Happy one year anniversary to my company, Ruby Finch Books! Starting this publishing imprint has been a long-held dream for me, and I couldn’t do it without lots of support. Thanks to everyone for reading and subscribing here. Each and every one of you is important to me.
Thanks to my Ruby Finch Books team who help me get my books into the world: Karen, Dani, Jan, Gage, and Digital Direct Printing. Thanks to the librarians who book me to teach classes and run book events. Thanks to the writers who have been attending my online and in-person classes, trusting me with story consultations, and reaching out for author nurture. I’m loving the whole process, and I’m feeling really grateful and happy. My word for the month is enjoy, because I’m trying to take it all in and enjoy the view from here instead of rushing into the next thing.
My heart is full. Thank you for supporting me. It means so much. (And if you want to listen to the newsletter again, you can! Just click on the voiceover arrow at the top.)
One-Word Feeling Check-In
How are you feeling right now, in one word? I’m feeling peaceful. I’m working right now to be as intentional about rest as I am about work. It’s easy for me to become fixated on individual tasks that need to be done (write a 1500 word article, plan for publicity for Post Civ, reach out to libraries about writing classes, complete 20 pages of the screenplay version of Jamesy Harper’s Big Break and so on) and before I know it I’m stressed.
The goal is to create rhythm between work and leisure. To realise that writing is meant to be enjoyed and that it’s better when I have fun doing it instead of “beating my inner creative with a task-master stick” as a writer friend put it. So I’m working at peace and joy instead of constant ambition and striving. I want to make room for both. As that same writer friend said, “Rest feels like the real challenge.” (For more on taking a real break, read this post by the amazing Bronwen Tate.)
How are you feeling right now? If you take 3 deep breaths, and look inward for a moment, what is the predominate emotion that rises to the surface?
Book Corner
I did a couple of re-reads this past month, and they dazzled me once again.
The first was Something in the Water by Catherine Steadman, her debut novel. A couple is on their honeymoon when they discover a bag floating in the water that will change their lives. Even on a second read, I had real trouble putting this book down.
Then I re-read The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah because after The Women I longed to get back into the vivid worlds she can create on the page. I think this was my third time through The Great Alone, a tale set in the 70s in Alaska with a Vietnam vet slowly unravelling during the long dark winters. It’s possible The Great Alone is my favourite Kristin Hannah novel, which is saying something because they are all terrific.
Someone recently recommended The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton so I checked it out of the library. It’s dense and more convoluted than many of the murder mysteries I read and enjoy, but I had to admire the gutsy plotting. He must have had 500 index cards on his wall to keep those storylines straight.
Intuitive Courage Podcast!!!
Ta-da: My super secret project I teased in last month’s newsletter is a PODCAST.
Over the years at educational conferences, lots of teachers have told me that I have a soothing voice and they’d love to listen to me on a podcast. That’s never been a particular ambition of mine, but lately I began jotting down in my notebook all of the topics I could riff on, and before I knew it I was asking my designer bud Dani to create a podcast logo for me and I ordered a microphone and suddenly I was committed.
It’s nice and simple in Substack to add a podcast, which can then be distributed to Spotify and Apple and other podcast-y places. So my plan is to release a new episode each month around the 21st. I’m going to jot down a few handwritten notes, and just chat into the microphone for 20 minutes or so on a topic related to intuitive courage (which includes things like nurture, and rhythm, and rest, and a lot of things I’m passionate about and putting into practice right now in my life and work).
I love the idea of keeping it low-tech. I’ve been listening to Rob Bell’s RobCast since it began in 2015 and I’d like to do something similar. He’s so good at talking about a topic, but also pulling back the curtain to reveal the messy process. I’m increasingly interested in what goes in behind the scenes in our human experience. In my workshops and classes I call this “making the invisible visible.” I can’t wait to jump in on June 21st and I hope you’ll subscribe and listen! Many thanks in advance.
One Year Anniversary Contest Winners!
Today, I drew for the 5 winners in my one year anniversary contest (using an old-fashioned system of names handwritten on paper drawn from a hat)! Thanks to each and every one of you who entered by sharing a post on social media, buying a copy of a book, subscribing to my newsletter, signing up for the ARC team for Post Civ, or signing up for the Write Your Novel or Memoir class which begins in October.
Here are the winners:
Marika S.
Cortney P.
C. Moon T.
Brenda H.
Tatiana T.
Here are the prizes:
One signed copy of Jamesy Harper’s Big Break
One signed copy of Post Civ (not available until September)
One free hour of Author Nurture to discuss writing or career goals or self-care (either in-person or on the phone)
20% off the Plan section of the Write Your Novel or Memoir online class beginning October 20th
A Ruby Finch Books tote bag (I have 2 to give away)
I’ll reach out directly to each winner to ask which prize they would prefer. Thanks so much for celebrating with me this past month!
Creative Nurture + When Words Collide 2024
I am seriously loving the monthly zoom nurture sessions I’m doing with Alexandra Writers Centre in Calgary. And I’m happy to announce that they have booked me for my first-ever gig as a workshop presenter for a writing festival this August! I applied to be their Writer-in-Residence for this fall and that cool opportunity went to another writer, but I’m loving the challenge of putting myself forward for different things and watching my business grow and develop in fun and interesting new avenues.
I’m also offering one-to-one Creative Nurture for writers, teachers, and creatives looking for some encouragement and care in their lives and careers. If you want to talk about your career goals, or build in some creative practices, or set up self-care strategies for your life and work, please reach out and let’s chat. I’d love to know what the term “Creative Nurture” means to you! For more info, please see my author site and Ruby Finch Books.
Upcoming In-Person/Online Class Schedule – 2024
The Writing Well Author Nurture Series Create an Inspiring Writing Routine: Tuesday, June 11 from 11 am – 12:30 pm PST on Zoom
The Writing Well Author Nurture Series Determine Success for Yourself: Tuesday, July 9 from 11 am – 12:30 pm PST on Zoom
The Writing Well Author Nurture Series Build Your Confidence: Tuesday, August 13 from 11 am – 12:30 pm PST on Zoom
Avoid Burnout and Thrive / Writing to Heal Us – When Words Collide Festival, Calgary, AB: Aug. 16-18
Writing to Heal Us – White Rock Library: Saturday, September 14 from 1 – 2 pm (please stay after for the first Post Civ book discussion with snacks!)
Post Civ Book Event & Call for ARC Readers!
This month, I should have paperback copies of Post Civ delivered to my door! Holding your book for the first time is a big step in the publishing process. It finally feels real, after years of writing, editing, proofreading, designing, and making a lot of little and big decisions along the way.
I’m so very proud of this story. It means a lot to me. It’s moving, hopeful, fast-paced, and dares to dream of a better, fairer, kinder world for all of us. I’ve designed a 45-minute discussion at libraries this fall about the themes in the book, and White Rock Library has booked the first one as a launch party for the book on September 14th! I’d love to see you there!
I’m looking to build a team of early readers for Post Civ and my upcoming book releases in the future! If you’d like to read an early, FREE ebook version of Post Civ, and then help me by agreeing to write a review before the release date of September 14th, please fill out this Google form application and we’ll go from there. My ARC team is starting to grow and I’m EXCITED. Please feel free to share this ARC opportunity with your reader friends. Your support and interest in the book is deeply appreciated.
TV Recs
I’ve been waiting so long for new seasons of two of my favourite shows: Trying on Apple TV+ and Hacks on Max. And both of them have been so wonderful. Trying is sweet and heartfelt and every episode moves me. Hacks is hilarious and whip-smart and surprising. The full series for both shows are definitely worth watching.
And oh my waffles what can I say about Ripley that hasn’t already been said? This show is next-level. It’s dark and moody and wickedly funny. Andrew Scott is terrific. Ditto for the wet Italian streets. The cinematography took my breath away. Genius.
Write Your Novel or Memoir Online Classes
If you want to join us in October for the next 20-week class, please reach out to julianne@rubyfinchbooks.com and we’ll chat. The class is half full right now, so don’t wait too long! The full schedule is on my website. If you’ve always longed to write a novel or memoir, and you want some inspiration, instruction, and encouragement, you are warmly invited to join us!
The Best Cat in the World: Teddy
When we adopted Teddy as a tiny striped kitten in November 2020, he preferred Jason to everyone else which offended me because I did all the work required to find him, visit him, and make plans to pick him up out in the country and bring him to our house.
Teddy never laid eyes on my husband until the day we put him in a cat carrier and drove him home, but he bonded with Jason immediately. I knew if I bided my time, Ted would come around to me, and I’m happy to say that after 3.5 years with us, this has FINALLY HAPPENED.
If Jason is in the room, Ted will still sit with him, but when I’m the only one there, he is happy to sleep on my lap. He also prefers to stay on my couch when we are in the basement watching TV. So I count all of this as a win. It just took him a while to recognise my many stellar qualities, even though I’ve loved him since the moment I first saw him.
Libraries forever,
Julianne and Ruby Finch Books