Grad鈥檚 debut book inspires families to reconnect with nature
Jos茅e Bergeron joined the Writer鈥檚 Studio at an unlikely time: just after the birth of her fifth child. Her book, , was little more than a seed of an idea.
Growing up, Jos茅e never dreamed of writing a book. She was a natural storyteller and reader (or, as she puts it, 鈥渢hat child who had the flashlight under the blankets reading鈥�). A member of the Red River M茅tis Nation, she spent her childhood in the British Columbia Interior among endless evergreens and turquoise lakes鈥攁nd many books.
Her path to publication was nonlinear. Starting her career journey, she chose the practical route of pursuing a bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing at the University of British Columbia. In 2009, after becoming a parent, Jos茅e was inspired to start her blog, .
At first, she focused on sharing snippets of her family鈥檚 life and do-it-yourself projects, from canning to gardening. Over time, she gained a following, and other parents started seeking her advice. Her content shifted to help busy families embrace the outdoors in simple, accessible ways.
鈥淚 might be Backwoods Mama, but there have been times when I really struggled to get outside with my own children,鈥� she says. 鈥淪o, I wanted to be very vulnerable with parents, to show them they aren鈥檛 alone. And to make it very simple for them to go outside with their children.鈥�
Through her blog, Jos茅e planted the roots of her future book. In search of a supportive writing community, she found the Writer鈥檚 Studio in 2023. 鈥淲riting can be very solitary work, and you can get stuck or a little bit stifled in the craft because you don鈥檛 have somebody to challenge you,鈥� she says.
Jos茅e joined the creative non-fiction cohort and was immediately inspired by her fellow writers鈥� vulnerability. Collaborating with her peers and mentor, four-time novelist Claudia Casper, challenged Jos茅e to be braver and more personal in her storytelling.
鈥淭hat was such an area of growth for me, and I think it鈥檚 had such a positive impact on my writing as a whole,鈥� she says. Readers of her book often remark on how much they appreciate that vulnerability.
Balancing studying, parenting and homeschooling her kids also took bravery, but the program鈥檚 flexibility made it manageable. In fact, the Writer鈥檚 Studio helped her carve out dedicated writing time. 鈥淭hat was my quiet time,鈥� Jos茅e laughs.
Throughout the 10-month program, her cohort鈥檚 feedback evolved from gentle encouragement to honest, impactful critiques. Jos茅e credits that community with supporting her through the potentially overwhelming process of conceptualizing, writing and publishing a book. 鈥淓very writer struggles with imposter syndrome, and that sense of community made the journey feel less alone.鈥�
Jos茅e鈥檚 reflections on parenthood and nature took shape in Beyond the Front Door, published in February 2026. Blending vivid storytelling with Indigenous wisdom, Beyond the Front Door invites families to notice nature in unique and practical ways. The tips are grounded in Jos茅e鈥檚 experience as a busy mom impacted by the intensity of modern parenting culture.
鈥淚 really hope that parents feel seen,鈥� she says of her book. 鈥淚t can be so difficult to see these perfect outdoorsy parents on social media doing epic things and feel down on yourself. I hope that parents feel supported and know that, even just by getting beyond their front door, by noticing nearby nature鈥攖hat is enough.鈥�
Looking back, she sees unexpected connections in her journey to becoming an author. For example, her nursing education helped inform her research-based recommendations as a writer.
鈥淭here鈥檚 always been this common thread throughout,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been really neat to see all these pieces braid together, and to be in the space now to advocate for our planet, for families, for kids.鈥�
By Colleen Bryon