Author Spot Lights for Men's Health Month

At Raspberry Press, we’re proud to spotlight some of our male authors during Men’s Health Month. These writers remind us that creativity and self-expression can be powerful contributors to our overall well-being. Showcased below are some wonderful authors who share tips for you and a bit about why they write.

Exploring Dreams and Defying Gravity: Wyatt Tremblay on Writing and Wonder 

First up, we’re featuring speculative fiction writer Wyatt Tremblay, author of The Key to Enniskillen, Medusa Gone, and iDead and Other Short Stories. 

For Wyatt, writing began with a simple discovery: the thoughts racing through his young mind could be shaped into adventures for others to enjoy. Many of these adventures were born from his vivid and often remarkable dreams—a Sasquatch with a vendetta in Waterton Park, a boy small enough to hide in a rabbit’s ear, a teenage gravity-defier, and mysterious doorways that lead to places around the world. These dreams became seeds that blossomed into stories, feeding his lifelong passion for writing. 

He recalls the moment he first read a short story aloud to his Grade 6 class, and how seeing their reactions is “... a thrill I continue to experience to this day,” he says. That spark continues to fuel his writing as he explores worlds just beyond our own. Speculative fiction is a genre he loves for its endless possibilities and boundless creativity. “The journey of creating a world that doesn’t yet exist inspires me to write every day,” he comments. 

When we asked Wyatt to share tips for aspiring authors he wrote us, “Established writers tell those who aspire to be wordsmiths to write every day, no matter how good or terrible their attempts may be. It’s great advice, keep on writing. Share your words with trusted friends, find an editor, and accept criticism because it’ll only make you a better writer.” 

Finding Voice Through Vulnerability:

T.A. Colquhoun’s Journey to Healing in Beautifully Imperfect 

In celebration of Men’s Health Month, this next author’s work remind us of the quiet strength in emotional honesty. T.A. Colquhoun’s poetry collection Beautifully Imperfect offers readers a raw and powerful glimpse into the process of healing from complex trauma.  

“These poems reflect feelings I experienced while beginning to take steps along a journey of healing,” Colquhoun writes in his introduction. What began as a private outlet to confront unspoken pain eventually grew into a public act of courage, and a way to connect with others who are also navigating the often isolating road of recovery. 

For T.A., poetry became more than just creative expression. It became survival. “After a lifetime of being challenged to identify and express feelings that caused myself and others pain and suffering, I discovered I could put in writing things I could never express aloud.” 

Beautifully Imperfect is deeply introspective and unapologetically honest. It captures the highs and lows of healing—the loneliness, the grief, the gratitude, and the quiet moments of triumph. But what makes this book truly special is its universality. “While the poems in this book are about me, they could be about anyone,” T.A. says. “We are all a work in progress. We all struggle. We all feel pleasure and pain, sadness and joy, and we all grieve.” 

The book encourages readers to honour even the smallest victories, whether that’s making it through another day, staying sober, asking for help, or simply recognizing your own worth. T.A.’s poems are authentic, real, and beautifully imperfect—just like the lives they reflect. 

 

Fantasy, Focus, and Following Your Passion: Carl Bathgate and the Dragonshadowed Series

Writing, for many of our male authors, isn’t just a creative pursuit—it’s a personal commitment to doing what they love. For fantasy author Carl Bathgate, that passion has become a full-fledged series: Dragonshadowed, with Book V launching in June. 

Carl’s journey as a writer is refreshingly grounded. When we asked him why do you write he shared, “My answer is because I like to write. When you do something you love, it isn’t work.”  

That sense of joy and purpose shines through in every instalment of the Dragonshadowed series, a world rich with magic, intrigue, and the kind of storytelling Carl always wanted to see on bookshelves. After reading too many underwhelming fantasy books, Carl decided to create the stories he wished existed—stories with depth, adventure, and heart. His writing is a reflection of what happens when passion meets persistence: each novel crafted carefully, and each plot line polished to its full potential. 

Beyond storytelling, Carl offers solid, humble advice for aspiring authors, “Get good beta readers. Not friends or family—they’ll tell you how great you are. Find other writers who’ll give honest feedback. It may bruise your ego, but you’ll grow. If you don’t know such persons, join one or more writers' clubs.” His tip to join a writers’ club isn’t just about improving your craft, it is also about building a supportive community that fosters resilience and growth. 

History, Grit, and a Life Well-Lived: Celebrating David More’s Literary Journey 

At Raspberry Press, Men’s Health Month is more than a calendar event—it’s a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the pursuit of purpose. Today, we spotlight the remarkable journey of David More, award-winning author of The Smithyman Saga, Loyal Watermen, and Pierre’s Song, whose path to becoming a published author is as rich and storied as his historical fiction. 

David’s writing life began early, thanks in part to his mother’s interest in writing. “When I was about ten, my parents gave me a manual portable typewriter,” he recalls, “and I used it for many years.” That typewriter eventually helped him pen and sell his first article to the Montreal Gazette in 1977—a piece on the legendary Avro Arrow. 

From there, writing became David's constant companion. He kept journals, wrote as a freelancer for newspapers, and followed his passion for untold stories from Canadian history—stories he believes deserve more attention. “I write history and historical fiction because I’m fascinated by the deeply interesting Canadian history we’ve never been taught,” he says. “I want to make it more accessible.” 

David’s personal and professional journey is a testament to lifelong learning and perseverance. Over the years, he’s held many professional roles: short order cook, ship’s cook on a tall ship, boat builder, sailor, medical lab technologist, lab manager, teacher, and now a riverboat tour guide. He completed his BA after 25 years and went on to earn a Ph.D.—proof that the road to success doesn’t have to be straight to be meaningful. 

His writing advice is clear and simple, “Put your butt in the chair and do it.” He also believes in the value of constructive criticism and the growing opportunities available through life, writing, and publishing. “Keep your mind open to experiences of all kinds,” he says. “It’s all grist for your writer’s mill.” 

Celebrating Men's Health Month and Summary

As we spotlight men’s health month, we thank the different authors featured in this blog who contributed their writing stories and tips to show there are many ways writing can support a balanced life. Wyatt Tremblay shows that we can use writing not only to entertain but to connect, reflect, and decompress our dreams; T.A. Colquhoun shows us that vulnerability is not weakness, rather it’s a pathway to healing, connection, and hope; Carl reminds us that writing can be more than just a creative outlet—it can be a way to stay centred, engaged, and focused; and David modelling that writing can be a means of connecting the past to the present, and connecting ourselves and our life experience to something greater. Through stories, we explore, reflect, and heal.  

We all have a story inside of us!

We hope you enjoyed reading about some of our amazing authors in celebration of Men’s Health Month. At Raspberry Press we believe each person has a story to tell, and each story has value. We also believe in health for all people and know how focusing on something you love to do can make a difference in your overall well-being.  We aim to encourage and support authors in publishing their work, having their voices heard, and creations manifested, no matter the genre.   

We can help you make your book a reality and can help you with any and every step along your journey, without breaking your bank account. Contact us today if you want support publishing your own book!