The Con-Versation 3.33 Martine Noel-Maw
First English edition of popular YA novel The Ghosts of Spiritwood
by Martine Noël-Maw available March 21 from Shadowpaw Press Reprise
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 [email protected] or visit www.shadowpawpress.com.