Nine years into the new millennium, I have come to realize this has been a time of dynamic changes not just globally, but very much on a personal level, and, if I’m honest, I must admit 2008 was the best year of my entire life. There have been so many goals achieved, dreams realized, so much contentment, fulfillment. It is because of this I look forward to this new year, the last of this decade of the new millennium, with great optimism despite economic downturn and global uncertainty. I still believe great things are possible.

We’re starting out firmly on that path of optimism and hope here at Five Rivers. Over the holiday season I received the manuscript for Elephant’s Breath & London Smoke from Deb Salisbury, and I am simply stunned by the breadth, scope and monumental work of this book. I firmly believe it will become an indispensable reference tool for those interested in historical fashion and colour terminology, and I’ll even go farther to say I believe Elephant’s Breath & London Smoke will become synonymous with other great books such as those written by Janet Arnold, R.L. Shep and others. I cannot wait to release it.

Five Rivers other recent publication, How to Write a Non-fiction Book in 60 Days, by Paul Lima, is already selling very well through Chapters, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and W.H. Smith. 60 Days (as well as all other Five Rivers publications) is now available in eBook format from the following online retailers:

Paul will be presenting talks and signing books at several Chapters/Indigo locations in the Greater Toronto Area starting February and continuing through this year, as well as offering workshops. Watch for event listings here, Chapters, Facebook and Paul’s blog.

My book signing schedule will ramp up again late March. Details will be posted here, Chapters and on Facebook.

In the meantime I continue to work on my new novel, From Mountains of Ice, a cultural fantasy, and hope to have it finished by the spring. There is a possibility it will be available this fall, but most likely early 2010.

To all of you who have followed me on this journey, I wish all your dreams fruition in 2009.