For us, a calendar is less about dates and more about connecting with the people and projects we care about. It’s the rhythm of our creative life here in Canada, mapping out when we step out from behind the keyboard or camera to share our work. This page is your window into that rhythm, offering a look ahead at what’s coming, a fond glance back at where we’ve been, and a glimpse into how we weave it all together. Whether you’re interested in a new book chapter, the latest video from the woods, or simply connecting with a fellow Canadian creator, this is where our plans take shape.
Upcoming Appearances & Project Launches
This is where our current plans live. As a creator and author, our public moments are carefully chosen to align with project milestones and genuine opportunities for conversation. We prioritize meaningful interaction, whether that’s in a cozy local bookstore or through a live virtual Q&A. Below, you’ll find our confirmed engagements, with all the details you need to join us.
Live & In-Person Events
Nothing replaces the energy of a live audience. Our in-person events are often tied to the literary and cultural fabric of Quebec and Ontario. We partner with independent bookstores, community libraries, and regional festivals to create intimate, engaging experiences. For example, we are currently in discussions for a spring book signing tour in the Eastern Townships, celebrating the paperback release of “Matthew McCully and the Matter of Principle.” Specific dates and venues will be posted here and on our social channels once confirmed; tickets for such events are typically managed through platforms like Eventbrite for seamless registration.
Virtual Engagements & Online Launches
To connect with our wider community across Canada and beyond, we embrace digital platforms. Our virtual events are designed to be accessible and interactive. A key recurring virtual event is the premiere of each new Sugar Shack Sessions episode on YouTube, where we host a live chat to discuss the filmmaking process and the story behind that session. We also participate in online author panels and creator talks, which are fantastic ways to engage in the national creative dialogue without geographical limits.
A Look Back at Past Highlights
Our journey so far has been built on a series of wonderful, memorable moments shared with our community. Looking back isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s about appreciating the foundations of our current projects and the people who have supported them from the beginning. These highlights remind us why we do this work and fuel our plans for the future.
Book Launch Moments
The launch of my debut novel, “Matthew McCully and the Matter of Principle,” was a cornerstone event. We held our primary launch in Montreal, a city that embodies a fantastic blend of culture and creativity that perfectly suited the book’s spirit. The event featured a reading, a deep-dive into the themes of principle and choice that drive the narrative, and a lengthy Q&A session with attendees. It was a powerful affirmation of the story’s connection with readers and set the stage for all subsequent literary activities.
Sugar Shack Sessions: Behind the Scenes
Before the edited episodes go live, there are the raw, muddy, and magical days of filming. Our early Sugar Shack Sessions were shot deep in the maple groves of Quebec’s Eastern Townships. These behind-the-scenes memories are as much a part of our calendar as any premiere: the challenge of capturing perfect audio in a breeze, the camaraderie of musicians sharing stories by the wood-fired evaporator, and the transformation of a rustic shack into a temporary concert hall. These sessions are where the project’s heart truly beats.
Community & Festival Appearances
We deeply value participating in local gatherings that celebrate art and story. We’ve been fortunate to be part of regional author fairs, where the direct exchange with fellow writers and readers is incredibly enriching. We’ve also set up pop-up displays and screenings at community festivals, particularly those with a family-friendly or arts-focused mandate. These appearances, while sometimes smaller in scale, are vital for staying grounded in our local creative ecosystem.
Behind the Scenes: How We Plan Our Year
Juggling long-term creative projects with spontaneous opportunities is an art in itself. Our calendar is a living document, shaped by the distinct rhythms of Canadian life and the unpredictable nature of inspiration. We don’t just fill dates; we try to create a sustainable flow that allows for deep work and meaningful outreach. This balance is key to everything we produce.
Balancing Creation with Connection
Our planning process acknowledges that we cannot be in “launch mode” and “deep-creation mode” simultaneously. We block off significant portions of the year for focused work—like writing new manuscript drafts or editing Sugar Shack Sessions footage—using project management tools common to Canadian creators, such as Trello and Asana. Public events are then scheduled around these creative sprints. This ensures that when we do appear at an event or launch a project, we are fully present and have something substantial to share.
Seasonal Rhythms & Canadian Context
The Canadian seasons inherently dictate much of our schedule. The Sugar Shack Sessions, by their very nature, are planned for the late winter and early spring sap run in the Eastern Townships. Fall, with its back-to-school energy, is often a prime time for book-related events and literary festivals. We use quieter winter months for indoor writing and editing, while summer can be a mix of outdoor filming and festival appearances. This seasonal alignment isn’t just practical; it roots our content in the authentic experience of creating in this country.
How to Stay Updated & Get Involved
Because our calendar evolves, staying in the loop is the best way to ensure you don’t miss an event that interests you. We prioritize a few key channels where we share updates in real-time and where we love to see interaction from our community. Your participation is what transforms a simple date on a calendar into a memorable event.
To make sure you’re always in the know, we recommend the following avenues:
- Our Newsletter: This is our primary, direct line to our most engaged community members. Sent via Mailchimp, it includes exclusive behind-the-scenes insights, first announcements for events, and personal updates you won’t always find elsewhere. Sign up is on our website’s homepage.
- Instagram (@matthewmccully): This is where we share the most frequent, visual updates. You’ll see story polls about potential event dates, live snippets from appearances, and previews of upcoming projects. It’s also the best place to send us a direct message.
- The Website Blog: For longer-form announcements, detailed recaps of past events, and thoughtful essays on the creative process, our blog is the destination. All major event launches are accompanied by a blog post with full context.
We emphasize that our event calendar is an open invitation to be part of our ongoing creative journey right here in Canada.