Happy – Aspasía S. Bissas

16/10/202115/10/2021

More Bookstore-Cat Love

Given that libraries have kept cats as far back as Ancient Egypt, it’s probably safe to assume that bookstores have had resident cats for as long as there have been bookstores. Besides stopping rodents from destroying the books, cats are a soothing presence to (non-allergic) staff and visitors, act as a store’s (or library’s) public face, and add life to what can be a sterile environment. On top of all that, cats and book people are a natural combination. Here’s a small sampling of the bookstore cats who keep books safe and hearts warmed…

More Bookstore Cat Love, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas. aspasiasbissas.com, books, bookstores, cat, cats, Otis and Clementines, Nova Scotia

This adorable kitten is just one of many who get fostered (along with the occasional mama cat) at Otis & Clementine’s, in Nova Scotia, Canada. Visitors to the bookstore can play with, and adopt(!), the kittens at this store. Check out their Facebook page for more info on available kitties (kitten season is generally early spring until late October).

More Bookstore Cat Love, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas. aspasiasbissas.com, books, bookstores, cat, cats, kittens, Otis & Clementines, Nova Scotia, Canada, adopt don't shop — In case you needed more convincing to visit Otis & Clementine’s

More Bookstore Cat Love, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas. aspasiasbissas.com, books, bookstores, cat, cats, Wild Rumpus, Booker T — Booker T at Wild Rumpus

Wild Rumpus, a children’s bookstore in Minneapolis, Minnesota (USA), has a number of cute animals on staff, but their two kitties are Booker T, who loves to get cozy wherever he can–including in unattended strollers, and Eartha Kitt (below) whose large size hides a tiny meow.

Kona Stories in Hawaii has two adored (and spoiled) rescue cats:

More Bookstore Cat Love, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas. aspasiasbissas.com, books, bookstores, cat, cats, Kona Stories, Hawaii, Loki, Kinsey

Loki (back) and Kinsey (foreground). These two are so popular they had to get their own separate Instagram accounts so the store’s account could focus on posting pictures of books.

More Bookstore Cat Love, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas. aspasiasbissas.com, books, bookstores, cat, cats, Vanice, Libreria Acqua Alto, Italy

This gorgeous trio can be found at Libreria Acqua Alto in Venice, Italy. This store keeps books in gondolas to protect them from high tide, and apparently the cats like to sleep on the books. Is it just me or would it be worth the trip just to see the felines?

More Bookstore Cat Love, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas. aspasiasbissas.com, books, bookstores, cat, cats, Paris, France, Shakespeare & Co, Agatha — Agatha

While you’re in Europe, you can swing by Shakespeare & Co. in Paris to spend some quality time with their beautiful tortoiseshell cat, Agatha. A former stray, Agatha was found in the Mystery & Crime section (can you guess which author is her namesake?), and decided to adopt the store.

Finally, here are a few unnamed kitties from unknown stores. Do you recognize them? Share in the comments…

Looking for a book to read while you cuddle your favourite floof? I’ve got you covered…

Aspasia S. Bissas books: Love Lies Bleeding, Blood Magic, Tooth & Claw, book, books, free book, free books, freebies, freebie, free ebook, free ebooks, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, dark romance, historical fiction, gothic fiction, gothic fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, horror, dark reads, indie author, indie fiction, strong female protagonist, aspasiasbissas.com

Love Lies Bleeding: Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books
FREE Blood Magic: Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books
FREE Tooth & Claw: Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books

If you prefer paperback, use this link to order Love Lies Bleeding from Bookshop – a portion of each sale goes directly to independent bookstores, as well as to myself. Thank you for supporting indie! ♥

Cheers,

Aspasía S. Bissas

09/10/202108/10/2021

Weekend Update

I’m excited to share some good news. BiblioBoard has chosen to add Love Lies Bleeding to Indie Ontario and Indie Canada! This means Love Lies Bleeding will be featured and promoted in libraries as a local indie book. Check it out:

https://library.biblioboard.com/content/e42510ca-c32c-4550-b4d7-6f9082f2432b

BiblioBoard, Indie Canada, Indie Ontario, fantasy, dark fantasy, Love Lies Bleeding, Aspasia S. Bissas, indie authors, vampire, vampires, libraries.

The submission process was a long one, so it was great to find out that Love Lies Bleeding made the cut. And now, assuming this pandemic will ever end, I can look forward to participating in events and signings at libraries around the province and country.

If your local library (or bookstore) doesn’t carry Love Lies Bleeding, not to fear. Let them know you’d like to see it on their shelves. (If they ask, you can tell them it’s available through Ingram.)

Love Lies Bleeding by Aspasia S. Bissas. book, books, fiction, vampire, vampires, dark fantasy, gothic, paranormal, supernatural, horror, romance,, aspasiasbissas.com

In other news, I’m making progress on the new book. Part of what’s slowing it down is that I keep adding to it lol. I think the changes will make for a better read, though, and I hope you’ll all agree when it’s finished. This book is going to offer more insight into characters from Love Lies Bleeding, as well as introducing a major new character, and bringing back newbie vampire Trina, whom you’ll remember from Blood Magic. I’m really looking forward to being able to share it with you.

Finally, I just want to wish my fellow Canadians 🍁 a Happy Thanksgiving! Stay safe and enjoy your feast with family and/or friends (or solo, because a quiet holiday can be the best kind of holiday).

Cheers,

Aspasía S. Bissas

02/10/202130/09/2021

4 Ways Travel Can Help You Be More Creative

A while back I read a great article about how travelling can enrich your writing. In it, the author outlines how travel is unpredictable, fosters empathy and reflection, and creates authenticity in your writing. Now that travel is slowly getting to be possible again, it seems like a good time to remind ourselves of how much it can add to our lives. Here are four more ways travelling is good for creativity (even if you don’t go any farther than the other side of town)…

It breaks up your routine

Even the most imaginative person needs inspiration, and, as many of us have learned these last couple of years, nothing is less inspiring than doing the same things and seeing the same few places over and over again, day after day. Going somewhere new shakes you out of your rut, gives you a fresh perspective, and re-ignites creativity.

It helps you learn

If you go somewhere you’ve never been, you’re bound to learn something, whether it’s a few words in another language, facts about local history, or even a new skill (so many places offer classes and workshops for tourists). What you discover can be the spark you need for your current project, or the inspiration for something new.

It gives you the chance to be a different kind of creative

There are all kinds of opportunities to be creative while you travel, and if you can do so in a new (to you) way, even better (I’ve written before about how creativity begets creativity). Take pictures, write a journal entry (or poetry, short fiction, a song…) about your trip, sketch what you see, take part in a workshop, visit galleries and bookstores, talk to interesting people you meet along the way. Use it all as creative fuel.

It can help you in unexpected ways

When I was having trouble finding the right image to use for the cover of Love Lies Bleeding, a photo I’d taken in Paris turned out to be just what I needed (I posted about it here). My Paris trip photos also came through for the cover of Blood Magic, and I have a third one in mind for the next book. I didn’t go to Paris to take photos for my covers, but my travels led to exactly what I needed. You never know what going somewhere new could end up doing for you.

You don’t have to travel to be creative, but it really does help. Even if you can’t make it to another country, try exploring a different nearby town, or visit a neighbourhood in your own town that you’ve never been to. The important thing is to break out of routine and try something new. It could lead you to places you never expected.

Has travel helped your creativity? Share in the comments…

Download my books and find out how my travels have influenced my stories, and not just the covers…

Cheers,

Aspasía S. Bissas

18/09/202117/09/2021

Books in Miniature

Miniatures are perpetually fun. I don’t know if it’s because they remind me of my childhood toys, or if it’s simply the wonder of seeing everyday objects rendered tiny, but I never get tired of miniatures. And if those miniatures happen to be books (especially the kind that can still be read), then get me a shrink ray and point me to the nearest dollhouse with a library (finally, an affordable real estate investment)!

If you’re a bibliophile, mini or otherwise, I think you’ll appreciate these tiny works of art….

I’ll start with a mini bookcase and books after my heart (found on Etsy). Can I also get this full sized?

This is a library I would love to get lost in (check out the artist’s site!)

Or how about this amazing doctor-themed bookcase?

The only thing better than this book with a secret hiding spot for a potion (or poison?)…

…Is this Illuminated Medieval Manuscript by the same artist! Anyone who doesn’t think this is a work of art probably also says beige is their favourite colour.

According to the etsy listing, each of these 150 miniatures has been designed to resemble a real antique book. Who wouldn’t love to explore these shelves?

I adore this little book on bats. Unfortunately, I found it on Pinterest with no source given (an image search didn’t help). If anyone knows the artist or source, please share in the comments!

This is the library from Astolat Castle, the world’s most expensive dollhouse, appraised in 2015 at $US8.5 million. I take back what I said earlier about affordable real estate. But at least looking is free (see more here).

Finally, if you’ve been inspired by all these miniature books, here’s a tutorial for making your own (and here’s Part 2, as well). You never know– you could end up building your own miniature library (or castle!)

What do you think of miniature books, or miniatures in general? Share in the comments…

Looking for a good book that you can read without a magnifying glass? I’ve got you covered…

Cheers,

Aspasía S. Bissas

21/08/202120/08/2021

Home Library Inspiration

If I weren’t a writer or in publishing, I always thought I’d be a decorator/interior designer (I’m not sure I have the artistic skills for it, but I could try). Although I’ll never make a career of it, I still love decorating at home. My tastes are eclectic, but I’m most drawn to spaces that are comfortable, warm, colourful, and a little whimsical. Books everywhere are a must. (Minimalism? What’s that?) With that in mind, I thought I’d share some pictures I found online of home libraries that inspire me. Hopefully you’ll find something to be inspired by too…

I love the cozy feel of Vita Sackville-West’s library. And you can never go wrong with a tower.

Home Library Inspiration, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Books, decorating, interior design, home design, Vita Sackville-West — Author Vita Sackville-West’s Tower Library / photo: *Writers´ Houses*

Bookcase art, flowers, and a comfy couch– when can I move in?

Home Library Inspiration, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Books, decorating, interior design, home design, cozy — Via toocutethings.blogspot.no

Floor-to-ceiling books and an old-fashioned library ladder– these are my goals. The arched doorway is a nice touch (although the books wedged in above it are a little painful to look at).

So many books (the climb would be worth it)…

This is just the definition of cozy. I would never leave.

Happy colours, orchids, and built-in shelves. I’m not a fan of the books being used to prop up the coffee table, though.

Based on the way the shelves are set up, this is probably a bookstore, but I don’t even care. I would love a room packed with shelves and featuring a window seat. Great floor too.

Home Library Inspiration, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Books, decorating, interior design, home design, bookstore love, window seat — Via @gisforgeorgina on Instagram

This is the perfect reading spot: plenty of books, a comfortable window seat, and a table for working.

Home Library Inspiration, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Books, decorating, interior design, home design, window seat — Via bookbub.com

Cozy and comfortable. Not to mention those gorgeous sofas.

Everything about this. I need to get a blanket like that for my boring grey couch.

Home Library Inspiration, blog post by Aspasia S. Bissas, aspasiasbissas.com. Books, decorating, interior design, home design,, cozy, Gryffindor — Via frommoontomoon.blogspot.com

For those of us who can’t afford a Parisian apartment like this one, the look could probably be emulated with wallpaper, paint, and similar furniture. And a whole lot of books ♥

library 11 — Via @primeplaces_ on Instagram

What do you think– do any of these appeal to you? What do you look for in a home library? Minimalism or maximalism? Share in the comments…

What’s a home library without books? Get one for yours:

Cheers,

Aspasía S. Bissas

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It breaks up your routine

It helps you learn

It gives you the chance to be a different kind of creative

It can help you in unexpected ways

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