SCANS Halifax held a preview session on Jan. 5, 2026, for the courses beginning a few weeks later.
I was one of several presenters offering a few hints of what I will be covering in my three sessions. Following an introduction by Kit Waters, I spoke briefly about what people might expect. Here is a link to those few minutes, beginning with Kit introducing me.
I am looking forward to offering four presentations to SCANS (Seniors College Association of Nova Scotia) over the next few weeks. Three presentations will be in Halifax and one in Truro. Details of topics and dates, times, and locations can be found on the SCANS web site. The Halifax graphic is this one (in which AI has given me a beard).
The “Writing Life” alluded to in the title is my own—a pretty long and varied career. The course in Truro is entitled “Authors Rooted in Truro.” I am one of eight writers to give presentations over six weeks.
I am honoured that the Black Cultural Centre of Nova Scotia made mention of the contributions that David States and I made to their new permanent exhibit on Victoria Cross winner, William Hall. David did the research and I wrote the words.
Here is the text the BCC issued on April 24, 2025, on their Facebook page:
“Thank you to everyone who came out yesterday to celebrate the opening of our new exhibit, William Hall: Courage, Land, Sea, and Life! We were especially honoured to host members of the crew of the HMCS William Hall who shared insights into what it’s like to sail on Hall’s namesake vessel. Special thanks to designer John DeWolf at Narrative Environments Studio and the fabrication team at Atlantex Creative Works, as well as the best writing duo out there, Dr. A.J.B. Johnston and Dr. David States! If you missed the opening, you can come in anytime to view the exhibit – it’s a permanent addition to the museum.”
Once in a while—a few times a year—I get an email from someone I don’t know and have never met, but who wants to tell me that they liked this or that book.
When it happens, it’s great. It means somebody somewhere has read whatever book.
Some months ago, I heard from Jean-Louis Grosmaire, a historian and novelist in Quebec who wanted to know if I could send him the French version of Endgame 1758. Apparently it is now out of print from Les Presses de l’Université Laval. It turned out that I did have a spare copy, which I sent his way.
Since then Jean-Louis Grosmaire and I have exchanged quite a few emails on different topics. And now, I’m happy to share with the world that his latest book is now out. It’s a novel about the 1750s period in Atlantic Canada that I used to write about now and then. It was kind of him to mention my research and writing in his thanks.
I’m keen to read Jean-Louis’ new novel and maybe some of you will also want to check it out. It is published by Les Presses de l’Université d’Ottawa.
Great words from Canada’s men’s soccer coach.
I don’t have an exact date, but I believe that the exhibit outlined below will open this February at the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre in Shelburne, NS. I’ll post details when I have them.
There was a multi-faceted team involved in the project, with my role being that of the writer.
The final title of the exhibit differs from that on the graphic below.
