An uplifting collection of conversations with creative, entrepreneurial, diverse people across Canada.

Bloom Across Canada is a fascinating collection of fifty interviews and portraits that celebrate diversity, innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship. The women and non-binary people featured in this book represent different backgrounds, creative journeys, and walks of life. They come from every province and territory in Canada, though many have roots in other parts of the world. The one thing they all have in common is that they have followed their own path in life and have a unique story to tell.

Among those featured are: Tene Ward, ballerina with the National Ballet of Canada; singer/songwriter Kellie Loder; Peace Akintade, Saskatchewan’s former Youth Poet Laureate; Marika Sila, Inuit actress, hoop dancer, fire performer, and motivational speaker; and Amy Robichaud, CEO at Mothers Matter Canada and former director at Dress for Success Vancouver. Through insightful questions and thoughtful, nuanced answers, the fifty interviews in this beautiful collection paint a vivid portrait of talent and ingenuity from coast to coast to coast.

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Beka Shane Denter is a Canadian features and content writer, who has used her knowledge, passion, and nomadic lifestyle to fuel her writing career. Her work has appeared in Elle Canada, Fashion, NUVO, Montecristo, LUXE, Ottawa Wedding, BUST, Women’s Surf Style Magazine, MindBodyGreen, Today’s Parent, and The Inertia. She holds a bachelor of arts in English, a master’s in education, and a certificate in web writing and social media communication. She is forever in search of the perfect pair of jeans.

Beka Shane Denter's profile page

Lydia Okello (they/their) is a writer, digital creator, and plus-size model. Their writing has appeared in Vogue, Vogue Business, FASHION, ELLE Canada and BUST magazine, and they have been featured in Vogue, Teen Vogue, FASHION, Buzzfeed, The New York Times, Business of Fashion and more. They are the owner of Style Is Style, a personal style blog.

Lydia Okello's profile page

"Sharing stories is the most profound way to connect to each other as human beings; Beka Shane Denter knows this and lives this! Bloom Across Canada celebrates the uniqueness, diversity and richness of one of my favourite places in the world through the lens of people whose energy and brilliance infuse the heart and soul of Canada. By facing and telling our truths, we will build stronger households and communities all across this country. So, let this beautiful portrait book inspire you to lean into your own voice so we get the chance to hear it!"

—Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, author of bestseller Closer Together; Emotional Literacy, Equality, and Mental Health Advocate

“‘Bloom’ is right—this book is a tour through a vibrant garden of voices with Beka Shane Denter as our generous and green-thumbed guide. An exhilarating, regenerative read.”
—Alissa York, internationally acclaimed author of Far Cry and The Naturalist

"Beka Shane Denter asks all the right questions in order to excavate the most exquisite details from the lives of these incredible people. She offers compelling glimpses into the complex paths they have walked along the ever unfolding pilgrimage of their becoming thus far. Intimate and inspiring, optimistic and unmasked, you can’t help but feel the courage, creativity, and resilience of these brilliant Canadians. I felt deeply proud to walk among them and excited to learn where their stories go next. I can't wait to gift this book to my daughters."
—Tara MacLean, singer, songwriter, and best-selling author of Song of the Sparrow

“The lively and engaging conversations Beka Shane Denter has collected provide glimpses into the lives and livelihoods of talented individuals from across Canada. They eloquently share their stories, travels and travails, traumas and epiphanies, hopes and dreams.”
—Roseann O’Reilly Runte, author of Canadians Who Innovate: The Trailblazers and Ideas That Are Changing the World