Joy Norstrom's Blog

If you've been following my posts on social media, you'll know I've got an exciting event coming up: next month. My first picture book, Marjorie Magic will be published by Dixi Books. One thing that made this experience so different from publishing adult fiction, was the fabulous opportunity to work with an illustrator. 

For my manuscript the publisher selected Anushka Shenoy as the illustrator to bring my story and characters to life. I couldn't be more pleased with the process and can't ...

Something wonderful happened: an in-person book event! Back in 2019 this might have been cool, something casual to look forward to. But wonderful? It takes a pandemic filled with virtual meetings, zoom happenings and Microsoft Teams ‘parties’ to fully appreciate how amazing it is so see and hear and spend time with other humans in-person. I know a lot of us are finding it a bit awkward, perhaps, when we are out of practice, but it's a bit magic too, I'd say. 

What bro...

It was a thrilling experience to have Flying the Nest chosen as an Airdrie Reads finalist  for 2021. There were several amazing Alberta titles in the mix--from the 10 that made the shortlist to the final 5 that were championed by local leaders.

I was so excited to know Kiersten Mohr would be championing Flying the Nest. Kiersten is a gender diversity and inclusion consultant as well as president of Airdrie Pride, so I knew I would value her opinion of the book, given diversity and inclusion are v...

Here it is, my final and favourite character to introduce to you. Martin is my Casanova, my Mr. Romeo of a certain age. He knows a lot, yet he’s still got a lot left to learn.

I hope you enjoy Martin as much as I enjoyed writing him! 
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Please meet Lila; I only wish I could sit down and enjoy a tea with her in real life. I’m not alone. Our main character, Chad, has quite the crush on this single parent / college student / Eldernest Housekeeper and Cafeteria Assistant and readers will see him spending quite a bit of time trying to cross paths with her in Flying the Nest.

When I wrote Flying the Nest, I had no idea what people in Lila’s position would be dealing with amidst the Coronavirus pandemic of 2020. Their work was n...

​When the ink was still wet on the publishing contract for Flying the Nest, I was already imagining the party I would host at the local pub to celebrate with friends. Live music perhaps, and a round of celebratory beverages for sure! It takes me 3 years to write a single novel, a single SHORT novel, as my daughter has frequently pointed out. (Not to worry, I’m collecting all her uplifting comments for a future project involving a pre-teen,  so I consider it research, haha). 

Anyway, parties are a...

Yes, it's true. The main character in Flying the Nest is a MAN. You might not think that’s a big deal, however it created a bit of angst in getting this book about relationships and connections onto shelves as stories like this are most often classified 'women's fiction.'

As one agent told me: "this would sell much better if you changed the main character into a woman." But honestly, as a reader I'm tired of reading about insecure women, and confidence is a big part of what my main charac...

For those who have read my first novel, Out of Play, you’ll be familiar with the little old lady who was part larper, part costume shop clerk. Rosie was such a fun character to write, I brought her back in Flying the Nest. In FTN readers will have the chance to learn more about this fun lady, find out where she lives and what keeps her up at night.

Here’s a quick little cameo for you to enjoy while waiting for the November 28th release:

It’s the last day of 2018 and I’m up before the rest of the family, although that’s no mean feat. Its 10:00 am! I’m glad some of us are enjoying our winter holiday from school and work and that’s a good thing.

It’s a good thing to be awake too, because the coffee is on and I get to enjoy some quiet reading time. Right now I’m reading The Things We Wish Were True . Its engaging, alternating between various point of view characters much like my current writing project.

Maybe more than this partic...

It's not everyday I get to welcome a new author in their journey past the publication threshold. And not just any writer, I'm talking about a fabulous writer with a great story to tell. Just listen:

Pam Wheeler checked every box. Happy marriage? Check. Fantastic kid? Check. Booming career? Check.

So when her husband dies in a freak accident and their DIY empire goes on life support, Pam must fix the relationship with her troubled and grief-stricken daughter and save the family business.

So...