With our novels and our characters — whether they be good or evil — there’s always at least a little of our own principles, goals, etc., that work their way into those characters.
We’ll be asking our distinguished panelists two questions:
1. Which character or characters are you, the author, masquerading behind?
2. Would you, as the author, if placed in a dire situation, resort to extreme measures or any of the actions of a character in your book? And which one(s)?
Location: Room C420, UBC Robson Square
Type: In Conversation, Fiction, Panel
Sponsored by: Crime Writers of Canada
Moderator: Erik D'Souza
Readers: D.B. Carew, The Weight of Blood (NeWest Press) | Angela Douglas, Every Fall (Rising Action) | Jaima Fixsen, The Specimen (Poisoned Pen Press) | Faye Arcand, Inside Outside (Blue Robin Books)
About The Moderator
Erik D'Souza
ERIK D’SOUZA is an author and publisher based in Port Moody, BC. Among his works, “Death in Halfmoon Bay” stands out as the first book in the Suzanne Rickson Mystery Series. He is The Marketing and Communications Manager for Crime Writers of Canada. He is the president of the Tri-City Wordsmiths and hosts the popular reading series, Writers in our Midst, at the Port Moody Public Library. Learn more at www.erikdsouza.com
About The Readers
D.B Carew
Derrick (D.B.Carew) was born in Newfoundland and Labrador and has called British Columbia home sine 1993 where he lives with his wife and two children. He has worked as a social worker at a provincial forensic psychiatric hospital for over twenty-five years, and while his novels are works of fiction, he draws inspiration from his experiences in this challenging and fascinating environment. THE KILLER TRAIL was published in 2014; the follow up novel, THE WEIGHT OF BLOOD was published in 2020. Both books were published by NeWest Press. His third in this trilogy series, UNHINGED, is currently under review with a publisher. He is a member of Crime Writers of Canada; the BC Federation of Writers; and Crime Writers Association. He was shortlisted for the Crime Writers Association's Debut Dagger for unpublished manuscript in 2013 for his entry which evolved into THE KILLER TRAIL.
Angela Douglas
Angela Douglas is a Canadian author who lives in the Okanagan with her husband and kids. Her debut novel and psychological thriller, EVERY FALL, was published by Rising Action Publishing in January 2025, and her sophomore novel, THE BONE TRAIL will follow in June 2026. She is a member of International Thriller Writers, Crime Writers of Canada, the Federation of BC Writers and Sisters in Crime - Canada West. When she isn’t working or hanging out with her family, she hides in her studio, writing her next book.
Jaima Fixsen
Jaima Fixsen is a USA Today and International best-selling author living and writing in Edmonton, Alberta. Her novel, The Specimen, was a finalist for this year’s Crime Writer's of Canada Best Novel Award. Jaima studied occupational therapy at the University of Alberta, and her experiences dissecting cadavers launched a fascination with medical history, which often features in her books, including the historical novels she co-writes under the pen name, Audrey Blake. Jaima loves reading, snow, mountains, snow, history and snow. And Diet Coke.
Faye Arcand
Faye Arcand is an award winning author who is fascinated by the uniqueness of character. She embraces the writing and creating of individuals who exhibit quirks and flaws as this allows for deeper exploration into motivation and depravity, whether that be through deviance, mental health, fear, or anything remotely antisocial, weird or different. Working for several years within the Canadian criminal justice system afforded Arcand many opportunities to witness dark, even macabre, behaviours that all became fodder for what she calls her ‘twisted writer brain’. As an author, Arcand allows her pen to flow freely without questioning the motivation or outcome. She wants a character to show their dark side—even if they’re the good guy. Her award winning debut novel, INSIDE OUTSIDE, is a contemporary psychological suspense that takes the reader on a twisty journey of two strangers as they come together to face their lives that have been ruled by obsession, obedience, and obligation. Arcand enjoys quality chocolate, a purring cat, and the entertainment of reality television. She lives somewhere in the wilds of western Canada with her family.
