In these riveting short stories by five different authors, chance encounters lead to major life changes. Something as simple as a cup of tea or a shared song can be the inspiration for the women of Walking Through and Other Stories.
The collection takes readers around the world and across class divides. From a busy advertising executive to a young lower-caste girl, these stories feature women of all ages, occupations, and nationalities.
In Manjit Singh's Buckets of Wonderment, young Naina dreams big in a bustling city in the state of Punjab, India, where she wonders if she will ever forge her own destiny and find love. Shirley Merith's High Trade begins with a flirty encounter on board an international flight, after which Camille, a well-respected executive, is drawn into a family battle. In Walking Through, by Francine Fleming, a chance encounter in an assisted-living residence inspires an author while she copes with the complexities of a stagnant marriage. Maria Jemmott's A December to Remember features a divorced empty nester as she follows her heart in the Big Apple, where she must gather the courage to face her biggest fear and start over again. The collection finishes with Bone Keeper, by Paula Smellie. This poignant final story follows the perilous journey of an elderly Inuit woman raised by a French Canadian couple, who travels far from home to face a past unknown.
The five authors have created this collection in honor of International Women's Day. They hope to open your mind to the challenges women all over the world dare to overcome.
About the Author: These five Canadian authors are as diverse as their protagonists. Walking Through and Other Stories, celebrates International Women's Day and honors women at every stage of their lives.
Francine Fleming, a student at the University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies, will complete her Creative Writing Certificate in the summer of 2017.
Maria Jemmott is a member of the Writers' Community of Durham Region. A retired public service worker, she enjoys working with children and is a volunteer with an after school program.
Shirley Merith is a college professor who holds a master's degree in education. She has authored several travel-related articles and educational manuals.
Manjit Singh is a high school teacher and has hosted Multicultural Radio. An earlier version of Buckets of Wonderment placed as a finalist in the 2016 Open Season Award for Fiction in The Malahat Review.
Paula Smellie is a creative writing student at the University of Toronto, where she also works as an administrative manager.
