Hi there. Welcome to my website. To take a short-cut directly to information about one of my books, my research and credentials, examples of my commercial illustrations, my drawings, and my services, head to the menu at the top of the page now, where you will also find a career overview. Otherwise, keep reading. And visit my Blog for book excerpts, archived magazine articles, and original posts.
WHAT I DO
I am the author or co-author of about twenty works of non-fiction (and counting), and have published innumerable magazine articles. I’ve written widely on history, business, science and technology, the environment, and sport. While I have published recent works with academic presses, my writing is pitched at the discerning general reader, and I pride myself in explaining complex things for general audiences. You can find entries I have written for Henry Hudson, John Cabot, Nortel, and Tim Hortons at the Canadian Enclopedia, a resource aimed at school-age readers. Other clients include Cottage Life, ON Nature, Canada’s History, andUC Observer (Broadview). I provide editorial services to publishers and individuals. Those services include ghost writing, for projects that have included a major global brand, a leading figure in Canadian business, one of the world’s top consulting companies, and a leading global cybersecurity firm. I also work as an illustrator and a graphic designer. In my spare time, I’m a landscape artist. I also run the website Wild Great Lakes, which addresses news and issues for cruising boaters, kayakers, campers, cottagers, hikers, anglers, and whoever else might be interested.
Services
After more than thirty years in the business as an editor, freelance writer, researcher, communications consultant, and illustrator, I have a broad skill set that includes an award-winning ability to write compelling narrative prose, a disciplined approach to managing projects, a high level of scholarly achievement, original analysis, an ability to read French sources, and considerable experience in many different forms of research, ranging from first-person interviews to archival research to genealogical sleuthing. I’m mainly known for writing books and articles under my own byline, but I also help other people tell their stories, whether that’s at book or magazine-article length, and can craft speeches that capture the client’s voice and deliver an effective message. I have also provided consulting to museums on the content of exhibitions. I am available for public speaking on areas in which I’ve published.
In graphic design and illustration, I packaged three of my own books (A Breed Apart, Champions, and Yacht Design Explained), and designed Allen Smutylo’s award winning Wild Places Wild Hearts. I’m particularly known for my maps, which have appeared in many of my own books as well as those by other authors at leading publishing houses. See the Illustrations page for more.
How do you reach/follow me? And buy my books?
How do you find my books?
All of my books that are in print (including e-book format) are readily ordered through the usual retail options. I encourage readers to support their local independent bookstores. You can see what I’ve written (and sometimes what I’m up to) at Goodreads.
Are you on Facetwitter or whatever?
No. This website is where you can follow me and contact me.
How do you hire me?
I am happy to discuss any prospective assignment, without a meter running. On book-related projects, I am represented by Hilary McMahon at WCA.
How do I get in touch with you?
To contact me directly, email me here.
Blog
A.Y. Jackson's "unknown" landscape
I visited McMaster University’s Museum of Fine Arts in February 2020, to view several early (pre World War I) works by A.Y. Jackson. One of them, Girl in the Middy, an oil sketch of Rosa Breithaupt, herself painting by the water’s edge, contained a bonus painting on the obverse side: a landscape catalogued as “unknown” in subject matter. Jackson’s fellow member of the Group of Seven, A.J. Casson, actually wrote (in ink!) on it: “The sketch on the reverse side could possibly be an early AY Jackson.” That clearly seems to be the case. But what does it depict?
“The Place of Stone” review in Winterthur Portfolio
One must have patience where reviews of academic-press books are concerned. It can take years for some to appear, but it’s nice when the waiting is worth it. The Place of Stone (UNC Press, 2017), which was developed from my 2015 doctoral dissertation, “Stone of Power,” has earned another strong review, this time by Patricia … Continue reading “The Place of Stone” review in Winterthur Portfolio
