Sudbury based author writes series based on real-life sex workers
Angel May Mckay has always been a writer.
"I wrote a lot of inspirational journals. I also help people writing their biographies but this, it came about as a biography," McKay said. "It was about Alison Lindsey McKeen, and it was a girl that I heard about that went missing in the Sault and was later found dead. She was a minor and along doing my research for it there was a lot of blocks because it was the 80s, so I decided to do something a little bit different with it."
Coming from a Scottish background, McKay now lives in Canada. She ended up in Sudbury, Ont. during the pandemic.
Instead of creating just one book, she turned it into a series.
"I was making her a hero, but then when it was coming to an end, I had interviewed so many girls on the streets in the Sault and in Sudbury I couldn’t let the story end. So instead, I created a series and created a bond between these girls."
Ally, book one from the series called The Pack, came out in July and is only available online. McKay said she will finish the series while living in Sudbury before moving to the east coast later this year to write a spin-off series.
The author said she felt connected to the women in her stories and knew of the need out on the streets. She volunteers at the mission every Saturday handing out breakfast bags.
"I pack up anywhere from 100-160 bags for breakfast. We're making coffee for them," McKay said.
Officials with the mission said volunteers like McKay are really needed right now.
"For supper, now, we're feeding almost 300. So it's really unreal and volunteers are the lifeline of the Elgin Street Mission, of course without the volunteers we could never do this," said Gary Newbury, the founder of the Elgin Street Mission.
The mission currently has 30 active volunteers on a regular basis, however, Newbury said 30 more are needed.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.