An elementary teacher in School District 43 (SD43) who’s had a diverse professional background will have another title on his resume next month: author.

Long before the terms ‘novel virus’ and ‘pandemic’ were part of everyday jargon, Collingwood writer, Benjamin Rempel, sat at his laptop and wrote a story about a virus outbreak. The result was INFECT – a gritty 90’s-era thriller where nothing is sacred and survival is the highest priority.

Early on the morning of July 3, 2024, Nav Nanwa, book columnist for CBC Radio One, introduced Chicken House Press author, Benjamin Rempel, to CBC listeners all across Central Ontario as they discussed Rempel’s newly released debut, INFECT.

A Collingwood author is releasing his first fiction novel this weekend, and he got here with a little help from a community of Collingwood writers.

J. T. Maxwell started writing his debut novel, "Red Brick Road," when his son was born in 2007. When he would get up to feed the baby at 2:30 a.m., he couldn’t get back to sleep.

For Rebecca Benison, the book grew out of a short story contest she entered. While she didn’t win, Benison felt “the story had more to it.”

Chicken House Press authors J. Mitchel Reed and Marina L. Reed, both who currently call Orangeville Ontario home, have been featured in In The Hills Magainze’s “The Year in Books” feature—their annual round up of ‘what to read this winter.’

Read the Haldiman Press article featuring Amber Kuipers and daughter discussing their book, Harper and the Elephant.

Read the Hanover Post article featuring Grego Dow and his book, Alexandra’s Alligator.

Read the Toronto Star article featuring Amber Kuipers and her book, When Grey Came to Stay.