Alberta
Author Name: Angie Pierce
Book Title: Dale’s Journey: Receiving Inspiration From Our Own Mortality
Chapters.ca link: Click here.
What is the most inspiring place in your province for you to write?
The most inspiring place for me to write is from my picturesque horse farm in rural Beaver County, AB. There, I am peacefully surrounded by nature and all the creatures that make this place their home.
What is something uniquely Canadian about you or your book?
I was born in Vancouver, BC and Dale, my late husband, whom the book is about, was born in Winnipeg, MB.
How are you going to celebrate Canada 150?
I will be competing in a 25 mile competitive trail ride near Milk River, AB.
BC
Author Name: Camilla Joubert
Book Title: Unravelling
Chapters.ca link: Click here.
What is the most inspiring place in your province for you to write?
I love to write in my backyard in West Vancouver looking up to the North Shore mighty snow-capped mountains while listening to the birds chirping in the trees. I’m privileged to live in what I think is Canada’s most majestic province, and I’m constantly inspired by nature in my immediate environment.
What is something uniquely Canadian about you or your book?
Although I was born in South Africa I have lived in Canada for 27 years and feel more Canadian than South African. I chose to print in Canadian English; hence Unravelling has two l’s. Six of the writers who contributed to the book of stories in Unravelling are Canadian, and three of them are BC born and bred locals!
How are you going to celebrate Canada 150?
I’m planning to pack a sumptuous picnic and hike the Chief in Squamish to take in the vistas of our gorgeous Howe Sound passage with my family.
Manitoba
Author Name: Anthony Nelson
Book Title: Awaykin with Colour
Chapters.ca link: Click here.
What is the most inspiring place in your province for you to write?
The place I was most inspired while working on my colouring book was my completely secluded cabin a little north of Gimli, MB.
What is something uniquely Canadian about you or your book?
My book includes many images that celebrate cultures from around the world, showing how they can work in unison. I feel this is an idea important to Canadians.
How are you going to celebrate Canada 150?
My boyfriend runs an arts organization that will be doing live mural painting at the Forks Market in Winnipeg, so I will be helping with their event.
New Brunswick
Author Name: Mildred Drost
Book Title: Until Each One Has a Home. Heartfelt Stories From DunRoamin’ Stray and Rescue –A Canadian Pet Rescue
Chapters.ca link: Click here.
What is the most inspiring place in your province for you to write?
I write from my home along the banks of the Saint John River in New Brunswick. There, I see the results of the work we do – the pets that have been rescued form dire circumstances, and have gone on to live in safe, loving homes. Many are now my neighbours; many of their owners keep in contact via Facebook and email. They all inspire me to do more.
What is something uniquely Canadian about you or your book?
I think that we are uniquely Canadian in that we aspire to help as many as possible, pets, wildlife or people, and we do it with no expectation of being compensated, except by the good feeling resulting from having helped. We believe in fairness, justice and kindness toward everyone.
How are you going to celebrate Canada 150?
We celebrate Canada Day every year with the Canada Day Dog Wash, with newly washed dogs sporting the red and white bandanas. We have a barbeque with hotdogs, hamburgers and many red and white desserts. We welcome old and new friends to our gathering and enjoy their company, human and canine alike.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Author Name: David Artiss
Book Title: Theodor Storm: Reading Storm’s Landscapes
What is the most inspiring place in your province for you to write?
St. Anthony and the Viking Site.
What is something uniquely Canadian about you or your book?
My book has its roots in the Memorial University of Newfoundland.
How are you going to celebrate Canada 150?
I will be taking my wife out to a fish restaurant in St. Philips in her wheelchair.
Northwest Territories
Province: Northwest Territories
Author Name: Amber Henry
Book Title: A Ptarmigan in a Birch Tree: 12 Days of Christmas in Canada’s North
Chapters.ca link: Click here.
What is the most inspiring place in your province for you to write?
I live in Yellowknife, and am blessed with an amazing view in my own backyard. Rocky though it is, it is an inspiring view that I loose myself to daily.
What is something uniquely Canadian about you or your book?
Each page of A Ptarmigan in a Birch Tree makes it uniquely Canadian. Each element sums up everyone’s winter experience in the NWT, whether they have actively participated, witnessed, lived, braved or were born to it. It’s a children’s book that will draw the attention of a child (animals and things that go), but will also sing to an adult reader, checking off a list of northern memories or their northern to-do list.
How are you going to celebrate Canada 150?
Every year our family meets on Franklin St. to watch the Canada day parade. Granddad, Grandma, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, neighbours (because in Yellowknife your neighbours are your family) and this year, we’ll be joined by special friends from Ontario. After the last of the floats pass us by we’ll return home for a family BBQ.
Nova Scotia
Author Name: Mark Piper
Book Title: The Mouse Who Poked an Elephant
Chapters.ca link: Click here.
What is the most inspiring place in your province for you to write?
We have a camp on Lake Charlotte, about 45 minutes out of Halifax, heading up the Eastern Shore its boat access only, no roads, no power, very limited cellphone or internet capability, and therefore very peaceful. I enjoy writing there – time seems to slow down a bit in such places. I can think there without the multiple distractions that have become an everyday part of my life.
What is something uniquely Canadian about you or your book?
I love this question. I served in the Canadian Forces for 33 years. During that time, I participated in numerous relief and peacekeeping/peacemaking missions. While deployed on those missions, I realized how lucky we are to live in Canada.
I retired from the military in 2013, and began to write The Mouse Who Poked an Elephant a few months later. The book is speculative satire, about the next four years in Canada, and offers hope for the next generation of Canadians.
How are you going to celebrate Canada 150?
I have a food truck called GeckoBus, check us out at www.geckobus.com. We are going to be very busy at the historic Halifax Common, concerts, fireworks….and Burritos. More Burritos than you can imagine; each one made to order, each one delicious. Happy Canada Day everyone.
Nunavut
Author Name: W Zedd Gawor
What is the most inspiring place in your province for you to write?
I have been in Rankin Inlet since 1977. That was when it was still under the North West Territories. Now it’s Nunavut
What is something uniquely Canadian about you or your book?
I came up to Rankin Inlet on a fishing trip and never left. I came in with a single 50 dollar bill that had just come out; the one with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police musical ride depicted on the back.
Anyway, I am not leaving any time soon, not until I get my 50 dollar bill back.
Ontario
Author Name: Antoine Rahil
Book Title: My Villa
Chapters.ca link: Click here.
What is the most inspiring place in your province for you to write?
Ontario not only inspires me to write but also to paint, contemplate, relax, mediate, socialize with locals and visitors. The Niagara region, I live about 84 km from the famous falls, offers me an endless choice of God’s nature, from winelands, fruit, landscapes, lakes, beautiful gardens, and unlimited possibilities of natural scenery. Every summer it is like a pilgrimage for me: Among many stops for a good espresso on the main street in Niagara on the lake, lunch on a terrace restaurant overlooking the falls, and more.
What is something uniquely Canadian about you or your book?
Many people refer to Canada as the land of opportunity. To me is much more than an opportunity. In my case, Canada offered me the possibility to climb from stateless, penniless refugee to a respected landed immigrant, then to a full Canadian citizen. When I arrived in 1964 as landed immigrant I never dreamt that one day I will be able to live this beautiful experience accompanied with a proud accomplishment that of writing a book, my autobiography/memoire. Two days ago my daughters invited me to celebrate Father’s day. I gave each one a copy of my book. Looking at their faces with all the emotions that they expressed, in these moments I felt that only in Canada I could journey from stateless citizen to a full Canadian citizen.
Only when I am overseas, far away from Canada, I know and appreciate the unique privilege of me being a proud Canadian. At times I take it for granted. Me and my book are slowly becoming one. The book is part of me and I am a part of the book. From the day I landed at Dorval Montreal airport on October 24, 1964 until the present day, Canada has offered me, not only the basic needs to exist, but also has opened doors for intellectual and personal development and advancement. This made many of my dreams come true. One of them my first attempt to write
Being bilingual (plus my Arabic mother tongue) one more unique feeling about Canada and me: I am lucky that I choose to live in one country that miraculously has two traditions, two languages, two cultures, English Canada and French Canada. Having lived and worked in La Belle Province for over 26 years I came to appreciate and admire both. I still feel my affectionate friendship to my old friends from the sixties and seventies in different parts of Quebec and now to my most recent friends here in Ontario. I am one lucky and proud Canadian.
How are you going to celebrate Canada 150?
My natural and first choice will be a day that will take me from home in Oakville, to Niagara on the lake.
Going back home is like leaving paradise. I thank God that I am lucky enough to live in Canada and close enough to go back any day.
PEI
Author Name: René Ardell Fehr
Book Title: The Horizon Lies Between Us
Chapters.ca Link: Click here.
What is the most inspiring place in your province to write?
There is a small, little known beach, about 45 minutes from where I live. Much of my writing has been written there or has been inspired by it.
What is something uniquely Canadian about you or your book?
I’ve been fortunate enough to live in four different provinces, two while writing the book. Each has influenced me tremendously.
How are you going to celebrate Canada 150?
I will spend the day with some close friends, at the famous Charlottetown fireworks, and may go to a barbeque or two.
Quebec
Author Name: Jane Gallina
Book Title: #FMJ Trust Transition Trade How Successful Traders Said It, Did It and Lived It
Chapters.ca link: Click here.
What is the most inspiring place in your province for you to write?
From my home, in Quebec.
What is something uniquely Canadian about you or your book?
I am a resident of Canada as of 2013 and am becoming a Canadian Citizen this summer in the 150th year! The book highlights two empowered female day traders in Canada.
How are you going to celebrate Canada 150?
For our Celebration of Canada we look forward to spending time with our two daughters at Canada Day celebrations here in Montreal.
Saskatchewan
Author Name: David Bergh
Book Title: In Training for a Happy Hunting Ground
Chapters.ca link: Click here.
What is the most inspiring place in your province for you to write?
I live in a most inspiring spot in a log house (built with my own hands), high above a roaring river (Red Deer River) in East central SK. My yard is somewhat remote, surrounded by small hay fields, wild forests and wild game (Black bear, White Tailed deer, Elk and Moose) Here I write, bow hunt, garden and paint.
What is something uniquely Canadian about you or your book?
My stories and the paintings (66 images plus 44 essays and stories) featured in the book are all 100 percent Canadian, featuring scenes and stories that I have fashioned to describe my unique lifetime, lifestyle and view of my Canadian experience. You can learn more about this by checking out a documentary on my book: https://youtu.be/nD9_PSAjqDQ
How are you going to celebrate Canada 150?
A neighbour is hosting a Canada 150 party at her yard. Complete with a pig roast and all the fixings, I plan to join neighbours and friends at this celebration. With a beer or two, a feast and all of that camaraderie it should be a fun way to celebrate.
Yukon
Author: D. René Myles
Book Title: Louis the Lion and Me
Chapters.ca link: Click here.
What is the most inspiring place in your province for you to write?
The most inspiring place for me to write in the Yukon is beside the Yukon River. It is a fast flowing, cold, and magical body of water for me.
What is something uniquely Canadian about you or your book?
The most uniquely Canadian thing about me is that I am a Canadian, born and raised. My roots are in the Yukon where I grew up with dirt roads, being able to play outside until dark without my parents worrying about me, and being able to walk to and from school by myself.
