Black Box Publishing House

07/08/2024

Thank you Partridge Island Publishing Inc. for featuring “We Happy Few” by Aren Morris.

Black Box Publishing House, out of Nova Scotia, is a publisher by women for women, and we are delighted to work with them. Their first book, We Happy Few by Aren A. Morris, is an excellent addition to any summer reading list.

We Happy Few is what women's empowerment looks like, and we hope we get a lot of attention towards a book, author, and publishing house that deserves everyone's attention.

19/07/2024

Lots happening at BBPH!

A warm welcome to our new co-publisher

And a new publishing project coming soon! Stay tuned!

19/07/2024

Lots happening at BBPH!

A warm welcome to our new co-publisher Karen Dean - Resilience Expert, Best-Selling Author & Inspiring Speaker

And a new publishing project coming soon! Stay tuned!

15/11/2023

Been meaning to share this lovely and unexpected review of We Happy Few found in The Masthead News last week. 💖🙏🎉 Deep gratitude to Ellen Helmke, owner/ operator of Otis & Clementine's Books & Coffee in Tantallon for a review that suggests a deep connection & understanding of Polly & her story.

Does anyone I know have a paper copy they can put aside & save for me?

11/11/2023

Are you coming? It’s going to be the NS book event of the season!

https://atlanticbooks.ca/stories/book-people-the-fantastic-grown-up-book-fair-is-coming/

Organizers of Nova Scotia gathering are ‘scouting locations’ across Atlantic Canada for future fairs Writers on the East Coast have been hearing the buzz about the Fantastic Grown-Up Book Fair […]

22/10/2023

We are so thrilled to be organizing this inaugural event in partnership with Karen Dean - Resilience Expert, Best-Selling Author & Inspiring Speaker! Come join us for sales & signings with over 40 (almost 50 I think!) East Coast authors… and just in time for the Holidays.

08/10/2023

Over 50 author & small press profiles for this event now posted on the website GrownUpBookFair.com 🎉 Co-created by our own this event is shaping up to be so amazing & magical! ✨ Save the date Sat Dec 9 and make your way to the hub of to meet over 50 local authors who’ll be doing book sales, readings & signings. Shout out to kick-ass co-creator 🙌

28/09/2023

Looking for a FREE signed copy of We Happy Few by NS author Aren Morris… see below for details!

Shout out to the awesome Sue Slade from Dartmouth Book Exchange. 🙌

Something a little different...
This week we a going to giveaway a signed copy of 'We Happy Few' by local author Aren A. Morris. For your chance to win, share with us in the comments below, a picture of your To Be Read Pile- TBR Pile. Each picture will get a ballot. The draw will take place on Sunday, October 1st. The winner must be able to pick up their book at the store. Black Box Publishing House

As part of the city’s war effort, Polly Tremblay decides to train and work as a welder at the Halifax Shipyards. Affirmed by her work, Polly’s journey toward personal and professional independence begins. Soon, Victory in Europe is declared and Halifax erupts into riotous chaos - along with Polly’s future. Navigating the V.-E. Day mobs, Polly searches for her mother, the courage to forge her own path, and the soul of the city she adores.

Inspired by the real-life Halifax Five (a group of wartime female welders from across Nova Scotia), Aren A. Morris shares the provocative story of an exceptional young woman torn between being true to herself or the expectations of others. At its heart, We Happy Few is about women's work and pleasure, and who gets to decide what that is.

09/09/2023

Aren Morris’s Local Reads this summer:

-Unconventional Daughters by Bruce Bishop, Author / Writer 👍👍

East Coast CA Family saga spanning 3 generations
Well researched and beautifully produced, Unconventional Daughters follows three generations of a family primarily located in Yarmouth, NS. If like sweeping family sagas, historical fiction and unexpected plot twists, you’ll enjoy this debut from journalist Bruce Bishop.

-We Are Unbreakable by Karen Dean Karen Dean - Resilience Expert, Best-Selling Author & Inspiring Speaker 👍👍

What a beautiful project!
Had all the feels, smiled, teared up, cheered people on and nodded with compassion. Felt a sense of belonging when I recognized myself or my experience in others’ stories, grew in empathy and understanding when someone’s story was vastly different than my own.
It was magic and medicine and my goodness, there needs to be another one. I was so moved and inspired by what these women wrote and shared, and touched by the vision to bring it all together.

-Sweet Ride by Ann Barry 👍👍

Four women set out on a bicycle trip from
Mahone Bay Area to PEI during the Second World War. Based on the author’s mother’s photos & journalling of the actual trip, this is a lovely peek into women’s lives in NS during wartime. I loved this delightful book!

-Poor Farm by Ronan O'Driscoll 👍👍

Drawn in w/ the modern day hook & then reeled in even further w/ the backstory of the Cole Harbour Poor Farm itself. I was deeply invested in the character of Stewart & his story, an autistic boy confined to the Poor Farm. Couldn’t put it down. Read it in

31/08/2023

BBPH will be at this event on Sat Sept 2 with our first book, Aren Morris’ We Happy Few. We are so excited to be moving into production of our next couple titles. 🎉Super excited to support Sheree and all those who will be at the Labour of Love Celebration at Mabel Murple's

LABOURS OF LOVE

Dear Friends and Patrons of Mabel Murple’s Book Shoppe and Dreamery:

Mabel Murple’s was the little book shoppe on a dirt road that love built. A community of supporters and lot of memories. We want the tradition to continue.
Love of reading. Of whimsy. Of story. Of magic. Of community. Of nature. Of this world of imagination.

We are opening our doors Labour Day Weekend!!!!!
So….if you have no plans made yet …

We missed having the shoppe open last summer and this summer but we loved that so many dropped in and had picnics, peeked in at donkeys, Willow and Dora, Benny the bunny and Mabel’s house.

Some found fairies, all found magic. The labyrinth was well used and we are grateful to all who walked here!

So in the spirit of kissing joy and sharing it, Gilles Plante, the Deeply Dimpled Frenchman, and me, Sheree Fitch, Mabel Murple’s Mama, invite you to an open house and book sale.

Please come say hello to us, celebrate the (ongoing) repair of our barn after hurricane Fiona and find out what we will be up to in the future. Some exciting plans, going forward.

Yes, we will go go go forward.

Saturday, Sunday, Monday -- September 2, 3, 4
10 am – 4 pm
Mabel Murple’s --- 286 Allen Road River John

Before the school year begins, we welcome, teachers, students, families, readers — one and all, to the dreamery and book shoppe.

Full price, bargains. giveaways and more.

MABEL MURPLE’S Book Shoppe BAGS … while they last.

CASH ONLY for book shoppe books but there will be lots of other books too.
AND …
Pop up authors, artists, poets, artisans, musicians, face painting, cupcakes.
Come meet authors Camilla Thompson, Michelle Robinson, Linda Little, Whitney Moran, Karen Dean, artist Deb Plestid, and more, more, more.

We have even heard that GREAT GRANNY GERTIE GREEN will be around.

BONUS: FUN! Adults or kids. If you dress up as a favourite fiction or story book character, you can enter a draw for a basket of amazing books!

RAIN OR SHINE!
BRING SNACKS. BUGSPRAY! WATER! SUNSCREEN! IMAGINATION.

Love, love, love, Sheree and Gilles
💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜

Hi, I am Karen Dean, friend of Sheree’s, master magic maker, and newly appointed admin of this page.

Any questions can be sent to me at [email protected].

This beautiful love-filled photo of Sheree and Gilles was taken by Nicola Davison at a Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia Summer Soiree which included a toast to Sheree for becoming an Officer of the Order of Canada.

I hope you will join us on September 2, 3, or 4 to share in the love and magic that you will feel as soon as you arrive at Mabel Murple’s Dreamery.

30/08/2023

👏👏👏 is taking off!

Thrilled to see such a positive response from the community here on the East Coast.
All authors tables are booked 📚 (pun intended!)… over 50 authors from trad, hybrid & self-published backgrounds now preparing to meet readers, sign & sell books. Mark your calendar and plan to be with us in Truro on Dec 9 for this incredible event.

Shout out to my partner on this event 💖

This is truly going to be a FANTASTIC event!

Please note: Despite tables being SOLD OUT, we will still accept applications to be added to our wait list until August 31, 2023.

And, even more exciting news, due to the overwhelming response to this event, we have decided to have another Fantastic Grown-Up Book Fair in Spring 2024! Stay tuned for all of the details!







.ca

10/08/2023

Join author & co-publisher in Scotsburn NS in collaboration with on Aug 26 to explore using regional research in your writing. Aren is not only an author & publisher but an educator of 20 years… she knows how to run an engaging workshop! Visit the arenamorris.com for details & to register. .ca

29/07/2023

Looking forward to a day on the bay… 🌊☀️📚
With Karen Dean Kacey Dean & Lighthouse Market, Mahone Bay Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia

23/07/2023

And this is why I love to read & write historical fiction… entertainment & education at the same time!

Were all books originally self-published? Something to consider!

21/07/2023

We have already received more than 25 applications in the last week, with room for only 10 more authors/ small presses or publishers.

Today Karen Dean and I scouted out local vendors for those treasures & trinkets that will give it an authentic Book Fair feel and we are so excited!

If you’ve been thinking about joining us, get those applications in!

14/07/2023

Remember those amazing book fairs we had as kids? The grown up version is coming your way 🎉
Very excited about this collab with Now looking for applications at www.GrownUpBookFair.com

14/07/2023

We are super excited to be collaborating with Karen Dean on this event! 💕

Calling all local authors! 🗣️Applications now open for The Fantastic Grown-Up Book Fair on Dec 9! What we hope will be the first of many!

Apply at www.GrownUpBookFair.com

Calling all local authors!

Would you like to be part of the magic of the Fantastic Grown-Up Book Fair?

We are now accepting applications for our first event in Truro, NS. You can find all of the details on our website, www.GrownUpBookFair.com.

Please share with your author friends, follow our page, and tell all of your book-loving friends to show up in Truro on December 9.

We can’t wait to see you!

The Fantastic Grown-Up Book Fair is brought to you by local authors, creators and visionaries, Aren Morris of Black Box Publishing House and Karen Dean of Fierce Publishing.

11/07/2023

We’re pretty excited about this event… Follow The Fantastic Grown-Up Book Fair for details. Looking for local authors & vendors to take part.

We can’t wait to share all of the details with you soon!

Make sure you mark your calendar for Saturday, December 9. It is going to be a day of pure magic brought to you by Black Box Publishing House (Black Box Publishing House) and Fierce Publishing (Karen Dean)!

09/07/2023

What a thrill to be mentioned on such a list of creative people and enterprises! Thank you - It was a total pleasure to be with you all at Read by the Sea

09/07/2023

👀 Seen on the shelves of the “Local Authors” section at Lighthouse Market, Mahone Bay

We Happy Few by Aren Morris 👏👏👏

09/07/2023

spent the morning listening to local authors pitch their amazing works as part of the panel at a Pitch the Publisher event. It was soooo much fun 🎉 thank you to .ca for the invite and to Read By The Sea for the opportunity!

22/06/2023

Still very much invested in publishing women’s stories… and will soon announce our line up for Fall 2023 into 2024…
But this Summer/Fall we combine our superpowers to workshop & stage “Great Scott! A Manor House Mystery”!

Thoroughly researched and written by local resident Terrance Gordon, it’s got everything we love:
-local historical setting (Bedford, NS, 1903)
-fictional elements of an imagined narrative of several women of the time (The Ternan sisters who lived in the house at the time)
-ghosts👻…
-it’s storytelling through our other fave mediums (live theatre, of course!)
We hope you’ll come see the show in October!

23/11/2022

recommendation from Dartmouth Book Exchange & Sue Slade🙏

For the historical fiction, women’s history or local interest reader on your list! 🙌

Copies available at Dartmouth Book Exchange

We Happy Few by Aren A. Morris. Black Box Publishing House Atlantic Books Today Aren Morris

As part of the city’s war effort, Polly Tremblay decides to train and work as a welder at the Halifax Shipyards. Affirmed by her work, Polly’s journey toward personal and professional independence begins. Soon, Victory in Europe is declared and Halifax erupts into riotous chaos - along with Polly’s future. Navigating the V.-E. Day mobs, Polly searches for her mother, the courage to forge her own path, and the soul of the city she adores.

Inspired by the real-life Halifax Five (a group of wartime female welders from across Nova Scotia), Aren A. Morris shares the provocative story of an exceptional young woman torn between being true to herself or the expectations of others. At its heart, We Happy Few is about women's work and pleasure, and who gets to decide what that is.

01/11/2022

Submissions are now open! From November 1, 2022 through January 31, 2023, we will taking digital submissions. Please read the guidelines above and/ or visit our website. We are so excited to see what will submit!

08/10/2022

Achievement unlocked! ✨Copies of ‘We Happy Few’ by now available at .books in Love working with and so grateful for their support of

21/09/2022

We had a great time on TMR talking about who we are, what we do and of course, We Happy Few.

🙏 The Miramichi Reader for having us on!

Season 2, Episode 18: Interview with Heather and Aren of Black Box Publishing House and Two Heritage House Author Self-Promos.

12/09/2022

Meet one of our six facilitators for this Fall-Witer Workshop series: multi-genre novelist Nicole Bezanson Nicole writes across and blends genres including YA, Romance, Women’s Fiction & Fantasy. And Nicole writes A LOT… she currently has 3-4 WIPs, one of which will be publishing this Spring. 🤩🤩🤩🤩

NICOLE BEZANSON writes deep stories to dig into: atmospheric books with happy endings and themes of self-discovery through the power of love. By daylight, she works as a technical writer and project manager for an international medical company, while by starlight, she pens all the stories taking up space in her head. Her debut women's fiction novel, Thank You For Loving Me, will be released from Black Box Publishing House in Spring 2023.

Follow her writing adventures on Instagram at .

07/09/2022

Meet one of our six facilitators for this Fall-Winter Workshop series: Poet Chantelle Rideout They way Chantelle combines words reminds me of how a landscape painter interprets a place you recognize and love, suddenly giving you new perspective and interpretation. Her work is gorgeous and moving. 💕💕💕💕💕 Chantelle Rideout is a poet and arts administrator. Her chapbook Sotto Voce was published in 2013 by Frog Hollow Press and her poetry has appeared in literary journals such as Contemporary Verse 2, Room Magazine, and The Malahat Review. She completed an MFA in poetry in 2017 at New England College and now lives in Kjipuktuk / Halifax and works for a non profit marketing association that supports publishers based in Atlantic Canada and promotes local books.
To join Chantelle & for this Fall-Winter workshop series, please visit our website (link in our bio) for more info & to register.

02/09/2022

Thank you Chapters Halifax for highlighting our first title, We Happy Few by Aren Morris

Author Aren Morris revisits the VE Day Riots through the eyes of her female protagonist.

31/08/2022

Meet one of our six facilitators for this Fall-Winter Workshop series: Comic creator . You don’t have to be a reader of comics to appreciate the locally-inspired superhero Dart Mouth or the way Glen uses digital storytelling in his work. 📚 Born in Cape Breton, now writing out of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Glen is an Occupational Health and Safety Specialist by day and an indie comic book creator by night. Along with his book, DART-MOUTH: A Supernatural, Superhero Thriller, which received a 2021 Sequential Magazine Award nomination for Favourite Letterer, Glen has had work published in Sequential Magazine, and currently has an ongoing agreement with ‘Magine: Unama’ki / Cape Breton’s Literary Magazine where each quarter they publish a new page of his book The Cape Breton. Blessed husband and proud father to a 2-year old little girl, in his spare time, Glen works on the second issue of DART-MOUTH and enjoys catching up on the latest issues the World’s Finest: Batman and Superman.
To join Glen & for this Fall-Winter workshop series, please see the link on our bio for more information and to register.