Type A Media is proud to be home to creative works by some of the best emerging writers and artists from Northern Ontario and beyond. They’re the reason we do what we do, and we continue to be blown away by their talent, verve and outright excellence.
Get to know our authors and their stories here:
Home for the Holidays
Featuring contributions in arts, poetry and prose
from 14 diverse Northern Ontario Authors including:
Tova Arbus
Tova Arbus (she/her) is a Jewish-Canadian residing in Bawaating, the traditional land of the Anishinaabek Nation, home to the Métis Peoples. Settler-Indigenous relations here are guided by the Robinson-Huron, Robinson-Superior, and Jay Treaties. We are all responsible for working to understand historical truths, and work towards meaningful, action-based reconciliation.
Tova holds a BFA (HON) in Theatre Performance and Music, a post-grad certificate in Public Relations/Event Management, and has 15+ years of experience in event creation/implementation. She has worked as an actor, director, producer, stage manager, dramaturg, and technician, and served on several arts/community organization boards. She is co-founder and current president of the Fringe North Festival.
An active leader in the Jewish community and president of the local synagogue, Tova works diligently to ensure a safe and active congregation, combat antisemitism, raise community awareness, and strengthen Jewish life in Northern Ontario.
As a social entrepreneur and community arts coordinator, Tova champions social justice, ensuring fair treatment for all, focusing on building safe(r) spaces in the arts, and prioritizing justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion for all.
Patrick Aura
Patrick Aura (he/him) is first and foremost, an academic. As a PhD candidate at the Université de Montréal, he is writing a thesis on the intersection of early 20th century Canadian and Indigenous literatures with environmental studies, and history. His publications and conferences have also addressed such topics as science fiction, comic books, media studies, and historiographic metafiction. When he is not researching or teaching, Patrick writes poetry that engages in anything from trivial moments to human relations with ecology to the unseen bonds of community.
These poems were written over many years in bouts of immediate inspiration – they’re very Romantic in that respect. With one exception, these pieces pretend to focus on a specific element of the suburban world I inhabit when visiting family for the holidays. Upon a re-read, they appear to me as being more about a sentiment than any micro-examined world. As indicated by the tentative title I write most of the poems herein under. These are examples of what I call frosted windows. The only exception to this is the longer work “Is There Anybody Out There?”, which was written as the introduction to a work-in-progress that questions the complexities and antinomies of a chaotic immigrant family.
Brenda Barefoot
Brenda Barefoot is a master storyteller whose vivid words paint a rich masterpiece in the minds of her readers. Her passion for composition as words fall onto a page like paint strokes that convey an intricate landscape and tales capturing the essence of human experience for her international audience. Her unique voice blends eloquence with emotion, evoking nostalgia with her readers.
As Co-owner of Bear’s Den Lodge, Brenda transitioned from the corporate world to remote Northern Ontario 40 years ago. With a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and 45 years as a Long-Term Healthcare Administrator, Brenda has adeptly brought her leadership skills into the tourism industry, collaborating with her husband’s outfitting expertise. Her son, Joe, a talented writer and photographer, is a significant source of inspiration and mentorship.
As an avid outdoorswoman, Brenda finds joy in capturing the beauty of nature through her photography, fishing adventures, and storytelling. With a background in policy writing, education, and marketing – Brenda has secured grants to promote tourism and healthcare, showcasing her ability to connect personally and professionally with her community.
Join Brenda on her journey as she continues to explore, teach, and inspire through her words and embrace Ontario’s wilderness.
Samantha Everett
Samantha resides in the small town of Elk Lake, Ontario where she shares a life with her husband and their three children. She works full time as a nurse and enjoys writing in her spare time. Samantha got the idea for her poem when thinking about her son’s perspective of coming home for his Christmas break, capturing favourite traditions through his eyes.
J.L. Fizzell
J.L. Fizzell (think Fizz-ELLE) is a Second-Generation Canadian author and poet. Originally from Timmins, Ontario, she has lived in multiple communities across Northern Ontario. While she aims to spend as much time as she can visiting family in Germany, her true love is the rugged beauty of Northern Ontario’s wilderness. Words, nature and creativity have been at the core of her passions since childhood – especially the misunderstood art of poetry. She is now the author of four poetry anthologies and enjoys hosting poetry-based workshops that blur the lines between creativity and coping skills. She believes that our stories hold power, and that poetry can be a powerful tool to connect with our inner truth. When she’s not working on writing projects, you’ll find her wandering the forest with her husband and son, hoarding books, or trying to unravel the secrets of the universe.
Casey Gallant
Former officer in the Canadian Armed Forces,
50% stakeholder and operator of the Canadian national pawn shop company “East Coast Buy and Sell”,
Novice author, and proud father of 2.
Cynthia Goguen
Cynthia Louise Goguen lives with her family in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. She is born of Aboriginal and Irish descent. One of her favourite things to do is write. Her preferred genres are poetry, nostalgia, mystery, horror and otherworldly tales. Her dream is to one day see her works on the big screen to enable her to share her thoughts and ideas to a more vast audience. She is well recognized for her costume designs and horror makeup effects. She has also taken part in roles as a scare actor for a non-profit organization.
Olga Grapsas
Olga Grapsas lives in Goulais River, surrounded by nature, music, and reflection. She has been writing poetry since childhood, finding it a powerful way to express what spoken words sometimes cannot. Creativity is a central part of her life, whether she is cooking, painting, writing, or singing. Fluent in Polish, French, and Labrador Retriever, Olga finds joy in the simple pleasures of the outdoors and the timeless exploration of the self. Whether walking among the trees, exploring fields, or strolling along the beach in any season, nature is her sanctuary.
On the shores of Batchewana Bay, she often walks with her husband and their pup, drawing inspiration and celebrating the beauty and stillness of the natural world. Her poem Song of the Bay reflects how the scenery profoundly moves her, drawing her closer to nature and deepening her spiritual connection. The winds of Batchewana, unpredictable and almost supernatural, can sometimes gift us with a renewed focus or a humbling nudge towards something greater within our reach. Whether it is a soft breeze, a giant gust, a pinch of frost, or a swirl of snow, these bursts of nature are invaluable reminders to step outside, disconnect from screens, and feel the wind on our face!
Emma L.R. Hogg
Emma L.R. Hogg is an author of fiction novels, including Picket Fences (published by Tidewater Press, 2020) and Winona Rising (Whistler Independent Book Award Finalist, 2018). She is also the writer and director of a number of festival-selected and award-winning short films, including Liv & Adam (2022) and Numbers Men (2024). Emma lives and writes in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. More info at www.emmahogg.ca.
Photo credit: Tammy Fiegehen
Riley Korschin
Riley Korschin is a 15-year-old who is a passionate performer in Sault Ste. Marie. They’ve been performing in local productions for over a decade and still feel just as excited every time the curtain rises!
A student in Korah Collegiate’s ELP/IB program, Riley is grateful to combine their love for learning with their love for performing. This upcoming year, they are thrilled to be part of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with WestEnd Theatre Project and Mean Girls with Korah Musical Theatre.
When not on stage, Riley enjoys writing. Their short entry, Baked With Love, explores the bittersweet feeling of missing a loved one during Christmas and how the world transforms when you’re together again.
For Riley, it’s not about being in the spotlight. It’s about sharing stories and creating something special with others, whether through theatre or writing.
Tom Mills
Tom Mills is an award-winning humour columnist and author of the book, Sex is a Four-Letter Word and Other Misconceptions. Toronto Star Columnist Vinay Menon called him, “one of the funniest writers in this country (or any country).” These days the retired journalist is working on more-serious fiction, mainly short stories, one of which was published recently in The Algomian. He lives on a lake just north of Sault Ste. Marie with his dog, and conscience, Bailey.
Kitty Nielsen
Kitty (she/her) lives and works in Northwestern Ontario with her favourite cat and their kittens. When not working, writing, or concocting cocktails; she enjoys running, reading, eating candy, and finding warm patches of sun to lay in. It is during these latter activities that she often receives the inspiration for her cocktails. A few of these cocktails are featured in Type A Media’s Special Edition anthology, “Home for the Holidays”. For more of Kitty’s delectable drinks and experiences, look for her book, “Kitty’s Cocktails”, coming in Summer 2025 from Type A Media.
As someone who lives, plays, and works in Northwestern Ontario, it is important to acknowledge those who have come before me and who continue to protect and cherish this land. I respectfully acknowledge that Northwestern Ontario is located on the traditional lands of Indigenous Peoples. These lands include Robinson-Superior Treaty territory and Robinson-Huron Treaty territory. Both are traditional territory of the Anishnaabeg.
A.A. Parr
A. A. Parr is a Canadian writer, artist and entrepreneur with a Spec. Honours BFA from York University in Theatre (Ensemble Collective Creation; Playwriting) with a double minor in Psychology and Cultural Studies. She is also the Founder and Managing Editor of Type A Media. Her poetry series written for and about strangers, “I Wrote You This Poem”, is published weekly on Channillo.com, and she is the author of the poetry chapbook, “What Lasts Beyond the Burning”, 2020 from Nightingale & Sparrow Press. Her creative works have been seen on stages, in galleries, and in print throughout North America over the past two decades. In her work, she seeks to explore difficult themes in an attempt to shine a necessary light into our darkest crevices.
Her greatest and most rewarding role however, is in raising two beautifully inquisitive little artists of her own, having returned to her hometown of Sault Ste, Marie, Ontario.
For more information on her creative works, please visit her website here: www.aaparr.wixsite.com/ourghosts
Katelyn Townsend
Katelyn Townsend is a certified Life Coach Practitioner who views art as an avenue for healing, growth, and renewal. Poetry and painting have helped her cope throughout her own struggles as well as when helping clients reach their goals. Katelyn is diagnosed with both PTSD and a trauma induced autoimmune disorder. Each of these elements, along with the life experiences accompanying them, shape her approach. Katelyn is passionate about rebuilding in life and helping others claim their stories in powerful, inspiring ways. She enjoys hiking, kayaking and
spending time with her dog, Caspian. Katelyn is driven by the desire to help others find a deeper sense of unity in life – whether it is unity with themselves, those around, or the Divine.
This poem is about building a sense of home after hardship and abuse. The holiday seasons can be difficult for many people. This poem stands as a reminder that home can be what we choose to create it to be, and with the people we choose to create it with. Each stanza of the poem contains a nod to a different Christmas carol as Katelyn celebrates this particular tradition. See if you can find them all!
Isolated Together
Featuring contributions in arts, poetry and prose
from 18 diverse Northern Ontario Authors including:
Brenda Barefoot
Brenda Barefoot, owner of Bear’s Den Lodge, left the corporate world 35 years ago to go into uncharted waters to create a better life for her family. As a Bachelor of Science Registered Nurse and an experienced Healthcare Long-Term Care Administrator for the past 40 years she has taken her passion as a leader into the tourism industry along with her husband’s outfitting skills to live the dream.
Brenda enjoys the outdoors, capturing photos, fishing, storytelling, blogging and volunteering for the betterment of tourism and health in Northern Ontario. As an industry leader, she shares her love of the North through writing and teaching. As an educator, policy procedure writer; with years of marketing, she has acquired many grants for marketing tourism. Her technical writing now encompasses personal and business experiences for others to connect.
Her son is an inspiration and her world; an excellent writer, blogger, critique, photographer and a solid mentor. While Buddy, her mischievous Lab, loves his ears being scratched and greets all that visit the Bear’s Den Lodge.
Patrick Aura
A rare example of a graduate student that still knows how to smile, Patrick’s academic focus is on English-Canadian literature and how it informs perceptions of history. Over the last few years, he has expanded into writing poetry and prose to varying degrees of success. His creative work tends to be uncluttered and straightforward as it tries to capture the mundane experiences of an English major and the world around him.
His academic work is the complete opposite. After years of developing ideas and writing, the one question that he still cannot satisfactorily answer is his parents’ insistence on asking “why?” After having started a podcast about Canadian literature, the answer becomes all the more elusive. Patrick is content with the idea that he writes to explore what nobody asked to be explored.
Deborah de Bakker
Deborah de Bakker lives in Thunder Bay, where she writes and practices law (debakkerlaw.ca). She is a long-time member of Thunder Bay Writers Guild and Northwestern Ontario Writers Workshop (nowwwriters.ca).
Like most people, she has been looking to various leaders for guidance during the Covid 19 crisis. When Prime Minister Justin Trudeau commented that masks can prevent people from speaking or breathing “moistly” on others, his choice of words made her see the possibility for some dark humour. And if we are consulting leaders, why not go straight to the top and imagine what God would advise? In writing this piece, Deborah enjoyed playing with biblical language, using the Book of Deuteronomy as inspiration. She hopes readers will find a bit of comic relief here.
A. A. Parr
A. A. Parr is a writer, artist and entrepreneur who calls both Sault Ste. Marie and Toronto home. She holds a Specialised Honours BFA from York University in Theatre (Devised Ensemble Creation; Playwriting) with a double minor in Psychology and Cultural Studies. She is also the Founder and Managing Editor of Type A Media.
Her poetry series written for and about strangers, “I Wrote You This Poem”, is published weekly on Channillo.com, and she is the author of the poetry chapbook, “What Lasts Beyond the Burning”, forthcoming in December 2020 from Nightingale & Sparrow Press. Her creative works have been seen on stages, in galleries, and in print throughout North America over the past two decades. In her work, she seeks to explore difficult themes in an attempt to shine a necessary light into our darkest crevices.
For more information on her creative works, please visit her website here: www.aaparr.wixsite.com/ourghosts
Mandy Massé
Mandy grew up in Sault Ste Marie and is a graduate of Algoma University. While not her concentration in school, she considers herself an English Lit major at heart. She has an impressive vintage scarf collection and currently enjoys listening to early Elvis Presley, Hurray for the Riff Raff, and instrumental jazz stations. If there is one author who the literary world would be much emptier without, she would put her finger on Thomas Hardy.
Mackenzie Mooney
Mackenzie Mooney is an amateur writer and hobbyist photographer, born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. She is a recent graduate from Algoma University, where she majored in English studies. She has a particular interest in film photography and enjoys the slow and thoughtful process of shooting, developing and scanning film at home. The challenges and celebrations of living in Northern Ontario have contributed to her sense of community and understanding of herself. She aspires to focus on recognizing the importance of inclusivity in her work.
Krista McCracken
Krista McCracken (they/ them) is a queer non-binary archivist and public historian. They are an avid embroiderer, tea drinker, and writer. Krista is passionate about community spaces, access, and imagining new futures. They are one of the co-founders of the Queer Making Collective, a group which encourages queer folks to craft, make, and create together.
Krista acknowledges the forever history of the land they live and work on in Baawating (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario). This land is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe and Métis people, specifically Garden River First Nation, Batcheawana First Nation, and the Historic Métis community of Sault Ste. Marie.
Sarah McComb
Sarah McComb is an emerging Northern Ontario author who dabbles in fiction, poetry, and occasionally non-fiction. A Humber College book publishing graduate, Sarah now works at a public library.
“Solitude” is a blackout poem which draws upon The Northern Lakes of Canada by Barlow Cumberland, blending the past and the present, digital and paper media.
Jacob Maybe
Jacob Maybe has been writing professionally since 2018, when the CBC longlisted his salute to flash floods and the family dog in the Canada Writes competition. He utterly fails to stick to a genre, having published poems, literary short stories, a picture book (“Thunderbeard”), and a paranormal mystery novel (“Masking for Trouble”) since then, all while developing a middle grade eco-fantasy series.
This story was selected for the 20th Annual Northern Ontario Writers Workshop Awards and the Oregon Writers Colony Awards. Its protagonist is a man struggling with the disconnect between his humble social standing as “the meat cutter” and his own, more grand vision of himself. When the global pandemic reaches his already-isolated corner of the world, the butcher’s journey through toxic masculinity and pride, education and privilege, addiction and ambition gains mortal consequences.
Katelyn Townsend
Katelyn Townsend is a Life Coach Practitioner who enjoys helping individuals soar to new heights in order to conquer whatever hunting grounds they are in. Her mission is to teach others how to rebuild so that they are able to reach their full potential, smash their goals, and thrive in every area of life.
Katelyn enjoys hiking, kayaking and being in the woods. Her love of Northern Ontario’s nature contributed to the formation of this poem. Throughout the pandemic many of us have felt a sense of uncertainty and anticipation of something that is yet to come. It is a season of growth, waiting, and new opportunity. Her poem highlights that journey.
For inspiration and motivation throughout your own journey you can follow Katelyn Townsend – Life Coach Practitioner on social media. Visit her website at www.katelyntownsend.weebly.com to start pursuing your passions today because your own peaceful paradise awaits.
Errol Caldwell
Errol is a retired research director, having worked in the Federal Government, Algoma University and the Sault Ste Marie Innovation Centre (RAIN- Rural Agri-Innovation Network). He has an honorary doctorate of science degree from Algoma University in recognition of his scientific and artistic contributions to the community.
Now fully retired, his current activities focus on photography and woodworking to highlight the natural beauty of the world that we live in. Restrictions during the COVID-19 Pandemic resulted in all local and out of town craft and art shows being cancelled. This gave Errol more time to take photos of the the beautiful surroundings and wildlife we have within Algoma District and northern Ontario. He felt that although he was often isolated, he never felt truly alone.
Erin Pitkethly
Erin Pitkethly grew up in Sudbury, Ontario, attended university in Guelph and Toronto and then returned to Northern Ontario. She has won awards for her essays, screenplays, poetry, and short stories. She was awarded Best Screenwriter at the Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards for her feature film script “Jay Walking”. Her fiction was included in the anthology “Outcrops”. Erin works in healthcare and is passionate about using nutrition and lifestyle to achieve better health. An outdoor enthusiast, she can often be found hiking or snowshoeing with her dog. She lives in Corbeil with her husband and two daughters.
Amy Townsend
Amy enjoys going for walks with her dog while taking photographs of nature along the way. This includes nature within our industrialized areas, of which Sunrise is a perfect example. Through the COVID pandemic and isolation things have not always been easy, but with each new sunrise comes a new day and new hope with it. To quote Victor Hugo, “Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.”
And, featuring members of the RedShoes Writing Collective:
The RedShoes Writing Collective met for 20 odd years at The Northern Woman’s Bookstore in Thunder Bay. After the bookstore closed, RedShoes continued as part of Northern Feminisms and met in various places, and since the pandemic, we meet online via video chat. At each meeting, we take turns finding writing prompts; Virtual RedShoes in a Pandemic is an example of our results.
Our title refers to taking the red shoes of women’s creativity into the virtual world where we support each other through the pandemic with feminist convictions. Our group has been so positive and helpful for each of us in putting down our words onto paper (or digital devices) and being inspired by each other’s creativity during a time of global pandemic.
Of the seven current RedShoes members, five have contributed writing for this anthology:
Samidha Kalia
Samidha Kalia is a creative writer, researcher, and an avid book reader. Her stories deal with gender, history, time, and memory. Her interests lie in analysing women’s fiction, writing reviews, re-writing the myth of women in folklore and fairy tales, along with eating good food and drinking cups of chai. Her short story “In the Caravan of Grief” was published in The Best Asian Short Stories 2019.
Find her book reviews on https://paperbacksforlife.wordpress.com
Katja Maki
Katja Maki is a published writer, photographer, and artist. Her work embodies the green wild shores of Lake Superior and the solid rock of the Canadian Shield as well as the magic of the everyday. She had written a book for children about the Finnish goddess, Ilmatar. She is currently working on a four book YA series on Finnish magic fantasy.
Sanjana Sharma
Sanjana Sharma is a writing enthusiast with a special interest in poetry. Sanjana is pursuing her bachelor’s in Computer Science at Lakehead University and is active on campus. She is a firm believer in bringing change through advocacy and storytelling. Through her poetry, Sanjana hopes to share her thoughts with the community. She reads her poems at local events, wrote for The Argus (the university paper) for two years, and works to bring food security to students.
Taina Maki Chahal
Taina Maki Chahal is a published writer, teaches writing, and organizes poetry writing workshops for Northern Feminisms. She recently published “Poetry Against ‘Oh, Canada! Racism” in Discover Society, an online European journal. Her short plays have been performed at various venues in Thunder Bay. She writes site specific poems and reads them throughout the city in public spaces. For paid work, she is a contract lecturer at Lakehead University.
Annette Pateman
Annette Pateman was born in the UK to Jamaican parents and grew up listening to Jamaican sayings and folklore; this is reflected in her poetry which centres on identity, race and relationships. She now lives in Thunder Bay, where she enjoys giving poetry readings, practising yoga, and walking in nature. Her first poetry collection, Spectrum, was published in May 2020. She is currently researching fairytales and folklore with a grant from the Ontario Arts Council.
