The shining fragments, p.24
The Shining Fragments, page 24
Decades ago, I began paying attention to Toronto’s stained glass windows, not only in churches, but in the city’s Victorian homes. While researching present-day Cabbagetown (formerly Don Vale), I discovered the impressive, five-generation McCausland family stained glass business: in fact, the oldest stained glass company in North America. Thanks to Andrew McCausland for kindly spending time with me, imparting family lore, and teaching me some basics of window making. While the Ramseys of my novel are fictitious, they were inspired, in part, by Andrew McCausland’s colourful histories.
Thanks to the Ontario Arts Council for several votes of support in my early days of drafting. Thanks to Samuel Waldner for his insights, astute commentary, and rock-solid encouragement much later in the process.
I am deeply grateful to the literary angels who helped in the creation of this book: to Mary Jo Morris for her readings and valuable encouragement, advice, and friendship; to Wayson Choy for his generous heart and shining words; to editor Charis Wahl, whose wisdom and sensitivity helped to guide and grace my revision process; to Denise Bukowski who believed in the book and worked hard on its behalf; to Mary Morrissey who coached me in turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones on the way to publication; to Julie Roorda who ultimately copyedited this book and helped significantly in making its publication happen. Heartfelt thanks to Michael Mirolla and Guernica Editions for saying yes.
Thanks to my dear family, friends, and colleagues for their dedication and enthusiasm, and their patience. Finally, thanks to my loving and supportive husband, Hugh McBride, whom I met while working on The Shining Fragments. As it turned out, I could not have finished this book without him.
About the Author
Robin Blackburn McBride is an author and poet, as well as a teacher, speaker, and coach in human potential. She was born and raised in Toronto, and lived in that city for much of her life.
Robin has a passion for local history, intergenerational family stories, and the hero’s journey in its myriad forms. The idea for The Shining Fragments came as a call to adventure: to connect with the past and explore the land of her ancestors. Research for the novel led Robin to Northern Ireland twice in the early 2000s.
Robin holds degrees in Drama, English, and Education from the University of Toronto. Her self-help e-book, Birdlight: Freeing Your Authentic Creativity, became an Amazon Best Seller in 2016, and has since been released as both a trade paperback and audiobook, read by the author. Robin’s volume of poetry, In Green, was published by Guernica in 2002.
The Shining Fragments is her first novel.
Robin lives with her husband, Hugh McBride, in Gatineau, Quebec.
Robin Blackburn McBride, The Shining Fragments
