http://filidhbooks.com Phone: 250-589-2385 E-mail: info@filidhbooks.com
Volume 2, Issue 9
September, 2025
Welcome to the September Newsletter!
We hope to keep you posted on local events, inspire you to read emerging authors, review your next great read and share tips and opportunities to help you keep your finger on the pulse of the Canadian literary community.
Friendly Authors Networking Socials (F.A.N.S.)
In response to requests, we are hosting gatherings for authors who are published and interested in networking with other authors. To learn and share insights on sales, networking, branding and other things that may facilitate income and possibly collaboration on future writing projects and events. It is not a writers' group but more a writers' 2.0 group. What is next, and how do I get these boxes of books into the hands of readers? Let's chat, share tips and learn from and with each other.
The first F.A.N.S. gathering for the fall season will be:
Saturday, October 11, 2025, 10:30 AM until 12:00 PM
Quality Foods - Upstairs Café, Eagle Creek Village Shopping Centre,
#110 - 27 Helmcken Road, Victoria, British Columbia
Bring your elevator speech and copies of the books you’d like reviewed.
October’s meeting will be followed by a Terry Talk (Writing craft presentation) with a topic to be confirmed. It will be held on the same day and location from 12:30 pm until 2 pm, and there will be a $10.00 charge! Watch the FANS Facebook group or the website version of this newsletter for updates.
New for Book Clubs!
VIP Book Club Discount
Book clubs may buy four or more copies of selected titles in soft cover at a 25% VIP discount and receive a Book Club Guide for discussion suggestions FREE.
Enter the code VIPBOOKCLU at checkout.
https://filidhbooks.com/collections/complete-catalogue-by-title?view=no-usf
Author of the Month - Zoe Duff
Zoe Duff is a writer based in Victoria, British Columbia. She is the author of novels, collections of poetry, short stories, and children’s books. She draws inspiration from fog-laced harbours, forgotten letters, and the quiet resilience of the human spirit. Her stories often explore the intersections of trauma, identity, and time, with characters who confront the past to reshape the future, frequently weaving together historical fiction with speculative elements. Influenced by authors such as Margaret Atwood, Stephen King, and Dean Koontz, she crafts narratives that are both emotionally resonant and culturally nuanced. Her newest release is Coorie in & Blether Wee Tales, a collection of creepy short stories. 'Coorie' is a Scottish word traditionally meaning 'to snuggle' or 'cuddle', or wrapping yourself up in a Tartan blanket in front of a roaring fire in a country pub to 'blether' or chit-chat until the stars come out. As a nod to her Scottish heritage and a similar Canadian experience of ghost stories told around the campfire, Zoe offers a collection of stories meant to be read and retold, set against a backdrop of burning logs and crackling flames. When not writing, Zoe enjoys the seascapes of her island home, spending time with her family and snuggling with their dog, Maizey. All Zoe’s books can be found at filidhbooks.com
Excerpt of the Month
From Coorie in & Blether Wee Tales by Zoe Duff
2. - Pink Crocs
Althea woke from a delightful nap. She took a sip from the drink still gripped in her hand. Curious that it did not tip in her sleep. The bright blue drink, accompanied by a tiny paper umbrella, was cool and tangy. It looked just like the one in the resort brochure. She noted that the sun had shifted, and the overhead patio screen was now uncovered, revealing her feet. The heat became more intense and travelled up her body. She shifted up in her lounge chair and pulled her feet out of the sun. The sun was quite hot, but a breeze off the ocean provided a slight reprieve. She looked along the resort’s poolside deck and noted many other people chatting or swimming with drinks in hand.
She waved at a passing couple but received no response. She called out louder to a passing waiter. He ignored her. Was she dreaming? She looked at her drink. The ice hadn’t melted, nor had the umbrella moved. How long had she been sitting here?
Suddenly, Althea sat bolt upright. A man strode around the pool in her direction. He wore a dark blue hoodie, jeans, and pink Crocs. The hood shaded his face, but she could tell it was a man by the walk and the body shape. Well, maybe. Could this be a woman within the bulk of the hoodie? He walked with purpose, his hands stuffed in his pockets. It had to be the same guy. He was overdressed for the poolside crowd and the temperature in general. The hoodie and jeans could be anybody, but pink Crocs? That had to be unusual.
She had seen him the day they left home. He had jumped out in front of their car and given Justine the finger when she had touched the horn.
“Too much to cross the street at the corner and stepping out between parked cars just to confirm your death wish, Asshat!” Justine had raged.
And then, hours later, hundreds of miles away, Althea had seen him coming out of the washroom hallway at a truck stop. She had been dozing in the car, and Justine thought Althea was mistaken. Still, how many pairs of pink Crocs could there be in the world?
And now, here again. The man had walked past her and off along the path to the resort restaurants. Where was Justine? This was supposed to be a wonderful romantic vacation for the two of them, and Justine had ignored her from the start. She moped and stayed in the room all the time. And then there were the phone calls and crying. Something was very wrong, but Justine would not answer her questions.
Althea closed her eyes and tried to remember the trip down the coast to the Baha Peninsula. Justine drove most of the way, taking a few rest stops along the way. Althea suffered from car sickness if extended trips were involved. She took some medication and slept most of the trip. Since that didn't help keep the driver focused, they had timed nap stops. They had a good time, nonetheless.
Justine was the one who organized their lives. She had schedules and lists for everything, and nothing was left to change or overspending. Althea always wanted Justine to relax and enjoy the time they had together. This trip was one of those rare moments where they were on the same page and very much in love.
The memories came in scattered fragments. She remembered the car swerving, the crunch of metal, then lights, voices, and Justine calling to her to wake up. She was carried somewhere, and the smell of antiseptic was strong. The next thing she knew, she was at the resort, lying in a lovely king-sized bed with far too many pillows. Justine was in the shower, and there was a tasty fruit plate on the table. Althea had been too distracted by the fantastic ocean view from their balcony to eat anything. Justine had gotten dressed and left the room without responding to Althea’s excited chatter.
She had no memory of coming to the poolside or changing clothes. She looked down and realized she was still wearing her travel clothes. Had she slept in them? Well, there is vacationing, and then there is looking like a crumpled napkin, she thought. Althea stood up with some difficulty because her hand would not let go of the drink. Some kind of spasm, perhaps. She had some issues with balance as she walked from the pool. Her feet seemed to know where their room was, even though she could not remember.
The man appeared again, walking toward her. Several others were walking along the resort paths, and none seemed to notice her. They walked so closely by her. The man passed between two of them, and they pushed right through her. Another person shoved her aside and then she fell to the floor.
“What the hell?” She cried out. The man was unsettling. He seemed to want her to notice him, but he was not approaching her or making direct contact. She was agitated by it, but more so by being ignored by pretty much everyone else at the resort. Althea was the one who kept the party going. Fun and well-liked. She made friends everywhere she went. This lack of response was heartbreaking for her.
Justine walked by with friends and family. None of them stopped to help Althea to her feet. The man in the hoodie followed them. Althea was vibrating with anger. This was more than she was going to endure without confrontation. She followed the group.
They gathered in a cluster on the beach. The white sand glistened in the sun, and the rhythmic pounding of the waves contributed to a serene, hypnotic effect. Althea was calmed momentarily and confused. And she felt tired. Deep in her bones, tired.
Justine spoke, but the words were caught in the wind and overpowered by the surf. She seemed to be talking about Althea. The others spoke too of how much they loved her. She heard the word “accident” clearly, and Justine struggled to continue.
Then Althea was standing beside Justine, who said, “Althea always made me laugh.” Her voice cracked. Althea touched Justine’s arm and whispered, “Even when you didn’t want to…”
“Even when I didn’t want to,” Justine spoke, turning and looking into Althea’s eyes.
“Even when you were scared,” Althea whispered this in a kiss.
“And I am scared. Afraid of living without you.” Justine closed her eyes and returned a kiss that allowed two hearts to breach an infinite distance.
Justine turned to the assembled group. “We made sure she had her fancy drink before they cremated her. She was so excited to come to this resort.” Althea looked at the drink in her hand: understanding, and fear gripping her like a vice around her heart.
Althea was concerned about Justine’s distress and moved by the comments. She responded to each one, standing close to them and assuring them that she loved them too. She hugged Justine and kissed her cheek.
Justine held out a small wooden box and lifted its lid. The man in the hoodie came up beside Althea. Time to say goodbye, he said without moving his lips. Justine poured the box’s contents onto the surface of the ocean water as it flowed in and back out to sea.
“Goodbye, my love.” She said, sobbing. The others stepped forward and threw flowers into the water as well. Daisies. They were all throwing daisies onto the water. Althea’s middle name was Daisy, after Daisy Duke. Her father had loved The Dukes of Hazzard.
The man in the hoodie said, “Take my hand.”
Althea, still holding her drink in one hand, gave him her other hand. They walked out onto the water and into the trail of moonlight that now caressed it.
Althea turned and watched Justine and their friends walk back to the resort. Justine turned and looked at Althea, waving. Then the group surrounded Justine and escorted her along the beach to the resort. Althea did not want to go.
The man in the hoodie slipped his arms around her and held her in a warm embrace that filled her with a profound sense of love and peace, causing her to weep on his shoulder.
He ushered her into the moonlight, and she followed his guidance.
She looked at him, smiled through her tears, and said, “Nice Crocs.”
September 30th is Orange Shirt Day
Orange Shirt Day is an Indigenous-led initiative that is deeply intertwined with the Canadian National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It is a day to honour Residential School survivors and their families, and to remember the children who never came home. The orange shirt has become a powerful symbol of Indigenous culture, rights, and self-esteem being stripped away by both the federal government and the residential school system, usually run by Christian churches.
Origins of Orange Shirt Day
In 2013, residential school survivor Phyllis Webstad shared her personal story. On her first day at the St. Joseph Mission Residential School in Williams Lake, BC, her new orange shirt, a gift from her grandmother, was taken away. This experience symbolizes the broader attempt by the residential school system to disconnect Indigenous children from their families and culture.
The Purpose and Significance of Orange Shirt Day
1. To commemorate the painful history and lasting legacy of residential schools in Canada
2. To bring Indigenous and Non-Indigenous people together in the spirit of reconciliation, as called for by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
3. To raise awareness about the intergenerational impacts of residential schools on Indigenous communities
4. To promote the message that “Every Child Matters,” is honouring all children who were harmed and lost due to the residential school system.
What You Can Do:
1. Wear an orange shirt to show your support
2. Educate yourself about the history of residential schools
3. Participate in local events and ceremonies organized by schools and communities
4.
Share your support on social media using hashtags like #OrangeShirtDay and #EveryChildMatters
Events to Ponder
I. Vancouver Writers Fest - https://writersfest.bc.ca
II. Gibsons Art and Words Festival 2025 - https://gibsonspublicmarket.com/event/art-words-festival-2024-august-22-25/
III. Surrey International Writers Conference - https://www.siwc.ca
IV. Victoria Festival of Authors - https://victoriafestivalofauthors.ca
V. Federation of BC Writers - https://www.bcwriters.ca
VI. Canadian Authors Association - https://canadianauthors.org
VII. Victoria Writers’ Society – http://victoriawriters.ca
VIII. Pride In The Word - https://victoriapridesociety.org/pride-2024/literary/
IX. Denman Island Readers and Writers Festival - https://denmanislandwritersfestival.com/festival-2025/
X. Elephant Mountain Lit Fest – Nelson, BC - https://www.emlfestival.com
XI. Word Vancouver - https://www.wordvancouver.ca
XII. Fraser Valley Book Festival - https://www.fvwritersfestival.com
XIII. Weaving Words Indigenous Writers Festival, Prince George - https://www.weavingwords.ca
XIV. Comox Valley Writers Society - https://cvwriterssociety.ca/conference/2025-north-island-writers-conference/
XV. Whistler Writers Festival - https://whistlerwritersfest.com/
XVI. Wine Country Writers’ Festival - https://wcwfestival.com/
XVII. Word on the Lake - https://wordonthelakewritersfestival.com/
XVIII. Word on the Water - https://www.wordsonthewater.ca/
XIX. Vancouver Island Children’s Book Festival Nanaimo - https://www.vibookfest.ca/
XX. When Words Collide, Calgary, AB - https://www.whenwordscollide.org
FILIDH PUBLISHING CORP
A Victoria, BC based small independent press that has been producing quality literature of adult and children’s genres from poetry to fiction to non-fiction for over 20 years. See us on Facebook, X, Instagram and at filidhbooks.com
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