I wrote this book while living and working in Toronto. The city exists on land that is the traditional territory of many Indigenous nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples. It is also home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples. Toronto is covered by Treaty 13, signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaty, signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands. To learn more about the land you live and work on, visit Whose.land.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) is doing crucial work to hold this country to account for its actions as a colonial state. The work of challenging systemic policies and beliefs that perpetuate racism and injustice against First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples benefits us all. If you haven’t had the chance, read the TRC’s summary report.
The Ojibwe People’s Dictionary is a digital resource that I returned to throughout this project, particularly for its audio samples demonstrating proper pronunciations. Please see the Pronunciation Guide in the Appendix for specifics about individual words.
Ideation and Iteration
This story took shape while I worked at MaRS Discovery District and expanded during my years in Toronto’s tech sector. During that time, many excellent colleagues went out of their way to encourage my passion project. While it’s impossible to name all of you, please know that I treasured every conversation.
In December 2012, Elle P. and the TedxWaterlooWomen team said yes to my talk on superheroes, women, and work. I thought I was delivering a swan song to my dream of doing a PhD in science fiction. Turns out, it started a decade of follow-up work.
Before the pandemic, Wattpad and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) provided the most productive writing space I’ve ever known. Using Wattpad’s app, I stood in the subway doors and wrote many chapters of this book during my commute. I’ve written about that experience on Medium. While I opted not to publish as I went, I’m proud to be a tiny part of this thriving international community. Thank you to Dani Z., Carmen H., Brandon W., and Tim J. for their advice on navigating self-publishing.
For generously sharing their perspectives on growing up in Canada, my thanks to Fanny S., Andrew E., Alister E., Marydean M., Sabreena D., Diana P. C., Bella L., Wesley L., Quinton C. A., and Rose C. A.
Over the years, I received piles of feedback from my intrepid beta readers. Thank you to Jerry, Mary, Stephen, Jim, Diana K., Jennifer M., Luke G., Rose C. A., Quinton C. A., Brishen C. A., Tanya D. Z., Jen E., Candice S., Thamina J., Stacey L., Kayla M., Wesley L., Bella L., Jenna S., Tasha S., Carla D., Brad B., Martina D., Jake F., and Kirsten C. Particular thanks go to Jenny P. C. who told me that my story would be best served by multiple books. Your support means the world.
More specifically, Vince L. walked me through the intellectual property landmines that can plague startup founding teams. Jay P., Mike B., Hassan J., and Luke G. provided valuable perspective on what a plausible AI-linguistic start-up could have looked like in the early 2000s. David L. took a call from the Yukon to answer my questions about his experience as an officer with the Toronto Police Service. James E. shared his experience working the night shift in the ICU, Andrew C. gave me insight into what goes on in an emergency room, and Chris O. and Kirsten L. offered their perspectives on patient care. Your willingness to field questions was a godsend. Thank you.
Last, when I decided to self-publish, I knew I needed one heck of an editor. I found one in Julia McDowell. Thank you for your patient partnership.
Crystal Watanabe of Pikko’s House provided an excellent copyedit of the manuscript, greatly improving its quality and consistency. Crystal, it was a pleasure to work with you.
Lina Mockus delivered a Toronto-specific proofread at the end of my production process, ensuring I had all the nitty-gritty details right. Thank you, Lina, for your keen eye.
Indigenous Place Names
As observed in the Author’s Note, Miinikaa First Nation is a fictitious community. I did not wish to use a real place name without direct permission. I discussed several options for how to situate the reserve with an Anishinaabe beta reader and with an Anishinaabe sensitivity reader. Ultimately, I opted to create a fictitious place.
The land surrounding Sudbury is acidic, which makes it ideal for blueberries to grow. I named the reserve using the Anishinaabemowin word miinikaa, which means “there are (many) blueberries.”
In the world of the novel, Miinikaa First Nation would be part of the very real Robinson Huron Treaty, since the treaty includes the land around Sudbury. The Robinson Huron Treaty was signed in 1850 between the Government of Canada and the 21 First Nations living on the land it encompasses.
In 2012, these nations filed a claim to ask the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario to increase the annuity paid to their members for the first time in over one hundred and fifty years. At the time of this writing, their case is still before the courts.
Learn more by visiting https://
On Diverse Stories
Writing about twenty-first-century Toronto means attempting to reflect the diversity of people, backgrounds, and perspectives that I encounter here, despite my individual limitations.
From the beginning, I embraced the importance of having sensitivity readers review my work for the inherent biases that I hold as a white woman and a settler. It’s not for me to say whether my attempts to write inclusively are successful. I will say that I prefer by far to make the attempt—and listen, learn, and try again—than to write a version of Toronto that doesn’t reflect the vibrant, varied, and wonderful people I have met here.
Throughout the project, I was fortunate to have access to many diverse perspectives via my beta readers. For example, when I wondered what Leona might have said to Dave during his convalescence (see Chapter 4), an Anishinaabe beta reader pointed me toward the Seven Grandfather teachings. We discussed how the story might allude to them without sharing an actual teaching, which I did not wish to do. If you’d like to learn more, Tanya Talaga’s podcast Seven Truths is an accessible starting point.
After completing the structural edit for this book in 2020, I sought more formal feedback from two sensitivity readers, one for the Lin family’s Chinese Canadian heritage and the other for the LaRoque family’s Anishinaabe heritage. To respect their wishes, I’ve omitted their names. I’m thankful for their time and insight.
Any remaining shortcomings of this work are mine. You can find more about my approach to sensitivity reading in my website’s Resources section: emwilliams.ca.
Building a Book Brand
Naming a novel is one of the more daunting tasks authors face when choosing to self-publish. I have named companies, products, and (not least of all) children, but finding my way through this process involved a lot of soul-searching. Thank you to Amanda M., Johnathan N., Brad B., Julia M., Wesley L., and Jerry for your feedback and advice.
Helen He brought the skyworms to vivid life through her illustrations. Working from my descriptions, she immediately grasped their aura of menace. Helen, I was so excited when you suggested they should have a tentacle inside their mouths, too! Thank you!
I met Wesley Lyn in the trenches of Toronto tech. Beyond volunteering to act as a beta reader, Wes took on the series’ cover designs and brand identity. His stunning work speaks for itself. Thank you, Wes! I’m so grateful for your friendship and expertise.
Richard Rudy has been building websites with me since we graduated from university. He built emwilliams.ca, too. You’re the best, Rick.
Sim R. created the video trailers that launched this book to the world. Thank you so much for your wonderful work, Sim.
When it was time to test ebook layouts, Tanya D. Z. and Mike Z. patiently played with endless file formats until I got it right. Thank you both.
For marketing, positioning, and campaign advice, I am perpetually grateful to Amanda M., Brad B., Will C., Meredith A., April D., Sarah S., and the GrowClass Slack channel. You’re brilliant.
A Journey, not a Destination
Across my writing life, I’ve been mentored by some exemplary people. For conversations great and small, thank you to Jenny P. C., Marian B., Peter B., Melissa N., Jonathan N., Fazila S., Kay K., Jenny H., Sonnet L., Valerie P., Sever B., Sabrina F., Sana M. D., Elaine S., Sarah S., Meredith A., Lyssa N., Mike B., Bob R., Nalo H., Elizabeth A. H., Connie W., and Harry C.
In 2005, I met Diana K., Hardy K., and the late T. J. O’Neil in a speculative fiction writing class via the University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Studies. We formed a writing group that continued until 2012. It featured a lot of great work, good laughs, hard truths, and an abundance of cheese boards. Tim, we miss you still.
When this story came roaring at me, Kay K. offered encouragement, held space for my fears, and keep me focused. You’re the best, K-Town.
In recent years, my writing sisters have held me accountable and kept me going. Thank you to Diana K., Jennifer M., and Kirsten C. for your unflagging love.
On my last pandemic mile, Dayana Cadet provided the coaching I needed to check my fears and commit to a launch plan. It was a pleasure to collaborate with you, Dayana.
Profound thanks also go to my advisors and extended family, past and present: I’m grateful for your love and insight. You’re with me always.
My parents and brother remain my greatest champions. Mom, you truly are my superfan. All my love.
In my husband, Jerry, I have an in-house historian and a long-suffering beta reader who is always willing to diagram battle strategy, contemplate skyworm abilities, and push the limits of my thinking. Here’s to the next round of one a.m. giggles. I love you.
This book is dedicated to our children: fine curators of memes, wrestling champions, TikTok enthusiasts, and my companions for our nightly reading sessions. Your unshakeable belief in and curiosity about my writing means everything to me. I can’t wait to see which dreams you’ll chase.
E. M. Williams
Toronto, ON
October 25, 2021