Our Story (So Far).
Life's curveballs may not always be fun.
But a little reflection can reveal hidden joys.
Pat Butler is a born-again author.
As a lifelong lover of numbers and precision, who began her career teaching high school physics and mathematics, this came as a shock to her more than anyone.
She later joined the world of manufacturing as a consultant who could turn rigorous but confusing procedures into plain language for training purposes.
Her first book, Write This Way (2009), was a manual to help any manager or business specialist write more clearly.
As writing began creeping into her recreational time, Pat found she preferred non-fiction to crafting storylines.
She also found the greatest rewards often lay in blending genres.
Following retirement and divorce, she took a 'Life Stories' writing course. This led to the publication of her first novel about a woman moving on from the devastating end of a decades-long marriage to the discovery of new marital bliss.
Bitten by the book bug--and having discovered a fascinating set of letters home written by her 24-year-old mother on a grand tour of Europe in 1930-31-- she took a stab at turning these into a fictional narrative, published as Through Her Opera Glasses (2021).
More recently, she and Toronto divorce lawyer David Frenkel co-authored a workbook-type resource to help readers recover from separation, divorce, or relationship breakdown, published as My Divorce Journal (2022).
Whenever Pat wants to figure out what matters on a tricky or delightful topic, she writes about it.
She lives in Toronto with her husband-- who falls in the "delightful" category.
Our Books.
Available for purchase on Amazon, Indigo, and at your favourite independent bookstore
Thanks For Leaving Me (2017)
Stunned by the departure of her husband after 40 years, Emma embarks on a journey to rediscover herself -- and love.
For family privacy reasons, Pat published this novel about the end of one marriage and the beginning of a new one under the pen name Emma Bruce in 2017.
Having since established that most of the details regarding 'Marriage One' are fiction, she has since declared herself to be its author.
Learn more
Through Her Opera Glasses (2021)
A young Montrealer can barely repress her excitement to embark on a grand tour of Europe without her family -- but in the darkening days of 1931, what is she stepping into?
August 1930. Storm clouds are brewing across Europe, heralding the rise of fascism and the upheavals of the Great Depression.
These realities can’t stop 24-year-old Betty Harbert from making the most of her tour of the continent. Sailing from Montreal with her wealthy Aunt Barbie and cousin Win, Betty attends a Parisian finishing school, tours Europe (twice), picking up and spreading joie-de-vivre wherever she goes-- and possibly finding love in the shadows of looming conflict.
Based on actual letters home found by Betty's daughter after her death sixty years later, this novel offers an exciting glimpse of inter-war life in some of Europe’s great cities, through the eyes of a vibrant young woman who never failed to appreciate the magnificent world around her--even if as its growing darkness escaped her.
Whether she’s riding around the English countryside in her date’s Morris Cowley sports car, at the salon getting a Marcel wave, or touring the Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens, Betty’s wit and warmth come through in every line of this account of her adventure abroad.
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My Divorce Journal (2022)
A seasoned family lawyer and a recent divorcee provide a guided path for moving forward.
Anyone whose marriage or common-law relationship has ended usually feels bewildered and adrift.
"What just happened and how can I make sure it doesn't happen again?" they wonder.
Family lawyer David Frenkel and author Pat Butler have each personally experienced divorce and gone on to find love again. Building on David's legal knowledge and Pat's personal experiences, they look at divorce from both sides of the desk: a divorce lawyer seated opposite a distraught client. This book walks through the five recovery stages that follow relationship breakdown: reacting to upheaval, managing logistics, taking care of your children, navigating your feelings, and moving forward.
Pairing guidance with a blank writing journal creates a roadmap to your new, fulfilling future. By exploring your pain, yearnings, and priorities with refreshing candour, your path to moving forward will come into focus. Written exercises and worksheets highlight your accomplishments to date.
Learn More
News & Happenings.
Our virtual bulletin board, updated regularly.
May 8, 2024
Through Her Opera Glasses, is now available in Indie Ontario, a collection of books from local indie authors available exclusively on the BiblioBoard Library mobile and web platform. This collection is available to patrons of participating libraries all across Ontario. My book is now available with just one click of a button to thousands of new readers in Ontario! Click here
October 23 The Alzheimer's Association of Northern California and Northern Nevada published Pat's essay "Watching Loved Ones Disappear" on their "Alzheimer's and Dementia" blog. Click here
September 15 Pat is invited to read an essay at Professor Beth Kaplan's event on Saturday, October 21 - SO TRUE: Life stories, well written, well told. Come along to The Black Swan, 154 Danforth Avenue, Toronto, from 1 - 3 pm. $10 cash only.
February 24 Pat's interview with Lynn McLaughlin, MEd, BEd, BA, host of Taking the Helm podcast, is the latest episode. Click here to listen.
February 3 Borrow the ebook of Through Her Opera Glasses from the library here.
January 24 Buy the ebook of Through Her Opera Glasses on Kobo for only $8.99. Click here.
January 12 Pat spoke at another private book club, this time over Zoom. Thanks to the 22 participants!
January 7, 2023 Pat now has a Substack newsletter! Essays capturing some of life's turning points are delivered to subscribers every Saturday. Start reading for free here.
December 15 The ebook version of My Divorce Journal is on sale for 25% off. Smashwords is having an End of Year Sale, and you can find it here. Sale ends Jan 1st.
December 10 The Creative Non-Fiction Collective's semi-annual book launch was hosted by Christopher Moore. Pat was one of 8 authors discussing their new books and she read from My Divorce Journal.
December 7 Pat recorded an interview with Lois Wyant, host of The Giant Builders podcast. When it's broadcast in the New Year, we'll add a link here.
November 21 Pat's interview with renowned legal advice and divorce strategist Leanne Townsend is the latest episode of her fabulous Divorcing Well podcast.
November 21 The audiobook version of Through Her Opera Glasses is live on Audible. Coming soon on Amazon and iTunes.
November 20 Pat's essay, "Our Final Conversation", about facing a loved one's death was published on the Substack newsletter, A Considerable Age. Within 36 hours it had more than 1000 views!
September 21 Pat spoke about Through Her Opera Glasses at a private book club. Thanks for your rapt attention.
September 14 Pat spoke about Through Her Opera Glasses at the Toronto Cricket Skating & Curling Club. Thanks to everyone who attended!
Skip Mister Postman! Through Her Opera Glasses and My Divorce Journal are now available for purchase at Book City, 1430 Yonge Street (South of St Clair), Toronto-- or upon request at your favourite independent bookseller.
