About The Fantastic Grown-Up Book Fair

Author. Publisher. Educator. Theatre Maker. Producer. Gatherer of Creative Folk.

Aren A. Morris is a Halifax-based educator, performer and novelist. 

She has been writing, directing and producing student theatre in education for decades.

She is also one half of Black Box Publishing House, a relatively new press with a focus on Maritime Authors and works by, for and about women.

Aren’s debut, We Happy Few, is a historical fiction novel taking place in Halifax, NS at the end of the Second World War and was released in May 2022. She is now working on her sophomore novel, another historical fiction set in NS. 

Her other endeavours include women’s creativity retreats, writing and producing children’s theatre and dance shows, and multidisciplinary collaborations with local artists, dancers and writers. 

Aren loved school book fairs as a kid and can't wait to nerd out with both authors and readers alike.

Resilience Expert. Inspiring Speaker. Bestselling Author. Entrepreneur.  Success Coach. Fierce Leader. Mentor. Mom. Survivor. Advocate. Limit-Pusher.

Karen Dean is an incredible motivational speaker, coach, entrepreneur, and bestselling author who shares her own personal stories of resilience and proven tools for success, while inspiring audiences, readers, and clients with an amazing sense of positivity.

She has been featured on CBC, Global TV, and CTV Atlantic, as well as numerous podcasts around the world, and publications like the Chronicle Herald, Truro Daily News, and Hub Now.

Recognized by the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Awards as a Nominee four times, Karen has operated successful businesses in many different industries for over 25 years.

Karen has published two books to date: 

Canadian Bestseller, We Are Unbreakable: Raw, Real Stories of Resilience from Women in Nova Scotia in 2020 is a compilation book sharing inspiring stories from 22 women.

Fierce & Fabulous: A Self-Love Journal which provides readers with a daily practice to reconnect to their inner self and become even more successful, both in their professional and personal lives.