Beryl Singleton Bissell

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Welcome Reader

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Thanks for stopping by. Whether you've arrived to check out The Scent of God, or my second book, A View of the Lake I hope you will find plenty to interest you about both books, as well as in my blog, photos (which I update periodically), comments from readers, upcoming events and the like.

Twice a year, I interact with my readers through my newsletter which is available by clicking the "Newsletter" link on the list of options above. I've also added a new feature, a blog called "Random Musings," a "cabbages and kings" sort of blog to keep you abreast of life on Lake Superior, spiritual journeys, writing projects and updates, new books, travel stories. So check it out. Click the "Blog" link from the list of options at the top of this page.

Should you belong to a book club I encourage you to contact me by clicking "contact author" in the bar above if you'd like me to visit. Distance is not a factor, as a working speaker phone is all that's necessary. By clicking "contact author" in the link above, you can also obtain free signed bookplates for your copy ofThe Scent of God. I will need your mailing address and the number of bookplates you'd like.

Whatever the reason for your visit, you'll find plenty about my work and me here and I hope you'll come back frequently to check the blog,to look for updated news, and to view the new photos I periodically post to supplement the written word.

I'd love to hear from you, so should you be inclined, I encourage you to leave a comment by clicking the "Comments" link at the top of this page.

Meditation Bench at Lake Superior Home

As you might or might not know, I live on Minnesota's North Shore of Lake Superior - a magical place of birch, maple, and pine forests, rugged cliffs, wildlife -- fox, moose, bear, wolves, chickadees, nuthatches, wild geese, chipmunks and the ever-present and ever-foraging deer. And yes, there are humans, not a lot of them (especially in winter), but mostly a creative, hardy lot.

My husband calls our home there "Beryl's Monastery," because it is a remote and silent place. He built a labyrinth -- a rather free form journey that follows the land's rugged terrain-- which he plans to rebuild in a more classic shape "soon." He also wove a meditation trail of sorts, with two rustic bridges and various benches from which to view the lake and meditate.

This is where I work-- a hermitage on our property -- cut off from phone and online access. While it doesn't look like much, it's a miraculous little place with a large wooden slab on which to write, a view of the lake, an antique rocking chair, and piles of books to inspire my muse.

I wrote most of The Scent of God in this shed at what was then a writing retreat for women called Norcroft. When the retreat center closed, its founder offered me one of its four sheds as recompense for the times I acted as caretaker. I did not ask for the same shed where I became a writer but that was the shed delivered. A lovely happenstance among the many that continue to fill my life.

A recent interview with Beryl

WTIP talks with Beryl about her life and writing

Radio Interview with Beryl about A View of the Lake