Helping artists through coaching and big picture planning, to get clarity on the next best steps, so they can be confident, breathe easy and build a sustainable, successful career.
[Silent Book Club ~ Ottawa Chapter] Reading, Writing and How It All Adds Up + August Meetups
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Welcome to August, Reader. I hope that these warm (and in some cases very hot!!) months have found you keeping as cool as you can and making sure you are hydrated. There is always so much available in our fair city during the Summer months, from music festivals to tasty markets, that it's not always easy to find time for either of those things. Sure, I read a fair bit. Okay... I read a lot. I love to have a few books on the go, from fiction to non-, and from light to challenging. I often have a couple of e-reads going, as well as a hardcopy book and even an audio read, too. Other than the seasons of my life and the seasons of the weather-world around me, what I want to read next is often dictated by my moods. It's often a case of what have I just read? combined with Do I want more of the same, or do I want to take care of myself with a break or a palate cleanser? And, as much as I read a lot, I have also been writing a lot. There are simmering stories lining up inside of me (inspired by all of the stories that I soak up, I'm sure) just waiting to come out. And I know that getting them out means embracing myself as a writer. With the online help and support of a caring Toronto-based creative writing studio, mornings for me now mean a regular writing practice and seasonal workshops to help shape the rhythm of that practice. I know that a creative practice of any kind means being kind to myself, being willing to be very bad before I can every become very good, and carving out a space that is conducive to creating. Do you have a creative practice that wraps itself around your day-to-day? Do you find yourself thirsting to get things out - paintings, choreographies, stories, fibre art projects?? One of my all-time favourite things (along with finding out what others are reading) is learning about others' creative worlds. If you're willing to share with me, Reader, I'd love to know... what gets your creative juices flowing? What compels you to get your precious, creative hands dirty and lets you get lost in the flow of making stuff? Just click reply... 'cause I'd truly love to know. Warmly as always, and bookishly, too, · · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · · AUGUST 2025 EVENTS 📆 Rather than a list of meetups, perhaps you'd prefer a calendar page. 📝 All meetups are available for signup here. ⭐ = New! (Click here to email me, if you're looking to host a meetup in your area!)
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · · What am I reading these days? ... and audio-reading: A Two-Spirit Journey by Ma-nee Chacaby finished: Moon of the Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice most recently finished: The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods and also read: Aunt Dimity: Snowbound by Nancy Atherton still chiselling away at: The Creative Act by Rick Rubin also finished: You've Reached Sam by Dustin Thao still planning to read next: The Maid's Secret by Nita Prose next in the pile: The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight also next in the pile: Valley of the Birdtail by Andrew Stobo Sniderman and Douglas Sanderson (Amo Binashii) just purchased: Suleika Jaouad's Between Two Kingdoms and The Book of Alchemy I would LOVE to know... · · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · · How does a reading meetup work?
Make your experience fit your vibe
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · · Silent Book Club ~ Ottawa Chapter If you received this email from a friend and would like to subscribe, please click here. |
little acorn creative coaching
Helping artists through coaching and big picture planning, to get clarity on the next best steps, so they can be confident, breathe easy and build a sustainable, successful career.
September 2025 photo: Esra Afşar Hello, dear Reader, Our fair city has been wrapped up in chilly-weather for a couple of days, after a whole bunch of rain that local farmers sorely needed. I don't know about you, but for me, this kind of weather, despite coming on the heels of all the warmth we've been enjoying, means cozying with a cup of something hot, steaming and sweet, and reading the hours away. Now... that sounds pretty ideal, but in reality, it can also mean a lot of prep returning to...
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