The Ghosts of Spiritwood by Martine Noël-Maw
The Ghosts of Spiritwood, the first English edition of the popular youth novel Les fantômes de Spiritwood by award-winning author Martine Noël-Maw, originally published in French by Éditions de la nouvelle plume (ÉNP), is now available from Shadowpaw Press Reprise.
The original French version of the book was published in 2010. It was born out of creative workshops offered to Grade 8 immersion students at Elsie Mironuck School in Regina, Saskatchewan. The novel, which the author has presented at festivals, book fairs, and schools across the country, was shortlisted for a Saskatchewan Book Award in 2013. Over the years, the book has been reprinted, and a second edition was issued last year. Martine Noël-Maw, who translated the novel herself, said that she is “very happy that this story, which made many readers shudder with fear, will be accessible to English-speaking readers.”
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to bring this exciting Saskatchewan-set young adult ghost story to the English market,” said Edward Willett, publisher of Shadowpaw Press. “Martine is a very talented writer, and The Ghosts of Spiritwood is a perfect match for the Shadowpaw Press Reprise line of ‘new editions of notable, previously published work.’ I can’t wait for a new crop of readers to discover this fantastic tale.”
The story
One summer night, Ethan and four friends, heading north of Spiritwood, Saskatchewan, for a weekend of camping to watch the northern lights, instead end up in the ditch when their car swerves off the road. The teenagers head back to Spiritwood on foot, but a severe thunderstorm strikes before they reach the town, forcing them to break into an abandoned country school to take shelter. They pass the time telling scary stories until they fall asleep. When they wake a few hours later, the storm is over, and the sky is filled with brightly coloured northern lights.
Looking up at the spectacular display, Ethan recounts the legend of the northern lights. “Those lights are produced by the spirits of the departed. It’s a sign that they want to communicate with the living. To establish contact, we just have to whistle at them.”
Then Ethan produces a spirit whistle that he bought at Wanuskewin and starts to whistle at the sky.
Moments later, weird things begin to happen . . .
About the author
Born and raised in Québec, Martine Noël-Maw has called Saskatchewan home since 1993. A French literature graduate from the Université de Montréal, she has authored sixteen books and a number of plays for both adults and youth. Her work has earned her many honours, including two Saskatchewan Book Awards and a SATAward. She was longlisted for the Prix de la nouvelle Radio-Canada (French CBC Short Story Prize) and shortlisted for the Prix du récit Radio-Canada (French CBC Nonfiction Prize). Martine is also an editor, publisher, and translator. Find her online at martinenoelmaw.wordpress.com.
About Shadowpaw Press
Shadowpaw Press, founded in Regina, Saskatchewan, by award-winning author Edward Willett in 2018, publishes new work by established and emerging authors through its Premiere imprint and new editions of notable, previously published work through its Reprise imprint. For more information, contact publisher@shadowpawpress.com or visit www.shadowpawpress.com.
