It’s become a bit of a tradition for me to give an annual update on Brain Lag at the start of a new calendar year. While I normally do this via a short video, I wanted to expand on some things for this year’s edition.
First, let me express my deepest thanks for sticking with Brain Lag through a year which saw the necessity of postponing several releases. We still published seven wonderful new books, both fantasy and science fiction. Two fantastic trilogies were completed. We welcomed two bold Canadian women authors to our ranks, Sally McBride and Cathy Hird. Brain Lag received its first starred review from Booklist and our titles were highlighted in Publishers Weekly, Foreword Reviews, the Ottawa Review of Books, and more. Our authors held writing workshops; hosted book fairs, local markets, and conventions; and were interviewed by a variety of media.
It was, of course, a year of challenges, particularly as radiation therapy and other health issues greatly hindered my ability to get work done. However, I’m pleased to say that (knock on wood) I’m feeling much better now, and there’s a lot to look forward to with Brain Lag this year.
We are releasing four new books in the first three months of this year, and work on a fifth is nearing completion for a release soon afterwards. We are also thrilled to be hosting three in-person launch parties in Toronto over the next two months:
First, in only two weeks, Hugh A. D. Spencer will be launching his satire radio play collection, The Fabulist Play Cycle. Join us January 18th at 6:30 p.m. at the Merril Collection of Science Fiction and Fantasy, in the Lillian H. Smith Branch of the Toronto Public Library, 239 College St. Featuring a dramatic re-enactment from the book by local actors!
Next, on Saturday, February 10, we will be launching Blood of Gods, the second book in Simon A. G. Spencer’s acclaimed Birthright series, with a true party. Offworld Bar, Toronto’s scifi-themed adult destination, will be hosting the festivities at 5:00 p.m. As part of Toronto Lit Up, a city initiative to promote local authors, this event will be free to attend and refreshments will be provided.
Finally, on this year’s leap day, February 29, we return to the Merril Collection to launch award-winning author Derwin Mak’s first collection Mecha-Jesus and Other Stories. This event is also part of Toronto Lit Up, so come out at 6:30 and learn more about your local authors.
There are also launch events being planned for our fourth release of the year, The Bloodstone by Arlene F. Marks, in the Barrie/Orillia/Georgian Bay area, so stay tuned as more information on those is announced.
There may be a break in releases after those titles, as I work to catch up on editing and other tasks for upcoming books. However, I will say that you can look forward to more series continuations, short story collections, and new titles from returning authors. And, with luck, we will be able to reopen submissions this year. We are also looking forward to returning to conventions and other events, such as Gen Con in Indianapolis, Forest City Comicon in London (Ontario), and local markets in the Greater Toronto Area.
Once again, thank you for your support and for being a part of this journey with me. Running Brain Lag has been such a fulfilling and gratifying experience, and I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish together in 2024. Get ready: we have lots more amazing books coming.
Catherine Fitzsimmons
January 2024
Leave a Reply