AUTHOR ELMA SCHEMENAUER
"ELMA MARY FROM THE PRAIRIE"
History, Adventure, Mennonites, Faith, Fiction, Non-Fiction, Community, Travel, and More
_edited.jpg)
The former CIBC bank in Elbow, Saskatchewan. As a pre-teen, I took piano lessons in one of its many rooms. Later I worked in the grocery store across the street.
My husband took this picture of me writing in our Toronto backyard. More often, I write indoors.
Part of Kamloops seen from a sagebrush-dotted hillside overlooking the Trans-Canada Highway.
About Me
EARLY LIFE
I was born Elma Mary Martens, and grew up near the village of Elbow, Saskatchewan. Prairie life and the traditions of my extended Mennonite family fired my imagination. I decided early that I wanted to be an author. One of the first stories I wrote was about Grandma fending off an aggressive rooster with her shoe.
WRITING AND PUBLISHING
After teaching for several years, I moved into a publishing career in Toronto. There my dream of becoming a published author came true. I've written 78 books. Most were published in Canada--and some in the United States. I've also edited hundreds of books for Canadian and American publishers. For titles, please see the links at the top of this page.
Among publishers I've written and/or edited for are Pearson, Prentice Hall, Grolier, Borealis, McClelland & Stewart, HarperCollins, Nimbus, Nelson, The Child's World of Minnesota, Gospel Folio, and The Canadian Bible Society.
Besides authoring and editing books, I've written stories, articles, and reviews for periodicals including Canadian West, Alive Magazine (health and nutrition), Scarlet & Gold (RCMP annual), Faith Today, Mennonite Brethren Herald, Canadian Mennonite, Kamloops Momma, and Kamloops This Week.
PERSONAL
My roots are in Saskatchewan, but I've also lived in Montana and Nova Scotia. After many enjoyable years in Toronto, my husband and I relocated to the mountainous semi-desert city of Kamloops, British Columbia. Here I write, read, and take walks on sloping streets and grassy hillsides. The imaginary Sage City in my novel Song for Susie Epp is much like Kamloops.
My personal interests include literature, history, family, community life, values, religion, cooking, and the outdoors. I've travelled widely, sometimes in pursuit of my interest in Mennonite genealogy and history. My e-mail address is sagecat (at symbol) shaw (dot) ca.
EDUCATION
Teacher's certificate, University of Saskatchewan. Diploma in religious education, Briercrest Bible College, Caronport, Saskatchewan. BA in English and psychology, Universities of Saskatchewan and Toronto.