Explore this year's Local Authors Showcase collection, featuring 81 titles by 57 authors living in Peel Region. Place your holds online or visit Gore Meadows Branch Library to discover the collection in person!
Apply for our 2027-28 showcase
We are now accepting submissions for the 2027-28 Local Authors Showcase. Click here to submit your application.
Please see our guidelines for application details. A valid email address is required to access the Showcase application form. For assistance, please email acquisitions@bramlib.on.ca, connect with us through our website chat feature, or speak with staff at your favourite branch.
Get to know the authors of the 2026–27 showcase
Our newest cohort features 57 authors who have written 81 books, including 39 first-time Local Authors Showcase participants and 45 Brampton-based writers. On Saturday, June 13th everyone is welcome to meet the authors in Garden Square, at the first Brampton Farmers' Market of 2026.
Apply for our 2027-28 showcase
We are now accepting submissions for the 2027-28 Local Authors Showcase. Click here to submit your application.
Please see our guidelines for application details. A valid email address is required to access the Showcase application form. For assistance, please email acquisitions@bramlib.on.ca, connect with us through our website chat feature, or speak with staff at your favourite branch.
A.E. Lawrence is a pen name. The real person, Lawrence Ayliffe, lives with Vickie, his wife of forty-plus years, and Stella their dog in a restored century-old barn in a village slightly north west of Toronto.
In a previous life Lawrence founded a successful advertising and design company, and won numerous awards for writing ads, commercials, brochures, videos and the like for a wide variety of clients.
When not writing, you’ll find him fishing, travelling for fun and literary research, or simply enjoying the company of family and friends.
A.Thangam is a local author, healthcare practitioner, and devoted mother who lives and works among the vibrant community of Brampton. You might spot her gentle smile at the local bookstore or grocery store, a smile that conceals a world of pain she's courageously shared in her memoir. In writing her story, A.Thangam hopes to soothe broken hearts and spark meaningful conversations, especially around the silent struggles of South Asian women, particularly Sri Lankan Tamil women, who navigate life’s challenges with quiet strength and resilience. She finds peace in introspection, long walks in nature, and gazing up at a starlit sky. If her memoir has moved or inspired you in any way, she warmly invites you to share your thoughts and experiences. Connect with the conversation at Tamils Don’t Divorce on Instagram or reach out via email at tamilsdontdivorce@gmail.com.
Ablavi L. De Souza is an author. Her stories span cultures and introduce lived experiences, especially those of Africans in the diaspora, exploring identity and a sense of belonging. Outside her work as an author, Ms. De Souza is an educator. She is also the founder of the non-profit organization AfriCanada Hub. Ms. De Souza seeks creative ways to bridge educational gaps between children from marginalized communities and their counterparts. Her work in the community has been characterized by a deep love of reading children’s books with children and to children.
In recent years, she has been guided by the belief that whatever your hand finds to do, do it well, embracing each opportunity with purpose. Outside her professional life, Ms. De Souza loves to pray, watch movies, drink tea, and try out new recipes.
Allen W. McLean is an artist, musician and author of speculative fiction, poetry and reviews.
He identifies as non-binary and was born and raised in Brampton Ontario, Canada.
His wife April produces music and art as Electric Armchair; at her behest, Allen began sharing the HaikuPrajna Collection, a library of his poetry based on reviews of books and date locations in addition to his own projects, as a means to achieve a true indie self-publication of his work straight to readers.
Allen’s writing focuses on transcending the hindrances to one's concentration by revealing the positive factors of our experiences, to better cultivate a lasting sense of mindfulness and serenity with ideas from metaphysics, theology, yoga and meditation.
Alyssa Ross is the author of ‘The Power of the Moon and Sun’, ‘Written in the Stars: Omari's Story’, ‘The Tides’, and its sequel, ‘The Gathering Storm’. She is also the author and illustrator of ‘The Tiger Prince’, ‘Big Blue’, 'Tango the Toucan' and 'The Mango Tree'. She has an Advanced Diploma in Graphic Design and lives in Brampton with her family. When she's not writing, she loves making art in a variety of mediums and sewing.
Amanda Shuman, SLT, CTLC, is a former federal food inspector who left metropolitan life to experience off-grid living with her young family of five. These experiences fundamentally shifted her perspective of life. Currently studying Kabbalistic spiritualism and trained in Dream Tending, she practices Dreamwork as a Life Coach and hosts workshops for self-exploration, dreamwork, and creating intuitive art. As a mother of three, she is enjoying her children's youth through seasonal activities, creative projects and marveling in their uniqueness as they grow. She enjoys public speaking, writing, poetry, and advocating for Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac Disease.
Hello, my name is Amrinder Singh. I am originally from India and currently living in Canada, where I came as an international student. I completed my studies in International Business Management and Project Management at St. Lawrence College in Kingston. Alongside my academic journey, I have always been deeply connected to writing and creative expression.
During my time as a student, I wrote my first book, titled Darbar. It is a book of 1000 motivational quotes originally written by me. The book was first published in Punjabi, my mother tongue, as a way to stay connected to my roots and speak directly to readers who share the same cultural and emotional background. After its positive response, I also released an English version so that a wider audience could experience its message.
Angelika Miria is a Canadian and Serbian author from Brampton, Ontario. She started writing her own children’s books at the mere age of five and dreamed to one day publish her own book, life ultimately gave her something to write about which brought her debut novel ‘Underneath It All’ to life and the entire series which she is working on. She also writes poetry in both English and Serbian.
The Glory And Tragedy Of Ancient India
Author was born in India and migrated to Canada with his parents at the age of 15. He has a Bachelor of Arts from Queens University and a Master’s of Science in Mathematics from the University of Oregon (USA). He has worked as a secondary school teacher, university lecturer, statistician, stockbroker, real estate broker, and policy advisor. He has special interest in ancient Indian history and archaeology and has researched the subject thoroughly. He has travelled throughout India and has personally visited and photographed the many historical monuments, palaces, ruins, temples and archaeological sites highlighted in this literature. He has also travelled in South America, Europe, Russia, North Africa, and the Far East including China, Japan, Vietnam and Korea.
Magical Friendship Wall- A Tale of Kindness and Friendship
Anshuka Tawakley is a Brampton-based educator and children’s author committed to fostering kindness, inclusion, and belonging in school communities. With years of experience working with diverse learners, she strives to create spaces where every child feels valued, seen, and heard.
Her debut picture book, The Magical Friendship Wall, reflects her passion for social–emotional learning and equity. The story highlights how a small act of kindness can spark friendship and inspire meaningful change. It also includes historically and culturally responsive activities that help children explore empathy, identity, and community in thoughtful ways.
Inspired by real moments from her work in classrooms, Anshuka writes to empower young readers, celebrate diversity, and strengthen connections between children, families, and schools.
April Salisbury-White is Electric Armchair: a female artist, poet, musician, producer and animator. April has a process: she writes poems and turns them into song lyrics records instrumentals, sings, mixes and masters the music illustrates the album covers animates the music videos then creates books and merch based on the projects. April has released 10 albums, 50 singles and a few illustrated poetry books. April lives with her husband Allen W McLean and cat Joe Bean in Brampton, Ontario, where they run a small handmade business of Art Works, Book Merch, and Clay Quirks called APRILandALLEN's. The website is aprilandallen.square.site
Certified master coach and certified leadership coach, international speaker, educational consultant, literary critic and radio columnist on education and immigration issues, Bertrand has 20 years of educational experience in Switzerland and Canada.
His expertise led him to collaborate with the OECD within the framework of the International Program for the Monitoring of Student Achievement (Geneva, Gatineau and Ottawa), with EQAO (responsible for the organization of provincial tests in Ontario) as a member of the Content and Sensitivity Committee for almost 10 years, with the magazine Pour Parler Profession of the Ontario College of Teachers for eight years and with La Cité Collégiale as a content expert and public relations teacher.
Prof. Chandan Singh is a Canadian educator, author, and visionary entrepreneur with a Ph.D. in English Literature, an LL.B., and advanced credentials in Business Analysis from the University of Toronto. He is the CEO of CCN Immigration Services and founder of Innovax Global, a venture platform fostering impactful startups in education, immigration, and innovation. As the creator of HuntigoX, an AI-powered job matching and immigration-aligned hiring platform, he is redefining labour mobility and trust in Canada’s workforce.
Prof. Singh is also a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC), certified CELTA & TESOL instructor, and former IELTS examiner. His published works include CELPIP Mastery, The Universal Thread, and How to Win Your Thoughts and Emotions — empowering readers globally across language proficiency, personal growth, and national identity.
Evil Daughter: A Paranormal Thriller
Charmlene is an EFL teacher who writes intriguing mysteries and thrillers that revolve around fantasy and spirituality. Her inspiration stems from her life experiences and what she wants the world to know.
Christine is a mother of two and has three grandchildren. She has worked for Canadian Tire in various roles for 42 years. A long-time supporter and volunteer for Jumpstart Charity helping kids to play sports.
Christine is a dog lover, enjoys reading, swimming and gardening. She values time spent with family and friends.
She believes everyone should love their path and if you don't change it and believe in yourself.
Terrence the Tiger has a Terrible Day
Crystal McCoy is a Canadian author whose primary work focuses on writing children’s books that encourage curiosity, empathy, and emotional understanding. Her stories often explore life’s lessons through imaginative characters and nature-inspired themes.
In addition to her work for young readers, she also writes memoirs and biographies, helping individuals and families preserve personal histories and meaningful life experiences.
Crystal believes storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to connect generations and preserve the moments that shape our lives.
She lives and writes in Ontario, Canada.
Biographical details have been provided by the authors.
