MEET THE UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTERS IN

‘WHAT KATIE DID’

Purchase Book

About The Author

Sandra Moonias

Sandy (Sandra) Moonias enjoyed editing ‘What Katie Did’ and writing ‘Transformation’, a screenplay loosely based on this intriguing historical fiction book, ‘What Katie Did’ her mother, Mary Harris wrote. ‘What Katie Did’ is about a young woman who joins the Air Force looking for adventure, during World War II and faces challenges head on to become ‘the woman she was meant to be’. Sandy wrote, ‘Ice Fishing Tale’, a short animation about a fish counsellor. Her screenplay, ‘Alternative Education’ is based on her real-life experiences as an educator. She is a poet and has published her poetry in three American poetry books; ‘Timeless Voices’, ‘Who’s Who in American Poetry’ and ‘International Who’s Who in Poetry’. Her poetry is in three Canadian poetry Books; ‘Thunder on the Bay’, ‘Thundering’, and ‘Reflections of Thunder’. Her poem, ‘Let Winds Blow Through You’ was made into a short film. Her Song, ‘With Pride’ was sung and recorded by Winston Wuttunee for a documentary she worked on: ‘Our River Our Life’. She was asked to do the sequel documentary, ‘The Road to Ogoki’ several years later.

Accolades and Recognitions

Screen Play Award

Transformation

Award Winner – Toronto Independent Festival of Cift May, 2023

Semi Finalist – Santa Barbara Screenplay Awards, Diverse Writers Outreach, July 2023 Writers Outreach, July 20/23

Semi Finalist – Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards, March 31, 2023

Semi Finalist – Wiki – World’s Fastest Screenplay Contest, March 15, 2023

Quarter Finalist – Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards, Diversity Initiative, June 2,2023

Alternative Education

Semi Finalist – Screenplay Festival, October 31, 2022

Quarter Finalist – Los Angeles International Screenplay Festival Diversity Initiative, Oct. 19,2023,Season 1

Quarter Finalist – Los Angles International Screenplay Awards, Winter 2022-2023

Ice Fishing Tale

Finalist – Wiki World’s Fastest Screenplay Contest – May 15, 2023 and June 15, 2023

Semi Finalist – San Francisco Arthouse Short Festival, July 14, 2023

Quarter Finalist – Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards, Fall 2023

Poetry

American Books

Timeless Voices, The International Library of Poetry, Howard Ely, Editor

Eber and Wein Publishing’s Who’s Who in American Poetry: Vol 4, John T. Eber Sr., Managing Editor

International Who’s Who in Poetry, Judy Lynn, Chief Editor

Canadian Books

Reflections of Thunder A Local Anthology By The Writers Circle

Thunder On The Bay A Local Anthology By The Writers Circle

Thundering A Local Anthology By The Writers Circle

Artwork & Map

Visit new worlds through the maps and artwork inspired by the series.

Coming soon

Book Reviews

What Katie Did — Author — Mary Harris

Reviewed by Eleanor Kidd for Kidd's Comer — Weekender — August 30

For over four years as the Forester reviewer, I have rud and assessed fifty bmks written by authors who either live in the Muskoka area or have a special in it Forty of them have in the Weekender in addition to my own personal selections. Of those forty a few stand out as sgx:ial. Mary Harris's What Katie Did' is one Of thorn. At first glance it like the typical well written account of life in Muskoka centering around a todge and, in this l*se, Lake Rosseau.
As I settled in to read, I soon realized that this novel fits the exceptmal category not only in its flowing first-rate writing but also in its remarkable of unforgettable characters, 'What Katie Did', although published as fiction, is closer to being a account of Mary's early life, She grew up in the 1930's and 40's in Muskoka and Toronto and as a young woman served in the RCAF, during IE:oming an photographer on bases in Ontario and Boundary Bay, British Columbia.
Drawing on the diaries Of her war time experiences and recollections of her youth, she developed the novel over a period of several years. In the bCN)k she is Ottilie McAnne, independent and feisty determitwl to make her way in the world, probably inheriting a lot of her unwavering spirit front her rnother and father, Kate and Bill. The author explained to me that she fictionalized the lodge's name. Fairview House, which was actually Wcmngton Place built by her grandfather. Also, she changed names and combined some of the she met along the way. She added, •Katie is about 75 to 80% my mother and Ottilie is about 75 to 80% me,' Her story is a blend of adventure and pathos along with a generous measure of humour.
The following tidbits should tempt you to discover more about Ottilie's fascinating experienæs. When the Sagamo, a steamship, attempted to dæk at the lodge despite gale-force winds and Bill's warnings, it managed to break the planking sending Bill plummeting on to the rcx*s tHw. Miraculously he While everyone stood at attention during a military assembly on the parade square, the flag was raised and as it unfurled, " a pair of lisle stækings dangled frorn a corset, a and a pair of navy, flæw lined bloomers hung from a skinny bra. The Commanding Offiær was saluting the airwomen's underwear." During Ottilie's posting in British Columbia, a pilot.
perhaps due to stress, stole a Mitchell borntm shot up the station and then suicide by diving into the ground alongside the Fraser River. Find out about Prime Minister Mackenzie King's seances and his visit to Fairview with his dog, Pat. Look for the farcical caper involving transmitters in the officers' wives' washroom. Meet Shirley, the girl from Huntsville, who was at basic training camp with the author At age seventy-eight this is Mary Harris's first novel which is surprising since her vivid, expressive writing is suggestive of a very author. What Katie Did' is a delightful tX)Ok worthy of placing on your •must read' list. It is available at mokstores throughout Muskoka.

Stay Tuned

Exciting News & Articles Coming Soon!

Contact Us

Looking for reliable eBook or Paperback services? You’re at the right place! Fill this form to connect with our experts today!