Wild Coast Publishing

07/30/2026

History #14 from the new 'Wolves of Nootka' narrative history trilogy: Frances Barkley (nee Trevor) was 17 when she met Charles Barkley in Ostend, Belgium in 1786. In six weeks they were wed, and Frances took the very unusual step of joining Charles on his voyage aboard the Imperial Eagle, a trading ship heading to Nootka Sound on Vancouver Island to secure furs. That voyage earned Frances the honour of being the first woman to openly circumnavigate the globe, but her story is so much more. A shipwreck, a massacre, storms, discoveries of new lands... She was also the first European woman to visit numerous cultures around the world. Imagine the meeting between a blond-haired, blue-eyed woman and Hestoquatto, the Nootka arcomah, equivalent to a queen (her story is covered in the post history #13). What a moment that would have been! Frances's travels are brought to life in The Wolves of Nootka, from her courtship with Charles through their sojourn in Madagascar and the drama of having the Imperial Eagle seized, to their shipwreck off the coast of France and beyond. The Wolves of Nootka is available on Kindle, Amazon, in bookstores (order if not in stock) and from the publisher:

The epic tale of the people and events that shaped the northwest coast in the late 18th century, finally brought to life.

07/15/2026

History #13 from the new 'Wolves of Nootka' narrative history trilogy: There is a woman who was a central figure during the early European encounters to the Pacific Northwest, but her name is virtually unknown and her story untold — until The Wolves of Nootka trilogy. Her name is Hestoquatto. She was the wife of Nootka Sound tyee Maquinna and so arcomah, the equivalent of queen, to her people. Little is said of the wives of tyees in the various journals written by explorers to Nootka Sound in the late 18th century, but the exception was Alexander Walker, who details Hestoquatto's beauty and Maquinna's doting love for her. Their love story extends from the visit of Captain James Cook in 1778 through the upheavals that followed where Nootka Sound became the epicenter for European trade, colonial ambitions and naval supremacy. Hestoquatto's power and influence on this era are detailed in The Wolves of Nootka, the new trilogy rated 4.7 stars on Goodreads and recent winner of an IPPY Award for best new fiction (though technically the trilogy is narrative history, not fictional). Celebrate her life and times as she deserves, as she is a principal part of our history. The Wolves of Nootka is available on Kindle, Amazon, at bookstores (order if not in stock) and from the publisher:

The epic tale of the people and events that shaped the northwest coast in the late 18th century, finally brought to life.

06/26/2026

History #12 from the new 'Wolves of Nootka' narrative history trilogy: James Colnett should be one of the foremost figures in early British Columbia history, but remains largely unknown. With an exemplary career in the Royal Navy, he had the distinction of being one of the early explorers to visit Nootka Sound to trade furs in the late 18th century. Most distinctly, he has the honour of being arrested by three different nations: Spain, China and and France, an achievement rarely duplicated in history. You can read about Colnett's remarkable life and career in 'The Wolves of Nootka,' rated 4.7 stars on Goodreads and winner of a 2026 IPPY Award for best new Western Canadian fiction. It is available in bookstores, Kindle, Amazon and from the publisher: https://www.wildcoast.ca/collections/the-wolves-of-nootka

06/19/2026

'The Wolves of Nootka' received a silver medal yesterday for best new Western Canadian work of fiction. The IPPY award is a surprise, as 'The Wolves of Nootka' is a historic narrative covering the explorations, wars and politics of the world 1774-1792, so is more fact than fiction. But a win is a win! Rated 4.7 stars on Goodreads, you can find 'The Wolves of Nootka' trilogy in bookstores, on Kindle and Amazon, and from the publisher:

The epic tale of the people and events that shaped the northwest coast in the late 18th century, finally brought to life.

06/12/2026

History #11 from the new 'Wolves of Nootka' trilogy: George Vancouver became one of the most accomplished explorers in world history, but his legacy was largely dismissed and forgotten after his journeys. Why? In large part it was due to a cartoon and a midshipman called Thomas Pitt. Vancouver had the insolent young man flogged, even though he was related to Prime Minister William Pitt, destined to become Baron Camelford and a future member of the House of Lords. When the two met again in later life, Pitt struck Vancouver with his cane, a confrontation satired by a cartoonist who used it to confront the Royal Navy's overuse of the lash. The cartoon discredited Vancouver, who died not long after. Never underestimate the power of a cartoon! You can read about the voyages of Vancouver, the confrontation with Thomas Pitt and other naval adventures in the era 1774-1792 in The Wolves of Nootka trilogy, available on Kindle, Amazon, from bookstores and from the publisher. Rated 4.7 stars on Goodreads. https://www.wildcoast.ca/collections/the-wolves-of-nootka

06/08/2026

A new camping opportunity on Saltspring Island! This is a beautiful location, so it will be a wonderful addition to the Gulf Islands.

The nation says the Fulford Harbour-area campground will be accessible by bike, foot and boat once it is completed.

06/04/2026

The first U.S. citizens to have a role in the Pacific Northwest were John Kendrick and Robert Gray, captains of the Lady Washington and Columbia Rediviva. Kendrick was one of the 'Sons of Liberty' who took part on the Boston Tea Party, and served as a privateer in the American Revolutionary War. The pair were the only trade ships to over-winter in Nootka (and Clayoquot) during the fur trade there in 1780s and early 1790s, and took to Macau, China, the crew from the 'North West America,' the English ship the Spanish had seized at Nootka, allowing news of the seizure of English ships by the Spanish to reach Europe. That news fueled the 'Nootka Controversy' that eventually pushed England and Spain to the brink of war over Nootka Sound. The two captains had to fight off several raids by local clans during their years trading for furs, but Gray took his revenge by burning down Opitsat, the winter home of Wickaninnish in Clayoquot Sound. The village was described as "a work of ages" in a journal fragment by the fifth mate on that voyage. You can read about Kendrick and Gray as well as the early Spanish and English explorers to Nootka in the late 18th century in the new 'Wolves of Nootka' trilogy, available on Kindle, Amazon, bookstores and from the publisher: https://www.wildcoast.ca/collections/the-wolves-of-nootka

05/27/2026

History #9 from the new 'Wolves of Nootka' trilogy: If you visit the historic First Nations village site Yuquot on Nootka Island on west Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, you will find a historic old church. It is unique for the beautiful Nuu-chah-nulth carvings inside, but also for the stained glass window set in the entrance donated by the Spanish government in 1957. It depicts Spanish envoy Juan Francisco Bodega y Quadra signing the Nootka Convention with British envoy George Vancouver at Yuquot in an event hosted by tyee Maquinna and others in 1792. If this snippet of history is intriguing, and makes you want to know more, the entire history of this conflict between Spain, England and the Indigenous locals from 1774 to this historic occasion in 1792 is covered in 'The Wolves of Nootka.' Written in narrative style, it brings this compelling moment in history to life. Currently 4.7 stars on Goodreads, it is available on Kindle, Amazon, bookstores in Canada and from the publisher: https://www.wildcoast.ca/collections/the-wolves-of-nootka

05/25/2026

A Kayakfest in Victoria, BC!

05/25/2026

Support your locally owned and operated bookstores!

🌊 New Release Trilogy! 🌊

The Wolves of Nootka by John Kimantas is here—and despite the name… it’s not about wolves 🐺😉

Think more Wolf of Wall Street vibes… but set in the late 18th century on the wild Pacific Northwest coast.

This story follows real historical figures like George Vancouver and Juan Francisco Bodega y Quadra, as powerful, ambitious (and often unpredictable!) men converge on Nootka Sound—shaping the future of this coast.

Drawn from real journals and records, it’s a gripping look at exploration, conflict, and the fight to claim a place in history.

⚓ Adventure
⚓ History brought to life
⚓ Big personalities & even bigger stakes

📚 All three books available now in store!

https://www.mulberrybushbooks.com/item/o_qOYZ4my7gbmEpA_YUKNw