Our 2025 White Pines Authors Part 2

The Port Moody Public Library created the White Pines Local Author Collection to highlight and support local authors, poets, and illustrators from our community. We launched the collection in May 2019 with 12 inaugural authors.

Now, with over 100 authors represented, the collection has grown to house even more creative and diverse submissions from members of our community. You can browse our White Pines Collection online to place holds on items, or in person at the Library under the green White Pines sign.

Kevin Yeates

Kevin Yeates spent 35 years in the RCMP, working on numerous duties and developing extensive experience in interacting with the public, as well as working as a supervisor and manager. His problem-solving abilities and partnering skills were honed as he addressed homeless issues, vandalism, impaired driving, and other antisocial activities. His love of music has him leading three bands and volunteering his time working with youth in school music programs. Today, this curious, resourceful writer enjoys showing others how to sidestep the potholes along supervisory paths and music making.

Find out more about Kevin and his writing at https://www.tamingthehamster.ca/

Book: Taming the Hamster: A Practical Guide to Supervision and Management

This book provides the new, or seasoned supervisor with proven supervisory concepts. The book then follows up on the concepts provided with examples of how to apply them. You will find suggested wordings you can use to address situations, words to avoid, and fully scripted conversations dealing with everyday issues in any organization. With these fully scripted conversations you can see how each of the concepts is applied when addressing an issue with a staff member. Rather than looking at how to motivate your staff, you are instead shown how you can use techniques to engage your staff in their work. To assist in this regard, the book will take you through the Eight Elements of Engagement, and how to create that engagement in your workplace.

Borrow Taming the Hamster: A Practical Guide to Supervision and Management from the Library.

What inspired Kevin to write?

Kevin was motivated to write this book by the people who had approached him asking what it was that he was doing as a supervisor that got the results that he did. Kevin attempted to layout the approach for them, but as he did, he realized that it would take a lot more than one conversation. He wrote down a few points about his approach, and those points became paragraphs, which became pages, and eventually became this book.

What have Kevin's biggest challenges been while writing?

Kevin has found that although he knew what to do in a supervisory role, it took a lot of time to clearly identify the foundation for his thoughts. Once he was able to clearly articulate the foundation of his approach, the rest flowed fairly easily. Unfortunately, it flowed too easily, and he found that he was writing far too much. With the assistance of many friends, Kevin was able to edit the manuscript down to a readable book that speaks to a variety of supervisory situations.

Jennifer Harrison & Harjoyt Johal

Jennifer Harrison and Harjoyt Johal are authors, illustrators, and moms to their littles, Claire and Leone. Together they have written and illustrated The Adventure of the Little Long Dog. They are also educators who work in Middle and Elementary schools. Literacy and social-emotional learning (SEL) are their passions, and they weave elements of SEL throughout the story.

Find out more about Jen and Harjoyt on Instagram at @jharr13 and @littlelongdogbaxter

Book: The Adventure of the Little Long Dog: A journey From the Great White North to the West Coast City

Baxter is a little long dog with a big BARK! When he has something to say, he lets everyone know. Baxter's life is about to change as he and his special human leave their home in the great white Canadian north and move to the big green West Coast city. On his journey, Baxter learns by listening and understands by thinking. Come along on an adventure with the little, long dog and experience growth and change through Baxter's eyes.

Borrow The Adventure of the Little Long Dog: A journey From the Great White North to the West Coast City from the Library.

What inspired Jennifer to become a writer?

Jennifer was inspired to become a writer by all of the storytellers in her life. She feels that we learn best through story and sharing, and Jen has kept this in mind as she’s pushed herself to be brave and take risks while writing The Adventure of the Little Long Dog. One of Jennifer's favourite quotes that she goes back to often is from one of her favourite authors, Richard Wagamese - "All that we are is story."

What have Jennifer’s biggest challenges been while writing?

The most challenging part of writing is the technical part - spelling and grammar. In this part of the writing process, Jennifer has learned to lean on critical friends who offer great feedback and suggestions to make her writing clear so that she can share her story with a wider audience.

Sean P. Connaughton

Sean P. Connaughton is the senior archaeologist and manager for Inlailawatash, a Tsleil-Waututh–owned firm in North Vancouver. As well as having over twenty years of professional experience in both academic and commercial archaeology, he writes, researches, and publishes, and he has taught in the Department of Anthropology at Kwantlen Polytechnic University since 2010. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Archaeology at Simon Fraser University.

Find out more about Sean and his book through UBC Press at https://www.ubcpress.ca/unearthing-forgotten-values and on Instagram at @tweedyanthropologist

Book: Unearthing Forgotten Values: Toward a Meaningful Archaeological Practice

About ninety percent of archaeological activity in North America is driven by private-sector development. In the process, archaeology is often used to undermine the interests of those whose material culture it allegedly seeks to preserve and interpret. Unearthing Forgotten Values explores the often disrespectful and ultimately unethical nature of commercial archaeology - or cultural resource management - and proposes a praxis that puts Indigenous communities and their heritage first.

Based on lengthy experience working with and within Indigenous communities in British Columbia and around the world, Sean P. Connaughton discusses such thorny issues as the meaning of decolonization, Indigenous land rights and sovereignty, the commodification of heritage, and state support for projects that will exacerbate climate change. Weaving together real-life stories, fieldwork, scholarship, data, introspection, and Indigenous values, Unearthing Forgotten Values charts a practical course for change.

Borrow Unearthing Forgotten Values from the Library.

What inspires Sean to write?

Sean is inspired by the opportunity to present ideas and build a relationship with a reader. He wants all readers to feel empowered and seen in order to inspire them in their work as archaeologists.

What have Sean’s biggest challenges been while writing?

One of the greatest challenges for Sean is creating the time to write while working full time and caring for his sons. When he does find the time to write, the greatest challenge becomes ignoring the negative voice in his head that questions why anyone would read what he wrote. Sean believes that staying positive and having quiet self-belief is required to write honestly.

Michaël Pilote

Michaël Pilote, also known as Micko, is a passionate author and illustrator who loves creating children’s books that spark the creativity and imagination of young readers. He is the creator of Dak and Friends: The First Adventure, an exciting adventure of friendship and courage. His book is filled with cute likeable characters and beautiful illustrations. Outside the world of books, Michaël enjoys spending time in nature, traveling and enjoying delicious food with family and friends. He currently lives with his spouse near Vancouver, where he is working on his next upcoming books! More adventures are on the way! Stay tuned!

Find out more about Micko at www.mickoandfriends.com or on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/michaël-pilote-913b2a352

Dak and Friends: The First Adventure by Michaël Pilote

Book: Dak and Friends: The First Adventure

Meet DAK, a cute little chicken, about to set off on his very first adventure. Shy at first, DAK learns the power of friendship and the courage it takes to step out of his shell. Page by page, join DAK on an exciting journey filled with wonder, companionship, and courage.

Borrow Dak and Friends: The First Adventure from the Library.

What inspires Michaël to write?

For as long as anyone can remember, Michaël has been bursting with creativity. Whether it was doodling on scrap paper or composing quirky tunes, he was always making something. Writing a book was one of those childhood dreams that never really left—it just patiently waited its turn. About five years ago, he started building a world filled with charming, expressive characters—designing, illustrating, and refining them until they practically had lives of their own. The story was ready. The characters were ready. Michaël just needed one final push. That nudge came from his wife, who simply said, “You have to do something with this.” So, he did. He wrote the book, illustrated it, and brought it to life. And through it all, he credits Jesus as the true source of the creativity and ideas that shaped this world—quietly guiding the process and breathing life into every page.

What have Michaël’s biggest challenges been while writing?

For Michaël, the biggest challenge was moving from concept to completion—turning years of sketches, ideas, and character designs into a fully written and illustrated book. As a visual thinker, he found it easier to draw his world than to write it down. Translating all that imagination into story form took time, patience, and plenty of trial and error. There were moments of self-doubt, countless edits, and the occasional feeling of being stuck. But through it all, he stayed committed to the heart of the story and discovered that persistence (plus a little encouragement and coffee) can go a long way. In the end, the most challenging part became one of the most rewarding: bringing his world to life in a way that others could step into and enjoy. Happy reading!

Nick Perry

Nick Perry is a teacher and writer from Port Moody, whose work has appeared in publications from Canada to Iceland. Drawing from his understanding of Canada’s cultural complexities, Nick brings a unique voice to contemporary discussions about faith, doubt, and the search for meaning.

Find out more about Nick on Instagram at @nickperrynovelist

Book: Broken Water

Growing up during the New Atheist movement, Declan Murphy never quite believed in the existence of a higher power. But when life throws him a series of challenges, his lack of an axis mundi has him latching on to the one vision that feels right: becoming a Catholic priest.

This emotional and thought-provoking story follows Declan as he navigates the conflicts between his personal beliefs and his family’s expectations. Will he be able to reconcile this contradiction? And at what cost?

As Declan delves deeper into his journey, he will discover truths that will test his faith and relationships. Will his quest to become a priest ultimately bring him closer to or farther from the truth? And what of the biggest question of all: Why would an atheist ever want to become a priest?

Borrow Broken Water from the Library.

What inspires Nick to write?

Nick believes that the foundation of all love is participation. After years of loving literature, of being unable to live without it, Nick figured it was time he put up something for his side of the relationship. Walking into a library, a bookstore, or past his overcrowded shelf is all the inspiration Nick needed to do this since it reminds him, every time, of what it has done for him.

What have Nick's biggest challenges been while writing?

Nick can summarize his challenges in a single word: Publishing. You'd never find Nick staring at a blank page with worry descending from his forehead to his fingertips as hours pass without words. What you may end up on the wrong end of is a lengthy, but engaging, rant about the impossibilities of finding publishers because of the invisible competition against other writers. That said, Nick’s publisher was fantastic.

About the White Pines Local Author Collection

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