Welcome to my writing and nature-photography site. It will remain a work-in-progress as I post poems, remove others, and continue to create new pages for guest poets. I've also added several slideshows featuring my photography, in addition to what's already here. These slideshows are also linked to my photos on Webshots, where they can be viewed fullsize, since the slideshow images are cropped to fit into the smaller space. Please visit often!
I live in Pleasant Valley, Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia on the shores of the lovely Annis River. Many years ago, I graduated from Acadia University in Wolfville and grew up in that wonderful town. For much of my adult life, I've been a public school teacher, most notably at Yarmouth Consolidated Memorial High School. I retired in 2004 (before reaching my maximum "time served") to pursue other goals, including my writing. If old acquaintances would like to contact me, I would be absolutely delighted! See email particulars at the bottom of the page.
My work has been featured in print as well as on several internet poetry forums and in late 2005, some of it was collected into my first poetry book, "Cleansing", published by Rising Tide Press. A second and smaller book, "Beeline", is available from Lopside Press in the US (see links or scroll down this page). I've also written scripts for young people's theater, spent a season performing as a singer/playwright at Upper Clements theme park, and created a television docudrama about domestic violence. I'm available on assignment to script youth productions for public school use, if a specific theme or format is required.
If you're a teacher and find something of interest among my poems, please feel free to contact me for permission to use them in your own classroom. The contents of this site may not be reproduced without written authorization. Usually, I'm happy to oblige. Thanks!
Enjoy the site and please tell others about it. - Brenda
Needless to say, the novel manuscript is now in search of a publisher. At approximately 73,000 words, it is definitely a full-length book. Its protagonist is a teenage girl with an ileostomy, so the book would be of special interest to Crohn's & Colitis or Ostomy support groups. Other themes pertain to teen bullying, adapting to a new school and community, and accepting individual differences. A teacher's guide will be made available if needed.
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I also have a chapbook available from Lopside Press. Its title is "Beeline" and it includes my more recent work. This can be downloaded as an e-book or purchased as a hard copy. Visit the Lopside Press website to read samples and to order. There are several other poets in the Lopside gallery, each of whom has a book available. Please check them out!
Cover designs by Brenda Tate
