• The author has published more than a dozen books, including four “biographies” of historical animals. This is his first book focusing on a contemporary subject—his rescue dog Freddie, who passed away in 2021—and his most personal book to date.
• The author is a strong self-promoter and active on social media.
• The book is deeply heartwarming, joyful, and sad. It will appeal to anyone who has ever loved and lost an animal, anyone who has gone through a medical journey of a pet fighting cancer, anyone who has ever adopted a rescue animal with a history of abuse, and anyone interested in the role of animals in human lives throughout history and what humans have learned from the bond.
• The book also raises awareness of animal abuse, puppy mills, and the challenges and rewards of rescue animal adoption.
• From the foreword by Linda Rogers (former poet laureate of Victoria): “Freddie’s life began as a Dickensian horror story and was transformed by the affection of three dads: Grant, Les, and Rudi, all of whom received what they gave, a greater sense of self-worth and the principle of enduring love, which blesses us in the time we know as life and in memory fixed in the words and photos of this tribute… This is the life of one rescue dog who became a rescuer as he charmed his way into the hearts of distressed and grieving humans, a narrative every human will recognize as they revisit life as we know it, a world of laughter and tears.”

Grant Hayter-Menzies is a biographer and historian specializing in the lives of extraordinary and unsung heroes of the past, notably the role of animals in times of war. He is the author of thirteen books, including Muggins: The Life and Afterlife of a Canadian Canine War Hero, Woo: The Monkey Who Inspired Emily Carr, Dorothy Brooke and the Fight to Save Cairo’s Lost War Horses, and From Stray Dog to World War One Hero: The Paris Terrier Who Joined the First Division. He is also literary executor of playwright William Luce. For more information, visit grantmenzies.wixsite.com/author.

MEDIA + PUBLICITY PLANS:

• National, international & niche pitches to print, online, and broadcast media, including: CBC Radio; Kirkus Reviews; Publishers Weekly; Globe & Mail; Quill & Quire; Library Journal; Reader’s Digest; CTV BC; City TV; Global TV BC; CHEK TV; Times-Colonist; Vancouver Sun; Zoomer magazine; Capital Daily Victoria; Lambda Literary Review; Plenitude magazine.
• Subject-specific outreach for print features, excerpts, interviews, and review coverage, such as: Modern Dog magazine; Pet Connection Magazine (CAN); AnimalSense, magazine of the BC SPCA; Animal Wellness magazine (CAN); Best Friends magazine (USA); The Pet Gazette (USA); Boomer Pets Magazine; Pet Me! Magazine (USA), etc.
• Award submission to relevant literary prizes, such as: BC & Yukon Book Prizes; Governor General’s Literary Awards; Lambda Literary Award; Golden Crown Literary Society (Goldies).
• Pitch to local book festivals (author located in Sidney, BC), including Sidney LitFest, Victoria Festival of Authors, Vancouver Writers Festival; etc.
• Advertising in BC BookWorld, ULS, and more.
• Publicity and promotion in conjunction with author's speaking engagements.
• Online promotion through social media campaigns, advertising and influencer outreach.
• Outreach to animal welfare organizations, rescues, and LGBTQ+ groups.
• Partner with animal welfare groups to promote animal rescue and adoption.
• Tentative invitation to the annual BC SPCA Fundraising Gala as a guest speaker.

POTENTIAL BLURBERS:

• CONFIRMED: Maria Goodavage (New York Times bestselling author of Doctor Dogs, Top Dog, Secret Service Dogs, and Soldier Dogs)
• CONFIRMED: Zazie Todd, PhD (author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy)
• Helen Humphreys (author of And a Dog Called Fig: Solitude, Connection, the Writing Life)
• Craig Daniell, CEO, BC SPCA
• Andrew Knapp (author of Find Momo)
• Trina Moyles (award-winning journalist & Canadian author of Women Who Dig: Farming, Feminism, and the Fight to Feed the World)
• Carol Hine (founder of SAINTS, Senior Animals in Need Today Society)
• Her Honour Janet Austin, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia
• (USA) Gareth Stein (author of The Art of Racing in the Rain)
• (USA) Jonathan Graziano (author of Noodle and the No Bones Day)
• (UK) Miranda Hart (comedian and author of Peggy and Me)
• (USA) Vincent J. Musi (National Geographic photographer and author of The Year of The Dogs)

MARKETING + PROMO DELIVERABLES:

• Digital collateral (social media banners, quote nuggets)
• Electronic blad / sampler
• Electronic ARC
• Online banner
• Press release
• Book trailer

“When I met Freddie in Vancouver, it was love at first sight. There was something about his expressive golden brown eyes that seemed so wise and insightful as he sized me up. To my relief, I passed the Freddie test, and we were instant friends—something I didn’t realize he reserved for a “When I met Freddie in Vancouver, it was love at first sight. There was something about his expressive golden brown eyes that seemed so wise and insightful as he sized me up. To my relief, I passed the Freddie test, and we were instant friends—something I didn’t realize he reserved for a lucky few until I read Grant Hayter-Menzies’s resonant tribute to this most special dog. In learning about Freddie, we also learn about Hayter-Menzies’s life, and how both overcame overwhelming obstacles—in part because of each other. Their profound bond is something anyone who has ever loved a dog will understand. Freddie was a small dog, but he was larger than life, and this true tale is an inspiring, heartwarming read.”
—Maria Goodavage, New York Times bestselling author of Doctor Dogs, Top Dog, Secret Service Dogs, and Soldier Dogs

“This heartfelt and charming book tells the story of how Freddie, a special little dog adopted from the BC SPCA, overcame his difficult start in life and learned to be a dog and best friend. Grant Hayter-Menzies illustrates the beauty of the human-animal bond in his reflections on how Freddie and the other animals in his life have influenced his writing, including biographies of several famous pets. Rags, Muggins, and Flush all make an appearance in this personal, insightful, and surprising account of just how much dogs mean to us. You will feel like Freddie is with you long after you finish this touching book.”
—Zazie Todd, PhD, author of Wag: The Science of Making Your Dog Happy