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I was born near Kenogamisis Lake in the far north of Ontario, and now live in Northumberland County Ontario. I have written poetry, non-fiction, and primarily fiction. I was also the editor of the most recent Penguin Anthology of Canadian Short Stories.
My first novel "The Whirlpool," won "Le prix du meilleur livre etrangere" in France, and I have been a finalist for or a winner of several prizes since, including the Giller Prize, the Governor General's Award, the Booker Prize, the Orange Prize, the IMPAC prize in Ireland, and the Trillium award.
I am honored to be an Officer of the Order of Canada, and to have received several honorary degrees both in Canada and elsewhere, the most recent of was an Honorary Doctor of Letters from University College Dublin.
A new novel, In Winter I Get Up at Night , will be published by McClelland and Stewart in the early autumn of 2024.
If I am asked to speak, I usually talk about my inspirations for various novels with the aid of a power point presentation. I often will hold the floor for 30 to 40 minutes then ask the audience for questions.
This is often the most lively part of the evening.
I am often interviewed about my work by another author or someone directly or indirectly associated with the arts.
I enjoy speaking in public and consider it to be part of my job as an author.
