Photos: Local Author Launches Book Signing of His First Publication: Story of a Goat
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Peterborough Blogs
Hometown PTBO: Author Matthew Flagler Releasing His New Book; Held to the Fire, Recounting The Stories of the Famous Quaker Factory Explosion
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This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with author Matthew Flagler about his new book about the famous Quaker Factory explosion; Held to the Fire, the book's timeline and his family connection to the building.
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Local Author and Illustrator Publish Children's Fantasy Book 'Polly & The Pumpkin Patch Pixie'
/Inclusion and individuality, inspired by real-life events come to life from local author Niki Allday and illustrator Kaylah Wilson as they published a children’s fantasy book ‘Polly & The Pumpkin Patch Pixie.’
17-year-old Kaylah Wilson (left) and Niki Allday (right) with her two children. The book took roughly 18 months to create with illustrations beginning since February. Photos courtesy of Niki Allday.
The book is a fairytale with the protagonist Polly and her pixie friend in a magical pumpkin adventure. It is based on Allday’s experiences visiting Cody & Kelsie's Veggy Patch in Millbrook with her children, drawing a simile between people and pumpkins.
“I hope people understand the underlying message of inclusion and individuality,” explained Allday. “We all come in different colours, shapes and sizes, just like the pumpkins.”
The book is inspired from visits to Cody & Kelsie's Veggy Patch in Millbrook as it is a ‘magical’ pumpkin patch described by Allday. Photo courtesy of Niki ALlday.
The book is already available online at Amazon and is planned to be sold locally at Watson & Lou and Bellies & Babies. Cody & Kelsie's Veggy Patch is also selling copies during the fall season.
Polly & The Pumpkin Patch Pixie took one-and-a-half years from start to finish to complete. Allday had the help of 17-year-old student Wilson who illustrated the book, beginning work early this year.
“Kaylah had started her illustrations in February, working through her exams and keeping a very tight deadline so we could move forward with publishing for our fall launch,” said Allday. “Kaylah was so easy to work with and seeing my story come to life, was a beautiful experience.”
Allday is also a photographer atop her authoring career. Photo courtesy of Niki ALlday.
Allday said she stuck to strict deadlines to get it ready for the fall season, appropriately enough to match the setting of her book.
The pair have a book signing scheduled at Chapters on Lansdowne Street for Sept. 30.
“I am so proud of us both and truly grateful to Chapters for hosting us and for the local shops offering to sell copies,” exclaimed Allday.
One of Allday’s most rewarding moments of writing and publishing a book is being able to share it with her two children.
“It’s a very special feeling laying in bed reading your children a story you wrote, that was inspired by a memory spent with them,” she said.
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Local 22-Year-Old Student Writes Memoir On Her Stroke and Recovery
/After a stroke-like episode left Trent University student Jenna Dakin with no memory, she picked up the pieces of the last two decades through recovery and writing.
22-year-old masters student Jenna dakin. photo courtesy of jenna dakin.
In December 2021, Dakin suffered a neurological episode that most resembled a stroke. She became unresponsive and paralyzed on her left side.
“I had a lot of cognitive deficits from it, but one of the main things that I acquired was severe retrograde amnesia, so all my memories prior to my stroke are gone.”
Dakin says that writing her memoir, 21 Cups, has helped her to navigate her amnesia and stroke recovery process.
“It basically was like re-starting the world at 21,” she continued. “I started writing as kind of a therapy tool and then next thing I knew I had half a book written. It was so therapeutic, and then I had this beautiful thing in front of me.”
photo courtesy of jenna dakin.
In just a moment, Dakin went from an average university student to learning how to walk again.
Just a few weeks before Christmas in 2021, she came home from a dinner out when she sat down on the stairs to take her shoes off.
“I suddenly slumped over and became completely paralyzed and unresponsive on my left side,” Dakin recalls.
The next thing she remembered she was in the hospital undergoing CT scans and MRI’s, after which she was told by neurologists of her stroke-like episode.
“People say I’m crazy because I never stopped school and I just kept going, but for me that was no question. Like I didn’t know who my mom was but I was like ‘teach me psychology because I’m continuing,’” she laughed. “If I didn’t have school I don’t know what I would’ve done. It gave me a purpose, it ignited that drive for me.”
After reaching out to a publisher at One Thousand Trees who “fell in love” with her book, Dakin was able to get it published earlier in March.
She highlights the unique perspective her memoir is told through, adding a positive spin to every setback she endures.
“I always say, I can’t find the words to be able to make other people understand what its like to go through this, to lose all your memories and restart the world. There’s really no way to describe that, but I think my book is a way to potentially show people what it is like in this world for me,” Dakin said. “I think this book (offers) the chance to view the world a little differently for a minute. Not everyone is lucky enough to experience all their firsts again, but I get to re-experience my first steps, my first words and more.”
Though Dakin is currently stable in her recovery process, she notes that having another neurological episode is a “very real possibility,” though she tries to not worry about that chance.
“I had 21 years kind of robbed from me, so I don’t want to live my life worrying that I’m going to lose more years. I’ve kind of realized that life is too short and I might as well cherish what I have right now. I just want to enjoy every moment that I can and not lose anymore of my life,” she said.
21 Cups is available on Amazon.
Peterborough Woman Writes Grief Memoir on the Death of Teenaged Friend
/To help cope with her best friend’s tragic death, Patti Kimball wrote and published her book ‘Siren on Repeat: What My Best Friend’s Death Taught Me About Hope and Grief’ describing the story of grief and loss of Aprile McIntosh at the age of 14.
Aprile and Patti in January 1988. Photo courtesy of Patti Kimball.
In 1988, Kimball’s best friend died suddenly from a congenital heart condition.
“Aprile was the most cheerful, outgoing (person),” says Kimball. “The laughter just never stopped when you were around her.”
She says her fondest memories of McIntosh include dance parties at Club 404 in Peterborough, movie nights and shopping trips.
“We would all gather around and we dance a lot, we laughed, those were just really, really fun moments,” recalls Kimball. “We would go to those places and we would dance our hearts out for at least a good four hours.”
Photo courtesy of Patti Kimball.
On the day of her passing in February of 1988, Kimball recalls staying home sick that day and starting to feel better around 5 p.m. She received a phone call around 6:50 p.m. from McIntosh, asking if she wanted to go to the dance club with her and a couple of other friends.
“I told her I was not going to be able to go out, there was no way that my mom and dad were going to allow me to do that after I had been sick all day.”
“‘Are you sure that I can’t see you for just five minutes Pat? That’s all I need,’ and I said ‘Yeah I’m sure,’” Kimball continues. “Then she said ‘Pat? You’re the best, never forget it, and I’ll see you soon.’”
By 7:04 p.m., Kimball says, the ambulance had shot down her street. She lived at the top end of the same street as McIntosh, with her house at the bottom end.
“When the ambulance went by, I just got this really unsettling feeling that I couldn’t really figure out,” she describes.
Kimball recalls shaking off those bad feelings and going to bed. When she woke up in the morning she prepared to call McIntosh after breakfast.
“I went over and I start dialling her number, and I hadn’t even finished when I received a knock on my door from another friend, who came and said ‘Patti, it’s Aprile.’ I said ‘I knew it, I knew there was something wrong. What hospital is she in?’ and she just shook her head and told me it’s worse than the hospital, and at that point I knew exactly what happened,” says Kimball.
McIntosh had a congenital heart condition; she had multiple holes through the chambers of her heart, and had been in and out of hospital for many years according to Kimball.
While walking to catch the bus, she collapsed.
Kimball’s self-published novel ‘Siren on Repeat: What My Best Friends Death Taught Me About Hope and Grief’
Along with her group of loyal friends, McIntosh was survived by a sister, brother and two parents.
“All of us friends showed up to all three (visitations), together. It was about loyalty, and if that was any one of us Aprile would’ve done the exact same thing,” said Kimball. “We weren’t not going to be there for her or her family. We were there for all of it. None of us bailed out on her.”
As the years progressed, Kimball went on to graduate from a Social Service Worker program, working as a practical nurse with a focus on community nursing. She is also an Emotional Health Practitioner, a certified Mindset and Emotional Wellness coach trained in the Emotional Wellness Technique.
“When Aprile died it changed me forever. I became more compassionate and more empathetic,” said Kimball. “I gravitated to the helping professions, which is why I went into nursing and I’m a mindset and emotional wellness coach.”
Kimball’s call to help others, as well as processing her own grief, is what led her to write.
“There is not a right or wrong way to grief. I certainly don’t have all the answers but I wanted to be able to share what my experiences were so that someone else who’s reading it may be able to look at where they’re at in their own grief journey and be able to ‘do’ grief on their own terms,” said Kimball. “I wrote many poems processing my grief during that time period, and each time I sat down and I completed one I felt better. Then a few days later I would get this nudge that would tell me I had a lot more to say.”
This was when Kimball says she began writing Siren on Repeat.
“I wanted to honour her memory, and focus on who she was- and not her illness-, the legacy she left behind and the importance of human connection and what friendship really means. The power of those connections can get us to work through the grief and the pain that we’re feeling,” she continues. “The readers will step into my carefree, adolescent days of friendship, experience the shock and trauma of a grieving teenager and follow along my healing journey, to be able to leave the reader with a sense of inspiration.”
The self-published book was released on Oct. 31.
“Through the years I saw so many young people struggling with grief and loss, and I was one of those kids, so I felt a responsibility to support others through grief and loss because I lived it. I knew by sharing my story it may be exactly what someone else needs to hear,” said Kimball.
‘Siren, On Repeat: What My Best Friend’s Death Taught Me About Hope and Grief’ is a memoir that heals through storytelling, offering hope to the reader and author alike by dissecting her grief and honouring the memory of McIntosh.
Those interested in reading Kimball’s novel can click this link.
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Peterborough Author Collaborates With North Carolina Author To Compile Mail Art From Around The World Documenting COVID-19
/Local artist and author Erica Richmond of Open Sky Stories, will release a new book ‘The Mail Art Stories Project: Mail Art in the Time of Covid-19’ on April 20.
Erica Richmond and Shannon Fitzgerald. Photo’s courtesy of Open Sky Stories.
From April 2020 - August 2021, Richmond and Shannon Fitzgerald (Hillsborough, NC, USA) collected 119 pieces of decorated envelopes from a total of 52 people living across 11 countries.
Now compiled together, this book tells the story of individuals experience living within the pandemic.
“In all the stories that were shared, there was an overwhelming cry for connection that often felt met by this simple act of sending mail to complete strangers.” says Richmond.
The youngest participant was 7 years old. Many had never created mail art before, while others were well-experienced, starting their journey through the art form as early as the 1970s.
There are submissions from pen pals (one from Sri Lanka and one from Spain) who met during Covid19 and chose to participate together. There are submissions from a young boy and his Nana who were missing each other. There is a submission from a family who chose to complete this project as a team.
The Mail Art Stories Project will be available for sale on April 20 via Amazon, through openskystories.com or boldmovesstudio.com and can soon be ordered through any bookstore via Ingram Spark.
Local Author Emulates The Feeling Of Anxiety in Book 'Pixie and the Bees'
/Local author and business owner Erika Richmond of Open Sky Stories hosted a book signing for her book ‘Pixie and the Bees’ at the modern Makers Market Shop on Tuesday.
Erika Richmond at Modern Makers Market Shop. Photo by Angela O’Grady.
Richmond wrote ‘Pixie and the Bees’ based on her experience living with anxiety.
She says a few years ago she was experiencing health issues, and having a hard time getting diagnosed.
“I was in physical pain, I was nauseous 2/7, this lasted about a year. My doctor was amazing, she saw me weekly, did every test she could, she kept bringing up the possibility of anxiety and I would say no, that’s not it - it’s too physical it can’t be that,” said Richmond.
Eventually Richmond accepted her diagnosis and began writing about her experience, and Pixie was born.
The story of Pixie and the Bees is about a young pixie that one day swallows a swarm of bees, though doctors can’t seem to help her and her friends don’t know what is wrong with her.
“I felt like I had bees swarming and buzzing through my entire body, and that was the only way I could describe it,” she said.
Pixie goes on a journey of learning what can make her feel better like riding her bike or going outside. As she begins to learn more the bees come out one by one.
“To be honest I wasn’t sure how to end it, because I can’t have a full on happy ending - so at the end the bees don’t all go away, she just learns and learns to trust herself again.”
Initially when Richmond wrote this book, because it was about her own experience, she thought it would be a book for adults.
But Richmond teamed up with local artist Brooklin Holbrough to illustrate the book, and that opened it up to be read by all ages.
“I have had so many people reach out to me whos children have read it and love it. It never mentions anxiety, it doesn’t say anything about mental health, it’s just a story and they get it on a very different level than adults do.”
In addition to being an author Richmond founded Open Sky Stories, a community that encourages connection, creativity and collaboration through writing.
Her products, which include collections of writing prompts, fortune cookies and ‘Pixie and the Bees’, can be purchased at Modern Makers Market Shop, Hi Ho Silver, Watson and Lou and online.
For more information about Open Sky Stories visit their website, Instagram or Facebook.
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New Book Highlights Brothers that Brought Demolition Derbies to Peterborough
/Peterborough journalist Ed Arnold has released a book about Walt and Bill Williams, who brought Trans Canada Hell Drivers and Demolition Derbies to the Peterborough area.
Photo found in Never say Never, signed by Walt Williams
Identical twins Walt and Bill Williams, from London, Ont., always had a knack for entertaining.
They started their careers playing the ukulele, piano and fiddle for admiring audiences. They then graduated to rollerblading, and performing stunts on trampolines. They took their acts all over North America, but it wasn’t until they got an invitation to perform as Hell Drivers at the New York World’s Fair, that their lives changed forever.
The brothers went home to Canada and formed the Trans Canada Hell Drivers and Demolition Derby, which quickly became the best known auto thrill show in Canada.
“We played all the fairs in Canada, and the Peterborough Exhibition was one of the better fairs in it’s day,” said Walt Williams. “ It was an exciting fair, we brought a lot of excitement there.”
Ed Arnold’s new book, Never Say Never, Walt and Bill Williams Story, highlights the brother’s lives and their travels around the world with the Trans Canada Hell Drivers.
“Our biggest thing was making people happy, and making them laugh at the shows,” he said. “ An entertainer always likes the applause.”
The Williams brothers brought the Trans Canada Hell Drivers and demolition derbies to the Peterborough Exhibition for decades.
“Even today the demolition derby is still the biggest drawing card at fairs,” said Williams. “Every fair has them.”
Williams, in his 80’s, has since retired from performing. While COVID-19 has put a stop to his beloved fairs, he says he enjoys getting out to see a show every once in a while.
To purchase Never Say Never, Walt and Bill Williams Story, click here.
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Local Horror Author Strikes Deal With Netflix for Film Adaptation
/Author Ian Rogers will have something to scream over as his book “Every House Is Haunted” will become a Netflix movie announced last week.
Ian Rogers won ReLit Award in the “short fiction “ category for Every House is Haunted in 2013. Photo Courtesy of Ian Rogers.
The details of when production is currently unknown but the confirmation was given to Rogers by email about the news over a week ago.
The book is a collection of short horror fiction stories released in 2012 where movie adaptation will feature the novelette, “The House on Ashley Avenue”.
The movie is titled the book’s name over the novelette to make it more recognizable according to Rogers.
Sam Raimi and Zainab Azizi of Raimi Productions are the film producers and have hired Rogers as a consultant. Just having them being involved with the film is an honour to the award-winning author.
“I know it’s cliché to say but it’s a dream come true,” said Rogers. “This is massive for my writing career. Having Sam Raimi wanting to do my film together, it’s like Stephen King asking me to do a book together.”
Ian Rogers (pictured) currently resides in Peterborough with his wife Kathryn Verhulst-Rogers, a manager of Communications at Trent University. Photo Courtesy of Ian Rogers.
Rogers’s book is inspired by his normal life with imaginary twists. He says his stories are inspired by places he is close to such as Nova Scotia, Toronto and Peterborough where his family lives, his hometown and his current residence respectively.
The House on Ashley Avenue is inspired by his neighbourhood walks in Toronto he tells PTBOCanada.
“Ashley Avenue is not a real street, I used to go for walks and I was walking in that area,” he said. “It was this really beautiful summer day and there was this immaculate house. When you put a twist, you ask, “What could go wrong on a day as beautiful as this?’”
“Shards” is Rogers’s latest book release where five friends rent a cabin but only four come out alive. His book is available to read online for free. Photo Courtesy of Ian Rogers.
Every House is Haunted has been out of print but Rogers plans to print another edition in time for the movie’s release as stated on his book’s official website.
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Q & A: Peterborough Native Jennifer Robson On Her Bestseller "Somewhere In France" & The New Sequel
/Peterborough was a great influence on the acclaimed author
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