December 9, 2023

Along with around fifty other authors, I spent a day amid all things bookish at the Fantastic Grown Up Book Fair, held in Truro, Nova Scotia. Thanks to everyone to stopped by my table to chat with me and support me as an independent author. With all the other forms of entertainment available in today’s world, it was wonderful to be among so many authors creating books and so many readers buying books. Well done, Fantastic Grown Up Book Fair!

June 24, 2023

Invited by The Friends of Viking Library, I had the privilege of sharing my work in my home town of Viking, Alberta. I acknowledged how a number of my former teachers from Viking School had influenced or inspired me on my journey to becoming a writer, and read from my travel adventure trilogy Cry of the Kiwi: A Family’s New Zealand Adventure, my latest nonfiction release Seasons on Matheson Brook, and my debut novel Braver Than You Know. It was wonderful to see former classmates and teachers as well as family, longtime friends, and writing enthusiasts at the event. Thanks to everyone who dropped in to hear me speak!

In-person Book launch: Seasons on Matheson Brook by Magi Nams

 

April 26, 2022

Now available! Seasons on Matheson Brook: A Journey to Self Through Exploring Nature is available at major online retailers. Click on the cover image for book details and buy links.

March 8, 2022

Cover reveal! My newest non-fiction book, Seasons on Matheson Brook: A Journey to Self Through Exploring Nature will be available at all major online retailers on April 26, 2022. Click on the cover image for details.

December 30, 2021

Now available! The box set of Cry of the Kiwi: A Family’s New Zealand Adventure (with freshly tweaked book covers) is ready for readers in e-book format. Click on the cover image for details and buy link.

March 20, 2020

New covers for my Cry of the Kiwi: A Family’s New Zealand Adventure trilogy! Click on cover image for more information and buy links.

 

November 5, 2019

I released my first novel, a contemporary inspirational western romance written under my pen name, Katie Ardea! Click on the cover for more information and buy links.

 

December 1, 2016

Thanks to everyone who stopped by my table at any of the markets and writer’s events I attended during 2016! I had amazing conversations about writing and travel and so much enjoyed signing books. Merry Christmas to all!

October 31, 2016

Creative Writing Workshop Last week, as a participant in the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia’s Writers in the Schools program, I visited Cobequid District Elementary School in Noel, on the shore of the mighty Bay of Funday. I spoke to all four classes in the small school and spent about an hour with each, discussing steps in the writing process, reading from my Ranger Rick magazine articles and New Zealand travel memoir, Cry of the Kiwi: A Family’s New Zealand Adventure, and leading creative writing exercises. I came home inspired! Children truly are the future of our nation and world.

July 28, 2016

Speaker V.I.P. Night at Brule Community Centre on Nova Scotia’s North Shore. I presented a slide show highlighting some of New Zealand’s spectacular scenery, read from my Cry of the Kiwi trilogy and signed books. A lovely evening with lots of questions and discussion!

July 21, 2016

Speaker V.I.P.  Night at Brule Community Centre on Nova Scotia’s beautiful North Shore. I presented a slide show and talk about birding tips to an enthusiastic group that plied me with birding questions after my talk. A most enjoyable evening!

June 9, 2016

Reading I really enjoyed my “Magi at the Market” day last Saturday in Tatamagouche. So many people stopped by my table to chat about my Cry of the Kiwi books and New Zealand. Several asked if I would be doing readings, and – in an amazing stroke of coincidence – our local librarian stopped by to ask me a few questions and invited me in for a chat to plan a date for reading from the trilogy. We met on Tuesday and hatched a plan for me to present a slide show and readings at Tatamagouche Library on June 18 at 2 p.m. Check out my poster!

December 21, 2015

Home from Africa Vilis and I had an amazing six-month adventure in South Africa, yet we’re so glad to be home in time to spend Christmas in Nova Scotia. Check out my blog for stories and some amazing photos about one of the most beautiful and biologically diverse countries in the world – South Africa.

July 3, 2015

Interview with the Truro Daily News Last week, Truro Daily News reporter Monique Chiasson contacted me about my recently released book trilogy, Cry of the Kiwi: A Family’s New Zealand Adventure. We did a Q & A about some of my family’s memorable experiences, as well about aspects of the writing and indie publishing process. Thanks, Monique!

Read my blog posts about writing and publishing the Cry of the Kiwi trilogy:

Cry of the Kiwi Trilogy: A Family’s New Zealand Adventure

‘Once a Land of Birds’ Takes Flight

Step into ‘This Dark Sheltering Forest’

‘Tang of the Tasman Sea’ Completes a New Zealand Trilogy

June 21, 2015

Off to Africa My husband (a wildlife biologist) and I will spend the next six months in South Africa, where Vilis will be studying lions, leopards, and cheetahs. I’ll be taking notes!

June 20, 2015

Book Launch About thirty people attended the official launch of my trilogy, Cry of the Kiwi: A Family’s New Zealand Adventure. I read excerpts from all three books, signed books, and enjoyed chatting with friends and fans over delicious goodies. Thanks to everyone who attended! Photographs courtesy of Julia Phillips Smith.

June 3, 2015

Book Release Tang of the Tasman Sea, the third book of my trilogy Cry of the Kiwi: A Family’s New Zealand Adventure is now available at CreateSpace eStore and Amazon.com.

May 22, 2015

Book Release This Dark Sheltering Forest, the second book of my trilogy Cry of the Kiwi: A Family’s New Zealand Adventure is now available at CreateSpace eStore and Amazon.com.

May 3, 2015

Reading Today I gave my first public reading from Once a Land of Birds, at the Shatford Library in scenic Hubbards, Nova Scotia, as part of the Hubbards Writers Festival. The crowd was small but appreciative, and I was thrilled to hear several people exclaim, “Beautiful!” after I finished. Such a positive response made all the work involved in writing, revising (and revising!), and publishing Once a Land of Birds, the first book of my Cry of the Kiwi trilogy, well worthwhile. Thanks to everyone who attended!

April 22, 2015

Creative Writing Workshop As a participant in the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia’s Writers in the Schools program, I shared my experiences as a nature writer with Primary–Grade 3 students and led Grade 4–6 students through creative writing exercises at Maitland School in lovely rural Nova Scotia.

April 16, 2015

Book Release Once a Land of Birds, the first book of my trilogy Cry of the Kiwi: A Family’s New Zealand Adventure is now available at CreateSpace eStore and Amazon.com.

 

April 10, 2015

Creative Writing Workshop I spent today at River John Consolidated School, as part of the school’s week-long Writing on Fire event. I shared my experiences as a nature writer with Primary – Grade 3 students and conducted creative writing exercises with Grades 4 – 9. The kids were incredibly enthusiastic and a joy to work with. Every teacher gave me a warm welcome, and I received this feel-good comment after the workshops:

“Thank you again, Magi! I’ve heard rave reviews from teachers and
staff about your visit.”  – Laura Smith, Grade 2/3 teacher, River John
Consolidated School

March 23, 2015

Book Covers Cry of the Kiwi trilogy covers are up! Check them out at http://maginams.ca/maginamsbooks/. I’ll have excerpts available within the next few days.