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Wanda Baxter

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Born
Canada
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Lizzie Napoli, Jeannette Winterson, Jenny Offill, Kasia Van Schaik, Ja ...more

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February 2018


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Wanda Baxter I wrote the following for The Miramichi Reader for their "Why I Wrote ..." series. I thought I would share it here as well.
Why I Wrote If I had an Ol…more
I wrote the following for The Miramichi Reader for their "Why I Wrote ..." series. I thought I would share it here as well.
Why I Wrote If I had an Old House on the East Coast:

In 2005, my partner Randy and I fell in love with and bought an old house in Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. We were first-time homeowners (read: deer in the headlights), and we knew little about farmsteading. A lot of If I had an Old House on the East Coast stems from that first year living here: learning as much as we could, working like DIY fanatics, clearing the house of rumoured ghosts (!), scrambling to manage the gardens and orchard as they came to life in the spring. And I wrote it from the point of view of those starry-eyed, new, old-house owners we were.

 I was also inspired by Lizzi Napoli’s If I had a Mas in Provence, a beautiful little book I bought in the south of France many years ago, and still treasure. I was inspired by Napoli’s appreciation of place and simple pleasures, and how she invites her reader in to share her world too. 

But the main reason I wrote If I had an Old House on the East Coast is that I kept wondering why this part of the world, and these enduring old houses in our midst, are not appreciated as much as they should be. I wanted there to be a book that shone a light on our old houses and our slower-paced, appreciative way of life – like Lizzy Napoli’s book does about the south of France. I wanted to make something sweet and beautiful (and yes, nostalgic) about where and how we live, and to acknowledge the amount of work, craftsmanship, and mettle that went into constructing these old buildings. I wanted to express gratitude for what we have, and maybe inspire others to appreciate small details of rural living the way Lizzi Napoli inspired me. Finally, I wrote If I had an Old House … because I found just the right artist to collaborate with. I was fortunate to partner with Kat Frick Miller – who shares my love of old houses and gardens and the east coast – and whose graceful watercolours transformed my words and ideas into beauty. (less)
Wanda Baxter Who my father's real parents were, and the story of both of their adoptions -- if they were adopted. Is our last name really our last name? We don't k…moreWho my father's real parents were, and the story of both of their adoptions -- if they were adopted. Is our last name really our last name? We don't know for sure.







(less)
Average rating: 4.5 · 72 ratings · 25 reviews · 2 distinct works • Similar authors
If I Had an Old House on th...

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4.40 avg rating — 50 ratings — 2 editions
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She is Hope for Wildlife: T...

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4.73 avg rating — 22 ratings — published 2024
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Hackmatack Children's Book Award: Winner!!

What an honour, surprise and joy it was today to receive the 2025-26 Hackmatack non-fiction Children's Book Award! The Hackmatack Award and reading group voting process is a wonderful way to engage young readers, and connect writers, illustrators and students. Thank you for choosing She is Hope for Wildlife for this meaningful Award! Woohoooo!!!

https://substack.com/@wandabaxter/not... Read more of this blog post »
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Published on May 27, 2026 18:47

Wanda’s Recent Updates

Wanda Baxter rated a book it was amazing
If I Had an Old House on the East Coast by Wanda Baxter
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Wanda Baxter answered Goodreads's question: Wanda Baxter
Who my father's real parents were, and the story of both of their adoptions -- if they were adopted. Is our last name really our last name? We don't know for sure.







Wanda Baxter rated a book it was amazing
Don't Tell Anybody the Secrets I Told You by Lucinda Williams
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Don't Tell Anybody the Secrets I Told You by Lucinda Williams
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Wanda Baxter shared a quote
“From a wonderful book review of If I had an Old House on the East Coast in Cape Cod Home:
“A diminutive gem of a book available online at Nimbus Publishing, will inspire you to travel down the path of finding your own old house on the East Coast. Small enough to fit on your bedside table, If I had an Old House on the East Coast, by Wanda Baxter, delights with whimsical water-colour illustrations by artist Kat Frick Miller, evoking the quiet charm and comfort of coastal cottage living with poetic immediacy and practical, do-it-yourself know-how.”

Right from the first page, Baxter catches your imagination and holds on tight when she says, “If I had an old house on the east coast, I would fall in love at first sight. It would grab me by the heart and not let go.”

– Susan Dewey, Cape Cod Home (Summer 2023)”
Susan Dewey
Wanda Baxter rated a book it was amazing
She is Hope for Wildlife by Wanda Baxter
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She is Hope for Wildlife by Wanda Baxter
" Dear Wunderdrugged, Thank you for taking the time to read and review She is Hope for Wildlife. I appreciate your feedback. I do want to let you know t ...more "
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More of Wanda's books…
“From a wonderful book review of If I had an Old House on the East Coast in Cape Cod Home:
“A diminutive gem of a book available online at Nimbus Publishing, will inspire you to travel down the path of finding your own old house on the East Coast. Small enough to fit on your bedside table, If I had an Old House on the East Coast, by Wanda Baxter, delights with whimsical water-colour illustrations by artist Kat Frick Miller, evoking the quiet charm and comfort of coastal cottage living with poetic immediacy and practical, do-it-yourself know-how.”

Right from the first page, Baxter catches your imagination and holds on tight when she says, “If I had an old house on the east coast, I would fall in love at first sight. It would grab me by the heart and not let go.”

– Susan Dewey, Cape Cod Home (Summer 2023)”
― Susan Dewey

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