• Driedger’s first novel, Lost on the Prairie, was on the McNally Bestseller list for 14 weeks 
• Lost on the Prairie was shortlisted for the Eileen McTavish Sykes Award for Best First Book (Manitoba Book Awards, 2021) and nominated for the MYCRA Sundogs Award 2023. 
• Universal themes explored: body image, cancer, romantic relationships, puberty, substance abuse, family death, and PTSD. 
• Historical fiction will appeal to educators; the story incorporates political events, social upheavals, and cultural movements of a fascinating and tumultuous decade.
• Study guide written by the author is available as a free download. 
• The author is very motivated and organizes multiple private events for book clubs, seniors groups, and local interest clubs in Manitoba.
• Second in a series of multi-generational books inspired by Driedger’s family history: Lost on the Prairie was based on her grandfather’s immigration to Canada; Sixties Girl is based on her own coming-of-age in Winnipeg; and plans for a third book based on her mother’s experience growing up during the Great Depression.

MaryLou Driedger’s curiosity and love of learning have taken her to some fifty destinations across the globe. As an educator, she has taught in three different countries and is the recipient of a Manitoba Teacher of the Year award. She is the author of Lost on the Prairie, and has been a columnist for Winnipeg Free Press and The Carillon. Her freelance work has been published in numerous periodicals, anthologies, travel guides, institutional histories, and curriculums. MaryLou chronicles her adventures on her popular daily blog, maryloudriedger2.wordpress.com.

Media + Publicity Plans

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  Targeted print, online, and broadcast media outreach: Quill & Quire, CBC Winnipeg, CTV Winnipeg, Prairie Books Now, 49th Shelf Kids, Winnipeg Free Press, Globe and Mail, Best Books for Kids and Teens, Canadian Children's Book News, CanLit for Little Canadians, The Carillon, Canadian Mennonite, CM magazine, Golden West Radio (Prairies).

• Publicity and promotion in conjunction with author events, including book clubs, public libraries, heritage groups, and local interest organizations in Manitoba.
• Outreach to subject-specific organizations relating to the book and author, as well as local gatherings such as Mennonite Heritage Village and MG Book Village.
• Pitches to relevant literary festivals such as ThinAir Winnipeg and Telling Tales Festival.
• Advertising in BC BookWorld, Canadian Children’s Book News, CCBC’s Best Books for Kids and Teens, ULS catalogues, and more.
• Award submission to relevant literary awards: Forest of Reading; Canadian Children's Book Centre; Manitoba Book Awards; Governor General's Literary Awards; Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award; Manitoba Young Readers Choice Awards; Red Cedar Award; etc.
• Partner with bookstores for displays and co-op.
• Confirmed in-person launch in Winnipeg at McNally Robinson.
• Electronic ARCs.
• Excerpts available.

“Stories from the Swinging Sixties help friends overcome their divisions and a family bridge the generation gap in this uplifting contemporary tale. Young readers will identify with Will’s insecurities, and cheer when he realizes goodness surrounds him. When in doubt, Grandma’s story box has the answer.”

—Harriet Zaidman, author of Second Chances, winner of the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People

“MaryLou Driedger has deftly woven together a historical fiction story of a girl growing up in the fast-changing 1960s and a contemporary story of a boy dealing with bullying, making new friends, and learning how to trust. Both storylines are compelling in their own right, and together they form this beautifully written novel that lets us sink into each character’s coming-of-age journey. Sixties Girl is a captivating page turner that I did not want to end! Fans of Driedger’s first book, Lost on the Prairie, will not be disappointed!”

—Jodi Carmichael, award-winning author of The U-nique Lou Fox

“In this thoughtful middle-grade novel, the past deftly intersects with the present. His grandmother’s old suitcase, stuffed with random objects, becomes eleven-year-old Will’s portal to both family and world history, and to a better understanding of himself. An empowering book about sharing stories, Sixties Girl is sure to stimulate conversation between generations.”

—Gabriele Goldstone, award-winning author of family-inspired novels Crow Stone and Tainted Amber

“Listening to stories told by his grandmother about growing up in the 1960s compels young Will to ask hard questions about his own relationships with friends and family. Heartfelt, warm, rich in details, meticulously researched, and complete with intriguing historical notes, MaryLou Driedger’s Sixties Girl adeptly brings the era to life.”