July 2026 newsletter

July 18, 2026

Volume 3, Issue 07

July, 2026

Welcome to the July Newsletter

Your gateway to stories, events, and creative community!

New & Noteworthy

Welcome new Subscribers. If this is your first newsletter, please note that previous issues are available on our website.

Writing at the Turning of the Year

Oct 6 to 8, 2026| Painter's Lodge, Campbell River, BC

Give yourself three days to step away from daily demands and return to what matters most: your writing.

Join acclaimed Vancouver Island writers Kim Bannerman and Claire Mulligan for an intimate retreat designed to nurture creativity, deepen your writing practice, and provide the space every writer needs to listen to their own voice.

Kim Bannerman is the author of numerous novels, including the popular Circus Salmagundi mystery series, the Lizzie Saunders Mysteries, and several works of fantasy and speculative fiction. Known for her engaging storytelling and imaginative worlds, Kim brings a wealth of experience in creating memorable characters and compelling narratives. https://www.kbannerman.com/

Claire Mulligan is an award-winning novelist, screenwriter, editor, and creative writing instructor. Her historical novel The Reckoning of Boston Jim was nominated for the Giller Prize and other major literary awards. Claire has spent more than a decade teaching, mentoring, and helping writers develop both their craft and confidence. mulliganmethod.ca

Together, Kim and Claire offer a unique blend of creativity, practical guidance, and encouragement, creating a retreat experience that is both inspiring and welcoming.

What You'll Experience

Workshops and guided writing sessions with Kim Bannerman and Claire Mulligan
Dedicated writing time free from interruptions
Thoughtful discussions about craft, creativity, and the writing life
Opportunities to share your work in a supportive environment
Time to explore the natural beauty of Campbell River's oceanfront setting

· This retreat welcomes writers of all genres and experience levels. Whether you're beginning a new project, returning to an unfinished manuscript, or simply seeking inspiration, you'll find encouragement, community, and time to write.

· Important Deadline – August 15

· The current retreat registration rate and the special Painter's Lodge room rate both expire on August 15, 2026.

After August 15:

Retreat registration fees increase
The discounted room block ends, and accommodations may be subject to regular hotel rates and availability

Reserve your place before August 15 to secure the best pricing.

For complete details, visit: https://filidhbooks/pages/writers-retreat

Podcast Publicity Is Becoming the New Book Tour

Jane Friedman has a useful report from the U.S. Book Show on what is actually working in podcast publicity, and it is blessedly practical. The headline for authors: start four to six months before release, stop chasing only the enormous shows, and pitch the conversation inside the book rather than the book-shaped object itself. One PR example cited in the piece: 20 coordinated podcast appearances over two weeks helped sell 2,400 copies. That number will not happen for everyone, obviously. But the principle travels well. A small show with the exact right audience can do more than a giant show where the host has not read past the jacket copy. The uncomfortable bit is that authors must prepare for the conversation, not merely the placement. Listen first. Know the host's shape of curiosity. Bring something sharper than 'my book is out now.' Readers can hear the difference.

Polish Publishers Try Taking Digital Sales Back Into Their Own Hands

Poland's competition watchdog has approved a group of major publishers to launch a new e-book and audiobook platform, reportedly called Novelist. The interesting part is not the brand name. It is the motive: publishers told regulators the platform would increase competition and make digital sales more transparent. Publishing Perspectives notes that Poland already has an unusually open e-book culture, with many titles sold without hard DRM and readers less locked to one storefront. Now publishers are asking whether too much value has drifted to third-party subscription platforms. Indie authors should read this less as European market trivia and more as a reminder: whoever owns the reader relationship owns the weather. Retailers matter. Platforms matter. But a career built entirely on borrowed access is always one policy change away from a difficult morning.

In the Spotlight –

Author of the Month: Ron Kearse

Ron Kearse lives in Victoria, British Columbia with his partner, James, where he shares his home with books, stories, music, and entirely too many conversations about things that can’t be proven.

His writing explores friendship, humour, spirituality, and the curious possibility that guardian angels might be a lot more interesting—and a lot less dignified—than most people imagine.

When he’s not writing, Ron enjoys reading, quiet contemplation and wondering whether some of his fictional characters are making themselves up as they go along.

One of those characters is Craig.

The problem is that Craig insists he’s real!

Craig Does It Again

“It seemed Like A Good Idea at the Time” — Craig

Is Ron’s latest, and just-published book.

Excerpt of the Month: Craig Does It Again!

“It Seemed Like A Good Idea at the Time” — Craig

Neville hadn’t heard from Craig for quite a few weeks. Not so much as a sarcastic quip or smart-ass remark. And to be honest, Neville hadn’t even thought about him because he and his buddies had been busy. They were doing what any other group of gay, senior, single men do, go travelling. They had pooled their resources and rented an RV big enough to sleep six adults comfortably. They agreed it was time for them to finally do that coast-to-coast trek across Canada they had been talking about doing for a few years.

The RV itself was amazing. It looked medium-sized from the outside, but inside it was huge. Much bigger than it actually looked.

They travelled from Vancouver Island to the city of Vancouver and drove east. They travelled in a north-easterly direction through the Rockies and Jasper to Edmonton. After staying a couple of days there, they travelled south through Red Deer to Calgary where they stayed another couple of days.

From there, they travelled further south to Fort MacLeod and Lethbridge to see the Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump and Fort Whoop-Up, two Canadian historic sites.

They left there and travelled to Saskatchewan where they had pulled into a provincial park campground. They managed to find a camping spot near a calm lake where they were going to stay for a day then move on to Manitoba after checking out a few Saskatchewan ghost towns. Neville was the first one of them up that morning so he could take Rex for his early walk.

The two of them walked along the lake’s shoreline. The morning was clear and a little brisk. Rex was trotting ahead when Neville spied something shiny in the shallow water. He squinted to see what it was but the light from it shone so brightly he could hardly see it.

He tried to reach for it in the water but couldn’t seem to grasp it. Rex trotted back to Neville to see what he was doing. Neville reached out again to see if he could retrieve the shiny object, but to no avail.

That’s when Rex began barking. This startled Neville and when he looked at Rex, he was looking skyward while barking. When Neville looked up, he saw a shiny object in the sky hovering directly above them. It shone so brightly it was almost blinding! That’s when he realized that what he saw in the water was actually refection of the object shining above him!

He stared at the object as it remained motionless, and Rex continued to bark at it. Then the object began to glow brighter then… it vanished! There was no trace that it had even been there in the first place.

Rex stopped barking and the two of them looked at each other as if to ask, WTF was that?

Neville stood looking skyward while Rex sat beside him. His attention drifted between Neville and the sky, looking confused about what just happened.

Craig was perched on a low branch of a cottonwood tree nearby, one boot resting lightly against the bark of the tree while he smiled at Neville and Rex.

“A bit dramatic,” he said. “They could’ve eased into it.”

Rex, startled by Craig’s voice barked approval and ran to the base of the tree, wagging his tail excitedly, Craig jumped off the branch, landed on the ground and fell backward just as Rex jumped on top of him, his tail wagging excitedly while licking Craig’s face.

Craig managed to gently get Rex off him, stood up and brushed himself off.

“What was that?” Neville asked at last.

“That,” said Craig, “was what is referred to as an Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena.”

“Seriously, that was a UAP?”

“Yep,” Craig answered, “you and Rex were being observed.”

“Wow,” Neville responded, “I’ve never seen an actual UAP before.”

Then Neville stopped himself.

“Are you sure this isn’t something you cooked up to fuck with my head a bit?”

Craig held his hands as if in prayer, pointed at his halo and mouthed moi?

Neville laughed.

“No, that was a real UAP with real beings observing you,” Craig said. “They were in this area, so I steered them over to have a close look at you and Rex.”

“You actually spoke to them?”

“Yep, the aliens and us angels communicate with each other all the time.”

Neville glanced up as if it might still be there waiting for him to look again, then exhaled a sigh when there was nothing.

“So, I wasn’t seeing things.”

“No,” Craig said. “You were seeing exactly what was there.”

“Why?” Neville asked, “would something like that… come here?”

“Like I told you, curiosity.”

Neville frowned. “About me?”

“Not just about you,” Craig said. “About humans in general. The truth is you’d be surprised how often the Big Kahuna checks in with all beings just to see what’s going on.”

“So, I was being observed,” Neville said.

“We all are,” Craig said. “Most people fear when things like this happen to them. It’s not like those old B movies from the fifties and sixties where the aliens attack the Earth with ray guns. It’s usually because they’re interested in what’s happening here.”

Rex pressed lightly against Neville’s leg as if to say, c’mon let’s play!

Craig noticed and ruffled his ear. “Good boy.”

That’s when Rex jumped up on Craig once more and they began playing again. Neville looked back toward the lake. The reflection in the water from earlier was a memory now.

“Come on,” Craig said gently pulling away from Rex and walking ahead. “Before your brain turns this into a belief system with membership fees.”

Neville hesitated then followed. Rex fell into step between them. After a few paces, Neville spoke again.

“So that was real?”

“Real enough to interrupt you,” Craig said.

Neville remained quiet.

“And if it helps,” Craig added, “they’re not likely to do anything that dramatic again. I had a word.”

Neville looked at him. “What do you mean?”

“Next time I suggested something more, well… Canadian. You know, subtle hints, being polite, maybe a hockey puck or Tim Horton’s coffee mug.”

Neville laughed, despite himself.

Monthly Friendly Authors Networking Socials (F.A.N.S.)

Our next meeting will be on Saturday, September 12, 2026, 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Quality Foods, the Upper level café, regular seating area

in Eagle Creek Mall on Helmcken Road in View Royal.

info@filidhbooks.com

(https://www.facebook.com/groups/295883593397579)

Just the Deets…

There was no FANS meeting held in July, but there was a full day of visits from FANS members and local friends at the Filidh Publishing book during PRIDE IN THE PARK on July 12^th. Several of our FANS members are helping review the over 400 submissions Filidh received for the Monstrously Misguided Anthology. There might be a summer picnic gathering in August. Watch for details on out Facebook group.

Filidh Publishing at Victoria Pride

July 12, 2026

The weatherman called for rain, but it turned out to be a sunny and warm day at Victoria Pride in MacDonald Park. Filidh Publishing had a booth, and we had a successful day talking to folks, sharing the books we have available, answering questions, and letting people know about our monthly FANS meetings!

Zoe had placed a sign basically asking, “Have you written a book? Looking to publish it? Maybe we can help.” We had a number of people ask about it, and it was during those conversations that folks were told about the FANS Meetings starting again in September. There seemed to be a lot of enthusiasm for attending those meetings and for getting together with other local authors once a month.

But the biggest and most surprising reaction from the public was news of our writing retreat in October. When we let folks know about it, they got quite excited. Many saw this as an opportunity to get well into their intended writing projects. Some of them remarked they had always wanted to attend an event like it, and now was their chance!

Ron Kearse was a fan favourite, with particularly enthusiastic readers picking up his new book.

The day was a success. We had fun chatting with the general public and getting their reactions to what Filidh offers and the stories we share, finding new readers.

Explore These Literary Events

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