A few year ago, I was curious about self-publishing on Amazon KDP. So I published two novels I had just finished writing—The Hat and Something True—on that platform.

One of those books is still there, that’s Something True. It presents a fictionalized version of a true coming of age story. It follows Katharine McLennan, a young woman growing up in a wealthy family on Cape Breton Island who eventually finds herself by serving as a nursing assistant in France during World War 1. It’s a story that I wrote about in a couple of academic articles, but felt the need to delve deeper after those pieces came out. That’s why I wrote the novel.

The other novel I published on Amazon is no longer there. What was The Hat became Into the Wind, and it is available in printed form and as a digital version from Acorn Press (which is based on Prince Edward Island, and is distributed by Nimbus Publishing in Halifax.) Into the Wind is a revised and improved version of my original story. That story is a YA novel about what happened at Grand-Pré in 1755, as seen through the eyes of two siblings, 14-year old Marie and 10-year old Charles.

The evolution of The Hat into the revised and improved Into the Wind came to my attention this week when a teacher contacted me about having her students read the book. The version she knew was the original novel, The Hat. She wanted to obtain multiple copies. And she asked if I could come and speak to the class after they finished reading the book. I’m looking forward to doing just that.

I am delighted to share the announcement below, regarding a new exhibit that will soon be opening to the public.

It’s a traveling exhibit and its first location will be at the Black Loyalist Heritage Centre in Birchtown, NS. Later in 2026, the exhibit will be at the Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic (Lunenburg) and then at the Black Cultural Centre (Cherry Brook). After those stops, in 2027, the exhibit will start to travel to other venues around NS.

I am proud to have been the main writer of the exhibit, and to have been guided by historian David States and an advisory committee of representatives from the three parnering museums.

It was great to see nearly 100 people attend the SCANS Halifax session where I talked about my “writing life.” Thanks to Kit Waters for the photo. Next week, I’ll be offering a session on Louisbourg.

Thanks to Tracy Belsher of The Acorn Press for fresh publicity for “Into the Wind.” Here is the link.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUGk7FiEdEK

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.

John Johnston

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.