About the Author

Heather Grace Stewart wrote her first poem at age five, inspired by falling down a lot while trying to figure skate. ‘At the Arena’ was published in her school newsletter. From that moment on, Heather was hooked on writing.

Reading at Chapters Bookstore, Kanata, Ontario. April 2012

Reading at Chapters Bookstore, Kanata, Ontario. April 2012

After receiving her BA (Honours) in Canadian Studies at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Heather attended Montreal’s Concordia University for a graduate diploma in Journalism. She worked as chief reporter of a local paper and associate editor of Harrowsmith Country Life and Equinox magazines before starting her own freelance writing and editing business, Graceful Publications, in 1999.

Her two non-fiction books for youth are part of the Warts & All educational series on Canada’s Prime Ministers. She has written for a wide range of magazines, including Reader’s Digest and Canadian Wildlife magazine, and edited a Canadian law magazine for students for four years.

Heather’s poems have been published in Canadian literary journals, newspapers and magazines, Canadian and British school textbooks/audio CDS, online journals, international print anthologies, and in the British small presses. She was awarded Queen’s University’s McIlquham Foundation Prize in English Poetry and the UK  journal Various Artists’ “The Poet’s Poet” Award (2008 & 2012)

Heather’s 2013 collection of poetry, prose and photography, Three Spaces, has been described as ‘professional,’ ‘brilliant,’ ‘tender & graceful’ ‘modern & unconventional, ‘fun, sexy, capricious & insightful.’

“Heather Grace Stewart is one of my favorite poets, and her poetry collections only get better over time. Her latest, Three Spaces, is proof [...] Add it to your space. You won’t be disappointed.” ~Elisa Lorello, best-selling author of Faking It, Ordinary World, Why I Love Singlehood, Adulation

Heather’s third collection of poetry and photos, Carry On Dancing (Winter Goose Publishing, March 2012) has been reviewed as ‘brave, personal and eloquent poems,’ ‘stirring memories of Dickinson and Plath,’ ‘poems to remember. A poet for everyone.’

Her second collection of poetry and photos, Leap, has been described as a “lovely lilt of language” and “a must for new and already hooked fans” by reviewers.

Her first collection of poems, Where the Butterflies Go (2008) with half the proceeds still being donated to Unicef’s Gift of Education project and other third-world school projects, has been reviewed as ‘a joy to read,’ ‘honest, tinged with awe and an eye for humor,’ and ‘full of healing power.’

Her photographs have appeared in Equinox and National Geographic Traveler among others, and on the cover of over a dozen poetry books.

Born in Ottawa, she lives with her husband and daughter near Montreal.
In her free time, she loves to take photos, scrapbook, cartoon, inline skate, dance like nobody’s watching, and eat Swedish Berries — usually not at the same time.

Heather is a longtime member of PWAC (Professional Writers Association of Canada) and a full member of the League of Canadian Poets. Visit her biography here:

Who’s Who—The League of Canadian Poets

Independent Authors Network Page -links to all of Heather’s books in all available formats and bookstores

Publishers of online or print publications, to purchase publication rights for any of Heather’s poems or photos, please contact her at writer@hgrace.com

I am a proud Canadian, author, poet, wife, and mother; a wannabe cowgirl who’s just as happy in my cutoffs and cowgirl hat on a beach as I am in a gown and fancy heels (though I wish I had more chances to wear the gown and fancy shoes!)

I do not love reading my poems for audiences. I still get nervous right before  (even after all these years) and I truly hate the sound of my own voice. However, I have a background in theatre and do love performance, and I love hearing the audience reaction; especially those ‘ahhs’ and little sighs. (reading from WTBG)

I love my inlaws’ dog, Coco, and she’s so incredibly smart! In BC, Canada, January 2011.

With my beautiful family, July 2008

In my office, with my Muse/Mews Sam, March 2011

Recent Posts

Why I May Move To France

I’m writing a book. My first long work of fiction.  I was supposed to keep that a secret. Oh well.

I’m at 19,500 words and I didn’t tell too many people ~ until now. Unless you count my Facebook Page, but with their wonky news feed that only hits 10 percent of my Likes, who knows who’s reading anything I post there?

Back to keeping it secret. How the heck is a writer ~ someone who tells stories for a living ~ supposed to keep quiet about the process of doing something they’ve always dreamed of doing, always felt a little intimidated to try, always felt they had in them? I can’t keep quiet about this!

I’ve read lots of advice along the lines of: Don’t tell anyone you’re writing a book. Not until you’re done. But what was I supposed to say I was doing at home all day these last few weeks? Dancing to Adam Levine’s Payphone while eating Swedish Berries? That would be truthful, but not the entire story. Everyone knows I spend my days dancing with a Swiffer down the stairs, freelance writing, and writing creative work. I can’t really hide from that. Or the Swiffer people, who keep begging me to shoot a commercial.

The book is a romantic comedy-drama, and I’m hoping it will be an enjoyable beach read for many. Yesterday, I was blushing as I wrote my first (tame) sex scene. I kept thinking: Oy. My parents are going to read this. But, I kept on writing. After all, they did have me. And my sister. I think they know just a little about the subject.

Today, Grandma (“Gram”) got a disco ball in her bedroom. I’m at summer camp, I tell you! I’m having the time of my life, growing with these characters and their experiences.

I’ve found some of my best plotting happens while in the shower. This works great, except that I become so lost in the story, I keep forgetting to shave my armpits. It’s pretty clear that by the time this novel’s done, I’ll have to move to France.

I’ve found some of my best plotting happens while in the shower. This works great, except that I become so lost in the story, I keep forgetting to shave my armpits. It’s pretty clear that by the time this novel’s done, I’ll have to move to France.

So, the secret’s out. I’m writing a book. Maybe I won’t finish it. I still have half way to go on the first draft, and I have all kinds of annoying inconveniences getting in the way of my writing. Paid magazine work. Photography work. Feeding my family. Geesh.

I’m betting I will realize this dream, since now I’ve told everyone I’m doing it, and I simply can’t stand quitting. Maybe it won’t get published; hopefully, some day, it will.

I’ll certainly share the journey with you, and all that I learn along the way.

Thanks for reading!

Eggs wrapped in ham (use an oiled muffin tin!): favourite go-to-dinner item for this author! Thankfully, our daughter loves it. She'll be eating this often in the next few weeks, because Mommy's writing a book!

Eggs wrapped in ham (use an oiled muffin tin!): favourite go-to-dinner item for this author! Thankfully, our daughter loves it. She’ll be eating this often in the next few weeks, because Mommy’s writing a book!

  1. The Places That Knew You 3 Replies
  2. 100 Ways 4 Replies
  3. #FREE #POETRY by Heather Grace Stewart! Leave a reply
  4. FREE in KINDLE STORE: THREE SPACES! Leave a reply
  5. A Flea Market & Gardening Junkie’s Rewards 3 Replies
  6. Our Person Is In There, Typing Away… 6 Replies
  7. Fifty Shades of the Hunger Games by Author @hgracestewart 1 Reply
  8. “I can shake my eyeballs back & forth really fast” Author @hgracestewart 4 Replies
  9. On Days Like This (Live Performance with Sjean MacLeod) Leave a reply