🐿️✨ September at Squirrel & Sparrow: New Chapters
September has been a month of turning pages - in books, in life, and in the story of Squirrel & Sparrow. It has been a season of change, courage, and celebration, with endings giving way to beginnings, and so many bright sparks of community along the way.
📚A Showcase of Stories at Salisbury Hive
We began the month at the Salisbury Hive Author Showcase, where the air buzzed with creativity and connection.
There’s something magical about standing among storytellers who have poured their hearts into their books, and readers who are eager to discover them.
At the market, we had the joy of interviewing Courtney Merritt about her fantasy novel Embers of the Fallen. It was an inspiring conversation that reminded us why we are so passionate about giving indie authors a platform.
Events like this are the heartbeat of our work: they remind us that stories bring people together, spark courage, and build lasting communities.
We have two markets coming up in October, in the week leading up to Halloween! We’ve had so much fun preparing for a spooky stall - check out our socials for more information on where and when you can come say hi!
💔 Personal Chapters: Endings and Beginnings
Behind the scenes, September has been a month of personal change too. For Jade, this chapter brought the breakdown of her marriage - a painful and tender reality, but one that is also making space for growth, clarity, and resilience.
Sharing this openly feels important, because at the heart of Squirrel & Sparrow is honesty and community, and we know you understand the complexity of change.
🏡 A Haven in Inman Valley
Life rarely follows the neat path we imagine, and while endings can be heartbreaking, they also make room for new beginnings…
One of those beginnings has been moving into a beautiful home in Inman Valley, where Kris and Jade are now housemates. Nestled among rolling hills and open skies, the house is becoming a haven, filled with books, cups of tea, late-night laughter, and the steady rhythm of rebuilding. It feels like exactly the right place to dream big and to keep nurturing the whimsical, welcoming heart of Squirrel & Sparrow.
✍️ Welcoming New Authors to the Shelves
Amidst all this change, we’ve also had the joy of welcoming new authors into the Squirrel & Sparrow community. We’ve been thrilled to welcome an incredible lineup of indie authors to our shelves this month:
Stephanie Fernandez – The Palace of Crystal and Fire
Emile Sodyte – Moonlit Awakening
K.E. Barden – The Gilded Mirror
Mandi Kontos
The Nexus Series
Faded Fragments
Fractured Pieces
Kellie Wallace – Her Side of the Story
Rachel Armstrong – Island Bite
Wendy Noble
The Beastspeaker Series
Dragon Flight
Dragon Friend
Dragon Home
Dead Man’s Fingers
Renee Hayes
The Rim Walker Trilogy
The Girl Who Broke the World
The Girl Who Freed the Darkness
The Girl Who Forged the Light
Rose Harvey
The Order Series
Robin
Nightwalker
The Ice Flame Trilogy
Heir to the Ice Flame
Heart of Ice
Fire on the Ice
Each of these books brings a unique voice, a fresh adventure, and a reason for readers to fall in love with indie storytelling. It’s an honour to champion these authors and share their work with our community. Check out our website at www.squirrelandsparrowbookstore.com to find out more about these incredible stories!
✨ Bookish Treasures & Cozy Extras
Alongside books, we’ve been adding some delightful extras to the store too! Our new bookish tote bags are perfect for carrying your next haul of cozy reads, and we’ve also received our first delivery of custom Squirrel & Sparrow candles, beautifully hand-poured by local maker Scented Pages. They smell as dreamy as they look, and we’re a little bit in love with them already.
☕ Found Coffee House: Our Local Nest
When we’re not surrounded by books, you can now often find us at our new local hangout, Found Coffee House in Victor Harbor.
It has quickly become our go-to spot for coffee, inspiration, and the kind of quiet moments that spark fresh ideas. We’re so grateful to have found a place that feels like an extension of the cozy, creative atmosphere we’re always chasing with Squirrel & Sparrow.
🌿 Holding Gratitude, Looking Ahead
As September comes to a close, we are carrying both gratitude and hope. Gratitude for the community that continues to support us and the authors we love, and hope for all that lies ahead - more books, more connections, and more courage to keep turning the page, no matter what the story brings.
Here’s to the next chapter - and to sharing it with all of you.
