Local Authors Showcase

Incident Management Process Guide 

Carlo Figliomeni graduated with a Business Administration Diploma from Ryerson University in 1975. After graduation, started working as a Computer Operator at IBM Canada Ltd. While at IBM, Carlo obtained his Bachelor of Business Management degree in 1991. Carlo left IBM in 1994, as an Advisory System Analyst, to pursue a career goal as an Independent Consultant and performed the function of ITIL Process Consultant; Senior Business Consultant; and Senior Project Manager and held Staff Management positions.

Is the Bible Infallible? — A Rational, Scientific, and Historical Evaluation

Carmel Paul Attard, a Bible enthusiast, ex-Jesuit of more than six years, bachelor of science in physics and mathematics, and third-time author is now retired from an engineering and manufacturing career. He and his wife of fifty-two years, Mary, have three children and three grandchildren and live in Brampton, Ontario, Canada.

Alive & 65: a celebration

Since retiring, Carol has redirected her creativity into writing – mostly poetry. Her pandemic projects have included publishing of her first poetry collection – Alive & 65: a celebration for her 65th birthday in 2021, joining the League of Canadian Poets and launching her website – carolgood.ca. She lives in an octagonal-century farmhouse with her very handy husband located on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation. She recognizes the land as being home and traditional territory to other Indigenous people since time immemorial.

The Black Moth

The Hitman's Daughter 

Carolyne Topdjian is a suspense writer and author of the gothic novels The Hitman’s Daughter and The Black Moth. She has published short fiction in PRISM International, Dreamers Magazine, and Firewords Quarterly and was shortlisted for the Ghost Prize by Fractured Literary. She has an interdisciplinary PhD from York University and is a professor in the Faculty of Media and Creative Arts at Humber College in Toronto.

To Change the World My Work With Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in Canada 

Dr. Chandrakant Shah is a pioneering leader in public health education, a passionate advocate for Indigenous Peoples, and a champion of equity and inclusion. The development of public health as a discipline at the University of Toronto and across Canada bears the unmistakable hallmark of his profound influence, helping set the standards for training public health physicians. His efforts to promote scholarship and education in Indigenous health, and improve services for First Nations populations, anticipated the Truth and Reconciliation Commission by decades. His work on employment equity at the University of Toronto led to more diverse faculty members and acknowledgment of the systemic racism at the Canadian Blood Services.  He has received many awards including the Order of Ontario. and Honorary Doctorate from the University of Toronto.

Nona and Daniel - Bubbles of Joy

Brampton has been Cherry's home for the past 28 years. She founded Goldfinch Storytellers in 2020 to share sunshine stories. Born in India, Cherry spent several years in the Himalayan region. School breaks were spent exploring the surrounding towns and villages. In her children's book series, Nona and Daniel’s conversations echo the wisdom of elders during these explorations. Cherry has pursued studies in English and French literature, followed by an airline career. Her debut children's book, ‘Nona and Daniel–Taming the Monkey’, is a tribute to all grandparents and was featured in the 2022-23 Local Authors Showcase. Her writing has also appeared in the Brampton Writers Guild 2020 Anthology. Cherry created two journals to spread the joy of writing among kids. In this journey, 'Bubbles of Joy' beckons to expand our lives like sunflowers reaching for the sky.

Dani and Letters World: Island A

Dani et le Monde des Lettres: L'île A

Christian Jacquette is a dedicated husband and loving father of his two adorable kids and lives in Brampton. He has been reliving his own childhood moments through the time spent with his kids and thus got inspired to write children’s books that can be at the same time entertaining and educational. Christian counts  25 years of experience in data analytics in the telecommunications industry working with complex data while nurturing his imagination all along and remaining a child at heart. He published Dani and Letters World in English and French as he is fully bilingual.

Until I Write: Poems Found at Dawn

Although I did not pursue a degree in literature, I explored and expanded my poetry in my early twenties. Moving away from university allowed me to experience a whole other world compared to the one I grew up in. This led to many encounters with love, sadness, depression and anger. The only outlet that affected my mental health was poetry. Writing allowed me to feel and process my emotions through art. Growing up in the small town of Bolton, Ontario allowed me to appreciate the value of community. I attended Wilfrid Laurier University to study archaeology. I then spent seven years working in the world of archaeology alongside the First Nations communities in Southern Ontario. I later decided to pursue teaching in hopes of sharing my love of history and poetry with my students.

Leaving Was Just the Beginning

In the Shadow of Mount Royal

After Clouds, Sunshine

Cynthia Young, a Caledon resident, loves to share journeys of courage and resilience. Using genealogical records and family keepsakes, she creates a unique version of her ancestor’s lives. A storyteller inspired by the fortitude of her family; she combines the tales of her relatives with the social history of the period to reveal the joys and sorrows they experienced.

The Art of Quality Debt Collections: Exploring the Human Side of Collection

Darryl Brian D’Souza, CFE, is a seasoned professional with 25+ years in risk management, governance, and banking operations. Armed with a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Post Graduate Diploma in Islamic Banking and Insurance, he's led key roles globally. Darryl's expertise spans fraud control, credit risk, and collections. He authored "The Art of Quality Debt Collections" and serves as a Board Director, shaping education at the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board. His dedication to excellence shines through in his diverse contributions to finance and education.

Malham

Residing in Ontario, Canada, with his wife and three children, Dr. Kuljit Singh Janjua, hailing from Punjab, India, is the founder and co-owner of AKAL Mortgages Inc. in Mississauga. His poetry collection, "Malham-The Balm," intricately explores themes of women's issues, inequality, partition, displacement, migration, and diasporic identity. A co-author of "World Peace and Human Community - Sikh Perspective" and "Social Concerns of Langar and Tithe Institution," Dr. Janjua actively enriches the literary landscape in the Greater Toronto Area. Dr. Janjua's persistent and impactful contributions have undeniably left an indelible mark on the expansive literary and cultural canvas.

Magical Night Sky: A Sage and Diva Adventure

Secrets of a Forest: A Sage and Diva Adventure

Sage and Diva's Wilderness Wonders

Dr. Medha Sharma, a trailblazing Indo-Canadian talent, data scientist, and mother of 2 children, embarks on her literary journey with the enchanting 'Sage and Diva Adventures' series. In 'Magical Night Sky,' young readers are spirited away on a captivating camping trip beneath the stars, immersing them in the heartwarming essence of family togetherness. This book not only stands out as a delightful addition to our local author showcase but also contributes to the diversity of our library's collection. Dr. Sharma delicately weaves a slight touch of her Indian heritage into tales focused on camping, hiking, and outdoor escapades, resonating deeply with our Canadian community. The stories, complemented by vibrant illustrations, large print optimal for young readers, and interactive activities, promise a fresh and culturally enriching perspective for young minds.

Wolf Pack

Death Drives a Semi

Edo van Belkom is the author/editor of some 35 books and more than 250 short stories. He has won the Bram Stoker Award, the Aurora and Silver Birch Awards for his fiction, and has been a finalist several times for the Arthur Ellis Award. Among his novels are Martyrs, Teeth (set in Brampton, and featuring a Peel Regional Police detective), Scream Queen, Blood Road, Battle Dragon and Kilgore and Co. His short story collections include Death Drives a Semi (recently published in a 25th Anniversary Edition), and Six-Inch Spikes. His young adult works include the anthologies Be Afraid! and Be Very Afraid!, and the Wolf Pack series of novels (Wolf Pack, Lone Wolf, Cry Wolf, and Wolf Man) which was the inspiration for the Wolf Pack TV series on Paramount Plus starring Sarah Michelle Gellar. He began his writing career as a reporter for the Brampton Times newspaper.

The Besieged Unicorn Army of Ryk

Erika Leigh Agnew is a Canadian Fantasy author. She published her debut novel Dragonsown in August 2020. Dragonsown is the first instalment of a Young Adult Fantasy series. The prequel, The Besieged Unicorn Army of Ryk released in July 2023. Erika has begun work on the sequel, expected to be released in 2024. Erika was born in Toronto, Canada. She is an avid traveller and active in environmental and wildlife causes. She is passionate about sharks, horses and anything dragon.

Surmount Vol. 2 

FGS Insight Vol. 2 

SURMOUNT and FGS Insight are published by Fo Guang Shan (FGS) Temple of Toronto.  We are a Buddhist non-profit organization based in Mississauga and have been serving the Greater Toronto community for more than 25 years, engaged with numerous cultural, educational, philanthropic, and interfaith initiatives. The temple opens doors to people from all walks of life. The publications are advised by FGS resident monastics: Venerable Chueh Fan (the Abbess), Venerable Zhi Guan and Venerable Ru An. All twenty team members behind SURMOUNT and FGS Insight came from diverse backgrounds and expertise. Deep faith in Humanistic Buddhism unites us to deliver humbled words of truth, virtues, and beauty. We sincerely hope our work can bring solace to the distress, wisdom to the confused, joy to the worried, and motivation to the discouraged.

Nilo & Kairo in Show and Tell 

Ieda is a marketing expert with a love of the environment and the arts. She has lived in Brazil, Germany, and England, before relocating to Canada. She has also visited a number of countries in the Americas, Europe and Asia. She loves nature and is committed to protecting the environment. In her spare time, when she’s not watching the squirrels in the backyard, she is sketching or creating social media content. In her travels, Ieda likes to observe how various countries handle various issues related to the environment. Through her Nilo & Kairo books, she hopes to encourage environmental conservation and a reduction in carbon footprint in both adults and children.