Hi everyone! First of all, a quick housekeeping note. I've just changed the newsletter delivery system from Mailchimp to Buttondown. My main reason for this is that Buttondown does not use newsletter content to train generative AI (or sell it to others to do so.)
So far, so good with the move, but if you notice any technical issues, please do let me know, at kateheartfield@gmail.com.
With Christmas coming up, a note that if you'd like a signed copy of one of my books, I recommend getting in touch with Bakka Phoenix in Toronto, or Perfect Books or The Spaniel's Tale in Ottawa. They all ship and have at least some signed copies in stock (and for the Ottawa stores, I can go in to personalize copies as long as you give us a little notice.) I'm also happy to mail signed and personalized bookplates, my treat. Brookline Booksmith will have bookplated editions of The Valkyrie available to coincide with our online event (see below.)
(Also: if you know anyone who'd like a copy of Assassin's Creed: The Magus Conspiracy in Italian or Polish, do get in touch! I have an extra copy of each and can send them out, signed, for the cost of shipping.)
October's been a busy month! I've had a few events, including the Ottawa Book Awards. I didn't win (the wonderful Jean Van Loon did), but it was a lovely celebration, and the jury said this:
A fantastic blend of history and magical speculation, The Embroidered Book will take you on such a wild ride you’ll find yourself wanting just 100 more pages. Political intrigue, occult possibilities and a fierce love of family and country drive this enchanting narrative. Heartfield’s take on history will have you hoping for a different ending as the inevitable one breaks your heart.
I recently got the structural edits back on The Sharp Sisters (this is the WWII novel, coming out from HarperVoyager probably in early 2025. It may get a new title.) I knew some elements were not quite working, so having my editor Jane Johnson's take on those elements is really valuable and I can finally see my way forward on them. I think the novel will be very powerful when it's done, but there are many hours of work between me and that outcome still.
I've also got a Secret Project in the works, which I hope to be able to tell you about soon.
And my agent, Jennie Goloboy, is reading some early chapters of a novel I'm really excited to write.
Here's what's coming up:
Livre and Let Livre, Montreal with Derek Künsken, les sans taverne, 1920 Rue le Ber, 8 p.m. In person, drop by if you're in Montreal. English/French.
Online conversation with Marie Brennan about Norse retellings, hosted by Brookline Booksmith, Oct. 27. Sign up here. Marie has a saga retelling called The Waking of Angantyr coming out soon, and since I just published The Valkyrie, we thought we'd nerd out together!
World Fantasy Convention (I'll be online only) Oct. 26 to 29. I'm up for a World Fantasy Award in the short fiction category for "The Morning House" but I'm sending a friend with a just-in-case speech as I will be on stage elsewhere at that moment for...
Ottawa International Writers Festival event with Emma Donoghue and Eva Crocker, hosted by Lucy van Oldenbardeveld, Oct. 29. Tickets available!
I'm teaching a workshop on revision at Writers Hubfest on Revising Your Novel on November 19, at 6 p.m. ET. Tickets available!
I'll be reading (an as yet unpublished story!) at Story Hour on Nov. 29 with Robert Ottone.
See you next month!