THUNDER BAY — Twelve authors stopped at Indigo Thunder Bay to display, sell and sign their books for its First Annual Local Author Showcase on Saturday.
Joan Baril, one of the showcase’s authors, featured her book, The Art of Burglary, which was number one on Amazon in May of 2024. The book offers readers the opportunity to explore a series of short stories centred around a girl named Janet in Thunder Bay, from her early years to old age.
“A lot of the stories are humorous, but there are a few serious stories because Thunder Bay has its serious side,” said Baril.
Most of the stories are also fiction, she added, but one of them is based on her life.
“When I was 11 years old, I used to break into houses and I never stole anything, but I just wanted to see what these lovely big houses up on the hill in Port Arthur (were like), what was inside, right?” said Baril, who is now in her late 80s.
“So, I wandered around and went out the basement window. That’s how I got in. I always waited for the people to go to camp. It was summer and I was bored and I decided to break it, but what happened was I almost got caught — very close. And you’ll never guess how that happened. Anyway, you (have) got to read the story.”
Baril began her career as a writer in her 50s, publishing around 90 short stories in various magazines, including The Walleye and mostly literary periodicals, before she had Mischievous Books publish some of her stories.
“It’s important to look at local authors. We have dynamite authors in Thunder Bay,” said Baril.
“… (Like) children’s authors. Some of them have won awards, like the Governor General’s Award and I think we should support local culture in Thunder Bay and also the local writers who are here. I believe (they’re) fantastic, as good as anywhere.”
Marion Agnew, a local writer, agreed that the writers really appreciate the support of any bookstore that wants to showcase local authors.
“I know a fair amount of people in the community, but when I saw this (showcase and) the authors that they are featuring, I recognized how many I had not met. And I think during the pandemic, we all kind of locked down and didn’t get out and meet people very much,” said Agnew.
“And so, I wanted to come and participate because there are a lot of creative people in Thunder Bay and we really appreciate… Indigo giving us a chance to all get together and show the world that local books are as good as other books.”
Agnew has written a collection of nonfiction, including a 2023 novel titled Making Up the Gods, which was on display.
The novel tells the story of a lonely widow named Simone, who lives alone and is challenged to take care of a young boy for a long weekend.
“About that time, a stranger shows up at her door saying that he is her cousin and wackiness ensues from there,” said Agnew.
There are also many different ways to tell stories, added Agnew, from reading graphic novels, e-books and listening to audiobooks to using fantasy role-playing games as a way of storytelling.
“There are a lot of different ways to participate in a storytelling community and I’m grateful that we had the opportunity to showcase some of that here today,” said Agnew.
Scott Saxberg, a Calgary author who visits his family in Thunder Bay annually for the summer, was also showcasing his Second World War historical fiction and romance novel, Those We Carry.
“I’m in town and I thought I’d come in and help promote the book and all the proceeds of my book go to the Thunder Bay Museum,” said Saxberg, whose royalties and sales will help the museum’s program to support other writers in the community.
The story is based on a true story from Saxberg’s uncles and flips between the stories of a young Canadian soldier, Ardagh Cadieu, who is with the Lake Superior Regiment as it lands just after D-Day and a Dutch resistance woman, Koos van den Berg, as they fight and fall in love during the war.
“The theme is about the people we carry with us that change our lives,” said Saxberg.
Saxberg was also excited for the showcase, as he agreed that it’s a great way to meet some of the other local authors.
“I think having a really good strong local author community is important and to support each other,” said Saxberg, “and it is a very supportive community in the first place… I know that in Calgary and just being amongst the other authors here is great and it’s great to share each other’s stories.”
