Books & Buns Bulletin #1
Hello there!
Welcome to the inaugural issue of the Books & Buns Bulletin! Summer is officially here, which means writing with lemonade(strawberry is the best), far too many playlists, and trying to convince rabbits to chew on their sticks and not the baseboards.
July is the start of summer vacation here in Ontario, and while I don’t have any book signing events planned, I will be celebrating the release of the first three Holmes & Co. Mysteries with some vintage tea, and cake(obvs), and a viewing of my favourite Sherlock rendition: Jeremy Brett.
I’ll also be hiking with my family, visiting museums, antiquing, and horseback riding, and so much more!
This month has been busy behind the scenes with editing, upcoming releases, bunny content planning, and preparing some exciting new things for the second half of the year. Let’s hop in!
Books & Publishing
This has been one of the busiest, and most exciting, months I’ve had as an author and publisher. Between releasing The Rivalry Remedy, preparing three historical mysteries for launch, and juggling more writing projects than I probably should, there’s been plenty happening behind the scenes.
Current releases
The Rivalry Remedy is here!
The Rivalry Remedy released in May, and I couldn’t be happier with how it’s been received. Sales have been climbing, reviews have started rolling in (all positive so far!), and one thing readers seem to agree on is just how much they love Sam and Clay’s slow-burn, rivals-to-lovers relationship.
If you haven’t met them yet, I’d love for you to!
Get your copy here: https://www.aosborneauthor.com/rivalry-remedy
Out with the Old…
A new release also meant giving The Doctoral Disaster a fresh new look!
The old cover
The Amazing New One(that matches the Rivalry Remedy)
One of my favourite parts of publishing is seeing a story come to life visually. Covers are often the very first impression a reader has of a book, so finding the right design is incredibly important.
A huge thank you goes to Maeve, who illustrated the wonderful characters on my covers. (The rest of the design involved many, many hours inside Canva and more tea than I’d like to admit.)
Upcoming releases
I’m incredibly excited to officially announce the first three Holmes & Co. Mysteries are scheduled to release on July 23!
Published under Midnight Warren Press, the mystery and crime imprint of Books & Buns Publishing, the series follows Irene Holmes, daughter of Sherlock Holmes, as she solves baffling cases in post-war London alongside Detective Inspector Eddy Lestrade and the ever-reluctant Dr. Joe Watson.
If you love:
historical mysteries
clever puzzles
slow-burn friendships
post-war London
Sherlockian adventures
I think you’ll feel right at home!
To find out even more, visit: Holmes & Co. Mysteries Home
Currently working on
Here’s what’s currently on my writing desk...
Holmes & Co. Mysteries 4–6
I’m already hard at work editing the next three mysteries for Irene and Joe! There are more impossible crimes, more clues to untangle, and plenty of character development still to come.
Expected: Late Fall 2026
Untitled Wyoming Crime Novel
This project is still in its early days, but I’m having so much fun with it.
The concept:
modern western
FBI investigation
cold case mystery
Wyoming mountains
just a hint of romance
It doesn’t even have a title yet, but it won’t leave my head!
Writing Corner
Every month I share free writing articles over on my website for fellow writers.
Last month’s tips and tricks were:
Writing Tips You’re Allowed to Ignore
Why Your Dialogue Feels Stiff (and How to Fix It)
Next month I’ll be diving into more topics that’s been requested by readers...
Events & Signings
July
No in-person events this month, but that’s because I’m busy preparing for the release of the first three Holmes & Co. Mysteries! Between final edits, marketing, and getting everything ready behind the scenes, it’s going to be an exciting (and busy!) month.
If you’re local, I’d love to meet you at one of these upcoming events later this year!
Upcoming Events
Guelph Holiday MarketNovember 21 • Guelph, ON
Pages & PleasuresDecember 5 • Hamilton, ON
More events are in the works! As additional signings and markets are confirmed, newsletter subscribers will be the first to know.
Life Between Drafts
Summer has finally arrived, and I’ve been trying to take advantage of the sunshine whenever I can. Whether that’s writing outside with a cold drink, spending time with the rabbits, or sneaking in some reading between editing sessions, sunshine makes everything better!
What I Read in June
The Dog Stars by Peter Heller
I’m almost finished this one, and it’s been quite the emotional journey. The writing style is very unique, so it took me a chapter or two to settle into the protagonist’s voice, but once it clicked, I found myself completely immersed. If you enjoy character-driven post-apocalyptic stories, I’d definitely recommend giving it a try.
Raptor Red by Robert T. Bakker
I finally tracked down a paper copy after searching for years, and it absolutely lived up to the hype I’d built in my head.
It’s dinosaurs...told from a dinosaur’s point of view. Honestly, what more could you ask for? But beyond the novelty, it’s a surprisingly thoughtful and moving story about family, survival, and instinct.
June Favourites
Watching:Bodies (Netflix) & All Creatures Great and Small (Masterpiece)
Snack: Homemade brownies
Song on Repeat:I Knew It, I Know You – Taylor Swift
Drink: Strawberry lemonade
To keep up with everything author and books, follow me here:
Instagram: @a._osborneFacebook: Allison (A.J. ) OsborneTikTok: @aosborneauthor
The Rabbit Hole
Meet the Buns Behind Books & Buns
When I rescued a tiny, one-and-a-half-week-old cottontail from a rainstorm, I never imagined she would one day become one of the mascots for my own publishing company. Through Sammie, I discovered the incredible rabbit rescue community, and eventually met Keanu, the one-eyed Havana mix who would steal my heart and become our second mascot.
These two rabbits have inspired not only the name Books & Buns Publishing, but also the wonderful community that has grown around it.
Sammie
Sammie is a cottontail rabbit who came into my life after a storm flooded her nest in April 2024. She was the only survivor, and after her mother was found dead, I raised her with guidance from my veterinarian. Although the goal was always to return her to the wild, she had terribly splayed legs and became too comfortable around people and was ultimately deemed unreleasable by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, and our exotic veterinarian.
Today she’s healthy, spayed, vaccinated, endlessly curious, and convinced every room in the house belongs to her. She loves learning tricks, climbing up on every shelf (and sometimes the bird cage), and reminding me who’s really in charge.
Keanu
Keanu joined our family in March 2025 after we adopted him from Dogwood Animal Rescue. Rescued from a hoarding situation and missing one eye from injuries sustained before arriving at the rescue, he spent nearly nine months waiting for a family of his own.
Despite everything he’d been through, Keanu is one of the gentlest animals I’ve ever met. He’s affectionate, wonderfully goofy, and happiest when he’s cuddled up beside me, or attempting to groom Sammie, whether she’s interested or not. His missing eye has never slowed him down, and he’s a daily reminder that every rabbit deserves a second chance.
To follow all of Sammie and Keanu’s adventures, follow us!
Instagram: @booksandbunspub
Facebook: Books & Buns Publishing
TikTok: @books.and.buns
Bunny tip of the month
Rabbits should have unlimited access to hay at all times. It keeps their digestive system moving and helps wear down constantly growing teeth.
If your bunny seems to sneeze around timothy hay (like Sammie does), switching to a softer grass hay such as orchard grass may be worth discussing with your veterinarian.
Recommendation of the month:
Water fountain
Rabbits drink a surprising amount of water—often as much as a small dog!
A pet fountain encourages many rabbits to drink more while keeping their water cooler and fresher during the summer months.
Find the water fountain and more of our favourite bun products at our Books & Buns Amazon Storefront
Bun-business of the month:
Fluffleboxx
Looking for a fun monthly surprise for your rabbit?
Fluffleboxx is a Canadian subscription box filled with rabbit-safe treats, toys, chews, and products from small Canadian businesses. It’s one of my favourite ways to discover new enrichment ideas for Sammie and Keanu.
Find them on Instagram!
Rescue of the month
Dogwood Animal Rescue
This month’s featured rescue holds a very special place in my heart because it’s where we adopted Keanu.
Formerly known as Dorset Rescue Kittens, the organization has grown into Dogwood Animal Rescue, now helping rabbits, dogs, cats, guinea pigs, pigs, rats, and many other animals find loving homes.
Founded in 2020 by registered veterinary technician Cailey Seymour, the rescue began with a single orphaned kitten and has since grown into an incredible organization serving animals across Ontario.
Dogwood operates almost entirely through donations and volunteer support. If you’re looking to adopt, volunteer, donate, or simply share their posts, every little bit helps.
Social medias:
Facebook:Dogwood Animal rescue
Instagram:@DogwoodAnimalRescue
Website: https://www.dogwoodanimalrescue.com/
Cottontail PSA
Sammie is a rescued cottontail and is not a pet.
She was deemed unreleasable by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, and our exotic veterinarian after becoming too habituated to humans to survive safely in the wild.
Wild cottontails do not make suitable pets.
If you ever find an injured or orphaned cottontail, please contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitation centre rather than attempting to raise it yourself.
Learn more about cottontails and wildlife rehabilitation here:
https://www.booksandbunspublishing.ca/cottontail-psa
Next Month’s bulletin
Here’s a little peek at what’s coming in August:
With the Formula One season in full swing, I’ll be sharing some of the inspiration behind The Pace of Us.
I’ll also be talking about why I made the decision to leave my previous publisher and start Books & Buns Publishing.
We’ll be celebrating the release of the first three Holmes & Co. Mysteries!
Plus, I’ll have details on upcoming book events, more bunny education, and (I’m sure) plenty of Sammie and Keanu shenanigans.
Thank you so much for being here and for supporting Books & Buns Publishing. Every follow, review, comment, book purchase, and newsletter subscription helps support an independent Canadian publisher, and I truly appreciate every one of you.
Whether you’re here for the mysteries, the romances, the writing journey, or the rabbits, I’m so grateful you’ve chosen to be part of this little community.
Until next month...
Happy reading, happy writing, and give your bunnies (or another beloved pet) an extra treat from me.
Allison Osborne
Author and Founder, Books & Buns Publishing
Heart, mystery, magic, and a little rabbit hair.