Welcome to re:books

Years ago, I was enjoying a coffee on an outdoor patio with Margaret Atwood. She mentioned her astrologer, Jenna, who lives in the United Kingdom. Jenna, of course, became my astrologer that same day.

Jenna recently reached out to say that because my birthday falls on May 11, I “will experience a complete ‘rebirth’ in this new world.” Well, happy birthday month to me (R.E.)!  

And welcome to re:books, where “what’s good is read and what's read is good” and where you can choose whatever the f**k it is you want to read. If you don't like feeling reading is a chore and you want to read whatever the f**k you enjoy, then you’ll definitely want to join the club.

Re:books is a home for writers to attain their dreams, a place to celebrate female writers of every genre and a place for readers who enjoy books as a fun escape or a means to be transported to another place, and that’s OK. 

Re:books is for women (and a few men) who can agree there are all sorts of enjoyable books out there, for every kind of reader. Literary snobs, troll elsewhere! This is not the place for you. We don’t have to be Hemingway to be worthy of a book deal or a read.

Many of us enjoy putting on sweats and putting our hair in weird buns while pouring a cup of tea or a glass of wine and reading compelling memoirs, cotton candy beach reads, thrillers, young adult novels and motivational self-help books that inspire us.

We don’t always want to think all that hard while reading!

I have published 10 books, so I know the drill about how a book gets acquired. I have managers, agents and publicists. I have earned my success by acknowledging that, though I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, I am who I am, take me or leave me. I have a pretty f**king amazing career. I did it through my own skill, perseverance, talent and networking.

I intentionally write breezy reads, with humour and candidness, in a chatty tone, but always with an underlying belief that my writing will help at least one woman, if not many women. 

For all the talk about women supporting women, in the world of publishing, that has not always been the case. That is about to change — for good — with re:books.

Re:books will champion female authors, particularly those whose books just aren’t “literary” enough for the Canadian media or bestseller lists. Life, in my opinion, should be full of orgasms and all kinds of books! (Did I just come up with my tag line?)

My recommendations will range from eye-candy entertainment to more informative reads that you can learn something from, like cardio for the eyes. 

I will spill the tea with secret insider tidbits about the publishing world and share connections, advice, my writing processes and the journey to becoming a published author. (Like, if Margaret Atwood introduces you to an astrologer, you probably should listen!) 

There will be lots of over-the-top, fun giveaways women actually want.

This week’s tREat is gorgeous jewellery cuffs, valued at more than $200, selflessly offered up by the amazing Kim Smiley, founder of The Empathy Effect. (I bought two for myself!) Sign up five friends here for the chance to win and for more amazing weekly giveaways. Check out her stuff here.

Re:books is a happy place to celebrate. It’s my rebirth to do what I believe I was born/“reborn” to do — help other women attain their dreams, be their cheerleaders and support their work, because even if your book is worthy of the Pulitzer, no one’s going to read it if they don't know it exists. 

Stay tuned for:

REwrites: What’s going on in my life and writing recommendations. 

pREp talk: Inspirational tips on the writing process and other juicy tidbits. 

REwind: Like being in a relationship with mashed potatoes — I’ll share a book l already love and am re-reading, like comfort food!

peer pREssuRE: My teen daughter, Rowan, will recommend a young adult book. 

REcaREs: Featuring books by members of the #tribe to support and give back to the Jewish community.

tREats: Awesome giveaways from my gaggle of friends and sponsors. 

Of course, there is more fun stuff in the works. 

Subscribe and share with friends and family members who love to read and who aspire to publish a book. Drop me a line about books you’re loving, books that deserve some love and attention and what you’d like to know more about in publishing. If you’re an author, aspiring or otherwise, reach out. 

Want to sponsor a newsletter? Reach out. If you just want to say, “Hiiiii!” reach out! Feel free to share this sh*t!

Until next week, flip your hair and flip the page. 

xoxo

Rebecca/re:books