2015 Writers

Here are the 40 Writers that participated in the 2015 Muskoka Novel Marathon in alphabetical order (using first names).

Thank you for digging deep into your pockets and supporting these fantastic writers for this amazing fund-raising event…we all appreciated it!

Alison HallThis is Alison’s fourth Muskoka Novel Marathon. Alison has enjoyed a variety of occupations, from working in the hospitality industry in Huntsville, to re-insurance, to piano teaching. She is currently a nanny/housekeeper and is discovering even more to write about! She holds a diploma in Interior Design, a Creative Writing Diploma, and has won awards for two of her short stories. Her second MNM novel attempt won runner-up in the adult category.

Twitter: @AJHallwrites
Website: http://alisonjhallwrites.com

 

BL Storrie

This will be my 4th MNM. My first, in 2012, opened the floodgates on writerly isolation. A sense of personal unworthiness had stopped my writing process for three decades, although I had published in Canadian literary journals in my twenties and was on my way to a full time writing career. Fear took over and I just quit, resulting in a long life not really lived. But that first Marathon was like a sheep nudging my butt LOL. During those three days in 2012, in a packed room of heads down, and geeky power, and palpable support, and a true sense of belonging, I woke up. I went to that MNM as a 55 year old wannabe, hoping to write only 25 pages. That was my teensy goal, and when I reached it I was transported. Going on to win the Best Novel award was a stunning event that still flips my stomach three years later. And yes, I did keep writing. I am shopping that completed first novel for an agent now, and I have finished a second novel in draft which I started at the 2014 Marathon. This writer gets much more from MNM than she gives.Twitter: @BLStorrie
Website: http://blstorrie.com
Author Page: http://facebook.com/BLStorrie

Brenda LiddleThe stories of Oliver Sacks inspired me to become a Speech-Language Pathologist. And now, years later, I’ve found the inspiration to write my own stories. I’m currently working on publishing a Young Adult contemporary romance novel, and have dabbled in the areas of adult romance, and creative nonfiction.

When I’m not cheering on my two boys at the rink, field, ski trails, or dojo, I can be found partaking in the three R’s in life: reading, writing and running (okay, and swimming, skiing and canoeing… why else live in the awesome town of Huntsville?).

Last year I volunteered in a very small capacity with the MNM family, but this year have taken on a the role of Prize and Sponsorship Coordinator, and, well…  writing! I hope to rise to both challenges!

Providing therapy to adults with acquired communication disorders at our two local hospitals and in our community shows me not only the importance of literacy, but also its impact on health literacy. So please click on the link below to show your support for this vital service at the YMCA!

 

Cheryl Cooper 

This year will mark Cheryl’s seventh novel marathon! Having signed up for the very first one in 2002, and subsequently been astounded by how many pages she could write when the responsibilities of house and home were turned over to her husband, she happily participated again in 2004, 2005, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Her first novel, Come Looking for Me (Blue Butterfly Books, 2010), set on the high seas during the War of 1812, had its beginnings in the 2004 marathon. Her sequel, Second Summer of War, was just released by Dundurn Press in February 2014. This year she promises Lori Twining to give some serious consideration to dressing up and taking part in the traditional Saturday night hijinks … well … maybe! 

Author Page: Cheryl Cooper

Colum McKnightHailing from Toronto’s permanent construction site, Scarborough, Colum McKnight is… well.. he’s new to talking in third person, that’s for sure.

Colum is a newbie to the whole writing scene, only recently deciding to put pen to paper after about 6 years of reviewing Horror Fiction for various websites and magazines. While his preferred genre is definitely one filled with not-so-happy things, he’s been known to read anything he can get his hands on.

When he’s not reading and writing, you can find Colum hanging out with his 3 kids, knitting something pretty, or crocheting something strange.

He also doesn’t believe in censorship and can’t believe he actually made it through this bio without swearing.

This is his first marathon.

Twitter: @paperbackhorror
Website: www.dreadfultales.com

Instagram: @mr_dreadful

 

Dale LongDale’s deep sense of tradition liberally peppered with East Coast sensibilities lends a richness and old school flavour to his writing. When he’s not writing horror, Dale likes to write old fashioned, Dickens-esque, Christmas stories and blog about his writing journey.

Twitter: @DaleRLong67
Website: drlong67.wordpress.com
Author Page: Dale R. Long 

Dawn HuddlestoneThis is Dawn’s eighth year at the Muskoka Novel Marathon. She is collaborating on a magical middle-grade series with Paula Boon and also writes adult fiction. Dawn has been on the MNM’s organizing committee for the past five years and this year is the venue coordinator. In summer, Dawn is a freelance writer and social media manager. In winter, she is the communications & events manager at our local ski hill. She lives in Muskoka with her husband, daughter, a yellow Lab who won’t swim, and a fat cat who thinks she’s a dog.

Twitter: @dawnhuddlestone
Website: www.dawnhuddlestone.com

 

Donna CurtinDonna practices veterinary medicine in Bruce County, Ontario, close to her rural hobby farm where she lives with her husband and two children. A mixed animal practitioner, she obtains career satisfaction through improving the health of the family pet, constantly acquiring new skills and relishing every emergency from late night C-sections to cut horses. In her personal life, Donna strives to find the balance between leading a simple country life of 4-wheeling, hanging out the endless laundry and battling to get her two children off to school, hockey, dance and baseball while coaxing them to eat a more balanced diet than chocolate chip cookies. As a compliment to her veterinary career, she aspires to become a published novelist. Animals play a large part in Dr. Curtin’s writing as within her world, written or real, animals play important characters just as often as people. 

 

Twitter: @dcurtindvm

Drew Hutcheson

Drew grew up in an old Huntsville family, starting in 1952. He has seen parts of the rest of the world but believes Huntsville is the center of the universe, and has stubbornly stayed there for most of his life. As a business consultant, family man, amateur actor, enthusiast of all outdoor things, former publisher, and gardener, he has accumulated rich experience but has got behind in his writing. He hopes the Marathon will help.

 

Elizabeth Rush BrooksMom, step-mom, wife, daughter, teacher, writer, sister, friend.

I am blessed with 3 step-children who are 24, 22 and 20, an 11 year old daughter and 7 year old son.

I work as a supply teacher and write when I can. I have just finished a book about some of the history of Muskoka. I have a novel that is 2/3rds finished that is sitting in a drawer and an idea percolating in my head that I am excited to get on paper this weekend.

I’m not sure if I am more excited about this concentrated writing opportunity or a that if and when I sleep, I will get a bed all to myself.

Emma HoggResiding in Toronto, Emma L. R. Hogg is a self-published fiction author who always has a writing project on the go. When she’s not writing, you can find Emma in a yoga studio, on her bicycle, or reading a book she can’t put down. This is her third marathon.

Website: www.emmahogg.ca.

 

Holly StricklandTo me, writing for young adults is about great story weaving and I began story weaving at the tender age of five (maybe earlier, I wish I could remember). I had my kindergarten teacher convinced that I had a new baby brother at home. Much to her surprise he didn’t exist and much to my surprise my younger brother arrived no more than a year later! I stopped reading in high school or at least I stopped reading books (scandalous I know), mainly because I had found a new past-time, mountain bike racing and so, I read “mtb mags”. Somewhere along the line I grew up and became a teacher. It was a class of 7/8 students who pulled me back into the world of YA novels. Without them I would still be stuck in an academic textbook and would never have found my way out to complete my first manuscript, “Becoming” or to be part of the MNM.

Twitter: @HHstrickland755
Website: www.HollyHeale.com

 

Janet Nichols Janet has loved the beauty of words, and the magic of how they fit together, from a very early age. She has heard her resume described as ‘unusual’, which she presumes is a roundabout way of saying she has an unexpected and non-traditional background! From eleven years as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves, to working as a piano tuner, training for and completing the Toronto Waterfront Marathon (twice), to her current employment as Secretary in two Toronto churches, Janet looks at all of her experiences as great sources of inspiration for her next (alright, first) great Canadian novel. Janet lives in Ajax, Ontario with her four amazing children and two slightly psychotic betta fish.

Twitter:  @JRN_65     

Jeanne Pengelly

Jeanne Pengelly is a television and radio news journalist with a Master’s Degree in Journalism.

Even before she got her first typewriter at age 12, she had decided she would be a writer. Highlights of her career include founding the first McMaster University creative writing journal, living in a remote northern community on James Bay where she edited a newspaper and trained young television journalists, and being a non-fiction nominee for the Pacific Northwest Writers’ Association.

Jeanne has a post-graduate diploma in creative writing from Humber College, and, between work and pleasure, spends most of every day with her fingers on a computer keyboard, and her head wrapped in the art of storytelling.

Jeanne’s many interests include creative writing, photography, music, teaching, needlecrafts, fitness, travel and golf. A participant in the Muskoka Novel Marathon in 2014, she is eagerly anticipating dabbling in new genres when she arrives in Huntsville for her second marathon in 2015.

Twitter: @JeannePengelly
Website: www.jeannepengelly.com

 

Jennifer Turney Jennifer grew up in Camlachie, Ontario. Yearly camping trips to Pinery and Algonquin Provincial Parks cemented a love of nature and the outdoors early on. She pursued an education at Sault College, in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, earning a degree in Forestry and Integrated Resource Management. 

It was always her goal to live in Muskoka, and in 2003 she moved with her husband Jim to Huntsville, Ontario where they are raising their son Carson, and daughters Haley and Olivia. 

Along with nature and her family, Jennifer enjoys spending her time reading, writing, gardening, photographing wildlife and volunteering her time as the Director of the Jr Fair for the Huntsville & District Agricultural Society.

She is also more than half way through earning a black belt in karate.

She will be making her debut as a writer at the 2015 Muskoka Novel Marathon.

Jocelyn Adams Jocelyn is a high school office grunt by day and creator of romance and adventure by night. Born a farmer’s daughter with a vivid imagination, she spent her childhood dreaming up stories. With no formal training, she relied on the honest feedback of her writing group to take her from that first short story all the way to THE END of her first novel. She now has eight published novels and is currently writing for Entangled Publishing. When she isn’t slinging words, you can find her shooting her bow, hiking in Algonquin Park, or enjoying the serenity of family life in her little house in the woods.

Twitter: @JocelynAdams
Website: www.joceadams.com

Karen Wehrstein Karen has trad-published two solo fantasy novels, Lion’s Heart and Lion’s Soul, and one collaboration, Shadow’s Son, via Baen Books, as well as several short science fiction, fantasy and horror stories. Between 2009 and early 2014 she posted an expanded, revised and award-winning version of her solos online (www.chevenga.com). Represented by Bryan Dearsley of Walden House Books, he’s currently shopping two manuscripts: her epic “autobiography” of Alexander the Great, and a travel guide about Cuba for women on which she’s collaborating with Novel Marathon veteran Jenny Cressman.

Karen is also a freelance journalist who has published pieces in the National Post and Montreal Gazette, but mostly works locally for publications like Muskoka Magazine and What’s Up Muskoka, and writes tourism blogposts for www.explorersedge.ca . She does occasional computer art for the largest progressive political blog in America, Daily Kos. Artblog: www.artofkaren.blogspot.com . Other interests include music, martial arts, hang-gliding, reincarnation, homeopathy and the spirituality of personal experience.

This is a milestone Muskoka Novel Marathon for Karen: her tenth.  She has entered the Best Novel competition three times, placing in the top three every time, and won the Most Prolific Award in 2006. After co-convening the marathon with Paula Boon 2010-2012 and Dawn Huddlestone in 2013, she’s taking the Convener role on singly this year.

Twitter: @Chevenga

 

Kathleen de Vries

Kathleen is a writer and advocate for women. These two heart-loves frequently combine, and she often writes women’s stories in worlds much different than our own, worlds where women’s freedom to explore and express is not hindered by restrictive norms. Kathleen has been published under a pen name and has had her poetry and short stories featured in various anthologies including lesbian and feminist zines, blogs, and collections. With her time divided between writing about women and working with women, Kathleen has chosen to dedicate her voice to those too commonly relegated to silence.

 

Kevin CraigKevin is the author of five critically acclaimed novels; Summer on Fire, Sebastian’s Poet, The Reasons, Burn Baby Burn Baby, and, Half Dead & Fully Broken. He is a four-time winner of the Muskoka Novel Marathon’s coveted Best Novel Award. Kevin is also a playwright. He has had nine plays produced for the stage, including six for Driftwood Theatre’s Trafalgar 24 Play Creation Festival in Whitby and two for the InspiraTO Theatre Festival at the Alumnae Theatre in Toronto. Kevin has had articles, memoir, and poetry published internationally.

Twitter: @KevinTCraig
Website: www.

ktcraig.com 

Lauren FlatteryLauren Flattery is a teacher-librarian who has read many, many books in her life. She recently decided to try writing one, even though she hasn’t written fiction since the age of eleven — an (undisclosed) number of decades ago.

She has completed half a dozen running marathons in her life and is pretty sure that a Novel Writing Marathon will be harder, but just as much fun.

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Lea McKee Lea McKee was raised in Muskoka from early childhood but spent most of her adult years finding pieces of herself in other places of the world. After stints in Nova Scotia, Montreal, Australia, B.C. and Central America, she always found herself back here; to the birthplace of her creative spark and the setting of the first novel she ever wrote. 

Lea writes some dystopian things and some things with magic. Her favourite part about the novel process is creating characters she can truly relate to, which is why her strong female leads are far from damsels in distress. This will be Lea’s first ever Muskoka Novel Marathon and she’s determined to write more than she ever has in a three day sitting!

Twitter: @LeaLately
Website: www.leamckee.com

 

Lenore ButcherLenore always knew she was going to be a Rock Star, she just thought it would be more in a literal rather than a literary sense. Very happy to have won the Rock Star award last year, she looks forwards to seeing the other MNM’ers again this year and promises the big bowl of chocolate will DEFINITELY make a return appearance!!

 

Lisa LiscoumbLisa has been writing since she was a young girl, although she refuses to share most of those early stories with anyone, for good reason. An avid reader and photographer, she sometimes suffers from “don’t-finish-it-itis” and is looking forward to the challenge of completeing a novel in a weekend.

Twitter:  @TechnoMistress     

 

Lori TwiningLori is looking forward to writing the ultimate kick-ass manuscript during her fifth Muskoka Novel Marathon. Participating in the daily MNM Hat Competition and the MNM Superhero Cape Invasion into downtown Huntsville on Saturday night, will also be a highlight for this shy writer.

Lori works as a civil engineering designer during the day and slams her thoughts into her laptop at night, writing fiction full of emotion and chaos. She is currently working on three YA novels (two have received the MNM Judge’s Honorable Mentions). Lori is one of the current organizers for the Muskoka Novel Marathon, volunteering as the MNM Registrar, MNM Writer Liaison, and the MNM Social Media Guru. Lori sits on the executive board for The Writers’ Community of Simcoe County (WCSC) and is one of the founding members of Owen Sound’s Ascribe Writing Group.

When she is not writing, reading or volunteering, you can find her with her three kids in a hockey arena, baseball diamond, soccer pitch, basketball court, library or hiding in a corner somewhere buried in a book. She has a quirky outlook on life… some consider her weird; some say she’s refreshing. Occasionally, she tells you what she really thinks. Consider yourself advised.

Twitter: @Lori_Twining
Website: Lori Twining – Writer

 

Louise HypherLouise lives in Toronto, whether she wants to or not. She is a former member of the Bunch of Seven, a Science Fiction & Fantasy writer’s group active in the 1980′ & 90’s. She has many creative outlets, including writing, the fibre arts and jewelry-making. She has been inspired to complete her epic fantasy novel “The Rebel of Bradinflas” (which she had put on the back-burner for many years), and to which she is currently devoting her creative energies — whatever she can cram in between full-time work and single motherhood. She is active in SF&F fandom and can be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Twitter: @lchypher

M-E Girard M-E Girard is writer of contemporary fiction—mostly young adult fiction, sometimes new adult fiction, usually queer fiction, and always about girls. Her debut novel GIRL will be published in 2016 by Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins. M-E was a fellow of the 2013 Lambda Writers Retreat for Emerging LGBT Voices in Los Angeles and will be returning again in 2015. M-E is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and the Writers’ Community of Durham Region. This is her 3rd Muskoka Novel Marathon.

Twitter: @ME_Girard
Website:  www.megirard.com

Michael Codato Michael has been writing stories for many years, and continues to refine his work with the goal of publishing a full length novel traditionally in the near future. Several years of volunteering with the Literacy Society of South Muskoka brought home the transformative power of the written word and launched a personal desire to write professionally. The Muskoka Novel Marathon provided him a venue, or crucible, in which he could take the first steps towards realizing this dream. Returning for his fourth year, Michael hopes to again renew acquaintances and rekindle friendships and learn from the enormous collection of writing talent assembled for this event.

 

Naomi MesburAt 16, Naomi began writing under the pen name of Mimi Jones-Taylor. After an energetic and enthusiastic start to a promising career in writing, circumstances took her away from the page for too many years. During this dark time, her need and drive to write would not be silenced. She continued to crank out pieces which to this day remain hidden on portable, antiquated media.
Mimi’s drive to write overtook her sanity. She completed several pieces of fiction, and entered the world of blogging. Tired of hiding her writing in the cloud, and encouraged by the victims of her isolation, in May 2013, she took the bold step of becoming a member of the WCDR, and read her first piece in public in June 2013 which eventually led her to enter the 2013 WCDR Slam. She finished as one of the seven finalists. She continues to read works that make waitresses cry at the WCDR’s quarterly Words of the Season.

A realist-romance and erotic fiction writer, Mimi is represented by Donaghy Literary. Her novel, Twenty-One is on submission. This will be her second Muskoka Novel Marathon. Naomi is a single mother to an 8-year-old boy who shares her love of music and telling stories about imaginary friends.Twitter:

@MimiJonesTaylor (writing) or @woobiesmum (for all the useless knowledge in her head)
Website: http://thebadwriter.blogspot.ca  

Nora BartlettHello my name is Nora. This is my 3rd year writing at the Muskoka Novel Marathon. I am taking my Montessori Teachers Assistant’s course, along with my E.C.E. I love to spend time watching lots of ghost stories, especially Oak Island.

I can’t wait to see you everyone at this year’s marathon. It’s going to be a great year.

Pat FlewwellingWriter of dark, ironic, thought-provoking, and action-packed uh…stuff…ranging from horror to sf to true crime, and from short stories to quadrilogies. Drinker of coffee. Wearer of many hats. First MNM manuscript – Helix: Blight of Exiles – published in 2014 by Tyche Books.

Twitter:  @Nine_Day_Wonder     
Website: www.ninedaywonder.com AND www.wyrdcouncil.blogspot.ca.

Paula Boon

Paula
is a veteran Muskoka Novel Marathoner and marathon organizer. Since 2005,
she has been a winner, runner up, organizing committee member, judge liaison,
co-convenor and convenor. This year she’s writing (yay!) and acting as judge
liaison. Outside of marathon season, Paula teaches creative writing to the
lovely students at the Muskoka Montessori School, works toward her dream of
being traditionally published, takes on freelance writing and editing
assignments, and enjoys life in Muskoka with her husband and son.

Website: www.paulaboon.com

Paula MazzocchiWho is Paula Mazzocchi? All you really need to know is… I run, I play, I write, I love my family, I study everything and I’m back at MNM for a third time. Why? Because I love it! It’s the only time of year I step out of the real world and enter the surreal world of my own imagination. The creativity and camaraderie between myself and 39 brilliantly strange and beautiful minds all writing to the same deadline inspire me to take my writing to the next level. My family and friends are still anxiously awaiting the final revisions of my past MNM novels… me too. I’m back anyway with more ideas than I can keep in my head. I have mind maps of stories everywhere. My purse, my desk, in my nightstand, the car, on grocery lists (jotted down while shopping), on the back of my husband’s Sudoku books…  EVERYWHERE.

Twitter: @paulamazzocchi

 

Samantha BanikI have been writing for as long as I can remember, but have only in the last two years taken my craft seriously. Along my journey I have met many wonderful people and have experienced some wonderful things, the Muskoka Novel Marathon being one of them. This will be my second year and I am so excited to see every one again as we embark on this awesome journey for an extremely important cause. Love and blessings.

Twitter: @SammyBanik

Sarah Forgrave Sarah is an occasional dabbler in sports writing, poetry and blogging. A digital communications specialist by career and a librarian by education, she is a voracious reader with a penchant for psychological thrillers. Sarah proudly wears the badge of geekdom and is often the go-to girl for research and tech support. She enjoys the outdoors, playing ice hockey and spending time with her son and wonderful partner.

Twitter:

 @sforgrave      

Shellie Westlake 

Shellie is looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones at this year’s marathon, her seventh. She hasn’t been writing much lately, but hopes to be reunited with her muse on her favourite weekend of the year. In 2012, Shellie won Best Novel in the juvenile/young adult category for her manuscript, A Field Guide to Dragons and Other Exotic Animals.

Suzanne Caskie Suzanne writes inside the delicious world of hospitality and culinary arts and the ever-changing landscape of education. Whether capturing the essence of taste in advertising collateral, developing engaging curriculum or building change within an organization, Suzanne matches words with experience and outcome.

Suzanne is also a Turophile – lover of fine cheese – and trained as a Professional Fromager. From this doorway her writing includes a series of short stories that are presently in the hands of a Canadian publisher and are focused on teaching readers how to truly love food. While waiting to share that good news Suzanne is half way in to her first full-length novel full of the insatiable appetites of a group of characters that Suzanne hopes will be invited back. 

During the MNM Suzanne will put her yummy side on the shelf and delve into a story that has been bubbling during her daily commute. This tale of struggle and empowerment might break her heart if it stays much longer so she is grateful for the honour to be part of the creative energy that can make a story come to life. 

Twitter: @CulinaryTourist
Website: www.withincommunications.com

 

Suzi MarksWith a background in corporate change management and communications, Suzi decided it was time to manage her own personal change.  So at nearly the age of 40, she began to pursue her dream of becoming a professional comedian and author – and left the secure banking career she began at the age of 20.

Suzi is excited to work on her first novel, during the 2015 Muskoka Novel Marathon, surrounded by such talented writers. She currently lives in Toronto, and enjoys spending time in Muskoka with loved ones.

Facebook.com/LaughingItOff
Twitter.com/SuziMarks

Tena LaingI’m a writer who teaches and a teacher who writes in Toronto, a twin from Newfoundland, and a periodic trophy wife in Texas; an alum of The Humber School for Writers and the Banff Centre, a member of the Toronto Writers’ Centre and the Writers’ League of Texas, and currently working on 3 or 4 of my first novels and the occasional short story. 

This will be my third novel marathon.

Last year, I was delighted and astonished to find I had won the MNM Manuscript Competition in the adult category. I’m on the tail end of a writing sabbatical this year, and I can promise you, not even 6 months of dedicated writing time and next-to-no alarm clocks can equal the perfect cocktail of adrenaline and lockdown that 72 hours among kindred spirits in Huntsville will provide. 

Twitter: @TenaLaing
Blog: www.tenalaing.com

 

Tobin ElliottTobin’s been writing so long there may be graffiti inside his mother’s womb. His wife and kids believe he’s weird, but thankfully, put up with him (mostly). Tobin’s a horror author and has had three novellas published: Vanishing Hope, The Wrong, and the third Sam Truman mystery, Soft Kiss, Hard Death. He’s also had a short story published in the Whispered Words anthology and, most recently, in Expiration Date.

When he’s not coming up with ugly stories about bad people doing horrible things (stories even his own mother won’t read, by the way), he reads a lot (no, seriously, check him out on Goodreads), and he teaches creative writing for Trent University. Tobin also blogs about all sorts of things that irritate him. He’s also been a judge for both the Crime Writers of Canada’s Arthur Ellis Awards and the Canadian Authors Association’s Award for Fiction.

Tobin’s a proud founding board member of the Writers’ Community of Simcoe County (WCSC), as well as a regular attendee at its sister organization, the Writers’ Community of Durham Region (WCDR). And, of course, he participates in the Muskoka Novel Marathon each year. This year will be his fourth, which makes him question his sanity.

When he’s not doing any of this other stuff, he even sleeps.

Twitter: @TobinElliott
Website: http://tobinelliott.com/