Anne M. Smith-Nochasak grew up in a rural community that might be judgmental, but also watches over its own. She is of diverse ancestry, and has been a waitress, an oven insulator, a tire verifier, an aide in a nursing home, and many things besides before turning to teaching in her late twenties. She mainly taught in northern and isolated settings in Indigenous communities, where she found her greatest joy in this profession.
The ideas for her first novel, A Canoer of Shorelines, grew from her rural upbringing and from her summers in her lakeshore retreat. Her new novel, The ice Widow, is set in Northern Canada and rural Nova Scotia, and elements of the plot emerged from her reflections on her own teaching years. She is not, however, Anna.
Smith-Nochasak lives in a rural wooded area in western Nova Scotia, and likes to hike, kayak, and spend quality time with her two golden dogs, Shay and Flo.
The ideas for her first novel, A Canoer of Shorelines, grew from her rural upbringing and from her summers in her lakeshore retreat. Her new novel, The ice Widow, is set in Northern Canada and rural Nova Scotia, and elements of the plot emerged from her reflections on her own teaching years. She is not, however, Anna.
Smith-Nochasak lives in a rural wooded area in western Nova Scotia, and likes to hike, kayak, and spend quality time with her two golden dogs, Shay and Flo.
About the Novels
The Ice Widow is Anne M. Smith-Nochasak's second novel, published in November 2022.
This is a love story set mainly in northern Canada. Incompatible youthful love is recreated in maturity, and love is truly the work of a lifetime.
"The Ice Widow stirred my emotions like few books do. I was fascinated, laughed at times, gasped with shock, found moments where I shook my head, sighed in magical moments, and yes, the story, at times, brought tears to my eyes. I highly recommend this book." A-M Mawhiney, author of the YA futuristic novel Spindrifts https://www.ammawhiney.ca/
For more about the book, author, and purchase details, click here.
A Canoer of Shorelines is Anne M. Smith-Nochasak's debut novel, published in April 2021.
The pivotal experiences take place at the old farm, but along the shoreline the key lessons are learned. To be a “canoer of shorelines” one does not need skill or gear or even paddles; one needs only an appreciation of the beauty of the moment.
For more about the book, author, and purchase details, click here.
For reflections, anecdotes, and opinion pieces, please check out my blog page.
