Book & Bramble - April & May 2027
A Newsletter from Caitlyn Paxson
A Letter from Caitlyn Paxson
Dear Reader,
The sun is shining here on the Island and I finally got out into the garden to plant some early vegetables like peas, spinach, and onions. To gardeners who live further south, that probably seems behind schedule, but we continue to have a risk of frost here until early June. I will admit that I probably should have gotten to it a couple of weeks ago, but… I’ve been busy!
Launching
I last wrote to you on March 31, the day that A Widow’s Charm was released into the world. Since then, it’s been a bit of a whirlwind!
The first celebration was a launch event hosted by my local indie bookstore, The Bookmark Charlottetown, which has been the most fantastic and supportive local bookstore a girl could ask for. The event was held at the Haviland Club, an old Victorian house that is supposedly haunted by a widow, and it was perfection. My friend and Island expert extraordinaire Katharine MacDonald chatted with me about the book and we served book character tea blends devised by Tyne Valley Teas. Many thanks to everyone who came out even though we had freezing rain that night!
That was only the beginning, because I then embarked on a three-week journey in the company of the always fabulous C.S.E. Cooney! We took planes, trains, and automobiles across southern Ontario, into Michigan, then down to Chicago, and everywhere we went we discovered the loveliest bookstores, visited with the most darling friends and family, and had the best conversations about books and writing.
I’m so grateful to all the people who helped us set up and advertise events, everyone who gave us comfy places to stay and fed us, the bookstores who took a chance on hosting events for a debut book, and all the loved ones who helped me celebrate.
It’s likely that most of the bookstores we visited still have signed copies of the book, so if you’d like a copy, you can check with them!
Perfect Books (Ottawa)
Hopeless Romantic Books (Toronto)
Fanfare Books (Stratford)
Artemis Books and Goods (Traverse City)
Forever Books (St. Joseph)
City Lit Books (Chicago)
It was such a privilege to get to travel around and see my book in out in the world and share it with all of you. If you came to an event or you’ve picked up a copy – thank you. It means the world to me! I also owe deepest thanks to Claire for being my travel companion and conversation partner. Having her luminous presence by my side turned the whole thing into an epic road trip adventure, and I hope we get to do it again!
The tour did feel a bit like an episode of “This is Your Life, Caitlyn Paxson” as I worked my way back in time to so many places I’ve lived over the years. It was very moving, and also very exhausting! I joked to my husband that I felt like I had burned through about six months of my social battery in the not quite a month I spent traveling, and I was only being slightly facetious. It's been nice to have some quiet time spent mostly at home in the weeks since. But I have still been busy!
Writing
In case you haven’t heard – I have a second book coming out next spring! It’s called Rogue Charmers, and it’s the story of what happens when two of the supporting characters from A Widow’s Charm meet again ten years later, fall in love, and embark upon a life of crime. It’s my love letter to horse girls and highwaymen and I am incredibly proud of it. Here is a tiny little taste just for you:
The last step of editing a book is the copy edits, where clever people go through and tell you all the places you used words wrong or contradicted yourself or committed crimes against punctuation. The Rogue Charmer copy edits were waiting for me when I got home, and I’m happy to say I have finished reviewing them (and been thoroughly humbled by everything I mispunctuated) and turned them in, which essentially means that book two is now done!
Celebrating
Amidst celebrating all the book things, my husband Magill and I had our anniversary – 10 years married and 20 years together. I have always been grateful for his love and support, and my appreciation grows greater with every year that passes. He’s the best! Here we are being adorable at a Renaissance faire two decades ago.
Musing
I’m so happy and so tired! The coming months will be full of flowers and costumes and hopefully drafting a new book, and I look forward to telling you all about it. And cats. There will certainly be cats.
Until next time, wishing you the best books and the most berry-full brambles,
Caitlyn
I write this from the traditional unceded territory known as Mi’kma’ki, and I am grateful to call Epekwitk my home.