This week, our PQL Holiday Giveaway takes us into the realm of short fiction! We published C. I. Matthews’s debut collections of short stories, Took You So Long, earlier this year, and since then, the Chesley, ON-based author has been making appearances throughout Bruce County and beyond to spread the word about her stories.

Why You Want This Book

The stories in Took You So Long centre on challenging relationships and deeply flawed characters, many of whom inhabit the landscape of the Saugeen watershed. The rural feel of many of the stories adds an element of isolation and loneliness, feelings which are so familiar to many of us after years of Covid-related caution. These characters struggle with mental illness, complicated family dynamics, grief and regret, and they make us question who we are, where we belong, and how we move on in the face of adversity.

As an added bonus, this book is a copy to hold. It is printed on premium paper (Zephyr Antique Laid), has strong, Smyth-sewn bindings, and it features hand-tipped endpapers. It is an artisanal product, and it would make a great gift for bibliophiles—even yourself!

Watch the Video Trailer

Meet the author C. I. Matthews and get a sense of the book’s themes in the video trailer.

Many thanks to Jenni Welsh for producing this video.

Win a Copy!

We’re giving away one free print copy of Took You So Long in celebration of our second week of the PQL Holiday Giveaway. Here’s how to enter:

1. Log in to the form below using email, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

2. Earn up to five entries by visiting Facebook and Instagram, tweeting on Twitter or by signing up to our newsletter. (If you’re already a newsletter subscriber, an avid social media follower, or an avid social media avoider, the bonus entry method is for you!)

3. Log out of the form to submit your entry.

PQL Holiday Giveaway Week 2: Took You So Long

The winner will be contacted by email next week.

Best of luck to all who enter this week’s PQL Holiday Giveaway. We have our fingers crossed that this excellent book goes to a great home. But don’t forget, if you don’t win, you can still purchase a copy for yourself or as a gift!

Cheers,