A Writer’s Limbo
My book reading at the Local Book Fair in the Nanaimo Harbourfront Library went well, but now I find myself in writer’s limbo. In other words, I’m between projects.
In October, I published Paper Roses on Stony Mountain, the sequel to Lilacs in the Dust Bowl, and the last book of Lukia’s Family Saga trilogy. Writing three novels of historical and biographical fiction, based on my baba (grandmother) and her family’s life in Ukraine and Canada, took about six years to research and write.
And lately, I’ve spent time spreading the word about my latest novel. I read an excerpt from it at the Nanaimo Library Book Fair, and also one from Sunflowers Under Fire, the first book in Lukia’s Family Saga.
By the way, I love this trailer produced by Sally Roughton. It shows my novel’s theme and highlights.
And now that I’m done writing the trilogy, I’m collecting my wits and wondering what to tackle next. But let me share some good news first, which I shared with the subscribers to my newsletter several weeks ago. If you want to be on that list, click HERE.
Good News
The Miramichi Reader, a highly respected literary journal that publishes book reviews, included Paper Roses on Stony Mountain on their List of Best Fiction of 2022! So thrilled!
And Publishers Weekly also gave my novel a fine review. I was surprised, as this prestigious reviewer mainly reviews traditionally published novels and not self-published ones.
Publishers Weekly said, “Stevan wraps up the Lukia’s Family Saga trilogy (after Lilacs in the Dust Bowl) with an impressive story of a Ukrainian family’s fortitude and trials in Canada.”
“Stevan’s strong characters are the standouts here, with their resilience in the face of ceaseless hardships. Historical fiction fans will want to have a look.”
And another worthy book journal, B.C. BookLook, published an article I wrote on what it was like writing a Ukrainian family saga while a war is raging in Ukraine. It was a tough slog. I got very emotional during this time. I still can’t believe Russia invaded Ukraine, an independent and sovereign nation.
What I’ve Been Reading
I’m constantly amazed and delighted by the wonderful books being churned out every year. I recently read: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, which profiles a female chemist back in the early 1960s, when the double standard frustrated so many women. It obviously speaks to readers today, judging from the rave reviews on Goodreads. I got married back in the early 60s, and I remember having to get my husband’s signature just to get a library card. Crazy, huh?
And I read Ghosts in a Photograph, a non-fiction chronicle by award-winning author Myrna Kostash. Curious about old family photographs, Kostash goes to great lengths to discover the truth (as well as the secrets) about her family’s past in both Ukraine and in Canada. An informative read, which also touches on how Ukrainian (and other) pioneers impacted the indigenous people in Canada. You can read my review here.
What I’ve Been Watching
Author Myrna Kostash told me about a wonderful Youtube series on the Making of Ukraine, taught by Yale professor, Timothy Snyder.I’m surprised that it’s free. I always thought that when I became a senior, I’d love to take some university courses. And now I can from the comfort of my home.
Robert and I find the series compelling, even though at times, we get lost in all the details. Snyder also provides a snapshot of world history, because to learn how Ukraine became a nation and why Ukrainians are fighting so hard for their liberty, we need to know who came before, like the Vikings and the Mongols. And the history of oppression under Russian rule. A fascinating set of lectures!
A Nice Surprise
Twitter is one place I like to post because of the wonderful writers and readers I’ve met there. One reader who recently grabbed my attention on this social media platform was Cindy L. Spear. Intrigued by one of my tweets, she asked to review my earlier novels on her blog. Of course I said, “Great!
She gave The Rubber Fence, a glowing review. If you want to know more about this story, inspired by my work on a psychiatric ward in the 1970s, read the review. Cindy does a good job highlighting what she got out of it.
She also reviewed A Cry from the Deep, the novel I keep thinking I might write a sequel to.
What Next?
Like I said at the beginning of this post, I’m in Writer’s Limbo right now. I have to admit I feel a little lost after finishing Lukia’s Family Saga Trilogy, but I’m heartened that the last book in the series, Paper Roses on Stony Mountain, like the first two, is getting great reviews.
If you’ve been following this saga, you’ll know that each novel in the series can be read as a standalone. Each is available as an ebook or paperback. Sunflowers Under Fire, the first book in the trilogy is the only one available as an audiobook, too. My books are available on all the major bookseller websites. If you shop at an independent bookstore, you can ask them to bring one in. All you need is the title and author name. Or you can also borrow it from your local library. And if your branch doesn’t have a copy, librarians are great at getting the book in for you.
But back to my dilemma of being in Writer’s Limbo. I’ve been thinking about writing a short story collection. And so, I started working on one that I’ve become quite excited about. It’s called Bad Blood. It’s another family drama, one set during World War II in Winnipeg. I’ll let you know more down the road.
Thank you for stopping by
I so appreciate your readership. Any comments are always welcome.
I’ve no doubt that what comes next will be another award winning story. Looking forward to it.
Hello Diana, Good to see you self published. I was helped by Art Bookbinding in Winnipeg with mine back in 2006 and 2008. Marketing is a challenge and reading what you have done is enlightening. Cheers to you!
Thank you for your thoughts, Norm. I’m sorry I didn’t see this comment until now. Wishing you much success with your work.