Hi! I'm crystal!
I LOVE reading, writing and travelling. I discovered these passions at a young age, but it was not until later in life that everything came together (finally!) and I combined these loves into a career.
Here's My Story...
I have a BA in History and a Postgraduate in International Marketing. But let's fast forward to the good stuff.
After 8+ years in the communications industry exploring both the corporate and agency side of the business, I decided I needed a BIG change. I put job security behind me (much to the horror of many) and moved to Jakarta, Indonesia to teach English as a Second Language. Well...this little detour was the BEST thing I have ever done!
Living abroad ignited my passion for writing as well as kept my travel bug nourished. Upon my return to Canada, I wrote Beauty Beneath the Banyan (BBTB), which was published by Inanna Publications, in 2012.
My manuscript Tears from the Sea was longlisted for the 2021 Guernica Prize and, I am also looking for a home for a third novel, Visions in the Wind. (Soooo please cross your fingers
for me.)
After 8+ years in the communications industry exploring both the corporate and agency side of the business, I decided I needed a BIG change. I put job security behind me (much to the horror of many) and moved to Jakarta, Indonesia to teach English as a Second Language. Well...this little detour was the BEST thing I have ever done!
Living abroad ignited my passion for writing as well as kept my travel bug nourished. Upon my return to Canada, I wrote Beauty Beneath the Banyan (BBTB), which was published by Inanna Publications, in 2012.
My manuscript Tears from the Sea was longlisted for the 2021 Guernica Prize and, I am also looking for a home for a third novel, Visions in the Wind. (Soooo please cross your fingers
for me.)
My Story Continued...
Besides novel writing, my BIG change also led to: teaching in China, exploring the wonders of Asia, working as a coordinator at the Simcoe County District School Board, writing newspaper articles and developing content for local businesses.
Of late, a global pandemic forced me out of my comfort zone and I can now add YouTuber to my portfolio (I did not see this one coming). I interview new and established authors to find out their story and the story behind their book. If you love novels, be sure to check out my channel all about canadian books. And, PLEASE don't forget to subscribe!
It has been a fantastic journey that has transported me around the globe, back to Canada, to content writing, novel writing and reading A LOT of books. I will say...anytime I have taken a risk, the results have made me VERY happy! Now, I find myself dreaming about the next adventure!
Of late, a global pandemic forced me out of my comfort zone and I can now add YouTuber to my portfolio (I did not see this one coming). I interview new and established authors to find out their story and the story behind their book. If you love novels, be sure to check out my channel all about canadian books. And, PLEASE don't forget to subscribe!
It has been a fantastic journey that has transported me around the globe, back to Canada, to content writing, novel writing and reading A LOT of books. I will say...anytime I have taken a risk, the results have made me VERY happy! Now, I find myself dreaming about the next adventure!