Formac Publishing

01/08/2025

Looking for a great selection of books? You can get used and some new at Agricola Street Books!

FAQ: Do we sell new self-published books?
No. As a mostly used bookstore we trust , and to help us source our local books.

01/08/2025

With the new year, brings new possibilities.
Let this be the year you send us that book you’re working on!

Our submissions are OPEN. More details on the submissions page on our website.

Do you have a manuscript to submit this year?

01/03/2025

A great review for Nova Scotia's Stars of Song

NOVA SCOTIA'S STARS OF SONG

Just when you think you know your favourite Nova Scotia/Canadian female songsters, along comes Charlie Rhindress with his latest book with Formac Publishing. He deftly explores the "other sides" of these public personalities I thought I knew.

I have come to expect meticulous research from this author. Charlie delivers. Something else Charlie delivers is a unique talent for giving you, the reader, the heart and soul of his subjects.

This was my introduction to Portia White. Portia had the shortest career of anyone in this book. Going into semi-retirement just a little more than a decade after her first professional performance. She is the only artist here to not have made a commercial recording during her lifetime. Her legacy is remarkable. Oh Charlie, you made me weep in frustration at the barriers she fought because of her race, but you also painted a portrait of this woman who had a graceful presence and regal bearing.

Anne Murray in Charlie's hands your candidness, Nova Scotia pride, fierce determination and beautiful talent shine through in this book. I now think of you as the artist of firsts. Read the book and discover for yourself how impressive Anne's accomplishments are when she did everything in a male-dominated industry.

Carroll Baker Canada's queen of country music. I had a good listen to your lyrics after reading about them here. Wow. Good on you. No holds barred - Sing it girlfriend! Charlie you so accurately described how I have felt about Carroll all these years - "Sure, she was a Canadian country music legend, but she was also just Carroll, that girl from Nova Scotia with the big voice and heart to match. That girl who changed the face of Canadian country music and came to represent a generation of women in the process."

Rita MacNeil I cried when I learned she had died. I really felt Nova Scotia had lost something really valuable, too soon.

Charlie you have captured her beautiful spirit here and with your words deftly handled her personal history.

Holly Cole your music is now downloaded on my Spotify playlist joining the other ladies who are featured in this book.

Charlie captures the essence of this performers career in this one paragraph. ..."she created a unique style that bridged the gap between jazz and pop music. Despite criticism from the music industry, she has used her own inimitable voice and personality to attract fans from both genres and establish a truly unique career in Canadian music."

Sarah McLachlan my husband introduced me to your music. Thank you Charlie for giving me some insight into the heart wrenching history that led Sarah to the powerful music this young woman produced. I knew only of her Lilith Fair work. Now I know so much more about her philanthropic endeavours.

All of these women left Nova Scotia to pursue their careers but never lost their love for Nova Scotia or their desire to stay in touch with the roots they had there. I can so easily relate.

Fun fact: From 1974-1991 Anne, Carol or Rita won the Juno.

Thank you Formac Publishing for sending me a digital copy of this book. I have now added this one to my hard copy Wishlist. I think it needs to find a home on our shelves here at Atlantic Book Reviews.

01/03/2025

Good morning Sackville, it's a new year & we are open our regular business hours again! That break was much enjoyed!

Our in-store today are 'Mi'kmaw Moons: The Board Book: A First Lunar Calendar' by Loretta Gould & 'My Ancestors Live Here: Stories from a Life Protecting Mi'kmaw Burial Sites' by Ellen Hunt & Margaret Knickle! 💕🇨🇦📚🌕

"This board book presents the months of the Mi’kmaw lunar calendar to very young children and their parents. Mi’kmaw artist Loretta Gould’s art illustrates each of the 12 Mi’kmaw moons through the changing seasons in Mi’kma’ki. Each month is named after events in the natural world – from Snow Blinding Time through Frogs Croaking Time and Berry Ripening Time. Each month’s illustration is accompanied by its name in Mi’kmaw and English.

Loretta Gould’s art, first published in Mi’kmaw Moons: The Seasons in Mi’kma’ki has won high praise from reviewers, and the book has received numerous awards."

&

"For over twenty years, Mi’kmaw Elder Ellen Hunt has been identifying, researching and fighting to protect Mi’kmaw burial sites in Nova Scotia which have long been forgotten, neglected and destroyed.

Moved by a powerful call from her ancestors, Ellen Hunt’s work has taken her to burial sites ranging from Nova Scotia’s South Shore to Cape Breton. This memoir chronicles her childhood growing up in a Mi’kmaw community in Newfoundland and her activist work through to the present day. Ellen also shares the many challenges she has faced – from indifferent politicians to antagonistic locals.

This memoir incorporates stories about the long Mi’kmaw history of the sites Ellen has identified and the teachings of her Mi’kmaw ancestors which have shaped her life and her work."

Visit us in person or online at tidewaterbooks.ca! 💕🇨🇦📚

Formac Publishing

01/03/2025

New Year, new TBR list!
Do you have a number of books in mind to read this year? Or perhaps you’re hoping to chip away at your library?
No matter your reading goals for the year, enjoy every bit of it!

01/02/2025

📻Tune in to CBC Radio's Information Morning to hear stories about Portia White, Anne Murray, Carroll Baker, Rita MacNeil, Holly Cole, and Sarah McLachlan.

Charlie Rhindress was in the studio 🎙 at CBC Radio’s Information Morning! Today his first segment ran. If you missed it-- don't worry! You still have a chance tomorrow morning at 6:44 and again at 8:20 to hear Charlie talk about two of women from his new book, "Nova Scotia’s Stars of Song".
You can listen live on their website or wherever you normally listen to Information Morning from Sydney (92.1 FM) or Halifax (90.5 FM).

Charlie's book is out NOW everywhere you buy books!📚
https://formaclorimerbooks.ca/product/nova-scotias-stars-of-song/

12/30/2024

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year!
We’re closing out the year reflecting on our most recent titles, and buzzing with excitement about all that’s to come.

06/21/2024

This National Indigenous Peoples Day, pre-order Mi’kmaw Elder Ellen Hunt's riveting memoir, chronicling her childhood in a Newfoundland Mi'kmaw community to her present-day activist work. For over twenty years, Hunt has been identifying, researching and fighting to protect Mi’kmaw burial sites in Nova Scotia which have long been forgotten, neglected and destroyed. Coming to book stores near you, October 2024!

06/14/2024

Celebrate by poring over the exquisite work of nine contemporary Mi’kmaw artists in this beautiful collection edited by Shalan Joudry. Featuring stunning colour photographs by Muwin Made, the book explores the tradition of Mi’kmaw basketry and the unique practices of the individual artists.

06/06/2024

To Commemorate , relive the events that forever changed the course of World War II through Cynthia J. Faryon's illustrated history. The book features more than 50 visuals including maps, operational plans, photographs and war art related to the incredible stories of our unsung heroes. Click the link below to find out more.

https://formaclorimerbooks.ca/product/unsung-heroes-of-the-canadian-army-2/

06/06/2024

Celebrate by learning about the history of gay rights activism in Canada and the incredible individuals who fought, and continue to fight, for liberation today. Pick up "The LGBT Purge" by Ken Setterington from our sister publication Lorimer Children & Teens, part of the Righting Canada's Wrongs series! For more information, click here:

https://formaclorimerbooks.ca/product/righting-canadas-wrongs-the-lgbt-purge-and-the-fight-for-equal-rights-in-canada/

👩‍❤️‍👩👨‍❤️‍👨💑🌈