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Laura McKay (she, her) is a speculative fiction writer, settler, and editor living and working on Treaty 1 Territory, also known as rural Manitoba, Canada. She’s been creating stories since she was too young to understand the difference between the truth in facts and the truth in fiction.

In 2021, Laura was finally diagnosed with ADHD after years of struggling with writer’s block and mental health. Her current WIP is a YA fantasy novel with a sprinkling of herbalism, a mysterious disappearance, and the female ADHD representation she craved when she was first diagnosed.

Laura is also Managing Editor at Portage & Main Press/HighWater Press.

Follow Laura on Instagram at @writerlauramckay for posts about her experiences balancing a writing practice with neurodivergence and mental health, the books she’s currently reading, and her favourite research rabbit holes.

“A down-on-his-luck guy…who happens to be part-unicorn”: An Interview With TJ Berry

Laura McKay (LM): Today’s #SpecFicPicks Q&A starts now! Special guest: TJ Berry, author of Space Unicorn Blues and Five Unicorn Flush, published by @angryrobotbooks. LM: @TJBerry, thank you joining me today! Let’s start with a few general writing questions. TJ Berry (TJB): Sure! I’m excited to hang out with you this morning! LM: What inspired…

Read more “A down-on-his-luck guy…who happens to be part-unicorn”: An Interview With TJ Berry

“Stories and teachings passed down in a new way”: An Interview with Karen McBride

Laura McKay (LM): Today’s #SpecFicPicks Q&A starts now! Special guest: Karen McBride, author of Crow Winter, published by Harper Avenue (@harpercollinsca) LM: @kmcbridewrites, thank you for speaking with me today! Let’s start with a few quick and easy questions. LM: What’s your favourite under-appreciated novel? Karen McBride (KM): Definitely has to be A Monster Calls…

Read more “Stories and teachings passed down in a new way”: An Interview with Karen McBride

7 Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Speculative Fiction Books by Canadian Authors Coming out Fall 2020

This time of year, whether it’s the cooling weather or the “back to school” vibes of September, I always find myself looking for new books. CBC often puts out great lists, but they didn’t have a speculative fiction list for this fall, so I decided to create one of my own! In creating this list,…

Read more 7 Fantasy, Science Fiction, and Speculative Fiction Books by Canadian Authors Coming out Fall 2020

“Sailor Moon meets Never Have I Ever via The Dark Crystal”: An Interview with S.M. Beiko

Laura McKay (LM): Today’s #SpecFicPicks Q&A starts now!Special guest: S.M Beiko, Winnipeg writer of The Realms of Ancient series and creator of the teen fantasy webcomic Krampus Is My Boyfriend! LM: @SMBeiko hello! Thank you for agreeing to the interview today. I’ll start with a few easy questions to get us warmed up. S.M. Beiko…

Read more “Sailor Moon meets Never Have I Ever via The Dark Crystal”: An Interview with S.M. Beiko

“Pretty, Blown-Glass Ornaments”: An Interview with Scarlett Kol

Laura McKay (LM): The first #SpecFicPicks Q&A starts now! Special guest: Scarlett Kol, Manitoba writer of the Faraway High Fairytales series as well as several standalone novels. Today, we’ll be discussing her fantasy young adult novel, Wicked Descent, published by Evernight Teen. LM: Thank you, @ScarlettKol, for joining me today! Let’s start with a few…

Read more “Pretty, Blown-Glass Ornaments”: An Interview with Scarlett Kol