Over the last decade best-selling author Jane Christmas has entertained readers with a trio of madcap travel memoirs from Canada, Spain, and Italy. The Pelee Project (2002), What the Psychic Told the Pilgrim (2007) and most recently, Incontinent on the Continent (2009).
Escaping the blare and clatter of daily life has been a constant theme in Jane’s books, but what makes her writing distinctive is that her travels not only explore the physical landscape, they meander into the parallel journey of personal introspection and soul searching. She is unafraid to voice what others fear to say, or do what others are too timid to, and this blend of outrageousness and down-to-earth practicalities has won her a legion of international fans.
Born in Toronto in 1954, Jane's tug toward the written word comes honestly: both her parents had careers in journalism. After graduating from Carleton University in Ottawa, Jane similarly waded into journalism, but rather than heading into the writing stream, she instead worked her way through the editing ranks of various newsrooms – the Woodstock-Sentinel-Review, CTV, The Hamilton Spectator, The Globe and Mail, and National Post.
A self-described "super-late bloomer", Jane eventually found her writing voice – direct, authentic, and funny. She zeroes in on the awkward but ultimately inspiring moments of everyday life. Her clumsy navigation through social conventions, interactions and relationships has endeared her to readers who see themselves in her writing, and who live vicariously through her adventures.
Jane has three grown children, and lives in Hamilton. She is presently at work on her next nonfiction book.
