Bio
Photo by Paul Zizka.
Born in Calgary, but raised in Ottawa, Ontario, it wasn’t long before I rediscovered my Western roots and was drawn back to the province of Alberta. Based in Banff since 2008, I have easy access to the beautiful wilderness that surrounds this mountain town, and a never-ending supply of inspiration to go with it. I frequently head out to play in the great outdoors with my husband, who is a professional mountain landscape and adventure photographer (Paul Zizka Photography). I enjoy hiking, backcountry camping, climbing, mountaineering, ski touring and practising handstands in Banff’s Central Park.
My journey to writing full time has been far from smooth, but full of adventure. And while most writers struggle to find their niche, I found mine promptly through my desire to create a ‘job’ that could combine my passion for the outdoors, travel, adventure and writing. Finding the niche was easy – making it all happen has been the roller-coaster of a lifetime.
A number of publications have put their trust in me over the years, including Alpinist Magazine (where I also interned as the Online Editorial Intern), Impact Magazine, the Canadian Alpine Journal, and Highline Magazine. I am thankful to be in a position where I can now give back to that community as the Editor at Highline Magazine and the publisher of an outdoor blog called The Campsite.
Living in a tourist mecca like Banff, I have also landed in another niche: writing marketing materials and web content for a variety of tourism-oriented businesses and organizations. I am thankful for each and every one of my loyal clients, including Parks Canada, Travel Alberta and Banff Lake Louise Tourism.
Apart from writing, I enjoy yoga, photography and travel. My travels have taken me throughout the US, to Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, Cuba, various Caribbean islands (the BVIs, Saba, Sint Maarten, Dominica, and Antigua), Baffin Island and Costa Rica, where I embarked on a solo-hike of Cerro Chirripo, the second highest peak in Central America. In fall 2011, I traveled to Nepal where I spent 9 weeks trekking and researching the impacts of mountaineering on local communities in the Solu Khumbu.
Feel free to contact me, should you have a question, be interested in collaborating with me, hiring me or simply have a great idea worth sharing.
More about Meghan:
Objective
To contribute creatively and intelligently to the literary arts, the literary community and mountain culture through the documentation of pursuits in travel and adventure.
Education
- BAH Drama (with a Minor in Global Development Studies), Queen’s University, Kingston, ON (2007).
Recipient of the Rod Robertson Prize in Dramatic Literature and Theatre History
Work Experience
- Editor, Highline Magazine (March 2011-Present)
- Publisher, The Campsite (January 2011-Present)
- Freelance Writer (2007-Present)
- Online Editorial Intern, Alpinist Magazine (May-September 2010)
Memberships
- Professional Writers Association of Canada (PWAC)
- Writers Guild of Alberta
- Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) (Mountain Culture Committee)
- Outdoor Industries Women’s Coalition
- International Travel Writers Alliance
Professional Development
- Attendee, Creative Conferences, Boulder, CO (October 2009) – conference for outdoor writers and photographers, hosted by Women’s Adventure Magazine.
- Artist in Residence, The Banff Centre, Banff, AB (May 2009) – as stage manager and co-choreographer with production of History Skip with Precipice Youth Theatre.
- Standard-Apprentice, Interpretive Guides Association (formerly MPHIA), Banff, AB (May 2008).
- TESL/TEFL/TESOL Certification, Oxford Seminars, Kingston, ON (January 2007).
Panels and Workshops
- Developing a Social Media Strategy for Non- Profits, Guest Speaker, May 11, 2011, Town of Banff/Banff Volunteer Centre
- Writing for the Digital World, Panelist, November 4, 2010, The Banff Centre/Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival
- Pen & Prana (Yoga/Writing Workshop), Co-Leader, November 22, 2010, Rocky Mountain Yoga (Banff)
Community Courses
- Banff’s Best Heritage Orientation Program (Winter 2009-2010).
- Spanish Level 1, Bow Corridor Continuing Education Council, Banff, AB (January 2009).
- Avalanche Skills Training 1 (AST 1), Yamnuska Mountain Adventures, Canmore, AB (December 2008).
