I was born and raised in Victoria, BC, but when I was 18 I moved to London, England to be a drummer. I spent most of the 1980s there, had big 80s hair, played in many bands in countless UK pubs, concert halls and a few stadiums. I toured Europe in a van that smelled like motor oil and gym socks. My novel, Noisemaker, is loosely based on my experiences of the good, the bad, and the noisy of that era.

After returning to Canada, I worked as a photojournalist and photography director at Maclean’s Magazine and the National Post. In the morning before work, I drank very strong tea and wrote fiction and, in particular, adventure stories for children.

I now live in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia in a big old house with my family and two cats named Olive and Ottoline. I work as a freelance photographer and filmmaker (andrewtolson.com), write children’s books, and still drink very strong tea. How to Kidnap a Mermaid is my debut fantasy for young readers. My big 80s hair is long gone.

I’m a member of CANSCAIP and SCBWI