Writers' Roost: Centennial Edition in conversation with Emma Knight
Celebrating 100 Years of the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study
The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education proudly presents an exclusive literary event featuring Emma Knight, New York Times bestselling author, in conversation with Dr. Jeff Myers as we celebrate a century of educational excellence at the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study.
On May 27, Emma Knight will take centre stage to discuss her latest book, The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus, a witty, atmospheric, and brilliantly crafted novel that masterfully weaves together compelling portraits of womanhood, motherhood and female friendship, along with the irresistible intrigue surrounding an extraordinary British family.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to gain invaluable insights from one of Toronto’s emerging literary voices.
A reception to follow with light refreshments and an opportunity to purchase the novel and have it personally signed by Emma Knight.
About the Book
Arriving at the University of Edinburgh for her first term, Pen knows her divorced parents back in Canada are hiding something from her. She believes she’ll find the answer here in Scotland, where an old friend of her father’s—now a famous writer known as Lord Lennox—lives. When she is invited to spend the weekend at Lord Lennox’s centuries-old estate with his enveloping, fascinating family, Pen begins to unravel her parents’ secret, just as she’s falling in love for the first time. As Pen experiences the sharp shock of adulthood, she comes to rely on herself for the first time in her life. A rich and rewarding novel of campus life, of sexual awakening, and ultimately, of the many ways women can become mothers in this world, the book to what extent we need to look back in order to move forward.
About the Speakers
Emma Knight is a Canadian writer. She is also the co-founder of Greenhouse, an award-winning organic beverage company based in Toronto. Her first novel, The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus, was a number one national bestseller and a New York Times bestseller. She has co-authored two nationally bestselling cookbooks, The Greenhouse Cookbook and How to Eat with One Hand, and her essays have appeared in The Globe and Mail, The Walrus, British Vogue, and Literary Hub. Emma studied Modern European Languages at the University of Edinburgh and Journalism and International Affairs at Sciences Po Paris.
Dr. Jeff Myers is a proud graduate of OISE (MA ’07, PhD ’13) and an active member of the OISE Alumni Association. He currently holds the position of Acting Assistant Vice President, Enrolment, and University Registrar at Dalhousie University in Halifax. His longstanding interest in intercultural learning led to an early career in international education, which has since encompassed roles in teaching, curriculum development, program management, and academic leadership. Dr. Myers is deeply committed to the transformative potential of education across all stages of learning.