Next month, Ruby Finch Books celebrates its second anniversary! Starting this company has truly been a dream come true for me—a place to pour my hopes and vision and belief that there has to be a better way to publish books. I’m investing in a process that feels healthy and vital and inspiring instead of competitive and gatekeeper-driven and surrounded by insecurity and fear that I might not be good enough as a writer or a person.
That’s why I picked ambition as my word for this May newsletter. For so much of my life, I used my own ambition as a weapon against myself. I felt constantly behind, like an imposter, giving my hopes and dreams the chance to beat me into the ground instead of lifting me up. In the last few years, I’ve grown into a healthier perspective.
Now, I offer permission for my ambition to be part of my life. Not to control me, or sit in the driver’s seat, but I’m learning to reconcile the ambition I feel to write, to innovate, to nurture—to believe that my biggest and boldest dreams are actually achievable. My ambition is part of me, and I’m figuring out how to embrace it and love it rather than fear it.
One-Word Feeling Check-In
How are you feeling right now, in one word? I’m feeling relieved. As Canadians, we went to the polls last month to elect a new government and I had several moments of panic in the days before the election that my neighbours and fellow citizens would choose fear-mongering, rage politics, and hatred over stability, social safety nets, and our sovereignty.
But our election went the way I hoped it would, and I feel we have a solid grown-up in charge of Canada, with a proven track record of intelligence, calm, and economic success. I want to stay the True North, strong and free, forever. I long for a country where we take care of ourselves and one another. Where our shared values of community care take priority over other issues. As a result, I’m feeling relieved.
How are you feeling?
Two Year Anniversary Give-Away!
On June 7, 2025, Ruby Finch Books is turning 2! To celebrate, I’m running a give-away from May 7th to June 7th. I’ll randomly draw for 3 winners and the winners can choose a lovely Ruby Finch Books tote bag (I use mine all the time for conference speaking and library workshops!) or a Ruby Finch Books paperback or ebook novel of their choice (Post Civ or Jamesy Harper’s Big Break)!
With the world in its current fraught state, my trust in the social media landscape is failing and I’m seriously considering pulling the plug on Facebook (I recently deleted my Instagram account which felt awesome). As a result, I’d love to add more subscribers directly to my blog at julianneharvey.com and my Substack newsletter and podcast here at rubyfinchbooks.substack.com.
To enter the give-away:
Subscribe to my newsletter and podcast here
Subscribe to my blog here
Register for my Nurture class or my Write Your Novel or Memoir class
Suggest Post Civ or Jamesy Harper’s Big Break for purchase to your local library
I should get an email alert for any new subscriptions and I’ll enter you automatically (same for the class registrations), but if you suggest my books for purchase by your library please email me a screenshot of the request and you’ll be entered to win! I’ll announce the three winners in the June newsletter. Thanks for celebrating 2 years as a company with me!
Book Corner
I sank into The Favorites by Layne Fargo and read late into the night when Jason was away on a work trip because I had to know what happened next between these two damaged, ambitious figure skaters trying to make their Olympic dreams come true. It’s such an immersive novel and I absolutely loved it.
I’m not a big short story reader, but I love Curtis Sittenfeld so I reserved her new story collection Show Don’t Tell from the library and had fun reading her (mostly) lighthearted stories.
I’d heard about The Tell by Amy Griffin from a few people, and I wanted to live inside of her literary voice forever. The subject matter is devastating, as she uncovers decades-old sexual abuse through some controversial therapy methods, but her writing is so warm and real and beautiful. It’s a powerful and moving book.
Write Your Novel or Memoir Online Class
We are just about to finish my first full-length online writing class and it’s been everything I dreamed it could be. I’m looking so forward to doing it again with new writers starting October 19, 2025! If you’ve always longed to write a novel or a memoir and you want to do this work in a supportive and flexible literary community online, please come and join us. More info is on my Classes page and email me if you have questions or would like to sign up!
Here’s some glowing feedback I received from a current student in the class:
“When I started the PLAN course in the fall I had a lot of thoughts about writing, but didn’t know how to begin. Through the course work and weekly discussion forums I’ve developed writing habits to keep things fun, perspective to keep my writing balanced with the rest of my life, and a calm & healthy approach to getting a little bit of writing done almost every day.
In the six months since the start of the course I’m almost done the first draft of my memoir, and have a whole ton of resources to go back to when it’s time for me to edit & revise, and ultimately publish my story. If you’re at all thinking about writing a novel or memoir, I highly recommend signing up for Julianne’s course!”
Intuitive Courage Podcast
For episode 12, I planned to talk about the somewhat lost concept of community care, but I ended up reading a fabulous Substack essay called We Scroll to Escape Ourselves from Katherine Johnson Martinko of The Analog Family which felt like another puzzle piece of understanding clicking into place for me. I realised that community care is part of finding antidotes to our digital lives and increasing our sense of purpose, so I called this episode We Must Rebuild the Analog World.
Please have a listen on May 21st. I’d love to hear your best ideas on living in the real world instead of online.
Nurture Starts with You Online Class
The next Nurture Starts with You online class begins May 27th and I really hope you’ll join us! Info is below and on my website under Classes. You deserve to make yourself a higher priority in life. When we nurture ourselves first, we can give care to others out of abundance, not out of a sense of resentment and lack.
I’m also continuing to teach The Writing Well classes monthly via zoom through Alexandra Writers’ Centre (they are inspiring, beautiful, and soul-fulfilling each time!) and I’m working one on one with writers for story nurture in the form of supportive, encouraging, cheerleading notes on early work so the writer can shape future drafts with more confidence. If any of this interests you, please reach out and let’s chat!
TV Recs
Last month we watched Dying for Sex on Disney+, which was the most honest show I’ve ever seen about the end of life. It’s funny, shocking, and made me sob in the final episode. The performances and the writing are so strong.
I’m not a huge fan of medical shows, but like many people in middle age now, I tuned in weekly to ER so I was intrigued by Noah Wyle returning to Max for The Pitt. This show is EVERYTHING. It takes place over one 15-hour shift at a Pittsburgh emergency room. It’s moving, funny, real, gripping, critical of our current political landscape, and simply entertaining on every level.
I was thrilled when North of North showed up on Netflix because I missed it on CBC. I learned so much about Nunavut from watching this comedy, and now I’m longing to visit this beautiful place in the future.
The Best Cats in the Universe: Ted & Pippin
Both cats are thrilled that the weather is warmer and we’ve cleaned off the deck from the winter so they can go outside and enjoy the sun on their fur. I get a little nervous when Pippin jumps on the patio table and leans over the railing to look down at the street below, but so far he’s managed not to fall off our deck so I’m hoping I’ll get more comfortable with him enjoying the great outdoors this spring and summer.
Pip is nearly 8 months old and still manages to charm us with his funny ways. He jumps on four-year-old Ted with zero notice, and knocks his tunnel all over the kitchen and living room on a daily basis. Pippin is loving and sweet, and I will miss both of them so much when I’m in Eastern Canada for a trip later this month.
Libraries forever,
Julianne and Ruby Finch Books