Vivien Gorham's Author Page

I'm really looking forward to reading Wayne McCrory's new book about the wild horses of British Columbia. It will be very helpful as I try to wrap up the first draft of my own book featuring the Alberta Wildies🐎🐎

B.C.’s Beautiful and Controversial Wild Horses Wildlife biologist Wayne McCrory’s new book examines the past, present, and uncertain future of the Chilcotin region’s wild horses.

"In the end, we'll all become stories."
-Margaret Atwood

It's Foal Friday! I just can't get enough of these sweet wildie foals. Those ears and eyelashes!🥰

Foal Friday, making Friday's cuter and better for everyone.
Friday puzzle https://jigex.com/VVjst

Hey, look who's competing in the EQUUS Film & Arts Fest literary contest in Albuquerque, New Mexico this year, along with all sorts of amazing horse book authors from around the world. Wish me luck!🤠🐎📚✍️

The Spirit Of Summerwood
by Vivien Gorham
https://amzn.to/44C245E

Good Evening Everyone!

Today we bring to you a petition to sign to help save the wild horses of Theodore Roosevelt National Park (Link in comments). The goal is for the State Historical Preservation Office to find the horses of TRNP to be historically and culturally significant within the state of North Dakota. You can also mail a letter to the State Historical Preservation Office asking for the same.

You do not have to donate if you don't want to, your signature will still count!

Also, we are reaching for 1,000,000 comments to the Park! Have you sent your comment in??? The deadline is October 25, 2023.

Thanks everyone for following and for your support!

Please sign! Link to petition in comments.

Darrell Glover, the president and co-founder of Help Alberta Wildies Society, very kindly took me out into wildie country last month, where I had the honour of naming a curious stallion who came to check us out. I called him Merlin, because meeting him, along with several other wildies, in their wilderness home was pure magic. Thanks so much, Darrell and HAWS, for an experience I'll never forget! And one that will be of great value as I continue writing my next book🐴❤️📖 (Please note: The photo is cropped and enlarged. We did not approach the stallion--he approached us.)

If you are interested in helping to protect the threatened Alberta wild horses, as I am, please read this excellent post from the Help Alberta Wildies Society (HAWS). If we each do our part, we CAN make a difference!🐎

Recent developments announced by our Minister of Forest, Parks, and Tourism department (the Alberta Government) regarding imposed equine zone population thresholds raises concerns for HAWS. We believe that serious intervention plans are are imminent for next year and frankly, the current Wild Horse populations cannot withstand any major reductions.

The Government irresponsibly published a very misleading aerial count of the Sundre Equine Zone for 2023. They have implied that the zone population increased by a whopping 51% since last year. That is 100% false and misleading.

HAWS recently put out a press release to start telling the truth behind these figures. The public deserves to know the truth. The Govt. flew a lot more miles over the Sundre zone this year, and counted more horses. The horse numbers didn't increase at all. The only thing that increased this year was the number of miles the government flew to find more horses. Simple.

Publishing statistics that indicate the number of horses increased from 642 last year to 969 this year with no reference/acknowledgement a larger area was surveyed than in previous years to account for the increase gives the public the impression the wild horse population in the Sundre zone in particular is skyrocketing. It is not.

The reason behind publishing this false and misleading information is simple.

Conduct an aerial census of the same geographic area year-to-year and the population is static. Inflate the numbers by surveying a larger geographic area, and that puts wild horses in that management zone at risk of being culled or subjected to a contraception program as outlined in the government's recently released "Feral Horse Management Framework."

**How can you help?**

In the near future, we may ask you to prepare a letter, or send an email, or make a phone call, to the office of our Minister of Forests, Parks, and Tourism explaining your personal connections to the Wild Horses, and the concerns you may have for their survival and place in the Foothills of Alberta. We do not need less Wild Horses. We need less cattle, if the Government is indeed concerned about the ecosystem.

As you prepare your letter or message you might want to consider such topics/questions as...

** Ask for them to please provide proof that Wild Horses have a negative impact on fish, birds, wildlife, vegetation, and cattle as stated by our Minister's office.

** Ask them why the threshold populations for the Brazeau and Nordegg Zones are so very low as compared to vast areas they cover.

** Ask them how many cattle graze the Sundre Zone each summer.

**Ask them to provide data on how much landscape damage is contributed by cattle and logging every year?

And then by all means you can add many more of your personal concerns like coming from abroad to visit the horses and the surrounding areas as a tourist, etc.

Go ahead and prepare your letter. Maybe have a family member give you a hand to compose it. We will let you know when the time comes to hit the "send" button.

Thanks everyone.

More beautiful wild horses! These ones live in Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota, USA. Like the Alberta wildies, they are under threat of removal by government. For more information, and how you can help, see the North Dakota Badlands Horse's page🐎

I'm looking forward to this!

REGISTER for this unique opportunity to hear from wild horse and Mustang specialists from around the world as we discuss the challenges and progress from our respective regions.

Make sure you have downloaded ZOOM on your device and test it before the presentation. You must register by email: [email protected] in order to receive the link to the ZOOM presentation. You need to do this soon or it will be too late.

Books and authors and coffee and savings and friends and activities and books.

On this day in 1773, the ship Hector sailed into Pictou, Nova Scotia after an arduous 11-week voyage from Loch Broom in Scotland.

The ship Hector tartan journal was made to commemorate the 250th anniversary, bound in genuine tartan cloth from the Scottish Register of Tartans and produced with the authority of Kinloch Anderson in Scotland. It also comes with a free 32-page mini book full of information about The Hector, its passengers, its journey, and its 1773 arrival in Pictou.

Jacqueline Halsey's 'Piper' is a Geoffrey Bilson Award-nominated work of historical middle grade fiction, which spares no detail in the story of the brigantine that brought the first Scottish immigrants to Nova Scotia, focusing on its difficult journey, and the strong-willed and determined individuals who risked it all to call Nova Scotia home.

Check out the Ship Hector Tartan Journal: https://nimbus.ca/store/the-hector-ship-tartan-journal.html
Check out 'Piper': https://nimbus.ca/store/piper.html

Some great attention for Spirit of Summerwood from Horse Nation!🐴📚

“This is a page-turning read with a main character who learns and grows and likely is very relatable to younger readers and I’d recommend this to most horse-crazy youngsters – with the caveat to their parents that while yes, Aislinn does start out kind of a brat, she has a ton of character development, probably more than I’d normally expect in a children’s book.”

Nimbus Publishing and Vagrant Press

Book Review: ‘The Spirit of Summerwood’ By Vivien Gorham Vivien Gorham’s The Spirit of Summerwood is a compelling mystery tale for young readers. The story takes place at Summerwood, a fictional stable in Nova Scotia, Canada, that sits within the Cole Harbour Heritage Park. The park itself is real, though the heritage society that figur...

We are thrilled to find Daphne Greer’s new book Jacob’s Dilemna in CBC’s 15 Canadian middle-grade and YA books to read this summer.

Jacob’s Dilemna is available for purchase at your local bookstore and online.

Daphne Greer, Author

"Mermaid had a problem, a terrible horrible smelly problem" come to Sheet Harbour library on August 17th at 3pm when Carrie and I will read from our Smelly books and you'll find out how she solves her problem.
-ups .

🤍🤍

"There is something delicious about writing the first words of a story. You never quite know where they'll take you." — Beatrix Potter

{July 28, 1866 — Dec. 22, 1943}

I'm so pleased that Spirit of Summerwood is now available on the shelf at Valley Bookseller in Stillwater, Minnesota. My former home state! If you're in the area, be sure to stop in and browse their wonderful collection. I'm so grateful for the support of our independent bookstores!😍📚🐎

Nimbus Publishing and Vagrant Press

A fabulous list of horse books for kids and adults, including Love & Rules, by Lee McLean (my favourite horse blogger at Keystone Equine), published by Alberta's Red Barn Books; and Midnight and Moon, by Kelly Cooper and Daniel Miyares, published by Toronto's Tundra Books. Maybe next year we'll see even more Canadian titles on the list!🇨🇦🐴📚❤️

Horse Canada

The Best Horse Books of 2022 There’s nothing like cozying up with a good book during the long winter months, especially on those bitterly cold days that make riding impossible, or at

Thank you Ellie and Digitally Lit, for including my book in your 12 Days of Bookmas!♥️

Digitally Lit Nimbus Publishing and Vagrant Press

Looking for a last minute gift for that horsey person in your life? Look no further!🐴📚🎁🎄

Nimbus Publishing and Vagrant Press Atlantic Horse & Pony

Such a wonderful author❤️

Kate DiCamillo is a national treasure. She is a decorated and widely read author, but somehow she has exactly zero ego. My own kids have read nearly all of her books in school, as read alouds at home, and for pleasure. And as I interviewed her, I kept remarking that she herself is just like her books. Funny, and profound, and hopeful. She pays attention at every turn. Kate notices all of the little things, and looks at, really looks at, the people and places we encounter.

In our episode, we talk about Kate's own personal journey, writing about darkness while holding light, the spiritual nature of reading aloud, her reading challenge , and so much more. This was a very special conversation, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Listen to The Reading Culture now on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Shanti is a gem, both the girl and her important and timely story!❤

As we approach the end of 2022, a very productive year for OC Publishing, we're spooling up for what's coming in 2023! First out, will be a middle grade/teen (11-16) novel by Marcia E. Barss, Shanti Fights for Her Rights! For now, we reveal the cover (original art by Sneha Roy and cover design by David W. Edelstein). Stay tuned for more...

I was beyond thrilled to discover this great review of Spirit of Summerwood in the Canadian Horse Journal, aka "Canada's National Horse Magazine." Big thanks to reviewer Sage Millen.
"Spirit of Summerwood is a fun, progressive book with lots of horsiness... I really enjoyed the character development throughout the story. Aislinn is a spunky and passionate heroine, whose refusal to follow rules leads to many antics and close shaves... Even somebody who has never ridden a horse will be able to enjoy the book."
https://www.horsejournals.com/popular/horsecrazy-kids-section/love-horses/book-review-spirit-summerwood

Nimbus Publishing and Vagrant Press

Book Review: Spirit of Summerwood By Vivien Gorham Nimbus Publishing Limited, 2022; Fiction; ISBN: 9781774710654; 296 pages; paperback. Reviewed by Sage Millen

I also made a stop at Coles Scotia Square yesterday, to visit with the friendly staff and sign some copies of Spirit of Summerwood. A great gift for that horsey young friend or family member!✍️🐎📚 🎄🎁

Nimbus Publishing and Vagrant Press

Vivien Gorham dropped by to sign copies of her latest, Spirit of Summerwood. Perfect for the young adult on your Christmas list!

I had a nice time yesterday at Carrefour Atlantic Emporium and the Puffin Gallery, sharing stories and laughs with our friendly hosts, Michel and Allison, and fellow authors Nicola Davison, Don Oliver, and Rosalie Osmond. My pal Domingo enjoyed hanging out with our former prime minister🤠🐴📚✍️
(Photo: Nicola Davison)

Nimbus Publishing and Vagrant Press
Nicola Davison's Author Page

Please join me and other local authors this weekend at Carrefour Atlantic Emporium and the Puffin Gallery, your one-stop holiday gift shop featuring local books, art, crafts, clothing, and more! I'll be signing both my books on Saturday from 1-3 pm 📚✍🎁🎄

Nimbus Publishing and Vagrant Press
Historic Properties

This could be Jamie and Peach from my first book, Touch of Gold (with western tack)🤠🐴📚💛

Nimbus Publishing and Vagrant Press

A favorite by many, palomino horses are known as golden beauties. Their coat color glistens like the sun, while their blonde manes are a beautiful contrast. While the color isn’t considered rare, it sure does stand out! If you’re a fan of palominos, then you’ll love these fun facts!

Discover Blaze magazine for horse crazy kids. Sharing the love of horses with youth for 19+ years and 78 issues.

I'll be there with Spirit of Summerwood on Nov. 26th from 1-3pm. Lots of wonderful local authors signing their books for the holidays. Hope to see you there!😊📚🐴

She Holds Up the Stars by Sandra Laronde, one of the 49th Shelf Kids' Top Grade Middle Grade Picks, is an absolute gem. A horse and girl story after my own heart, but from an indigenous lens. And I was happy to see Spirit of Summerwood tucked on the shelf next to Young Adult Top Grade pick Decoding Dot Grey, by Nicola Davison's Author Page. Lots of great holiday shopping ideas on these lists!

(Link to the videos in the comments.)

Nimbus Publishing and Vagrant Press Annick Press 49th Shelf

Somehow, despite the 11(!) guys working on our home reno today, pounding roof shingles and nailing siding before the storm tonight, I managed to get lots of writing done on my novel. Without wearing my noise-reducing headphones. Guess I was on a roll, discovering the growing relationship between two of my teenage characters. Sometimes the story just takes over!😍✍️📖

Such a fun horse magazine for kids!😍🐴

Blaze magazine is every child's ride into the wonderful world of horses. Kids who like horses, love Blaze.

I've been reading Canadian on . Have you?
This heartfelt middle-grade novel from author Sandra Laronde features 12-year-old Misko, an Anishinaabe girl who leaves her home in Winnipeg to visit her Kokum, her grandmother, on the rez. While there, she encounters a beautiful, mistreated wild horse she calls Mishtadim. They develop a special bond, and in the process of trying to help Mishtadim, Misko makes friends, learns about horses, and discovers not only the natural world around her, but a sense of belonging. This is a story after my own heart, about a girl, a horse, and so much more ❤️
Annick Press