Stephen Franks
Stephen Franks was born in Brampton, Ontario, fell in love with the East Coast somewhere along the way, and now lives in Canso, Nova Scotia, with his wife Laura. He spent thirty-four years in the classroom before turning to the page.
His Rise Again Series, three novels set on the Cape Breton coast. It follows one family across a generation of staying, leaving, and coming home. Each book stands alone; together they ask what it costs to belong to a place.
He also writes non-fiction. His book Climate Change and the Rise of Billionaire Oligarchy was published by FoxIsland Press in 2026.
Full author page → The Rise Again Series →
Laura Franks
Laura brings 30 years of experiance in teaching, comunicating and dilivering content of all types. Social Midea, Graphics, Cooking, Crocheting Afghans, Laura has you covered!
Laura Franks lives and cooks on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, where the seasons are short, the pantry is deep, and every meal has a story behind it. Her forthcoming cookbook gathers recipes from a Canso kitchen. Hearty Maritime comfort food, fresh coastal flavours, and the straightforward approach to feeding people well that Nova Scotians have always known.
This is food for real tables. Nothing precious, nothing fussy. Just good ingredients, good company, and recipes that work.
The book is in development. Details and a release date will be announced here first.
Portfolio coming soon! → Cookbook details →
Yvonne Landry
For nearly three decades, Yvonne Landry has helped others find health, healing, and emotional well-being. Over 29 years as a Massage Therapist, her practice grew to include work as a Reiki Master, Somatic Experiencing Coach, Yoga Instructor, and Mindfulness Coach. She has worked with people of all ages, but it is her work with children that has shaped her most. For many years she has taught mindfulness and emotional wellness to children from kindergarten through Grade 12, helping them build practical tools to face life's challenges with confidence, compassion, and resilience. Watching young children take to these lessons with curiosity and openness led her to create a series of wellness books for children ages four to eight. Through the adventures of Ollie, a loveable baby elephant growing up in the jungle, young readers are introduced to kindness, friendship, courage, curiosity, inclusion, and emotional awareness. In Ollie's first adventure, Ollie and the Whispering Jungle, he learns that being mindful means paying attention, making kind choices, and taking one step at a time. Sometimes the biggest adventure isn't finding what you're looking for. It's growing wiser, kinder, and braver along the way. The series continues Ollie's story, following him as he makes new friends and learns to appreciate their differences, navigates his first day of Jungle School, and discovers what to do when a friend is having a cloudy day.
Upcoming Books.
- Ollie and the Whispering Jungle
- Ollie and the Friendship Trail
- Ollie and the Friendship Picnic
- Ollie's First Day at Jungle Achoo School
- Ollie and the Cloudy-Day Friend
All beautifully illustrated by a Nova Scotia artist. Coming soon!
Chrissy Rodenhiser
Chrissy Rodenhiser is a digital artist based in Nova Scotia, currently the designated illustrator for Stephen Franks’ Eco Series and Yvonne Landry’s Ollie the Elephant series.
Chrissy's Portfolio! → Help support Chrissy’s work with FoxIsland Press →