Vanessa has lived in Victoria, B.C., for much of her life, and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Major in English from the University of Victoria. Her second historical novel, Trappings, was recently released in 2020. Her debut novel, The Chief Factor's Daughter, was longlisted for the ReLit Awards and runner-up for Monday Magazine's Favourite Fiction award. It has been studied at BC universities, as will Trappings in 2021. Her non-fiction has appeared in Monday Magazine, and her poetry has been published in The Quilliad, Quills Canadian Poetry Magazine, and Island Writer. Beyond her love of the written word and historical research, Vanessa finds inspiration in dance and teaches Argentine Tango.