Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail
Writer, Historian & Speaker
Hello!
I live by the sea in Nova Scotia/Mi’kma’ki (Canada) and spend my days writing, researching, doing author visits, and going on adventures with my family. My evenings are usually spent devouring books and movies with a cup of tea in hand.
My readers range from 2 to 102 and I love connecting with them and seeing what sparks their imaginations. Supporting other writers is another deep passion, and there’s nothing like helping someone untangle or polish a writing project, witnessing their journeys with compassion, and providing just the right resource at the right time.
I am constantly challenging myself creatively and finding new outlets for my varied interests. In Spring 2026 I have two books coming out: a middle grade nonfiction telling of the SS Atlantic shipwreck (Nimbus), and a nonfiction picture book about an early episode of PEI aviation history (Acorn Books). My co-authored picture book biography, Freddie the Flyer (Tundra Books, 2023) has flown high alongside bestselling Alis the Aviator (Tundra Books, 2019). Oh, and I indie published an inclusive paranormal timeslip chapter book (Fever on the Forgotten Coast) for 7-9 year olds. Before that, I published several books of aviation history and creative nonfiction, including the critically-acclaimed Reconciliation collection, In This Together.
At the moment, my literary agent, Elizabeth Copps, and I are working on my kidlit and doing edits on a creative nonfiction book about family, trauma, and Canada’s largest Indian Hospital that’s been ten years in the making. We’re also revising a novel called The 500 Year Flood, about a Houston family battling dysfunction in the midst of Hurricane Harvey.
Finally, I often work as a contractor or consultant for nonprofit, corporate, legal and government organizations, so please feel free to reach out if you think I might be able to help you. I am always open to new possibilities!
Honours:
- Freddie the Flyer shortlisted for the Hackmatack Awards 2024-25
- Freddie the Flyer won the 2024 First Nations Communities Read award in the children’s category
- Freddie the Flyer won the inaugural Readers’ Choice Award for the Atlantic Book Awards
- Freddie the Flyer selected for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (Canada) as well as TD Summer Reading Program
- Alis the Aviator and Freddie the Flyer both named CBC Books’ Best of picture books
- Houston Literary Awards – Reader’s Choice Award Finalist
- Romance Writers of America RITA Award Finalist – YA Category
- Historian Laureate for the City of Edmonton
- Writer in Residence at Berton House (Dawson City, Yukon)
- Northern Lights Award – Rising Star
- Chatelaine’s Maverick of the Year
- Top 40 Under 40 for Avenue Magazine (Edmonton)
Please get in touch for:
- School Visits & Workshops
- Coaching
- Editing
- Research
- Freelance writing
- Speaking & Media Opportunities
(Pronouns: She/her)