In the classroom Michael stimulates discussions and exercises around two topics. First, the craft of writing, including the ethics of writing about others; ‘speedwriting’ focused on developing freedom to think, write and receive feedback; and verbalising stories in order to write stories (good for hesitant writers). Second, thematic interests, such as investigating true crime, writing crime fiction, and writing memoir. Michael also offers nuts-and-bolts Q&As around getting published, e.g., writing routines, revisions, beta readers, submissions, working with editors, covers, financial considerations, independent publishing, books and authors as ‘products’, and marketing.
Michael has written nonfiction books and one novel. Cold Case North (2020) was a collaborative investigation with Cree and Métis scholars and communities into the disappearance and murder of two Indigenous leaders in Saskatchewan. It won Saskbooks Publishing Award (2022) and was shortlisted for Crime Writers of Canada’s Best Nonfiction Crime Book (2021). His novel, Take Out the Jocks: a feminist revenge comedy (2023), was a runner-up in Los Angeles Book Festival’s Wild Card Category (2024). Still a Pygmy (2015), was a collaboration with the first African Batwa (Pygmy) author to ever publish his memoir.
Website: https://michaelnest.com/awards-%26-publications.
Facebook page for Cold Case North.
Facebook page for Take Out the Jocks.