Walking Backward fans will be happy to see that I'm finally getting some background material up on this site: check out the new Phobias page and check in next month for FAQs and updates on my latest books.

Walking Backward was released in Fall 2009 from Orca Book Publishers and was one of ten novels short-listed for the Canadian Library Association's 2010 Book of the Year for Children Award. Check out the Reviews, download the first chapter, or purchase a copy from Amazon, Orca or, better still, from your local bookstore.

My first picture book, My Cat Isis, will be released by Kids Can Press in Spring 2011. Check out the Books page for more information.

My second novel for young readers has just been acquired by Orca for Fall 2011 release. All Good Children is set in the near future in an elite school bent on medicating all its students - a fate that Maxwell Connors, a 14-year-old graffiti artist, would do anything to escape. Look for updates on my weblog.

• Get to know me on the Author page.
• Keep up with news through Catherine's Blog.
• Get the scoop on my first picture book on the Books page.
• Connect with Canadian children's literature on the Links page.

Writers, readers, teachers, students... I welcome your questions or comments by email. (Please let me know if you'd like me to share your messages on this website or keep them to myself.)

Don't forget to write...

People like me and you do get their first books published--maybe at age 15, or maybe not until well past 50. But it happens. So if you're a writer, keep writing. And if you're thinking of becoming a writer, start writing.