The Gargoyle in My Yard

Philippa wrote her first novel when she was nine. She burned it, then immediately wished she hadn’t. This unfortunate early episode made her realize that writing was a gift, and that all writing can be rescued from the fire, so to speak, with effort and hard work. Philippa was born in England, and came to Canada with her family in the mid-60s., settling in Oakville, Ontario. At university she studied English and Literature, first at the University of Western Ontario, then at the University of Toronto. She emerged with a Master of Arts degree, and a burning desire to write, which is why she became a professional copywriter. She worked through the 1990s as Senior Copywriter and Creative Manager for Maclean Hunter and Rogers Publishing. In 2000, she struck out on her own as a freelance copywriter, a job she continues to love today. Her clients include magazine publishers, fundraisers, advertising agencies, NGOs, movie producers, website owners and others. Her work has won several industry awards for magazines as varied as Maclean’s, Chatelaine, Today’s Parent and The Beaver.