Crime Writers of Canada's Podcast

Erik D’Souza interviews Jack David, co-founder of ECW Press, a Canadian book publisher founded in 1974 that has published over 2,000 books across various genres, including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Jack discusses the importance of good writing over social media presence, and shares why ECW Press sponsors the Crime Writers of Canada's best unpublished crime novel manuscript category, of...

In this podcast, Erik D’Souza interviews Jennifer Hillier, the Canadian Guest of Honour at Bouchercon 2026 in Calgary, to discuss her writing and upcoming book. Jennifer discusses her award-winning novel, Things We Do in the Dark , which spans multiple locations, including Vancouver and Toronto, and her approach to writing diverse characters drawn from her lived experience as a Filipino-Canadian....

In this podcast, Erik D’Souza talks with Mark Graney, the American Guest of Honor for Bouchercon 2026 in Calgary. It focused on his writing career and experience with the conference. Mark discussed his process for writing lengthy thrillers, including his Gray Man series and Jack Ryan novels, explaining how he balances writing with his large family while incorporating current global affairs into hi...

Erik D’Souza interviews Vicki Delany as part of the Bouchercon series podcasts. The discussion covers Vicki's creative process and her approach to series longevity, particularly her decision to introduce a new protagonist in the Lighthouse Library series while keeping the original character, Lucy, in a supporting role. The conversation also touches on setting choices for cozy mysteries and th...

Erik D'Souza interviews Kevin Sands, author of the Blackthorn Key Adventures and Thieves of Shadow Fantasy Heist series, as part of the Bouchercon series podcast. Kevin discusses his journey from theoretical physics and various careers to becoming a middle-grade fiction writer, explaining his approach to writing for 8-12 year olds while maintaining complexity that appeals to older readers. Th...

In this special edition podcast interview for Bouchercon, Erik D'Souza speaks with Louise Penny, the Lifetime Achievement Guest of Honour, about her career and Canadian crime writing. They explore the growing international recognition of Canadian crime writing and Louise's role as an ambassador for the genre. The conversation also touched on Louise's journalistic background and her...

In this podcast, we discuss BoucherCon 2026, the mystery and crime fiction convention in Calgary, with the Chair of the Local Organizing Committee, Pamela McDowell. The convention, which runs from October 21-25, will feature 1,500 attendees, including readers, writers, and industry professionals, with a diverse lineup of guest authors from Canada, the US, the UK, and beyond. McDowell highlighted t...

William Wodhams lives in Vancouver with his wife and an ill-behaved dog. His first novel, Declan Tucker's Grand Debut, was published in December 2024. His second novel, Thirty Feet Under, was named a finalist for the Crime Writers of Canada Best Unpublished Crime novel award and was recently published by ECW Press. William is an award-winning copywriter who has been inspiring people with the...

In this podcast, Hope Thompson discusses her short story collection Dark Thoughts and Other Stories , which blends noir elements with character-driven narratives. Hope explained her transition from theater and screenwriting to crime fiction, inspired by her role as host of Toronto Noir at the Bar. We examine two stories from the collection: "Dark Thoughts," featuring an advice columnist...

G.D. Stickles is the pen name for Gary Stickles, who grew up in a small town near Niagara Falls.  Over the years, he has pursued diverse professional roles, including hospitality worker, accountant, restaurateur, copywriter, and copy editor. Beyond his professional accomplishments, he is also a husband and father. His debut thriller, Purging of Paradise , was recently released by Pegasus Publisher...

ALAN R. WARREN is a Bestselling Author, producer and lead host of the popular radio shows House of Mystery and Inside Writing , both heard on 106.5 F.M. Los Angeles/102.3 F.M. Riverside/ 1050 A.M. Palm Springs/ 540 A.M. KYAH Salt Lake City/ 1150 A.M. KKNW Seattle/Tacoma and Phoenix. ​Al started writing articles for True Case Files Magazine and is still a contributor for Serial Killer Magazine . Si...

Laurie McLure has a passion for crime fiction and for those who read it, write it, edit, and publish it. Laurie garnered significant experience throughout her career in government and while working and volunteering with a variety of not-for-profit organizations. Laurie is a member of the Mystery Writers of America and the Crime Writers of Canada. She is the author of Mountain Shadows and In The Da...

Tony writes mysteries and thrillers, two fingers at a time. His first massage therapy thriller, The Night Nurse , was published in 2020. His second, On Borrowed Time , hit the shelves in 2025. Tony spent 17 years as a registered massage therapist in Vancouver and now works for Parks Canada. When he’s not making a paycheque or writing books, he can be found hiking and paddling the Columbia Valley o...

Juanita R. Violini is a mystery creator and author known for her long career crafting interactive whodunits and exploring the strange edges of reality. For nearly two decades, she produced live murder‑mystery events in Vancouver, an experience that shaped her signature blend of solvable puzzles and theatrical fun.  She is also the creative force behind Mystery Factory, a company built on more than...

Angela van Breemen is a graduate of the University of Guelph with a degree in management economics and was a co-owner of a dental supply company. After the company was sold, she turned her focus to writing, music, and volunteering her time at Procyon Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre. In 2024, she published her first novel, Past Life’s Revenge , a crime thriller with a twist of spiritua...

Dawn Rodger grew up in Scarborough in the 1980s during Paul Bernardo's rampage. She is also a trauma survivor from domestic violence and narcissistic abuse. She has a BMUS from the University of Western Ontario, and a BEd from the University of Toronto. She is a clarinetist and has played in community bands her entire adult life. She taught elementary school music for twenty-five years.  Dawn...

Winnipeg author Joel Nedecky has always loved stories, yet most of his childhood was spent playing hockey. It wasn’t until university that he discovered a passion for all types of fiction. In 2023, his novel, The Broken Detective , was shortlisted for The Award for Best Unpublished Manuscript, sponsored by ECW Press. We are chatting today because The Broken Detective was recently published by Run...

In this episode, we have the editors of A CAPITAL MYSTERY ANTHOLOGY, the mostly retired public relations professional, writer and editor Bernadette Cox and the award-winning and bestselling author of the Sgt. Windflower Mystery Series, Mike Martin .  A CAPITAL MYSTERY ANTHOLOGY is presented by THE CRIME WRITERS OF CANADA and features 21 talented mystery authors.  Some of our mysteries are set in m...

Peter Thomas Pontsa is a Canadian author known for his thrilling William Fox Adventure Series, which includes Outfoxed (2023) and Sanctity of Freedom (2025). Before turning to fiction, Pontsa had a distinguished career in the dental industry, authoring numerous techno-clinical articles. After his retirement, he decided to develop his creative writing side by taking a course at the University of Wa...

As an author of novels (for YA readers and adults), playwright, journalist, and screenwriter, Shane Peacock has always been interested in larger-than-life characters, seeking the truth about human beings, and exploring the invisible things that matter to us all. Earlier this year (season 3, ep. 2), I interviewed Shane, and we discussed the first novel in his new Northern Gothic series, “As We Forg...

Joanne Kormylo’s debut novel, THE RESISTANCE DAUGHTER, is a work of historical fiction inspired by true stories. She is the daughter of a WWII bomber pilot and prisoner of war. As part of her research for this novel, she studied her late father’s Wartime Log, interviewed veterans, served on the board of an Air Force Museum, and traveled to the UK, Poland, and Germany. Joanne holds both an MA and a...

Born and raised in Montreal, Rosemary McCracken has worked on newspapers across Canada as a reporter, editor, editorial writer, arts reviewer, and restaurant critic. Safe Harbor, the first novel in her five-book Pat Tierney series, was a finalist for Britain’s Debut Dagger Award in 2010. It was first published by Imajin Books in 2012, followed by Black Water in 2013 and Raven Lake in 2016. All thr...

Timothy S. Johnston is the author of the Science Fiction/Thriller The Rise of Oceania series, which includes The War Beneath, The Savage Deeps, Fatal Depth, The Shadow of War, and most recently, A Blanket of Steel. He has won the GLOBAL THRILLER Award Grand Prize, the EPIC Award, the CYGNUS Science Fiction Award Grand Prize, as well as the CLUE Award. He has been an educator for twenty-five years...

Iona Whishaw has been a youth worker, social worker, teacher, and an award-winning High School Principal, who continued with her writing throughout her working life. Receiving her Masters in Creative writing from UBC, Iona has published short fiction, poetry, poetry translation and one children’s book, Henry and the Cow Problem. The Lane Winslow mystery series is her first foray into adult fiction...

Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers and a national bestseller in the U.S. She has written more than forty books: clever cozies to Gothic thrillers to gritty police procedurals, to historical fiction and novellas for adult literacy. She is currently writing four cozy mystery series: the Tea by the Sea mysteries for Kensington, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series f...