Local Authors Showcase - Brampton Public Library

Irving Andre was born in Curacao and grew up in Dominica. He migrated to Canada in 1984 and has lived in Brampton since 1988. He has worked as an Assistant Crown Attorney, a criminal defence lawyer and since 2002, as a judge in the Ontario Court of Justice and later, as a Superior Court judge. He has been involved in a number of community organizations, such as the Kiwanis Club, United Achievers Club and RESQ. He has written a number of books about history, sports & politics.

tissue

James Legaspi is an emerging Filipino Canadian multimedia artist living and working in Brampton, Ontario. Through video, text, and performance, Legaspi explores experiences of race, gender, class, and their intersections with the artist’s familial history.

Step into Wellness: Discovering the Blueprint in the Soles of Your Feet

Janice is a Wellness Consultant, she encourages clients to establish a “Wellness Investments Plan” that will offer self-care payments for the mind-body and sole. Driven by a passion to share my experience with a wider audience Janice took up writing as a means to inspire and educate individuals on wellness. Janice's debut book, "Steps Into Wellness". Discovering the blueprint at the soles of your feet.

Poems from the Heart

I live in a rural community in Caledon, Ontario. My book includes both free verse and rhyming poetry that reflects my experiences throughout my life, and my views on our changing world. Written over a short period of time, the poems resonate with thoughts, tragedies, values and life issues that can impact us all. Many of the poems are based on the experiences of the poet and those she knows as she navigates the life of a wife, mother and grandmother.

Altered Boy

Jim McDonald is an author, teacher, musician, actor, and officiant. Jim's book of thirty-two short stories Smash Palace, was published in 2019 by Amalit Books. His debut work of short fiction will intrigue you with adventure, wit, and unforgettable characters in stories involving crime, science fiction, dystopia, and surrealism. His novel Altered Boy is a psychological thriller set in 1960 about a teen gang of hustlers – Mickey, Joey, and Shorty – who mistakenly think new priest Father Damon is an easy mark. Currently, he is searching for a publisher for Counterculture Revolution. Set in 1970 this historical thriller follows the guerilla actions of Weather Underground, the terror group that bombed draft boards, courts of law, and even the Pentagon.

Hippo Happiness

The First Day of Second Grade

Jody-Ann Robinson is a passionate scholar, dedicated educator, and emerging author. She earned her master's degree in educational leadership from Niagara University, embodying her commitment to lifelong learning and academic excellence. A proud second-generation Jamaican Canadian, Jody-Ann resides with her family in the vibrant province of Ontario, Canada. "Hippo Happiness" and "The First Day of Second Grade" showcase her talent for storytelling and her love for inspiring young minds. With these heartwarming tales, Jody-Ann invites readers of all ages to embark on enchanting journeys filled with joy, discovery, and the magic of childhood.

My Writing Journey: A Chronicle Of My Short Stories

I am 61 years old, married, and a resident of Mississauga (Ontario, Canada). My interest in writing dates back to when I was a child and an avid reader of newspapers, then magazines and books. "The Transporting Device" is my first book. My latest Book is: “My Writing Journey”. I wrote a monthly column for the Peel Weekly News for 3 years. It was called: “Focus on Film Forum”. It focused on current events, personalities and companies that take place or operate in Mississauga, Peel Region, and the GTA. I am on the Board of Directors of the Mississauga Writers Group, of which I’ve been a member since October 2013. I currently have one of my scripts, called “Jackpot!”, that has been produced into a short film.

Coloured Views

Love and War

Joseph Edwards is a gifted writer who aims to uplift, inform and educate all through his witty, culturally relevant, and advocacy-filled poems. He hails from Jamaica and has now called Ontario, Canada his home. He is a Sheridan College graduate and also holds multiple educational qualifications from Jamaica. Joseph is a nationally decorated former police officer, among several other professional exploits. He is religious, loves his family and enjoys writing. His hobbies include playing scrabble, chess, and soccer, or watching the English Premier League. He is a strong debater on current or political affairs. The People's Poet (Di People's Poet) as he is known, uses creative writing to bring awareness to topical issues. Four of his exceptional poems are entitled: I Can't Breathe, Phenomenal Woman, The Black Version of Little White Lies and Mother.

Captain frog

Hi I'm Kai and I really like all types of frogs because they're really cool and cute. I'm also a cooking, baking and gaming legend, and Gordon Ramsey and tenz fear me. captain frog is the sequel to Mr. Frog, and it follows the protagonist, Mr. Frog, who becomes a pirate and sails the seas making sea besties and ending dangerous monsters. Frogs represent balance and unity, and captain frog encourages people to work together and be nice to each other.

Tropical Scenes: Poems

Ken Puddicombe is a CPA (Retired). His writing has appeared in newspapers and literary journals. Originally from British Guiana [now Guyana] in South America, he immigrated to Canada and lives in Brampton. Racing With The Rain, his first novel is set in British Guiana, Cuba, Canada and Guyana and was short-listed for the GUYANA PRIZE FOR LITERATURE (FICTION) (2023). His second novel Junta is set on the fictional island of Saint Anglia. His collection of short stories Down Independence Boulevard won the 2022 GUYANA PRIZE FOR LITERATURE (FICTION). His first book of poems: Unfathomable and Other Poems. His second is a chapbook: Tropical Scenes: Poems. His genre is fiction. He is a member of several Writers’ Groups and manages www.middleroadpublishers.ca and publishes for other authors seeking an outlet, while he continues to write his own stories.

Abuelita and Me

Leonarda Carranza is the author of the picture books Abuelita and Me (2022, Annick Press) and Fighting Words (2024, Annick Press). She was born in El Salvador and currently resides in Brampton, Ontario, part of the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. She holds a PhD in Social Justice Education from the University of Toronto.

The Reading Seed

Lisa is a special education educator who focuses on literacy, equity, and inclusion. She is on a mission to amplify the voices of those not heard. Through her background in Early Childhood Services, Lisa is a certified teacher and principal and holds a Master’s in Education in special education. As an educator in Ontario, Canada for fifteen years, she brings a wealth of knowledge and lived experiences in a variety of dynamic classroom settings.

Everything About Affirmations: Claim The Universe by unleashing the power within

Mandvi Gupta, an electrical engineer, discovered the power of the subconscious mind while working in the corporate world. This passion led her to focus on mentoring and coaching others in Mind Power techniques. She acquired skills as a Professional Life Coach, NLP practitioner, DMIT analyst, Mid Brain Activation facilitator, EFT practitioner, and Ho'oponopono therapist and hypnotherapist. She believes in everyone’s infinite innate potential to live a life with contentment, joy, and success.

Her transition from engineer to Mind Power coach has been a natural progression fueled by a desire to help individuals by unleashing their infinite mind power. She is dedicated to continuing her own personal growth and learning while also empowering individuals to break free from limiting beliefs and create extraordinary lives.

My First Airplane Adventure

Manprit K. Gill can often be found creating make-believe stories with her children if she is not writing stories of her own. By day, you can find her in the classroom as a high school English teacher, a career spanning over 10 years. Manprit is often inspired by her students’ imagination, reminding her that she should “soar above the clouds” and “dream beyond the sky” too. Since Manprit often teaches literature studies and creative writing, publishing a piece of writing was always on her bucket list, and eventually, with My First Airplane Adventure, it became a reality.

A Compendium to the Bible

Michael is currently retired and living in Brampton.

Hacker

English-born and a Brampton resident since 1975, Michael Joll began writing as a retirement project in 2004. Like Topsy, a hobby grew into a second career. "Hacker" is his fourth published novel to go with two collections of short stories, also published by MiddleRoadPublishers. A former Peel Regional Police Officer and paralegal, Michael uses many of his experiences in his writing. He still lives in Brampton with his wife of fifty-five years and counting and a retired Metro Toronto Police K9 unit Springer Spaniel explosives sniffer.