Kathleen May

Kathleen May is a writer, speaker, and activist. Muskoka raised, she returned to Huntsville from Toronto with an Honours degree in English from York University in 2013. Having begun as a volunteer, she is now a crisis counsellor at Chrysalis, Huntsville women’s shelter. Kathleen’s keynote speech on Survivor Resiliency has been well received at conferences in Muskoka and Barrie, and she also regularly speaks for smaller groups about self-care as an activist, empowerment self-defence, and many other topics. Kathleen also writes a bi-weekly column, She Speaks, for the Huntsville Doppler on subjects such as mindfulness, addiction and mental health, and the strides still needed for a just world for women and marginalized people.

Kathleen’s activist work includes:

-maintaining a popular feminist blog for 9 years

-co-founding and facilitating Huntsville Women’s Group, the free weekly drop-in for women, now celebrating 5 years

-crisis-line volunteer and survivor mentor with Muskoka Parry Sound Sexual Assault Services

-Community Connector for Women’s March Muskoka

-creator/producer/host of ‘herstories’, now completed two seasons for YourTV Cogeco

-establishing a steering committee for a sustainable women’s land co-operative in Muskoka

Kathleen finds joy in nature as a backpacker and hiker, and in writing, where she weaves stories of complex female characters in real and imaginary worlds.

This is Kathleen's fifth Muskoka Novel Marathon. In her second marathon, she received Honourable Mention for her manuscript Crack, and last year, she won Best Author for her novella Song! You can usually find her in a nest on the floor or a camp chair outside. Favourite writer goodies include coffee, chocolate mini eggs, and emotional support.

A message from Kathleen about fundraising:

If you know me, you know I am a lifelong writer who is passionate about creating fiction that women can see themselves in. Every marathon submission has been a lesbian story that includes love but is not a romance. ⚢ I write about lesbians existing in the world in all our varied, compelling, and complex ways. If this sounds AWESOME to you (which it is) or if you just think it's wonderful that the marathon raises funds for YMCA Literacy Services (includes ESL for newcomers!) please donate to my fundraiser.

Here's what I'm offering in return! 🤩

$5 pick a colour, word, or object that I focus on in an unusual setting 🌈

$10 pick a relationship that I implement (sisters, long-lost childhood besties, etc - be creative!) 👵

$20 choose a character name or nickname! 👩‍🚀

$50 choose a subplot! 😲

(all subject to my creative licence of course, but I'll try hard to make it happen the way you describe! ❣️)

Contact me through facebook or email me to claim your prize if you donated. THANK YOU!