… before it gets dark. Last week, when I arrived in Prince Edward Island for the Cavendish Literary Festival, I went for a walk on the Haunted Wood Trail at Green Gables just before sunset.

(Just have to cross the golf course before we can continue on the trail…)

“A haunted wood is so very romantic, Marilla. We chose the spruce grove because it’s so gloomy. Oh, we have imagined the most harrowing things. There’s a white lady walks along the brook just about this time of the night and wrings her hands and utters wailing cries. She appears when there is to be a death in the family. And the ghost of a little murdered child haunts the corner up by Idlewild; it creeps up behind you and lays its cold fingers on your hand—so. Oh, Marilla, it gives me a shudder to think of it. And there’s a headless man stalks up and down the path and skeletons glower at you between the boughs. Oh, Marilla, I wouldn’t go through the Haunted Wood after dark now for anything. I’d be sure that white things would reach out from behind the trees and grab me.”

“Did ever anyone hear the like!” ejaculated Marilla, who had listened in dumb amazement. “Anne Shirley, do you mean to tell me you believe all that wicked nonsense of your own imagination?”

“Not believe exactly,” faltered Anne. “At least, I don’t believe it in daylight. But after dark, Marilla, it’s different. That is when ghosts walk.”

– L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables, Chapter 20

Safely back at Green Gables before dark

The Cavendish Literary Festival was splendid, with many wonderful and memorable events. I enjoyed spending time with friends old and new, and of course I always enjoy visiting this beautiful part of the Island, which L.M. Montgomery loved so well.

Left to right: Lori Gard, Sarah Emsley, Sheree Fitch, Donna Jones Alward

Kate Scarth and me, on a chilly and very windy day at Cavendish Beach

With Naomi MacKinnon, who will soon be opening a bookstore in Truro, Nova Scotia called The Happy Duck Bookshop & Readery. Can’t wait to visit! Some of you will remember that Naomi and I have co-hosted readalongs for several of Montgomery’s novels.

A highlight of the Festival was Sheree Fitch’s session—one of the most magical literary events I have ever attended.

“Creating brings joy; it brings hope,” Sheree reminded us. “No matter what.”

Gardens of Hope, New Glasgow, PEI

Next week, I’ll be heading to the Jane Austen Society of North America AGM in Baltimore, and I’m excited to see some of you there! My talk is called “Books as Children.”

The book launch for my novel The Austens is coming up soon, and I’m excited about that, too. Here’s the Facebook event page. Please join me at the Regency Ballroom at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax, Nova Scotia on Tuesday, October 21st. [image error] Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

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Here are the links to the last two posts, in case you missed them:

Jane Austen’s Memorable Characters

Publication week for The Austens

My debut novel, The Austens, is now available from Pottersfield Press!

Copyright Sarah Emsley 2025 ~ All rights reserved. No AI training: material on http://www.sarahemsley.com may not be used to “train” generative AI technologies.