After 20 years of hard work, a Woodstock woman is ready to launch her first book.
WOODSTOCK - A Woodstock author is hoping to offer up a thick slice of Candiana with her new book that took her 20 years to write.
Monique Bealieu's memoir titled Times Before Now explores her journey through a difficult upbringing.
"It's about when I was young, my father sexually abused me, I suffered from physical abuse from siblings, I was very confused all my life and it lead to some mental health issues as well."
She says she was able to finish the book after attending the Writer's Cafe, which is a joint project between Operation Sharing and the local CMHA.
"I had been writing this book for 20 years now, off and on and I met a friend, who knew about this Cafe, so we went there together and that is how it started with them."
Eric Schmiedl, Operation Sharing's Director of Print Media and Writers Café Coordinator actually edited the book and he offered up some high praise for Bealieu's work.
"This memoir is a thick slice of Canadiana, following a woman on her journey from sexually, physically and emotionally abused child to young adult and, later, to her becoming mother to her own children. At times quirky, often funny, it is an entertaining look into one woman’s quest to better herself and her family."
A book signing is happening at Merrfield Book Shop on May 11th from 10:30 am to 2 pm.
Single-Vehicle Collision Leads to Charges
Urgent Message Sent by Oxford OPP
Charges Laid After Traffic Incident in Woodstock
New Committee Helping United Way Oxford
WFD Reminding About CO Alarms
CNOY Walks Returning to Oxford County
A Suspended Driver Charged in Woodstock
A Pair of Locals are in the Senate Page Program
Woodstock Man Charged in Traffic Incident
Christmas Tree Pickup in Oxford County
Weather Warning Issued for Oxford County
Holiday Closures in Woodstock
Multiple Charges Laid to Woodstock Man
Fog Advisory Issued for Oxford
Tip Tuesday with Oxford OPP - December 2025
Holiday Waste Collection Tips from Oxford County
UPDATE: CFIA Reports 20 Illnesses Connected to Recall
UPDATE: Charges Laid in Highway Hit-and-Run
Charges Laid after Altercation in Delhi
Oxford OPP Briefs - Dec. 22nd, 2025
Comments
Add a comment