More Kind Words for Apples on a Windowsill

Kate O’Gorman of Prairie Flower Reads had this to say about Apples on a Windowsill:

“Apples on a Windowsill by Shawna Lemay is a love letter to art, to being attentive, to being attuned to beauty. Often funny, and at every turn insightful, this compelling collection of essays reads like a book of prayer.”

And:

“I am reminded, each time I re-read an essay from this collection, to pay attention, to be intentional—that the mundane can become a work of art. A recommended read!”

You can read more on her blog here and follow her on Instagram here.

Every review for a small press book feels like a giant gift! I’m so grateful for this one!

I’m also grateful for the wild skills of my publisher’s publicist who makes the prettiest posters to share out! Thank you Palimpsest Press and Vanessa!

L I S T E N :)

I recently had the great good fortune to be interviewed by Alberta’s treasured radio host, Grant Stovel, on CKUA Radio. The show is titled, Alberta Morning, and it is a source of uplift for so many of us. You can listen to our conversation here:

And then, I also had a conversation with the wonderful Kerry Clare on her new podcast BOOKSPO where she talks about the books that inspired an author to write their latest.

What I loved about these conversations was that even though the starting point was my new book, Apples on a Windowsill, each explored very different territory.

I’m so grateful that both of these talks took place because I feel like I learned something about my own book, how others read books (mine but also in general), and also about how a really good interviewer (and these two are stellar) will ask questions in such a way that you forget you’re being interviewed! You’re just talking about stuff that interests you! And with luck that comes through in both of these convos.

My publisher’s amazing publicist made these next two graphics for the two above convos and I really just love them, so sharing these here as well.

 

Apples on a Windowsill – First Review and Upcoming Events

A few quick notes to say that Apples on a Windowsill is now available! Events have been planned! And I’m excited to say that the first review is in by Kerry Clare on Pickle Me This. It’s always meaningful when a writer you admire shares their thoughts on your book and I admit it, when I hear that someone has underlined stuff in the pages of one of my books, I get very happy. That’s my booklovelanguage.

Book cover for Apples on a Windowsill by Shawna Lemay

You can get all the deets on how to order here.

I’ll be launching at Audreys in Edmonton on February 1, 2024, and at Another Story Bookshop in Toronto on February 29, 2024.

Everything Affects Everyone – Recent Press

It’s an embarrassment of riches this week in the coverage of Everything Affects Everyone this week. And I’ll be perfectly honest, I know this is likely all there will be. Which is fine, because I’m feeling pretty blessed by these 3 notices below:

1. Open Book

First up, is “The Dirty Dozen” on Open Book, where I tell you 12 things you may not know about me.

From the preamble by the editors:

“Everything Affects Everyone is a taut, thoughtful novel about listening and being seen, about how women share and protect secrets, and about the nature of belief in all forms. It's a spectacular addition to Lemay's prestigious writing career, which includes the beloved Rumi and the Red Handbag, The Flower Can Always Be Changing, and Calm Things.”

2. Edmonton Journal

Secondly, Justin Bell featured Everything Affects Everyone at The Edmonton Journal. We spoke on Zoom beforehand, and had a great conversation.

From the review: “Everything Affects Everyone plays out like a series short stories, each vignette threaded together with a different perspective, one person’s story connected to the next. An interview influences the life of the woman transcribing it; a stolen piece of art leaves an impact on those who witness its absence, recorded and transcribed five years later in conversations with those who saw the exhibit.”

3. In Conversation with Kerry Clare

Last but not least:

I am really proud of this conversation conducted via email with Kerry Clare. It’s pretty in-depth, so I just want to let it speak for itself. I would love it if you could read it and share it etc. With love and thanks :)

From the preamble:

“Everything Affects Everyone is wonderful and strange, rich and engaging, provocative and comforting, and filled with mystery and beauty. And what impressed me most about this book is how Lemay’s entire oeuvre is an essential context for appreciating this book properly, the way it fits into and extends her ideas and philosophy, which is utterly original, and inviting, which you can’t say about most things one might term a “philosophy.”

I am obsessed with Shawna Lemay’s obsessions, and the generosity with which she shares them, and the way that she can make me become vicariously obsessed with anything.”

 

"Beautiful and Poignant Surprises"

Could I be more thrilled with these next two responses to Everything Affects Everyone? No, no, I could not be.

“It’s so full of beautiful & poignant surprises, I hesitate to describe this book at all for fear of ruining the prospective reader’s experience. Just...do yourself a favour & pick up Shawna Lemay’s astonishing new novel.”
— Grant Stovel

And then, if that wasn’t enough, Kerry Clare very generously shared a photo of my book on Instagram with some incredible thoughts on it as well. Click through to read the post in full, which ends:

“Everything Affects Everyone is wonderful and strange, rich and engaging, provocative and comforting, and filled with mystery and beauty. And what impressed me most about this book is how Lemay's entire oeuvre is an essential context for appreciating this book properly, the way it fits into and extends her ideas and philosophy, which is utterly original, and inviting, which you can't say about most things one might term a "philosophy."

I am obsessed with Shawna Lemay's obsessions, and the generosity with which she shares them, and the way that she can make me become vicariously obsessed with anything.

Even angels.

I really love this really weird book, which makes me even more fond of its wonderful author—if such a thing is possible.”

“I really love this really weird book, which makes me even more fond of its wonderful author—if such a thing is possible.”
— Kerry Clare