FIREFLY is a MYRCA Northern Lights 2023 nominee

I could not be more honoured to say that FIREFLY has been nominated for the Manitoba Young Reader's Choice Awards (MYRCA) in the Northern Lights category (grades 6-8).

Thank you to them, this is the first time one of my books has been nominated for this wonderful reader's choice award. The winner will be chosen by the student reader's of Manitoba, some time next spring 2023. Get reading, everyone!

FIREFLY is listed with some fantastic Canadian authors and books for young readers, congrats to all nominees and publishers. A special thanks, as always, to my publishing family at DCB Young Readers.

Here is the complete list: MYRCA Northern Lights 2023

FIREFLY has had an amazing year, believe me a book like this only comes along once in a while in any author's career. While I don't think any author sits down to write a book to win awards (at least I don't), it's always an incredible honour to receive recognition from your peers, from the literary community and especially from readers. Thank you, all.

Author (2nd from left) and her
fab publishing family at DCB Young Readers

Writing is a long, lonely endeavour; FIREFLY took a lifetime to write in a way, since the story is set in a costume shop inspired by a real costume shop run by my extended family here in Toronto. 

There isn't always a lot of money in writing (truth), although you can have a good year or even several good years, the fact is that most writers in Canada have a second job. I'm also a copywriter, some people write scripts, work as journalists, librarians or teachers and so on.

I'm always inspired by meeting kids, and talking to them about books and answering their questions about my stories. That feels like a sacred trust, frankly, and I love doing it. 

BUT ... awards and nominations inspire, too. They are never expected, but delightful when they come. And to be purely businesslike about it, awards and nominations help my small, independent, Canadian publisher sell books, which then allows me to write more books. Publishing is craft, art, and business, and nominations and awards also bring sales.

All to say that this author is incredibly grateful, inspired and deeply humbled by the success, thank you to everyone who has mentored, inspired and given me a chance over the years. Thanks also to my readers, who seem to keep getting what it is I'm trying to say!

More about FIREFLY on this blog

A complete list of this author's awards

The author dressed as her character, FIREFLY