Grad’s debut book inspires families to reconnect with nature
Josée Bergeron joined the Writer’s Studio at an unlikely time: just after the birth of her fifth child. Her book, Beyond the Front Door: Embracing Nature for a Happier and Healthier Family, was little more than a seed of an idea.
Growing up, Josée never dreamed of writing a book. She was a natural storyteller and reader (or, as she puts it, “that child who had the flashlight under the blankets reading”). A member of the Red River Métis Nation, she spent her childhood in the British Columbia Interior among endless evergreens and turquoise lakes—and many books.
Her path to publication was nonlinear. Starting her career journey, she chose the practical route of pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing at the University of British Columbia. In 2009, after becoming a parent, Josée was inspired to start her blog, Backwoods Mama.
At first, she focused on sharing snippets of her family’s 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.
“I might be Backwoods Mama, but there have been times when I really struggled to get outside with my own children,” she says. “So, I wanted to be very vulnerable with parents, to show them they aren’t alone. And to make it very simple for them to go outside with their children.”
Through her blog, Josée planted the roots of her future book. In search of a supportive writing community, she found the Writer’s Studio in 2023. “Writing can be very solitary work, and you can get stuck or a little bit stifled in the craft because you don’t have somebody to challenge you,” she says.
Josée joined the creative non-fiction cohort and was immediately inspired by her fellow writers’ vulnerability. Collaborating with her peers and mentor, four-time novelist Claudia Casper, challenged Josée to be braver and more personal in her storytelling.
“That was such an area of growth for me, and I think it’s had such a positive impact on my writing as a whole,” 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’s flexibility made it manageable. In fact, the Writer’s Studio helped her carve out dedicated writing time. “That was my quiet time,” Josée laughs.
Throughout the 10-month program, her cohort’s feedback evolved from gentle encouragement to honest, impactful critiques. Josée credits that community with supporting her through the potentially overwhelming process of conceptualizing, writing and publishing a book. “Every writer struggles with imposter syndrome, and that sense of community made the journey feel less alone.”
Josée’s 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 Josée’s experience as a busy mom impacted by the intensity of modern parenting culture.
“I really hope that parents feel seen,” she says of her book. “It 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—that is enough.”
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.
“There’s always been this common thread throughout,” she says. “It’s 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.”
By Colleen Bryon