children in the North over the15 years he lived in the Eastern Arctic. The people of the North I met when Iwas a reporter often spoke of Horne like a mythological figure. A monster. Somewondered what ever became of him. He’d served prison time, but was he now afree man? There was mystery surrounding the Horne tragedy. I wanted to knowmore. It took me almost 20 years to finish writing the book that is now ArcticPredator. It was the most difficult long-form work of journalism I have everdone. I did it on my own time and using my own money. It was very challengingon every level to get this book out into the world, but most notably, it was emotionallydraining - not just for me but the people I interviewed. But ultimately, we allbelieved it was an important true-crime story to document. And the Canadianpublic is fascinated – the book is a bestseller in Canada, and I’ve done anumber of successful events at independent bookstores.
I wanted to workwith a traditional publisher, and preferably Canadian. My manuscript wasrejected by 12 different publishers before Dundurn Press in Toronto took it on.I’m very proud that Arctic Predator is printed and bound in Canada, andavailable across Canada, and internationally.
A question before you go, Kathleen:
Scribbler: Where is your favourite spot to write? Are you messy or neat? Your beverage of choice?
Kathleen: I have been working in non-fiction for a long time, in my home office, located just off my kitchen. Home is best for the work I do, although I have always secretly envied people who can write in coffee shops!
The files and books I use for reference tend to pile up and create clutter around my desk. But I know where everything is. I can find necessary files and information rather quickly in those piles, in spite of how bad the clutter may look, and that is something I am rather proud of, to be honest.
I do drink coffee now, although for years I found strong green tea helpful in the mind-energy department. I blend my own mushroom coffee now with lion’s mane powder and real milk. I get to work early, like 5 a.m. every morning, and I find mushroom coffee gives me a warm boost.
An Excerpt from ARCTIC PREDATOR
TRIGGER WARNING: This book contains descriptions of sexual assault and abuse of children
CAPE DORSET, January 23, 2003
Afire raged in the metal dump, yet no sirens blared. Townsfolk in sealskin andwork boots, and women in fur-lined parkas with babies on their backs made theirway up the hill to where firefighters had purposely set one of the community’sold school buildings ablaze.
Fourhundred people, roughly a third of the community’s population, huddled near theflames, a reprieve from the cold in the minus 20 degrees Celsius temperature.Some people in the crowd were crying. Others picked up rocks and hurled theminto the flames, yelling at the disintegrating structure as if it were theliving embodiment of a name they shouted — Ed Horne.
Twentyyears was a long time to live with the anger. Horne had left their community in1983, but the emotions his name engendered were still raw.
Asthe schoolhouse and its secrets burned that night, a young reporter namedChristine Kay was at her desk in Iqaluit working the phones. She called hamletoffices in the territory each week, hearing news and gossip that could be spuninto features for her newspaper. This was the best a reporter with no travelbudget could do. To actually visit a community beyond Iqaluit required anexpensive plane ride. The phone was an economical way in. Christine was curiousabout the fire she was hearing about in Cape Dorset, but could only eke out asmall story for News/North thatappeared on February 3. The headline was “Piece of Past Up in Flames”. Shereported that the burning was part of Cape Dorset’s settlement in a civillawsuit against the governments of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. Thesmall structure, one of two portable units — free-standing classrooms notattached to the main school — was no longer in use. A year before this symbolicact was carried out, a multi-million-dollar settlement had been made betweenthe two territorial governments, the employers of Ed Horne, and dozens of youngmen — once boys — who had been sexually abused by the disgraced teacher.
Tuugaaq*initially attended the burning, but left before the building was razed to theground.
“I did see people throwing rocks, but I wasn’t compelled todo anything because that wasn’t where I had the experience with Ed Horne. Theolder one where we first encountered him is still standing,” he said, manyyears later, explaining that a construction company was currently using thatbuilding. “There were two portable schools. The one that was burned down wasfrom later, it was for the younger guys. To me it was like, why don’t they burnthe one where it all started?”
Thank you for sharing such a compelling story, Kathleen. I appreciate how difficult it must've been to write.
I wish you continued success with your writing.
And a GRAND-CANYON-SIZE thank you to all our visitors and readers.
June 15, 2025
The Story Behind the Story with Tanah Haney of Ontario, Canada.
We are very happy to have Tanah join us this week asour featured author.
I had the pleasure to meet Tanah at the
GMRD Book Fairlast April.
She was in attendance with Joe Mahoney of Donovan Street Press, her publisher.
She has kindly accepted our invitation to be with ustoday.
Read on my friends.
Whennot writing, Tanah Haney dividesher time between playing the Celtic harp, teaching music, gardening and catwrangling. She is a published poet and is co-author of Where theWorld Bleeds Through with her husband, photographer and digital artistMark A. Harrison. The character of Aiden in Tanah’s debut novel, A PeculiarSymmetry, was inspired by Tanah’s own experience with neurodiversity. Latediagnosed with ADHD at age 50 but neurodivergent from day one, Tanah isdetermined to be a more vocal champion of everyone who has ever felt different,and for the free expression of same in a diverse, inclusive, and compassionatesociety. Tanah lives in Peterborough, Ontario, with her husband Mark and a smallbut vocal menagerie.
Book Title: A Peculiar Symmetry
Synopsis:
Aidenand Minnie. Two of the least ordinary people you’re likely to meet.
Aiden’smissing the first eight years of her life, yet she can play Beethoven’s EmperorConcerto without ever having been taught. Minnie can see people’s emotions, invivid colour, no less. That doesn’t help much when she meets Aiden, who doesn’tseem to have any.
WhenBritish Intelligence sweeps in, along with belligerent spies and a half-brotherAiden never knew existed, Minnie soon discovers that whatever Aiden might lack,she more than makes up for in intrigue. Getting to know one another will haveto wait, though; when bullets start to fly, and the bodies begin to pile up,the two young women find themselves caught up in a clandestine war for controlover the human psyche…and their own lives.
The Story Behind the Story:
WritingA Peculiar Symmetry was a much longer journey that expected, with countlessside quests and dead-end paths taken along the way. The initial spark for itthough, was two-fold: the concept of an accidental signal, and a singlesentence: “It was too early in the morning for things to go so wrong”. Theaccidental signal idea was inspired by my own personal experience with OCD, thehypervigilant variety that has you checking things multiple times. I had beenstuck in a bit of a loop, triple checking that all the doors were locked beforebed, which involved flicking light switches on and off. It had me feeling morethan a little foolish and wondering what that must look like from the outside. Whichin turn brought to mind Mulder in the X-Files, signalling his desire to talk tothe mysterious Mr. X, or rebel factions communicating across a river viashuttered lanterns. What if someone accidentally sent a signal out into theworld that they didn’t intend to send, and someone received and acted on that? Therest of the story spun out from there. The idea of a rough start to the dayinspired the two opening scenes, where we meet both of our main charactersstruggling through one of those mornings where nothing goes right, which gavethem a kind of shared experience while simultaneously showing how differenttheir lives and personalities were before they met.
Website:Please go HERE.
Buy it HERE.
Where I like to write: Did a lot of cafewriting for many years, until the Covid lockdowns hit. Then it became achallenge, how to turn safe spaces, at home or outside, into a place I couldfeel truly inspired, could temporarily step away from all the pressing grown-upresponsibilities despite being surrounded by clutter. I've started writingoutside the home again, but I'll still often end up in the big room upstairs atmy standing desk, with a mix of ambient music and nature sounds, windows wideopen, with occasional interruptions from cats, or the birds in the apple treeout back.
Favourite beverage: Coffee still ranks atthe top for sparking energy and creativity, sometimes black tea. But for longhaul sessions and staying hydrated, it's a personal concoction of 2/3carbonated water (that we carbonate at home), 1/3 spicy ginger beer, and someof those sugar-free flavour drops. My favourite at the moment is thestrawberry-watermelon, goes surprisingly well with the ginger.
Thank you so much forbeing our guest this week Tanah. WE wish you continued success with yourwriting.
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And another BIG thankyou to all our visitors and readers. Feel free to leave a comment below. We’dlove to hear from you.
June 8, 2025
The Story Behind the Story with author Peter Foote of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
Let’s welcome someone new to the Scribbler.
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Peter is an established author but this is his first visit to the Scribbler. He has been an active participant of the GMRD Book Fairs and always in a great mood.
He has news about his upcoming novel he wants to share.
Read on my friends.
Peter got locked in a bookstore as a child and has been reading his way to freedom ever since.
As a blue-collar sci-fi author, Peter tells gritty and personal sci-fi and fantasy stories of ordinary people placed in extraordinary situations that resonate with readers and provide much-needed escapism.
Title: “Encrypted Starpath”
Cover reveal soon!
Synopsis: A HUSBAND AND WIFE WHO DELIVER MORE THAN JUST MAIL…
Liam and Rosario are couriers, delivering messages and cargo across thesolar system. Officially, they’re just another small-time operation flyingunder the corporate radar. Unofficially, they smuggle secrets, disrupt supplychains, and undermine the mega-corporations that keep humanity under theirthumb.
But when a distress call from Dr. Santos lands in their lap, the stakesshift from corporate sabotage to a far greater threat. She’s uncovered adangerous secret—one tied to the Interstellar Gate orbiting Jupiter. Andpowerful forces will kill to ensure it never gets out.
A MESSAGE THAT COULDCHANGE EVERYTHING…
Hunted by corporate enforcers and facing threats from the unknown reachesbeyond the Gate, Liam and Rosario must decide: leave Dr. Santos to her fate, ortake a stand and risk everything—because some messages are too important toignore.
The Story Behind the Story:
I’vealways been drawn to stories that put ordinary people in extraordinarysituations, rather than “Superman” type stories. For me, being able to relateto the characters, normal people who screw up, fail sometimes, ask for help,etc… is what’s important, even more so in these uncertain times.
Whathad started out as a fun tale of a husband and wife team delivering mail aroundthe solar system, grew into a fight against mega-corps using people as aresource. But Liam and Rosario's method of fighting isn’t epic space battles,it’s the little things that anyone can do. Helping that neighbour who just losttheir child, slip that person some funds so they can pay their bills thismonth, or simply sit with someone as they have a rough day. I like to think ofit as an avalanche of good intentions, and it’s the story I felt compelled towrite.
It’smy goal to publish this book by year's end.
Website: Please go HERE.
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A question before you go, Peter:
Scribbler: Where is your favourite spot to write? Are you messy or neat? Your beverage of choice?
Peter: I have what I call my “writing nook”, a small desk in our den downstairs. The walls are covered in fan art, personal accomplishments and nerdy pieces that I’ve picked up over the years. I like to think of my spot as an organized mess. I have a stack of papers requiring my attention, my reference books at hand and a patchwork quilt of post-it notes with random thoughts and time-sensitive action items.
Thank you for being our guest this week, Peter. We wish you continued success with your writing. Looking forward to the new book.
And another BIG thank you to all our visitors and readers.
Leave us a comment. Tell us what’s on your mind.
June 1, 2025
The Story Behind the Story with Pierre Arseneault of New Brunswick, Canada.
Pierre is going to share the news bout his terrific latest story.
The raves and reviews are rolling in and we are most fortunate to have Pierreback with the Scribbler.
He’s been one of our most popular guests and if youmissed the last post, go HERE.
Read on my friends.
The youngest of eleven children, Pierre C. Arseneault grew up in thesmall town of Rogersville, New Brunswick, Canada. As a cartoonist, Pierre waspublished in over a dozen newspapers. As an author, he has written solo and incollaboration. Pierre currently lives in the outskirts of his hometown again,near Rogersville in New Brunswick, Canada.
Title: SomethingHappened in Carlton
Synopsis:
People used to say that nothing ever happened in Carlton, but there is a lot going on in this small town, and Police Chief Clovis McPhee is in the middle of it all even as he struggles to let go of the life he worked so hard to have. Neighbors Garth Blackett and 93-year-old Eli Woodman's feud over garbage threatens to become more than a war of words as Garth runs into the reality that he's not as great as he thinks he is. Raylene McPhee is doing anything and everything she can to support the man she has loved her entire life, but at what price? Mayor Jack Ledger is furious that the elderly Ms. Musgrave has erected a huge Christmas display in her yard in July, and nobody but him seems to care how this will affect his reputation. Officer Libby Terwilliger must let go of the man who has been like a father if she's ever to step into his shoes while Bonnie Campbell desperately tries to keep the Carlton Gazette from failing before its time. The seemingly mundane and random events of this small town coalesce as something happened in Carlton.
TheStory Behind the Story:
This origins ofthis novel began way back in 2010 when I started putting serious thought intowriting fiction. Flashforward a few years and I’m writing in collaboration witha friend and also writing solo as well. My first attempt at writing fiction isthe same advice I would give any novice looking to try his hand at fiction.Start with short stories, which is what I did. Much of my early works ended upin a short story collection called Sleepless Nights, published in 2014. Thelast story I wrote for that book was a novella called Nothing Ever Happens inCarlton. This is the third story in this collection that is set in Carlton.However, the cast of said novella was the inspiration to go back to Carlton tovisit with them again and expand on their stories. And so, I did just that. Iwent back to Carlton and before I knew it, Chief Clovis McPhee was standing ina backwoods driveway, staring at a mountain of garbage, while contemplating howto deal with the man who’d called in what would turn out to be the escalationto a feud between neighbors. A while later, I had written what turned out to bemy very first dramatic novel.
Website: Please go HERE.
A question before you go, Pierre:
Scribbler: Where is your favourite spot to write? Are you messy or neat? Your beverage of choice?
Pierre: Right now, I have a desk set up in a back room away from the hustle and bustle of home. It’s the best place I have at the moment to help me focus. However, clutter is my enemy and so I have to keep it as neat as I can. Right now, there is a stack of papers in a corner that are the notes (which I often ignore) for my latest crime thriller novel. It’s going well considering that I know how I want to end the book and have a plan. But the hard part is that I still need to write it.
As for beverage of choice? Coffee tops the list but only when writing during the day. At night, I prefer the ultimate decaf called water. It’s a common misconception that a writer must also be an alcoholic. That is more of a story trope than anything else.
Buy it HERE.
I’ve read this story and it’s good. I truly enjoyed it. I expect you will too.
Thanks for being our guest this week, Pierre. Wishing you continued success with you writing.
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And thank you to all our visitors and readers. Leave us a comment if you have a moment.
May 24, 2025
The Story Behind the Story with A.F. Hudson of Dieppe, New Brunswick, Canada.
Cover Reveal and an Excerpt from the newly published WW2 novel by Allan Hudson.
I live in Dieppe, New Brunswick, Canada, with my wife Gloria. Ibegan writing in my mid 50s with no intention of stopping. Happily retired, I spend most mornings working on my stories and publishing the Scribbler. The rest ofmy days are spent with book related projects, time with family and otherimportant issues, such as napping and taking life easy.
Title: Code Name: Iron Feather 1942
Synopsis: Camp Debert is an army base being builtnext door to Royal Canadian Air Force Base in Debert, Nova Scotia on the eastcoast of Canada in 1942. Thousands of thousands of men and women will passthrough on their way to Europe. Units will be mustered, weapons handed out andtraining for war. The contractors are erecting buildings as fast as they can.
The new mess on the army base is partially completed until work stopswhen the foreman finds a dead body hanging from the rafters. Not a soldier, butan airman.
Everything is hush-hush. The commanding officer has asked for theinvestigation to be handled by Warrant Officer Stefan Kravchenko of the AirForce Service Police. He’s ordered to Camp Debert, immediately. Upon arrival hediscovers the scene is all wrong. The medical examiner suggests it may looklike a suicide, but …
TheStory Behind the Story: I’ve always been intrigued by WW2 stories and wondered about the people who served during the war, but never went tothe European or Pacific theater. There were many women and men who served righthere in Canada, right here in theMaritimes.
When I exploredall the bases in Atlantic Canada, I was swept away by how many there were. Iexpect there is a lot of stories amongst those forgotten walls or bases.
My previous novelwith Warrant Officer Stevan Kravchenko of the Royal Canadian Service Police hasbecome one of my best-selling stories. It was based at the Air Force StationScoudouc.
Iron Feather isset in Debert, Nova Scotia where there was an air force base, a naval gunnery school, ammunition dumps and a huge army camp where troops were gathered and trained before leaving forwar.
The locations arereal, but the stories are fictitious.
You can buy your copy .
Scribbler: Where is your favourite spot to write? Are you messy or neat? Your beverage of choice?
Allan: I have a desk and computer in the second bedroom where I spend most mornings writing. It’s an organized mess. And an ever-present cup of coffee.
An Excerpt from Iron Feather.
Berlin. Thursday, June 11th
Gestapo Headquarters. Prinze-Albrecht Strasse.
JACARANDA
Other than his name and rank, Oberstleutnant Otto Müller, the memo contains only one word. Neat, precise, Germanic. Theboldness of the letters emphasizes immediate action. Delivered moments ago byhis assistant Stabshauptmann Schulz, the torn envelope now lies upon hisdesk. The paper he holds is note size, embossed on the top with the Meyercoat-of-arms. Directly from his superior's office upstairs. At present, thereare only four people who know of Jacaranda. With his recent promotion hehappens to be one of them. It will be his first opportunity to initiate anoperation.
Risingfrom his plush leather seat, he turns to the left of the office where a capaciousfiling cabinet sits under the Führer's picture. Inherited from his father whowas a doctor, the cabinet is made of birch, polished to a yellow gleam. Thesole piece of furniture belonging to him. Catching his reflection in the glass,he tips his head so he can see his new haircut again. He likes it short on the topand shorn on the sides. Notices his forehead getting longer, though. Too manywrinkles around the eyes for a man of forty-two. Ignoring them, he slides the topdrawer cover up and in, exposing a row of files. The bottom three rows areempty. He's only had the opportunity to start several of his own folders, theothers inherited from the previous occupant who now fights on the easternfront. His punishment for Iron Spear going bad. They even lost a submarine inCanadian waters, none of the crew survived. Oberst Jörg Meyer blamed hissubordinate entirely. Saved his own neck.
Inthe folder marked Agent Jacaranda is one sheet of paper. It reads:
KlausSchroder
Age: 48 DOB: 11/17/1893
Father:Wilhelm, deceased 1918. Mother: Adalee Baumann, deceased 1918. Both warcasualties from allied invasion of Germany. One sibling, Roburts – servingWehrmacht.
Eyes: Blue Hair: Light brown Hgt: 1.8 meters/5 ft. 11'' Wgt: 88.45k/195lbs
Alias:Samuel Thomas (Tommy) Wright
CodeName: Jacaranda
Placement:Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Secondary: Debert, Nova Scotia, Canada
Recruited:February 1938
Dateof Dispatch: December 1938
Profession: Recent:Heavy Equipment Operator
Former:Construction Worker
Decoratedsoldier. Served in German Imperial Army 3rd Engineer Battalion 25 Corps. 1915 -1918
Laying the paper on his desk, he sits and reaches for his own notepad.Unadorned, simple blue lines. On it he prints:
To: Iron Feather. ACTIVATE JACARANDA. ASAP. Details on first target tofollow.
Reaching for his intercom, he presses a large black button. It'sfollowed by a hiss and a weak voice.
"Ja,Oberstleutnant?"
"Cometo my office at once, Alfons."
"Ja,Oberstleutnant."
Twentyseconds later a skinny man enters, not tall enough to meet the minimumrequirements for field duty, but with his attention to detail and above averageIQ, he is invaluable as a staff member. A pointy chin confirms a V-shaped face.The black-framed glasses appear too big for his pert nose. Not one to give into his mousey features, his demeanour is one of efficiency and business.
"Ja,Oberstleutnant."
Müllerpasses him the folded note.
"Takethis to Communications. A message to Unterseeboot 501. It will surface somewherein the Atlantic Ocean at midnight local time. Tell them to be sure this messagereaches our agent in Nova Scotia."
"Isthat all, sir?"
"Ja,do it right away."
"HeilHitler."
"HeilHitler"
Schulzis off like he has diarrhea. Müller swings around in his chair, smug fromhaving an assistant at his command, when mere months ago he was the assistant.With pursed lips and tented fingers before him, he stares at the photo. Thescowl, the bangs diagonally across the man's brow, the shadows under theeyelids and the shadow moustache under the nose makes him look formidable withcrossed arms and a penetrating stare. He shivers at the man's power emanatingfrom the image. Seeking his own glory, he speaks to the empty office.
"Noone threatens the Third Reich. No one!"
Buy your copy .
Thank you for taking the time to visit and read about my new novel.
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I hope you’ll leave a comment below. We’d love to hear from you.
May 17, 2025
The Story Behind the Story with M. A. Ferguson of New Brunswick, Canada.
Monique is a new addition to the Scribbler.Please join me in welcoming her to the blog.
She has kindly accepted my invitation to beour guest this week.
Read on my friends.
MoniqueFerguson is a crime fiction author who blends fast-paced storytelling with richcharacter
development.The Blake & Turner series follows journalist Sienna Blake and RCMP detectiveMegan Turner as they tackle dangerous cases, uncover dark secrets, and push theboundaries of justice. Monique strives to craft stories that offer readers boththrilling suspense and complex emotional depth. When I’m not writing, I enjoyscooking, spending time with my family and relaxing with a glass of wine orcoffee with friends.
Title: Blake & Turner: Trafficked Secrets
Synopsis:
In the shadowy world of wealth, power, and betrayal,Sienna Blake finds herself entangled in a
deadlyconspiracy that cuts closer to home than she ever imagined. A wealthy socialiteliving a life of privilege, Sienna’s world shatters when a murder occurs at anexclusive event. As her suspicions grow, she begins to uncover dark secretslurking beneath the surface of her carefully curated life—secrets that lead herdown a dangerous path.
EnterMegan Turner, a by-the-book RCMP officer with a military background and a sharpeye for justice. New in town, Megan crosses paths with Sienna, quicklyrealizing that this case is far more complex than it seems. But when these twofiercely independent women clash over their vastly different methods, thetension between them becomes palpable.
CanSienna and Megan set aside their differences to uncover the truth, or will thevery forces that bind them to this conspiracy tear them apart? As the stakesrise and the body count grows, they’ll need each other more than they realize.
In ahigh-stakes game of survival, loyalty, and deception, Sienna and Megan mustrely on each other as they face their final showdown. But in a world where noone is what they seem, can they trust each other enough to make it out alive?
The Story Behind the Story:
I’vealways been drawn to crime fiction—it’s something my late mother and I had incommon. I remember sitting with her, watching Dateline, Law& Order, and similar shows, trying to guess who the “bad guy”was. But for me, it wasn’t just about solving the case—I was fascinated by thepsychology behind it. What makes someone snap? Why do people behave the waythey do? That intrigue has never left me.
Beyondthe thrill of the chase, I’ve always been drawn to crime fiction that exploresthe emotional and psychological toll on those seeking justice. That’s what ledme to create Blake &Turner. Their story came to me organically—I loved the idea ofstrong women, but not necessarily in the way we traditionally see them.Strength comes in different forms. Some women are into beauty and fitness,while others fit the more stereotypical “tough” mold. With Sienna Blake andMegan Turner, I wanted to show that strength isn’t one-size-fits-all. They’reentirely different people—different ages, backgrounds, and marital statuses.And yet, they complement each other in ways I never expected.
Writingthem has been an amazing experience. They feel so real to me that sometimesI’ll have an idea for a scene, but then I’ll stop and think, Sienna would never do that,or Megan wouldn’t react thatway. It’s fascinating how much they’ve taken on lives of their own.I feel more like a facilitator than a creator at this point.
TraffickedSecrets, the first book in the series, was born fromsomething that kept nagging at me. I’d been seeing more and more stories in thenews about young women disappearing. I started keeping track of them, and mygut kept telling me something wasn’t right. Some of these women reappeared,while others vanished without a trace. My overactive imagination ran with it—what if they were being trafficked?That unsettling thought became the foundation for Trafficked Secrets.
Thesecond book, Cost of Silence,stirred up some controversy. I’ve had to apologize to friends and readers whostruggled with it, but I’ll let you figure out why. It’s a book that pushesboundaries, and I stand by it.
Iknow this is a bold statement, but I’ll just say it—I want to be the Canadian James Patterson.If life has taught me anything, it’s whynot? Right?
Website: Please go HERE
Buy her books HERE.
Scribbler: Where is your favourite spot to write? Are you messy or neat? Your beverage of choice?
Monique: Most of my writing happens in myoffice—it’s my little creative bubble, cozy and comfortable, where I feel themost inspired. But honestly, I’ll write anywhere if an idea hits. I always keepmy phone close because inspiration never waits for a convenient time. Whetherit’s a book idea or a single line for a scene, I have to write it down beforeit disappears into the void of forgotten thoughts. I also love writing at myfavorite local coffee shop, just hanging out, watching people, and soaking intheir mannerisms. There’s something about observing real human behavior that’sendlessly inspiring.
Ihave to admit—I’m a bit of a neat freak when it comes to my writing space. Mybrain already feels like a chaotic crime board most days, so I need a clean,organized environment to work. Maybe that’s why I love my office so much. Ihave a big whiteboard (or as I like to call it, my "murder board"),where I map out all the important details for my stories.
Asfor my go-to drink? Well, I know it’s a total writer cliché, but I lovecoffee—strong, dark, and absolutely necessary. But after a long writingsession, especially if I’ve been deep in the trenches of editing (which is myleast favorite part of the process), I reward myself with a nice glass of wine.It helps take the sting out of all those rewrites!
An Excerpt:
Theevening air carried a crisp chill as Sienna Blake sat at her vanity, preparingfor yet another political event. Her husband, Andrew, had a habit ofovercommitting them to such functions. As a prosecutor for the Commonwealth ofSilver Creek, these events were vital stepping stones in Andrew's career—thoughthey often felt more like obligations than occasions.
ThoughSienna was a stay-at-home wife and mother, her children—Ethan, 16, and Lily,14—rarely needed her except for rides or money. She was grateful that they wereboth intelligent and excelled in school. Sienna had once aspired to be ajournalist, and she had completed three years toward her bachelor’s degreebefore Ethan was born. She finished her degree the following year, a decisionstrongly encouraged by her parents. While Sienna knew she could return to theworkforce, she was very happy to stay at home for now. She planned to reenterthe job market once her children were older. Sienna wanted to provide her kidswith the stability she had missed during her own childhood. Although her homewith her parents was stable, her father, a retired judge, and her mother, asocialite, were rarely home, leaving her primarily in the care of nannies.
“Hisweetie, are you ready?” Andrew asked, walking into the room as Sienna sat ather vanity. “Wow, you just look outstanding!” he added, his eyes lighting up ashe took in the sight of his wife.
Sienna,always strikingly beautiful with her blonde hair and green eyes, applied thefinal touches to her red lipstick. She stood up and smiled, admiring the wayher red satin dress hugged her figure, with its low-cut back revealing a hintof her lower back. Though she knew she was attractive, she often felt that herlooks were the least interesting aspect of who she was.
This is her newest novel, published this week - go HERE.
Thankyou for being our guest, Monique. We wish you continued success with yourwriting.
Anda special thank you to all our visitors and readers.
May 10, 2025
The Story Behind the Story with Author Robert Stutt of New Brunswick, Canada.
Let’s welcome Robert to the Scribbler
His debut novel was recentlypublished by
It's generating a lot of attention.
He has kindly agreed to ourinvitation this week to tell us about it.
Read on my friends.
Born andraised in Dundas, On, I have been a professional puppeteer and scriptwriter forfilm and television for over forty years, including ten years with The Muppets.I was a puppeteer on Fraggle Rock, The Jim Henson Hour, Sesame Park, The BigComfy Couch, Under the Umbrella Tree, The Friendly Giant and others. Ipuppeteered the lead character, Harry, on over eighty commercials for DSB, theDanish National Railway all shot in and around Copenhagen. I have performedlive at the Smithsonian, and with the Ottawa Symphony, and written over threehundred scripts produced for CBC, PBS, CTV and Disney. Most recently, I workedon an eight episode pilot called, Fernsby’s Cryptid Control. Puppet is my firstnovel.
I live inFredericton with my wife, Joanne, and my son, daughter and grandsons are alsohere. Life is good.
Title:Puppet - A Novel ofSuspense
Synopsis:
Amiable TVpuppeteer, James Tait, sits at the top of the children’s TV world. His show, BeaverTales, is a hit, and his puppet, Benny Beaver, is becoming a star. It was notalways so. From slinging dead cow heads at the lion park, to juggling withRussian killers, Jim’s puppetry career has been varied rather than profitable.Yet somehow he’s created a good life for himself, his wife and young daughter,and now, at last, his big break is here. At least until the police arrive onset and remove Benny in an evidence bag.
Jim’scontented family life is about to be swallowed whole by scandal, blackmail andmurder, because there is a dark secret underlying Benny and the show, a secretthat forces Jim to reassess his past and future, a secret that threatens hisfamily and leads deep onto the frigid backwoods of Quebec where Benny must finallytake his stand.
TheStory Behind the Story:
I think thatwriters are all compulsive to some degree. I’ve written a daily journal for thelast 53 years. I can’t not do it. Script writing under deadlines taught me thediscipline to sit down and do the work, and I had long told myself that when I“retired” I would write a novel. Puppet is the result. My goal was to writesomething I would like to read. Although the book is in the first person andmuch of it is my experiences, James Tait’s family history and his psyche arecertainly not mine. As for writing the book, I struggled plotting and gettingdown the first draft, but I loved rewriting.
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Website: Please go HERE.
A questionbefore you go, Robert:
Whereis your favourite spot to write? Are you messy or neat ? Your beverage ofchoice?
RS: I’m lucky enough to havemy own office/studio/museum in the house set up just how I like it. I switchoften between pen and keyboard. I hand wrote most of the first draft. I am ahappy medium between messy and neat, I think, and like to have a water bottlenearby.
Thank you for being ourguest this week, Robert. Congratulations on the novel. We wish you continuedsuccess with your writing.
And a BIG thank you toall our visitors and readers.
May 3, 2025
The Story Behind the Story with author/poet Richard Doiron of New Brunswick, Canada.
We are most fortunate to have Richard back for another visit to the Scribbler.
This is not his first time as a guest and if you missed the previous visit, please go HERE.
Read on my friends.
RICHARD DOIRON, dubbed Canada's peace poet: work in print for 60 years; published in hundreds of anthologies, periodicals, personal books; author of novels, biographical works, essays, and lyricist. Graduate in journalism and Certified Lifeskills Coach; work read at UN 2000, translated into all major languages at the time; 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award winner World Poetry; 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award with Pentasi B World Friendship Poetry; 2019 named World Poet Laureate by the group Pentasi B World Friendship Poetry. 2019 Nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, via Dr. Epitacio Tongohan, Philippines. Named LAUREATE OF THE IVAN AIVAZOVSKY INTERNATIONAL LITERARY AND ART PRIZE 2022 (Ukraine- USA-Germany). Most recent recognition: July 2024, Yugen Quest Review: WE Illumination Award 2024 (Poetry, Participation, Inspiration).
Title: My Mind Could Be A Garden
Synopsis:
Author's latest book of poetry - 154 pages. The book is divided into ten parts: Magic & Mystery; A Poetic Path; Peace & Harmony; Hope, Earth, Enchantment; Kinship & Community; Love; Manifesting Dreams; Navigating Chaos - Conflicts & the Pandemic; Turning Points; Prayers & Healing.
The Story Behind the Story:
Having worked with the people behind this publication for a number of years, I was asked if I would consider having them publish a book of my poetry. Without hesitation, I said yes. WE publication is an independent publisher based in India. They had published some of my poetry a few times, and I had been given a literary award by them in early 2024.The Editor of this new book is a most remarkable person, namely Smeetha Bhoumik, a published poet and author, a tireless worker., who also wrote the Foreword.
The person assigned to write the Introduction is Gargi Sarkhel Bagchi, an internationally award-winning poet and artist.
WE Literary Community is a community known for poetry and a poetic engagement with the world to amplify voices that need to be heard. While 'also' into publishing, the "Community" does not consider itself a publisher, per se. WE had started off its journey with "Women Empowered India" and then, when the Yugen Quest Review (YQR) blog - GO HERE - came into being, it became the Community's main focus and the earlier site stayed static, though highlights of the Community's journey are captured in its original pages. Over time the name transitioned to WE Literary Community. When inspired to publish, it is solely poetic considerations that guide decisions. In this context, for the WE Literary Community to consider independently publishing a poet, that poet's work is the deciding factor.
When I saw the original cover, applicable to the paperback, I fell in love with it: crop circles. Being a lifetime fan of the mysterious and the unexplained, I wanted that without doubt; meanwhile, each of the three versions of the book, Kindle, paperback, and hardcover, has a different cover photo, and that's alright too.
As for a book title, that was entirely my call. I opted for one of the poems inside the book. That title poem came to me in a flash (as so much of my writing does), and the poem basically speaks of a mind, such as my own, whereas poems sprout (a whole lot of them), though I cannot claim to know where the poem comes from, so much remaining a mystery to me; in that sense I have long said that I perceive myself as a channel of sorts. Some of my poems I can easily say came as a result of word play, but then there are those poems I have no explanation for, considering the speed at which they come to me, and the given subject matter...
A question before you go, Richard:
Scribbler: Where is your favourite spot to write? Are you messy or neat? Your beverage of choice?
Richard: Allan, I don't know that I have ever had a favourite spot to write; writing is automatic for me, and wherever I am that becomes my writing base. I have written poems sitting under a tree, on a train, in a tree house, in my gazebo, in a hotel room, even in a noisy dance hall, and of course my home. I have periods when I write more than others; sometimes there is so much else getting in the way that there may not be any new poems for a few days. At one point in time, that may have bothered me a bit; as I age, however, looking at tens of thousands of poems penned over 60+ years, I can accept that there are other legitimate things that might impede the flow.
I am not particularly tidy, especially living as I do, off-grid, especially in winter, burning lots of firewood, which is messy as heck. For my advanced years, I probably work longer and harder than most, and the more I do, relative to writing, the more I have to do, It works this way, a few months ago, I might have had 500 friends on Facebook, and now it's around 1100. The better known I become, the more requests for friendship and what that might entail, a lot of it related to writing, having work published, being asked to review the work of others, even doing Introductions for books. So, my home gets cluttered up, and I not so rarely fall asleep on my computer chair. (But, then, if I know someone special might be coming by, I will make an effort to either tidy up or hide the clutter.)
As for a favourite beverage, I struggle with caffeine, an issue I have had most of my life; I can handle decaf, but that means going out of my way a bit; at home, I will make decaffeinated green tea and occasionally decaf coffee. If old Bacchus drops by, he may well induce me to sample a good Pinot Noir, but that's no fun if you're alone, though I keep the old boy nearby, just in case...
About the Book.
While I think the poetry is pretty good in this latest book, some poems new and some a bit older, what has been said relative to this book, by persons with input in the book itself, that to me is more important than the poems. Those persons connected with the book are qualified writers and what they have said about the work shows they value my work as well as their unique grasp of literature.
Quotes from a six-page Introduction:
"'My Mind Could Be A Garden' is not just a collection of poems; it is a poetic garden in itself, where each verse is a seed, each stanza a tender bloom, and each page a step along a path that leads us to the very heart of existence.
"In this remarkable volume, Doiron invites readers into the expansive landscape of his mind, which, like a garden, is cultivated with intent and nurtured by the eternal forces of nature and of spirit."
- Gargi Sarkhel Bagchi, recipient of prestigious awards such as ‘The Reuel International Poetry Prize 2022,’ ‘The Poiesis Award for Excellence in Literature 2023,’ and ‘The Indian Women Rising Star for Literature 2023.' Ms. Bagchi is also a professor and educator in German and is an accomplished artist.
Comment relative to the new book:
"Richard Doiron, a poet the literary world is in awe of, for the effortless grace, flow, and depth of his verse."
-Toolika Rani, published poet, Professor of history (Ph.D), Tedx Speaker, former Squadron Leader in the India Air Force, former mountaineer, having participated in 26 major expeditions, one of only a handful of women to have scaled Mount Everest, the Mount Kilimanjaro Range and other mountains of note in various parts of the world.
Thankyou for being our guest this week, Richard. We wish you continued success withyour writing.
.jpg)
An anotherBIG thank you to all our visitors and readers.
The Story Behind the Story with poet Richard Doiron of New Brunswick, Canada.
We are most fortunate to have Richard back for another visit to the Scribbler.
This is not his first time as a guest and if you missed the previous visit, please go HERE.
Read on my friends.
RICHARD DOIRON, dubbed Canada's peace poet: work in print for 60 years; published in hundreds of anthologies, periodicals, personal books; author of novels, biographical works, essays, and lyricist. Graduate in journalism and Certified Lifeskills Coach; work read at UN 2000, translated into all major languages at the time; 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award winner World Poetry; 2017 Lifetime Achievement Award with Pentasi B World Friendship Poetry; 2019 named World Poet Laureate by the group Pentasi B World Friendship Poetry. 2019 Nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, via Dr. Epitacio Tongohan, Philippines. Named LAUREATE OF THE IVAN AIVAZOVSKY INTERNATIONAL LITERARY AND ART PRIZE 2022 (Ukraine- USA-Germany). Most recent recognition: July 2024, Yugen Quest Review: WE Illumination Award 2024 (Poetry, Participation, Inspiration).
Title: My Mind Could Be A Garden
Synopsis:
Author's latest book of poetry - 154 pages. The book is divided into ten parts: Magic & Mystery; A Poetic Path; Peace & Harmony; Hope, Earth, Enchantment; Kinship & Community; Love; Manifesting Dreams; Navigating Chaos - Conflicts & the Pandemic; Turning Points; Prayers & Healing.
The Story Behind the Story:
Having worked with the people behind this publication for a number of years, I was asked if I would consider having them publish a book of my poetry. Without hesitation, I said yes. WE publication is an independent publisher based in India. They had published some of my poetry a few times, and I had been given a literary award by them in early 2024.The Editor of this new book is a most remarkable person, namely Smeetha Bhoumik, a published poet and author, a tireless worker., who also wrote the Foreword.
The person assigned to write the Introduction is Gargi Sarkhel Bagchi, an internationally award-winning poet and artist.
WE Literary Community is a community known for poetry and a poetic engagement with the world to amplify voices that need to be heard. While 'also' into publishing, the "Community" does not consider itself a publisher, per se. WE had started off its journey with "Women Empowered India" and then, when the Yugen Quest Review (YQR) blog - GO HERE - came into being, it became the Community's main focus and the earlier site stayed static, though highlights of the Community's journey are captured in its original pages. Over time the name transitioned to WE Literary Community. When inspired to publish, it is solely poetic considerations that guide decisions. In this context, for the WE Literary Community to consider independently publishing a poet, that poet's work is the deciding factor.
When I saw the original cover, applicable to the paperback, I fell in love with it: crop circles. Being a lifetime fan of the mysterious and the unexplained, I wanted that without doubt; meanwhile, each of the three versions of the book, Kindle, paperback, and hardcover, has a different cover photo, and that's alright too.
As for a book title, that was entirely my call. I opted for one of the poems inside the book. That title poem came to me in a flash (as so much of my writing does), and the poem basically speaks of a mind, such as my own, whereas poems sprout (a whole lot of them), though I cannot claim to know where the poem comes from, so much remaining a mystery to me; in that sense I have long said that I perceive myself as a channel of sorts. Some of my poems I can easily say came as a result of word play, but then there are those poems I have no explanation for, considering the speed at which they come to me, and the given subject matter...
A question before you go, Richard:
Scribbler: Where is your favourite spot to write? Are you messy or neat? Your beverage of choice?
Richard: Allan, I don't know that I have ever had a favourite spot to write; writing is automatic for me, and wherever I am that becomes my writing base. I have written poems sitting under a tree, on a train, in a tree house, in my gazebo, in a hotel room, even in a noisy dance hall, and of course my home. I have periods when I write more than others; sometimes there is so much else getting in the way that there may not be any new poems for a few days. At one point in time, that may have bothered me a bit; as I age, however, looking at tens of thousands of poems penned over 60+ years, I can accept that there are other legitimate things that might impede the flow.
I am not particularly tidy, especially living as I do, off-grid, especially in winter, burning lots of firewood, which is messy as heck. For my advanced years, I probably work longer and harder than most, and the more I do, relative to writing, the more I have to do, It works this way, a few months ago, I might have had 500 friends on Facebook, and now it's around 1100. The better known I become, the more requests for friendship and what that might entail, a lot of it related to writing, having work published, being asked to review the work of others, even doing Introductions for books. So, my home gets cluttered up, and I not so rarely fall asleep on my computer chair. (But, then, if I know someone special might be coming by, I will make an effort to either tidy up or hide the clutter.)
As for a favourite beverage, I struggle with caffeine, an issue I have had most of my life; I can handle decaf, but that means going out of my way a bit; at home, I will make decaffeinated green tea and occasionally decaf coffee. If old Bacchus drops by, he may well induce me to sample a good Pinot Noir, but that's no fun if you're alone, though I keep the old boy nearby, just in case...
About the Book.
While I think the poetry is pretty good in this latest book, some poems new and some a bit older, what has been said relative to this book, by persons with input in the book itself, that to me is more important than the poems. Those persons connected with the book are qualified writers and what they have said about the work shows they value my work as well as their unique grasp of literature.
Quotes from a six-page Introduction:
"'My Mind Could Be A Garden' is not just a collection of poems; it is a poetic garden in itself, where each verse is a seed, each stanza a tender bloom, and each page a step along a path that leads us to the very heart of existence.
"In this remarkable volume, Doiron invites readers into the expansive landscape of his mind, which, like a garden, is cultivated with intent and nurtured by the eternal forces of nature and of spirit."
- Gargi Sarkhel Bagchi, recipient of prestigious awards such as ‘The Reuel International Poetry Prize 2022,’ ‘The Poiesis Award for Excellence in Literature 2023,’ and ‘The Indian Women Rising Star for Literature 2023.' Ms. Bagchi is also a professor and educator in German and is an accomplished artist.
Comment relative to the new book:
"Richard Doiron, a poet the literary world is in awe of, for the effortless grace, flow, and depth of his verse."
-Toolika Rani, published poet, Professor of history (Ph.D), Tedx Speaker, former Squadron Leader in the India Air Force, former mountaineer, having participated in 26 major expeditions, one of only a handful of women to have scaled Mount Everest, the Mount Kilimanjaro Range and other mountains of note in various parts of the world.
Thankyou for being our guest this week, Richard. We wish you continued success withyour writing.
An anotherBIG thank you to all our visitors and readers.
