Local author Colleen Neily-Williams is setting the stage for the Tuesday, June 18 launch of her novel Dr. Zoe Cavendish: Frontlines on Frontier in the North Bay Public Library's auditorium. The event runs from 4–6 p.m. and Neily-Williams will read from her novel and take questions from the audience.
Neily-Williams also hosts a North Bay Farmer’s Market tent showcasing local authors. She invites you to meet her there on Saturdays.
The first-time author responded to some questions from BayToday about her life and work.
What should your readers know about Dr. Zoe Cavendish?
Based on a true story, and set during the Great Depression, Dr. Zoe Cavendish finds herself torn between societal expectations and her desires. Zoe embarks on a pioneering adventure of Northwestern Alberta as one of the first female Canadian doctors. As she traversed the ethical waters as a feminist in 1930, she also had to conquer treacherous challenges, including harsh weather conditions and rugged landscapes, while using limited resources.
Her dream of being a medical doctor and humanitarian to frontier immigrants and the Indigenous Beaver tribe comes at a great personal cost. Her indomitable, provocative spirit and unwavering determination against all odds propel her forward while torn between love and duty. Will she succeed or succumb to the pressures of society? Find out in this captivating tale of passion, betrayal, and redemption
What is your connection to your protagonist?
I was inspired by the story of Dr. Margaret Strang, my great-aunt. Due to legal constraints, I had to modify names and certain institutional details in the book.
However, its foundation and portrayal of Canadian history remain authentic. In Dr. Zoe Cavendish: Frontlines on the Frontier, readers are presented with Dr. Zoe's inner conflict as she grapples with societal norms and her personal aspirations.
This is my first novel, and I did an incredible amount of research and spent substantial personal time, effort, and funds getting it published through Tellwell Publishing. I didn’t want to disappoint my mother Gerry Neily or my husband Michael Williams, to whom the book is dedicated and is my greatest support. It’s a fantastic story – as a feminist, Dr. Zoe had so many barriers to tackle.
Why did you write Dr. Zoe Cavendish: Frontlines on the Frontier?
My book is based on the true story of my great-aunt, who was one of Canada's first female doctors in 1929. It's a fantastic story — as a feminist, she had so many barriers to tackle. Think about it, women didn't even have a vote then. Can you imagine how she tackled the Northern Frontier in Alberta at that time? It's an incredible story.
This book covers many topics — femininity, homosexuality, politics, religions, and Indigenous issues in Canada from 1920-1930. It is a provocative novel and will cause emotion and opinion.
I love writing, and it was a natural road for me to take after retiring from nursing after 42 years. I also love history so it was an enjoyable task. I hope readers can relate to the characters and find something meaningful in the story.
What does "success" as a published author mean to you?
My success as an author is tied to my ability to elicit emotion in my readers and educate them simultaneously. The feedback in my reviews is that this book is hard to put down.
Dr. Zoe Cavendish: Frontlines on Frontier has a five-star rating on Amazon and Goodreads and is enjoyed by men and women alike. However, there is a sex scene, so I don't recommend it for someone under 18. Although I was encouraged to write a sequel, I didn’t think I could add more. There is an epilogue.
I am writing a trilogy on the Sisters of St. Joseph, and if you enjoy this book, it will give you a flavour of what will come next.
About the author
Colleen Williams, nee Neily, also known as Colleen Scanlan, hails from North Bay. Her parents, Dale and Gerry Neily owned the Dunrovin Motel on Lakeshore Drive from 1955 to 1972, a five-star fishing resort. Colleen spent her early years in Ferris, attending Marshall Park Public School, Silver Birches, and West Ferris.
When her father transitioned from the tourism industry to real estate with Hugh Knox, the family relocated to Birchaven. Ms. Anne McCruer, a teacher at Widdifield Secondary School, encouraged Colleen's passion for creative writing, advising her to pursue her gift, alongside a career in nursing. Colleen graduated with a Diploma in Nursing from Canadore College in 1980 and later obtained a nursing degree from Laurentian University.
Additionally, she operated an acupuncture clinic, practicing in Kirkland Lake, Sudbury, and eventually returning to her hometown in 1994. Colleen wrote a parenting column in Northern Life in Sudbury for 10 years and then a column in the North Bay Nugget called “Ask Nurse Colleen.” After 42 years in nursing and acupuncture, she retired in 2023.
