Thanks to @cbcradiocanada for inviting me to be a guest on last Sunday’s episode of Cross-Country Checkup (which aired November 30, 2025).

Show host Ian Hanomansing was away, so I spoke with Rebecca Sandbergen.

Listen to Cross-Country Checkup’s transit episode. I’m the first interview at the 2:25 mark.

The episode focused on a recent original investigative CBC report. They found transit violence is on the rise, particularly in cities like Toronto, Edmonton, Montreal and Winnipeg.

The numbers square with my experience.

My long history with the TTC

I’ve ridden the TTC all my life. I remember sitting in the front and back cars as a kid to watch the track. It was always exciting to sit in the big window (so many people kindly offered us seats).

In my 30s, I wrote three drafts of Chaos Calling and Chaos Armor, Books I and II of my fantasy action series, The Xenthian Cycle. The series is set partially in Toronto and features a scene on the TTC (Chapter 18 of Chaos Calling).

I used my phone to write chapters during my commute, usually when leaning against the side door with my headphones on.

You could say with confidence that the subway doors are one of the most productive work spaces I’ve ever had.

More about my TTC writing origin story.

But the mood on transit has changed in recent years. There’s more agitation. There’s more distress. And there’s unfortunately a lot more violence.

In August 2024, I was assaulted at my local station. It wasn’t a serious incident (thankfully!), but it reinforced that the post-Covid vibe is different for regular riders.

Will I keep riding transit?

All the same, transit remains a key part of my life in Toronto. It’s often faster than driving, it’s definitely cheaper and most of the time, I feel perfectly safe.

I support programs to enhance that safety, and Mayor Olivia Chow is moving us in that direction.

Where to watch / listen

There’s a TV version of the interview floating around but I’m not sure where to find that. You can listen to the radio version on the CBC Cross-Country Checkup page on Apple podcasts (Nov 30: “Violence on Transit? How to stay safe!”) or Spotify.

Thanks to the Cross-Country Checkup team and producer Chiara Greco for having me on.

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It’s a huge milestone for me and the series!

You can read the full review on the Kirkus website.

What, what is a Kirkus Review?

The three trade publications that cover books are Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist and Kirkus Reviews. 

If you take a look at the jackets of popular mainstream books, you’ll likely see one or all three shops mentioned in the blurbs trying to convince you to buy the book.

In marketing land, that kind of endorsement is called social proof. It helps you take a chance on something new because someone else has told you it’s good.

For example, here on the right is the front matter for Leigh Bardugo’s Crooked Kingdom. As you can see, her book designer has prominently referenced feedback from both Booklist and Kirkus Reviews: 

As an indie author, getting the attention of industry players is never a sure thing.

I don’t have a publisher or agent to vouch for me in those circles.  

How do you get a Kirkus Review?

I submitted Chaos Calling for a review back in October. Participation is pay-to-play (and in USD, too, owww), but that only opens the door.

There’s no guarantee the reviewer who receives the .pdf copy you send will like the book. And their submission process is very blunt about that to manage your expectations. You also aren’t told who the reviewer is and the post is anonymous.

I waited six weeks to hear back. I did my best not to think about it during that time. Having the insanity of the holidays to prepare for made that easy.

What did the Chaos Calling Kirkus Review say?

When I got the review back on December 27, I was thrilled. They didn’t give it a Kirkus star (the highest blessing), but they did say some damn nice things.

I can’t tell you how gratifying it was to see the reviewer comment on the character development and pacing.

I worked so hard with my beta readers and editorial team to get those aspects of the book right. It feels amazing to see them singled out here as strengths of the reading experience.

Read the whole review here.

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