Hi! My name is crystal fletcher. If you are new to the program Welcome! And, if you’re returning Welcome Back! This week, I have two very special guests Chief Mi’sel Joe and Sheila O’Neill.

Saqamaw Mi’sel Joe is an author. He has been the District Traditional Chief of Miawpukek First Nation since 1983 and is considered the Spiritual Chief of the Mi’kmaq Newfoundland and Labrador.

Sheila O'Neill is an author, Drum Carrier and carries many teachings passed down by respected Elders and a member of Qalipu Mi'kmaq First Nation. She is a founding member and past president of the Newfoundland Aboriginal Women's Network and, has been part of a grassroots movement of empowerment of Indigenous women within the island portion of Newfoundland and Labrador.

We discussed ​My Indian which was published by Breakwater Books. In 1822, William Epps Cormack sought the expertise of a guide who could lead him across Newfoundland in search of the last remaining Beothuk camps on the island. In his journals, Cormack refers to his guide only as “My Indian.”

​Now, almost two hundred years later, Saqamaw Mi’sel Joe and Sheila O’Neill reclaim the story of Sylvester Joe, the Mi’kmaq guide engaged by Cormack. In a remarkable feat of historical fiction, My Indian follows Sylvester Joe from his birth to his journey across the island with Cormack. But will Sylvester Joe lead Cormack to the Beothuk, or will he protect the Beothuk and lead his colonial explorer away?

For the stories behind the book you can watch our interview below. Also featured is Shelia reading an excerpt from My Indian. And, determination, patience, if you have a story you need to tell--tell it...is the advice these authors have for writers.

Wela'lioq, Saqamaw Mi’sel Joe and Sheila O’Neill.

Honest. Brave. Vulnerable.
Hollay Ghadery discusses her memoir Fuse
which explores the documented prevalence of mental health issues in bi-racial women.​

To learn more about Hollay Ghadery

Hi! My name is crystal fletcher and welcome to this week’s episode of all about canadian books. I'm delighted to have Felicia Mihali as a guest. Felicia is a journalist, novelist and publisher who lives in Montréal. She has written 12 novels and we discussed Felicia’s latest Pineapple Kisses in Iqaluit which was published by Guernica Editions.

​Ten years after her picture on a magazine cover made her nationally famous as The Darling of Kandahar, Irina moves up North hoping that new experiences would allow old wounds to finally heal. Yet, in the land of darkness and polar bears, she learns that there really is no place to hide from herself. When she meets Constable Liam O'Connor, her past comes out to challenge her once again. ​

Felicia also discusses writing in English (her 5th language). I am in AWE of this. To learn more about Felicia and her other novels

I LOVE an accent and I could listen to Felicia read all day. Felicia's advice for writers is to write about things you know well. Be Sincere. Be honest--with yourself and your readers.

Hi! My name is crystal fletcher and welcome to all about canadian books. This week's guest is Catherine McKenzie. Catherine was born and raised in Montreal, practiced law for twenty years and now writes full time. When Catherine is not writing she’s an avid runner, skier and tennis player. We discussed her eleventh novel Six Weeks to Live which was published by Simon & Schuster. 

​What would you do if you had to solve your own murder?

Jennifer Barnes never expected the shocking news she received at a routine doctor’s appointment: she has a terminal brain tumor—and only six weeks left to live.

While stunned by the diagnosis, the forty-eight-year-old mother decides to spend what little time she has left with her family—her adult triplets and twin grandsons—close by her side. But when she realizes she was possibly poisoned a year earlier, she’s determined to discover who might have tried to get rid of her before she’s gone for good...

And can I just say...Wow! what an ending! 

To learn more about Catherine McKenzie and to check out her other books

According to Catherine if you want to be a better writer you need to read more. As an avid reader I love this advice. No problem Catherine, I will up my book intake. 

Catherine also reads from the first chapter of her novel and she puts me right in the doctor's office with her character Jennifer Barnes when she receives the shocking news she is dying.

Hi! My name is crystal fletcher and welcome to this week’s episode of all about canadian books. I’m very excited to have Quebec author Andrèe A. Gratton and translator, Ian Thomas Shaw as guests.

Andrèe A. Gratton studied philosophy and classical studies in Montreal, Berlin and Strasbourg. She teaches philosophy in Montreal and loves swimming in cold water (I had to ask her about this)!

Ian Thomas Shaw is a novelist, translator, editor, former Canadian diplomat and development officer who has lived in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Ian speaks English, French, German, Spanish and some Arabic.

We discussed Andrèe's award-winning debut novel Choosing Eleonore which was published by Guernica Editions and Editions de la Pleine Lune, in French.

Choosing Eleonore tells the story of a one-way friendship. It explores the delusion of being loved. This is Marianne's story. Marianne is obsessed with Eleonore. From the first sentence..."Long before we met, Eleonore was dreaming of me. Not me with this hair, these two hands or the sound of my voice. No. Of me as a friend, an ideal friend," we feel that something is wrong in her perception of reality.

But who is this Eleonore, whom Marianne had never spoken to? What is so fascinating about her? Neither humiliation, rebuffs, rejection will disabuse Marianne of her certainty of being loved by Eleonore.

I was SO intrigued by both Marianne and Eleonore. To find out more about these women you'll have to read Choosing Eleonore.

To learn more about about Ian Thomas Shaw

For a peak into Marianne's delusional mindset, click below.

​Merci Andrèe A. Gratton & Ian Thomas Shaw! 

To learn more about Wayne and to check out his fantastic travel pictures

To learn more about Marissa and her other novels

If your dream is to be an author, be sure to check out Marissa's inspirational pep talk. Marissa encourages writers to sit down and do the work. It's not always going to be fun, or easy but you can't achieve your dreams without the hard work. And, NEVER give up. I couldn't agree more. Thank you Marissa. 

Marissa also reads the opening of her new novel Lucky. I don't know about you but I'm also quite curious about Sister Mary Margaret!

Hi! My name is crystal fletcher and welcome to this week’s episode of all about canadian books. I’m excited to have Robert Rotenberg (who is Canada's John Grisham) as a guest. Robert is a novelist, screenwriter, teacher and full-time criminal lawyer. We discussed Robert's 6th novel Downfall--an instant bestseller! Downfall was published by Simon & Schuster.

Here's what Downfall is about.
​For decades, the Humber River Golf Course has been one of the city’s most elite clubs. All is perfect in this playground for the rich until the homeless people move into the pristine ravine nearby. Tensions mount between rich and poor and reach a head when two of the squatters are brutally murdered.

Suddenly the plight of the homeless has everyone’s attention. Press. Protests. Politicians and the Public. The pressure is on for the head of Homicide Detective Ari Greene to find the killer and then, there’s a third murder...

You're going to have to read Downfall to find out what happens!

To learn more about Robert, be sure to check out the video talks featured on his website. You will also find the other books in the Detective Greene series.  

Hi! My name is crystal fletcher and welcome to this week’s episode of all about canadian books. I’m thrilled to have Susan Swan as a guest. Susan is a journalist, feminist, novelist, activist, teacher and gardener. Susan’s critically acclaimed novels have been published in over 20 countries and we’ll be discussing her 8th novel The Dead Celebrities Club which was published by Cormorant Books.

Get comfortable we’ve got….Greed. Fraud. And financial fallout for you today!
Dale Paul is the hedge fund whale. He enjoys a life of self-delusion that allows him to gamble other people’s money. But when he gambles the pensions of the American military & fails Dale-Paul goes to prison; where he is confronted with the challenge of understanding himself and his place in the age of the new robber-barons.  

If you'd like to learn more about Susan and have a peak at her gorgeous garden 

To get to know Susan's con man Dale Paul, don't miss Susan read an excerpt from The Dead Celebrities Club. And, for writers who are working on their manuscripts  Susan recommends to get that first draft down without criticism.