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An ensemble of dynamic, published writers has just been formed to promote writing by women and about the things women care about. The group, dubbed “Lit Chicks”, will be traveling to select bookstore locations in the Greater Toronto Area. These events are designed to bring women together to buy books and to talk about issues that only women can relate to – from children to work, family, the environment, and everything in between.

“This is a terrific opportunity to promote Canadian women and Canadian writers”, says Kathy Buckworth, author and creator of Lit Chicks. “We’re excited about connecting with each other, and readers, at these unique events. We have award winning children’s writers in our group as well, which will allow those multi-tasking Moms to get some present shopping done at the same time. We’ve been overwhelmed at the response and support we’ve had from booksellers in bringing a new spin to the often lonely and quiet book signings of the past.”

Helaine Becker

2006 Silver Birch Award winner for Boredom Blasters! The best-selling Mapletree Press title was also selected as a Children’s Pick by BookSense, and named one of the Top Ten Children’s Books of the Year by Indigo. Are You Psychic? was named one of 2005's Top Ten Canadian Children's Books by the Ontario Library Association and is currently shortlisted, along with Funny Business, for the Red Cedar Award. She is a regular contributor to Canadian Living and Today's Parent magazines, and is in wide demand as a speaker and presenter in schools and libraries. Recent non-fiction titles include Secret Agent Y.O.U. (“Best of the Year” – Resource Link; “Top Ten Canadian Non-fiction” – OLA) and Like A Pro (“Book of the Year” – Foreword) (both Mapletree Press). In the fiction arena, Pirate Power Play and Attack by Knight (October 06) were the first two titles in the popular The Looney Bay All-Stars chapter book series from Scholastic. New 2007 titles include Mother Goose Unplucked (Mapletree, Spring 2007), Vikings Have a Field Day (Scholastic, Spring 2007). Explorers out of Bounds (Scholastic, Spring 2007) and The Emperor Strikes Out (Scholastic, October 2007). Science on the Loose and Egyptian Slam Dunk are both scheduled for publication early in 2008. Visit www.helainebecker.com

Tammy Benlolo

Author of From My Side of the Table, an insider’s view into what happens in the restaurant industry. She has been featured in Maclean’s Magazine, The Sun Publications, The York Region News Group and has made appearances on Breakfast Television, Suntv’s Canoe Live, Roger’s Daytime and CFRB Radio AM1010 with the Mott’s Team. www.tammybenlolo.com

Kathy Buckworth:

The award winning author of The Secret Life of SuperMom (Sourcebooks, 2005), SuperMom: A Celebration of All You Do (Sourcebooks, 2006), and Journey to the Darkside: SuperMom Goes Home (Key Porter, April 2007). Her new book, "The BlackBerry Diaries: Adventures in Modern Motherhood is slated for Spring, 2009. Kathy won the Professional Writers Association of Canada 2006 Award for Excellence in Humour. Kathy is a regular contributor to publications such as Today's Parent, CityParent, as well as many websites. Her monthly column, “Funny Mummy” appears in websites across Canada and the U.S. She is a frequent television and radio show guest on the myth of the SuperMom, as well as a resident expert on the Slice Network show “Birth Days” (seasons 2 and 3). www.kathybuckworth.com. Read her blog at www.funnymummyfiles.blogspot.com

Ann Douglas

Author of The Mother of All Pregnancy Books, The Mother of All Baby Books, Sleep Solutions for Your Baby, Toddler, and Preschooler, Mealtime Solutions for Your Baby, Toddler, and Preschooler (Wiley), and numerous other bestselling books in the pregnancy and parenting book; co-author (with her teenage daughter Julie) of Body Talk: The Straight Facts About Fitness, Nutrition, and Feeling Great About Yourself (Maple Tree Press); columnist for Glow, Conceive Magazine, and numerous other pregnancy and parenting publications. Ann is a regular guest on radio and TV. She lives in Peterborough, Ontario, with her husband and four children. www.having-a-baby.com.

Leslie Garrett

Award-winning journalist and the author of 14 books, including the recently released The Virtuous Consumer: Your Essential Shopping Guide for a Better, Kinder, Healthier World (and one our kids will thank us for!). Other books include biographies of David Suzuki, Helen Keller, Muhammad Ali, and SuperKids (nominated for the Red Cedar Award), SuperKids Too and Record Breakers. Her syndicated column, “The Virtuous Consumer” runs in City Parent, Big Apple Parent, About Families and other publications. She also writes “The Virtuous Traveler”, which runs in The Toronto Star and in the online site of NBC travel editor Peter Greenberg. Together her columns reach close to two million readers. Leslie is the "green correspondent" for the A Channel's morning show and co-host of CHRW's GreenWorld. Leslie's work has also appeared in Chatelaine, The Globe & Mail, Today’s Parent and other national publications. www.virtuousconsumer.com

And Introducing Our newest Lit Chick Member:

Amy Baskin

Co-author of the award winning book “More Than a Mom—Living a

Full and Balanced Life When Your Child Has Special Needs” (Woodbine House, 2006). Amy writes regularly for magazines including Today’s Parent, Canadian Family and Canadian Living. Media appearances include Gill Deacon(CBC TV), CTS Television, CBC radio and MomTalk Radio. An experienced educator and public speaker, she delivers fun, interactive presentations on the serious subject of special needs parenting. Amy is the parent of two teens; her youngest has autism. www.amybaskin.com, and www.morethananamom.net