News & Events

From all of us at TouchWood, we wish you and yours a very merry holiday season.   Photo © DL Acken, from Cedar and Salt: Vancouver Island Recipes from Forest, Farm, Field, and Sea

Are you stumped by what to get your dad this Christmas? What about your sister-in-law, your boss, or your mailman? We have a few suggestions! Whether they’re foodies, historians, naturalists, art lovers, or arm chair detectives, we have the perfect book for the reader on your list. Day 1 – for the Islander (whether or not … Continued

TouchWood Editions is pleased to announce that E. J. Hughes Paints Vancouver Island—the acclaimed biography of the solitary and beloved BC artist, written by Robert Amos—is a finalist for the City of Victoria Butler Book Prize, one of two prestigious prizes awarded by the Victoria Book Prize Society. The announcement was made September 11. Also … Continued

In honour of #CephalopodWeek, we’re pleased to share a personal essay from Briony Penn’s west coast almanac, A Year on the Wild Side.   Another Seaside Attraction January   She was washed up on the shore: a quiet mass of mottled pink flesh diminishing, even in the thin heat of the January sun. The remaining arms … Continued

TouchWood Editions is thrilled to announce that designer Tree Abraham has received a prestigious 2019 PubWest Book Design Award for her original design of Off the Hook: The Essential West Coast Seafood Recipes by DL Acken and Aurelia Louvet. Winners were announced June 7, 2019.   Off the Hook explores the world of fresh British Columbia … Continued

TouchWood Editions is pleased to announce that Against the Current by Cathy Converse has received an Honourable Mention in the 2018 Lieutenant Governor’s Historical Writing Competition. The award celebrates books that make significant contributions to the historical literature of British Columbia. Prizes were awarded at the Book Awards Gala on June 8, 2019. Against the … Continued

TouchWood Editions is thrilled to share that Food Artisans of Alberta by Karen Anderson and Matilde Sanchez-Turri has been shortlisted for the 2019 Taste Canada Awards. The announcement was made via Facebook Live streaming on June 4. Food Artisans of Alberta: Your Trail Guide to the Best of our Locally Crafted Fare was born out … Continued

TouchWood Editions is pleased to announce that Spain by Emily Lycopolus and DL Acken, and Food Artisans of Alberta by Karen Anderson and Matilde Sanchez-Turri have both won Canadian Gourmand Cookbook Awards and have advanced to the Gourmand Best in World Cookbook competition. Spain: Recipes for Olive Oil and Vinegar Lovers by Emily Lycopolus, with … Continued

TouchWood Editions is pleased to announce that E. J. Hughes Paints Vancouver Island—the acclaimed biography of the solitary and beloved BC artist, written by Robert Amos—has been shortlisted for the BC Book Prizes’ Bill Duthie Booksellers’ Choice Award. The announcement was made March 20. E. J. Hughes Paints Vancouver Island debuted at #4 on the … Continued

Honey Pie From Greece by Emily Lycopolus   A note from Emily This pie is probably better described as a Greek-style cheesecake. It’s sweetened with honey and Apricot white balsamic vinegar, so it’s not overly sweet, and it has a slightly coarser texture than New York–style cheesecake thanks to the yogurt and ricotta, which also … Continued

From all of us here at TouchWood Editions, we wish you the happiest of holidays and a wonderful New Year.

Food expert Andrea Buckett presented CTV’s Your Morning with a fantastic selection of gifts for your favourite foodie this holiday season, including Renée Kohlman’s All the Sweet Things. Watch the full video here.

TouchWood Editions is pleased to share that All the Sweet Things: Baked Goods and Stories from the Kitchen of Sweetsugarbean, Renée Kohlman’s debut cookbook, is the 2018 Taste Canada Food Writing Awards Gold Winner in the Single-Subject Cookbook category. The announcement was made at the awards celebration in Toronto on October 29. All the Sweet … Continued

THE CURSE OF BROTHER XII CEDAR, VANCOUVER ISLAND   The rural community of cedar is just south of Nanaimo. It was once home to one of North America’s most sensational cults. Much has been written about Brother XII—the infamous preacher of the 1920s and 30s. He was, after all, the charismatic leader of the Aquarian … Continued

THE WILKINSON JAIL VICTORIA, BC   The complex of buildings now known as the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre, the Wilkinson Jail, or “the Wilkie” has had a rich and storied life, which may explain why so many spirits and ghosts still wander the halls. In researching this building, I not only had the opportunity … Continued

INTRUDERS RURAL new Brunswick   Some people, and even some families, seem more likely to have a ghostly encounter than others. This was certainly the situation for a New Brunswick family we will call the Lawsons. Bob Lawson recalled an especially stressful time for his family during World War II, the winter of 1942 to … Continued

Monique Anstee is the founder and head trainer at the Naughty Dogge on Vancouver Island, but she was a dog lover and competitor first. She has represented Canada at Crufts in England, and holds top ten placements in Canada on all of her dogs. At the Naughty Dogge, her clients love her for her honesty, and … Continued

To celebrate the release of A Sorrowful Sanctuary, the latest Lane Winslow mystery, Iona Whishaw will be touring to Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. She’s looking forward to meeting you at one of the following events. Vancouver // Book Warehouse on Main Tuesday, September 18, 2018 7:00 pm (doors at 6:30)​ 4118 Main Street, Vancouver Lethbridge // … Continued

Mind Over Matter From Spain by Emily Lycopolus and DL Acken A note from Emily This recipe is my adaption of one of the most popular cocktails at a favorite local cocktail lounge in Victoria. Brian Newham created the original version of this delicious beverage by combining the complexity of sweet cream sherry with a bright … Continued

Carrot Cake with Maple Pumpkin Seed Brittle and Brown Butter Cream Cheese Icing From All the Sweet Things by Renée Kohlman A note from Renée That title is a rather large mouthful, is it not? Well, there’s lots happening here, from the moist and aromatic carrot cake to the sweet and crunchy brittle in the middle … Continued

Zucchini Gratin From Waste Not, Want Not by Cinda Chavich 4 Tbsp olive oil, divided 1 large onion, thinly sliced ½ tsp granulated sugar 3 lb small zucchini, sliced 6 ripe Roma tomatoes, thinly sliced 6 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste 1 cup fresh or … Continued

Quinoa Salad with Chickpeas, Feta and Apples From Out of the Orchard by Julie Van Rosendaal   A note from Julie This is one of my favourite salads. Because it’s so portable, it’s perfect for bringing to parties or potlucks or even for lunch at work. Serves 4–6 Salad 1 cup (250 mL) quinoa ¼ cup (60 … Continued

Dungeness Crab Cakes with Harissa Aioli From Off the Hook by DL Acken and Aurelia Louvet   A note from the Danielle and Aurelia These crab cakes are perfect for passing around as hors d’oeuvres at a party and can be fully made up to a day in advance. Make 12 bite-sized cakes instead of … Continued

Caramelized Pear on Warm Brie From The Olive Oil and Vinegar Lover’s Cookbook by Emily Lycopolus   A note from Emily When that first crisp morning arrives at the beginning of September, all I want to do is get to the market to pick up some pears and some Brie so I can eat this … Continued

TouchWood Editions is pleased to announce that Jody Robbins’ travel guide, 25 Places in Canada Every Family Should Visit, has been awarded silver in the 2018 Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition, overseen by the Society of American Travel Writers Foundation. The announcement was made September 24. According to the official release, the Society of American … Continued