The very talented Tracy Uchida took the photos of me that grace this website and my many social networking sites. I’m much more comfortable behind the camera so I’m a reluctant subject, but Tracy worked her magic! Not only have
My story
I’m curious about everything in the environment around me, so it should come as no surprise that I became a geologist! I started in mining geology at Lakehead University but ultimately graduated from the University of Alberta and then went on to work in the petroleum industry. Add a passion for computer programming and an M.Sc. in engineering hydrology from the University of British Columbia, and you might call me the ultimate science nerd!
Early on, I discovered the joy of teaching and technical writing. I’ve designed, written, and taught courses for colleges and private companies, and presented at conferences and technical meetings. There have been many defining moments, and I’m especially proud of my award-winning technical presentation at SUGI Philadelphia. But it’s the interesting people I’ve met in every classroom and conference hall who have made it all worthwhile!
After two decades, I stepped away from my career to fulfill a lifelong dream of writing mysteries. And Alex Graham, the intrepid mining geologist with a penchant for trouble, was born.
My technical book The Essential PROC SQL Handbook for SAS Users isn’t a page-turner, except perhaps to the harried computer programmer struggling to solve the mystery of how to squeeze data from a database. To them and everyone else who joins Alex Graham on her adventures, I promise intriguing stories that blend science, politics, and deadly intent.
Community
Since the publication of Thirst and Blue Fire, I’ve been privileged to meet many wonderful readers, librarians, booksellers, and authors. It spurred me to embrace the challenge to work with a talented group of women to create a new Sisters in Crime chapter in Western Canada. I’m proud to have served as the organization’s founding president, and I’m thrilled to see Sisters in Crime—Canada West building into a strong writing community resource!
I’m honoured to have served on the Board of Directors for Crime Writers of Canada (2018-19) and acted as their regional representative for Ottawa and Eastern Ontario.
I am an active member of the Writers Union of Canada, and I welcome speaking requests funded through their National Public Readings and Writers-In-The Schools programs.
Partnership
Writing and editing go hand-in-hand.
Three decades of writing and editing experience and a Professional Editing Standards certificate (Queen’s University) have prepared me to work with fiction and non-fiction authors on their writing projects. To learn more, visit Stonedrift Editorial Services.
If you have a question or would like to arrange for a workshop, please feel free to reach out via email.
Or connect with me on LinkedIn.