Kay's "Written on the Dark" and June 2025 update

I recently had the opportunity to read Guy Gavriel Kay’s latest book, Written on the Dark. As always with Kay’s books, I found it intriguing. Written on the Dark is set on the same fantasy world as some of Kay’s previous works, including All the Seas of the World and A Brightness Long Ago.

 

As Kay notes in the acknowledgements section, this novel was inspired by Earth’s Renaissance era (particularly France in this case), though it clearly takes place in a different, imaginary locale, a world with two moons and unique geography, religion, and customs. The book also includes the presence of a Joan of Arc figure, albeit with a happier ending. Those who enjoyed Kay’s other books with similar settings should enjoy this one.

 

Also, many thanks to Nina Munteanu for her review of my speculative poetry collection, Cats and Dogs in Space. Nina’s review was posted on Goodreads May 4, and can be accessed at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7543301522

 

Recent Publications

Nonfiction:

“Spring wildflowers abound in Backus Woods,” Simcoe Advocate, May 22, 2025.

Poetry:

“Earth Mother,” Forgotten Ground Regained: A Quarterly Journal of Alliterative Verse, Issue 6, Spring 2025, https://alliteration.net/poetry/earth-mother/

Reviews:

Corporate Control, by Nora Loreto, The Seaboard Review, posted May 19, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/corporate-control-by-nora-loreto

 

Homing: A Quest to Care for Myself and the Earth, by Alice Irene Whittaker, The Seaboard Review, Posted May 5, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/homing-by-alice-irene-whittaker

 

Indigenous Rights in One Minute: What You Need to Know to Talk Reconciliation, Bruce McIvor, The Seaboard Review, Posted May 26, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/indigenous-rights-in-one-minute-bruce-mcivor

 

A Kid’s Guide to Plants of the Great Lakes Region, by Philippa Joly, The Seaboard Review, Posted May 19, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/a-kids-guide-to-plants-of-the-great-lakes-region-philippa-joly

 

We, the Others, by Toula Drimonis, posted on The Seaboard Review, May 8, 2024, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/we-the-others-by-toula-drimonis

 

What I’m Working On

I have a couple of book proposals I’m working on. I can credit a Zoom call I had recently with a former colleague for getting me thinking along these lines again!

 

 

May 2025 Update

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul has featured the stories of hundreds of Canadians over the years—790, as of the release of What I Learned From My Dog last month. I’ve been fortunate to be included in the author list (8 stories in 7 anthologies). 

 

I just finished reading the recently-released Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned From My Dog (which includes a story about my border collie cross Sneeks), and was impressed by the variety of themes and the emotional resonance of the stories included.

 

Recent Publications

Nonfiction:

“Art exhibit seeks ‘progress over perfection,’ ” Simcoe Advocate, April 24, 2025.

 

“Flying squirrels featured at Norfolk Field Naturalists’ talk,” Simcoe Advocate, April 24, 2025.

 

“Spring banding underway at Long Point Bird Observatory,” Simcoe Advocate, April 10, 2025.

Poetry:

“I’d Like to Go,” The Martian Wave, April 2025, Hiraeth Publishing.

 

“If They Call,” Star*Line 48.2, Spring 2025.

 

Reviews:

The Art of Floating, poetry by Melanie Marttila, The Seaboard Review, April 7, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/the-art-of-floating-poetry-by-melanie

Hockey on the Moon: Imagination and Canada’s Game, by Jamie Dopp, Sport Literature Association book reviews, posted April 25, 2025, https://sportliteratureassociation.wordpress.com/2025/04/25/hockey-on-the-moon-imagination-and-canadas-game-by-jamie-dopp/

Minimalism: A Handbook of Minimalist Genre Poetic Forms, edited by Teri Santitoro, Illumen, April 2025.

 

Pit Stops and Proton Beams, by Aurelio Rico Lopez III, Star*Line 48.2, Spring 2025.

 

Sign of the Dragon (print edition) by Mary Soon Lee, Star*Line 48.2, Spring 2025.

 

What I’m Working On

This year, I’ve been focusing on non-fiction and poetry, so I don’t have much fiction in the works. During April, I attempted the Poem a Day challenge, and managed to write thirty-plus poems, thanks to the prompts provided on NaPoWriMo and the Poem a Day Challenge (Robert Lee Brewer).

 

April 2025 update: “Martian Cats” and Chicken Soup

Artwork by Fran Eisemann.

In March, my poem “Martian Cats” was published on Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores, accompanied by artwork created by Fran Eisemann. I loved the artwork so much I’ve included it, at the left. It was a perfect accompaniment to the poem! A link to the poem is included below, under the “Poetry” section.

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul: What I Learned From the Dog debuts April 1, 2025. Once again, it includes a story about our border collie cross Sneeks. Delighted to be in this issue, as always! 

 

I recently participated in a Zoom call with Chicken Soup leaders and other Canadian writers, discussing potential impact of the current trade conflicts between Canada and the United States. Chicken Soup books have historically averaged about ten percent Canadian content (work written by Canadian authors).

 

Unfortunately, the current sentiment might cause people who don’t realize that Canadians benefit too to boycott Chicken Soup books, thinking they are American. This would be a concern for Chicken Soup, who suggests that things would be tough for them if the Canadian market disappears. Fingers crossed that won’t happen. I’ve really enjoyed being included in Chicken Soup over the years (eight stories, seven books).

 

“CLUBHOUSE: Guest Review” in Amazing Stories published a review, written by Melanie Marttila, of my poetry collection Cats and Dogs in Space. Many thanks to Melanie and Graeme Cameron, who provided the “Guest Review” space, for this review! Link is below:

 

https://amazingstories.com/2025/03/clubhouse-guest-review-cats-and-dogs-in-space-poetry-collection-by-lisa-timpff/

 

Many thanks also to Third Wednesday, where I have been previously published, for offering the opportunity to do a YouTube reading from my poetry collection Cats and Dogs in Space. A link to the video is below:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrtHGalF1Nk

 

Third Wednesday was also kind enough to put a profile of the book on their website:

 

https://thirdwednesdaymagazine.org/2025/03/21/cats-and-dogs-in-space-lisa-timpf/

 

Recent Publications

Artwork:

“Full Steam Ahead,” Scifaikuest, February 2025 print, Hiraeth Publishing, https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/scifaikuest-february-2025

“The Goldenrod Girls,” Little Old Lady Comedy, posted March 1, 2025, https://www.littleoldladycomedy.com/all-works/the-goldenrod-girls

“Illustrated Guide to Eating Preferences,” Little Old Lady Comedy, posted March 30, 2025, https://www.littleoldladycomedy.com/all-works/illustrated-guide-to-eating-preferences

 

Nonfiction:

“ ‘Fun begins at 50’ at Simcoe Seniors’ Centre, Simcoe Advocate, March 27, 2025, page 7.

 

“ ‘Light at the end of the tunnel’ for Phragmites control,” Simcoe Advocate, March 27, 2025, page 7.

 

“ ‘No looking back’ for Norfolk female entrepreneurs,” Simcoe Advocate, March 13, 2025, page 14-15.

 

“Non-stop action at Norfolk Knockouts’ home opener,” Simcoe Advocate, March 27, 2025, page 16.

 

“Offering hope for stray and surrendered cats: Purrfect Companions of Norfolk Cat Rescue and Adoption Facility,” Simcoe Advocate, March 13, 2025, page 10.

 

“Vintage jacket donation sparks trip down memory lane,” Simcoe Advocate, March 13, 2025, page 17.

 

Poetry:

“Bucket List,” “Time Travel Triumphs,” and “[escape velocity]”, Scifaikuest, February 2025 print, Hiraeth Publishing, https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/scifaikuest-february-2025

 

“Martian Cats,” Cosmic Roots and Eldritch Shores, March 18, 2025, https://cosmicrootsandeldritchshores.com/fiction-all/science-fiction/martian-cats/

 

“Old Stories,” NewMyths.com, Vol. 19, Issue 70, Spring 2025, https://sites.google.com/newmyths.com/newmyths-com-issue-70/issue-70-stories/old-stories

 

“Rural Rhapsody,” Still Points Arts Quarterly Spring 2025, Issue 57, My Favorite Things, Shanti Arts, https://www.shantiarts.co/landing_SPAQ.html

 

Reviews:

“ ‘Abundance’ Offers Both Critique and Hope,”  a review of Abundance by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, The Seaboard Review, March 2, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/abundance-ezra-klein-derek-thompson

 

“AJ Hackwith’s TOTO Provides a Fresh Take on an Old Classic,” a review of Toto by AJ Hackwith, Interstellar Flight Magazine, March 21, 2025, https://magazine.interstellarflightpress.com/hackwiths-toto-provides-a-fresh-take-on-an-old-classic-9a01a651b7b2

 

“Green to Gray Explores Environmental Impacts Through Short Fiction,” The Seaboard Review, March 9, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/green-to-grey-explores-environmental

 

“Safekeeping Offers Helpful Advice for Book Planning and Launch,” a review of Safekeeping: A Writer’s Guided Journal for Launching a Book With Love,” by Chelene Knight, The Seaboard Review, March 17, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/safekeeping-chelene-knight

 

“Rayner’s “The Gates of Polished Horn” Takes Us to Places Strange and Familiar,” a review of Mark Rayner’s The Gates of Polished Horn, The Seaboard Review, March 24, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/rayners-the-gates-of-polished-horn

 

What I’m Working On

I’m continuing to work mostly on nonfiction and a bit of poetry, although April will see some time dedicated to the Poem a Day challenge.

 

Coming Soon

I’ll be doing a workshop at the Simcoe public library on writing a “Chicken Soup for the Soul” story on April 14^th. It’s a way of giving back to the community, and hopefully will support other area writers in seeing their own work published in a Chicken Soup anthology.

 

Mostly Reviews: March 2025 Update

February 2025 made up for the previous year’s lack of snow, keeping us busy with clearing efforts. While not busy with that, I managed to make some progress on writing projects. One of them was a review of Arlene F. Marks’ The Stragori Deception (cover at left). The review was published on the Amazing Stories Clubhouse page. Thanks to Graeme Cameron for the opportunity, and to Arlene for arranging a review copy.

 

A lovely review of my speculative poetry collection Cats and Dogs in Space, written by Sandra J. Lindlow,  appeared in the SpecPo Blog:

https://specpo.wordpress.com/2025/02/24/dogs-and-cats-in-space-a-book-review/

 

 

Recent Publications

Cartoons and Illustrations:

“Dragon Reading Material,” Spaceports and Spidersilk February 2024, https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/spaceports-spidersilk-february-2025

Fiction:

“Stealing Time,” Havok: Kytt Windthorn, posted February 4, 2025.

 

Nonfiction:

“Insects work hard to get their liquid-only diets,” Simcoe Advocate, February 27, 2025, https://www.granthaven.com/simcoe-advocate

 

“New Participants Welcome for Great Backyard Bird Count,” Simcoe Advocate, February 13, 2025, https://www.granthaven.com/simcoe-advocate

 

Poetry:

“After the Storm,” Sublimation, Volume 2, Issue 1, “The Heart of Winter,” published February 17, 2025,

 

“At the Spaceport Bar,” Polar Starlight Issue 17, February 2025, published February 1, 2025, https://polarborealis.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/POLAR-STARLIGHT-17-February-2025.pdf

 

“A Dog’s World,” Spaceports and Spidersilk February 2025, https://www.hiraethsffh.com/product-page/spaceports-spidersilk-february-2025

 

“We Could Do Worse,” Lotus Magazine (newsletter for the Norfolk Field Naturalists). February 2025, https://norfolkfieldnaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/February-2025-Lotus.pdf

“Winter’s Heart,” Sublimation, Volume 2, Issue 1, “The Heart of Winter,” published February 17, 2025.

Reviews:

“Bowness’ Book Offers Advice for Freelancers,” a review of The Feisty Freelancer: A Friendly Guide to Visioning, Planning, and Growing Your Writing Business, by Suzanne Bowness, published February 24, 2025, on The Seaboard Review, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/bowness-book-offers-advice-for-freelancers

 

Eat Better, Sleep Better: 75 Recipes and a 28-Day Meal Plan That Unlock the Sleep-Food Connection, by Dr. Marie-Pierre St-Onge, PhD, and Kat Craddock, posted on The Seaboard Review, February 3, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/eat-better-sleep-better

 

Dinner on Mars: The Technologies That Will Feed the Red Planet and Transform Agriculture on Earth, by Lenore Newman and Evan Fraser, Interstellar Flight Magazine Best of Year Five, February 3, 2025, https://www.interstellarflightpress.com/best-of-interstellar-flight-mag.html

 

“Finding a Place in the Medieval,” a review of Thinking Queerly, by Jes Battis, Interstellar Flight Magazine Best of Year Five, February 3, 2025, https://www.interstellarflightpress.com/best-of-interstellar-flight-mag.html

 

“Out of the Ordinary: New Poems by Tom Wayman Lives Up to Its Title,” a review of Out of the Ordinary: New Poems, by Tom Wayman, The Seaboard Review, February 17, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/tom-wayman-out-of-the-ordinary-poems

 

The Stragori Deception, Book One of the Sic Transit Stragon series, by Arlene F. Marks, Amazing Stories: Clubhouse Guest Review, posted February 17, 2025, https://amazingstories.com/2025/02/clubhouse-guest-review-the-stragori-deception-by-arlene-f-marks/

 

“Tips for Winning the Travel Game,” a review of How to Win at Travel by Brian Kelly, The Seaboard Review, posted February 10, 2025, https://www.theseaboardreview.ca/p/tips-for-winning-the-travel-game-brian-kelly

 

 

What I’m Working On

I’ve been mainly working on reviews and nonfiction pieces, with a few poems thrown into the mix, and expect that will continue.