Includes
James Neufeld, author of Power to Rise: the Story of the National Ballet of Canada (1996) teaches English Literature at Trent University, Peterborough and writes regularly about the arts in Canada. He studied voice at the Royal Conservatory of Music, and has been a lifelong amateur singer.
During the Second World War, Charles Foster visited Hollywood on leave and established lifelong friendships with many of the Canadians he now writes about. Later, he wrote comedy material for many TV shows and for comedians like Bob Hope and Jack Benny. His first book, Stardust and Shadows, drew critical acclaim.
Mel Atkey began writing musicals ever since he was in high school in his native Vancouver. His work has been shortlisted for the Vivian Ellis Prize, the Quest for New Musicals, the Ken Hill Prize and Musical Stairs. His first musical, Shikara, was produced on radio in Canada.
Martin Hunter has been a child actor, boy diplomat, university teacher, and arts journalist. His first passion is theatre, where he has worked as an actor, director, writer, and producer. Former artistic director of Hart House Theatre, Hunter has written several plays and CBC Radio dramas and documentaries. He is president of the KM Hunter Charitable Foundation.
Sheila M.F. Johnston was raised in Stratford, Ontario. She earned a B.A. in English in 1980 from the University of Western Ontario, London. During a 20-year career in arts marketing, Sheila has worked at The Stratford Festival, The Globe Theatre (Regina, Saskatchewan), The Nuffield Theatre (Southampton, England), The Lighthouse Festival Theatre (Port Dover, Ontario), the Grand Theatre (London, Ontario) and the Gateway Theatre (Richmond, B.C.).
Ward McBurney has been broadcasting his stories on CBC Radio One's Fresh Air for over four years. He is a contributing editor at Write magazine, and has worked as a bookseller, managing editor, historical interpreter, and farm hand. Ward now freelances from his home in downtown Toronto. Sky Train is his first book.