Shannon K Smith writes fiction inspired by the Ottawa Valley for readers who crave character-driven stories of rural life, of grief and loss, of healing and community. Born and raised in Ottawa, Smith grew up exploring the family farm and swimming in the spring-fed lakes of Renfrew County. She holds an MA in English with a focus on Canadian Literature and is studying creative writing with the University of Toronto. Smith lives and writes between Ottawa and the village of Deacon, Ontario.