We all know what it’s like at that time of year. It’s growing colder every day and it gets darker much earlier, especially after we alter the clocks for daylight saving time in some parts of the world. It is also flu season, either for ourselves or for our children, after bringing something back from their school. Plus the relentless juggernaut of Christmas and all the stress it entails is very much in evidence – from the sudden proliferation of multi-coloured lights, yuletide music everywhere you go, malls that should more accurately be re-spelled ‘mauls’ and an explosion of festive commercials on TV. For me, the onset of fall also signals the beginning of yet another busy season of school and library visits, workshops and presentations all over the country, book signings every weekend in local bookstores and precious small time for writing.

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