Local author Neven Humphrey shines with recent literary successes

Tashi Farmilo

Ottawa-based author Neven Humphrey has recently gained recognition for his children's book Anna and Cora Bunny, which was declared a Recommended Read by the URSA Major Awards in 2021. This accolade, awarded for outstanding works in anthropomorphic or furry arts, highlights Humphrey’s engaging storytelling and unique approach to children's literature.

Anna and Cora Bunny is a delightful collection of two stories about Cora, a 5-year-old rabbit, and her 11-year-old sister Anna. In Anna and Cora Bunny At the Winter Camp, the young rabbits embark on a one-week vacation at a winter campground. For Cora, it is a journey of discovery beyond her village, where she learns about other animals and the varied experiences of childhood. The second story, Anna and Cora Bunny Go to Europe, follows the Bunny family on a three-week tour of nine European countries. This adventure marks significant transitions for the young rabbits, with Cora preparing for school and Anna entering her teenage years.

Humphrey's foray into writing began from an unexpected source. Despite struggling with writing in grade school, a troubling dream following his father's death in 1988 spurred him to write his first story, The Legend of the Fox Lover. Encouragement from an English teacher and his sister led him to write his debut novel, To Save a Wolf, published in 2001 under the pen name Ano Malay. This marked the start of a prolific career, with eight published works to date.

Humphrey’s writing style is eclectic, encompassing various genres including science fiction and children’s literature. However, a recurring theme in his works is the inclusion of animals, particularly foxes, which he finds therapeutic to write about. His writing process involves meticulous note-taking, extensive research, and thorough revisions to ensure coherence and accuracy.

In addition to his novels, Humphrey is working on a compelling non-fiction project titled 100 of the Deadliest Canadian Disasters of the 20th Century, currently with the publisher. This work chronicles both well-known and obscure disasters, ranked by mortality, such as the sinking of the HMS Titanic and the explosion of an Air Rimouski plane, considered the first act of domestic terrorism in North America. Humphrey was inspired to write on this subject after discovering the limited awareness of significant events like the Air Rimouski plane explosion outside Quebec City.

Humphrey's detailed research into Canadian disasters includes events close to the Ottawa region, such as the 1908 landslide at Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette and the 1998 Ice Storm, along with the polio and flu epidemics. Looking ahead, Humphrey has several projects in the pipeline, including a third book of editorials ready for publishing and potential additions to his Honourable Athletes series of children's books.

Readers can purchase Anna and Cora Bunny and other works by Neven Humphrey at Baico Books, located at 294 Albert Street, Ottawa or online at www.baico.ca.

Photo caption: Author Neven Humphrey, known for his acclaimed children's book Anna and Cora Bunny, continues to captivate readers with his diverse literary works and upcoming projects on Canadian disasters. 

Photo credit: Courtesy of Neven Humphrey