Tofino – Living Library

Black Cat

Discover Black Cat, the enchanting self-titled anthology from our new publishing house in Victoria, BC.

Black Cat is a collection of thirteen supernatural stories set in the Pacific Northwest of British Columbia, penned by a diverse group of Western Canadian writers. Black Cat‘s cover was illustrated and designed by Lydia Avsec. Its interior was designed by Derek von Essen.

From historic to futuristic, these tales of fiction are guaranteed to chill readers to the bone. With entities both monstrous and misunderstood, Black Cat is an anthology unlike any published before. Each story includes a cameo of a mysterious black cat. Continue reading “Black Cat”

Vancouver Island Booksellers Operating During the Covid-19 Outbreak

The following Vancouver Island bookstores are selling books online or by phone (free local delivery for some) while Covid-19 social restrictive measures are in place:

Munro’s Books (Victoria)

Bolen Books (Victoria)

Russell Books (Victoria)

Ivy’s Bookshop (Victoria) – now open for phone-in and online ordering

Camas Books (Victoria) – every book is washed with “75% solution of isopropyl alcohol”

Cavity Curiosity Shop (Victoria) – “no contact” pick up service only

Tanner’s Books (Sidney)

Salt Spring Books (Salt Spring Island)

Galiano Island Books (Galiano Island)

Talisman Books (Pender Island)

Volume One Bookstore (Duncan)

Strong Nations Gifts & Books (Nanaimo) – now “open for orders as usual”

Continue reading “Vancouver Island Booksellers Operating During the Covid-19 Outbreak”

Tofino’s Climate Strike

I wanted to share a few photos I took today during Tofino’s Climate Strike. For those of you who don’t know, Tofino is located on Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations territory on the west coast of Vancouver Island. It’s where my retro fishing boat, the iDigher, is moored.

Tofino was the first municipality on Vancouver Island that I noticed was attempting to ban single-use plastics such as shopping bags and straws. In 1993, the town was an instrumental ally of Tla-o-qui-aht and Ahousaht First Nations during the War in the Woods (where 900 people were arrested). Since then, Tofino has been a firm opponent of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion and its proposed increase in tanker traffic.

One could say that Tofino has a long history of social activism and acknowledgment of Indigenous rights, so I was curious to see what kind of turnout there would be today.

Continue reading “Tofino’s Climate Strike”

July 19th Reading at Main Street Gallery in Tofino

For years, people have been telling me that Vancouver Island is Haunted. I tend to agree with them. That’s why I’ll be reading from The Haunting of Vancouver Island at the Main Street Gallery (located at Tofino Sea Kayaking) on Thursday, July 19th at 7pm. This event is open to everyone, whether you’re a local Tofitian or some restless spirit just passing through. Continue reading “July 19th Reading at Main Street Gallery in Tofino”

The Haunting of Chesterman Beach

Chesterman Beach is a beautiful close-to-Tofino location everyone likes to surf and visit… While I was researching The Haunting of Vancouver Island I was told by a local woman she believed the beach was haunted. I included her comments in the chapter on Keeha Beach. Surprisingly, I recently read about a Spanish massacre on Chesterman Beach by the Tlaoquiaht and some other Nuu-chah-nulth allies. (Believe me, they had it coming.) As I read the story, I realized it seemed to validate the feelings of the woman I’d interviewed. Continue reading “The Haunting of Chesterman Beach”