In March 2005, Paula Roy asked if she could interview me for Ottawa At Home magazine. “Sure,” I said, although admittedly, I hadn’t heard of the publication. Finding myself on the cover was a bit of a thrill, and I continued to pay attention to the magazine, seeing friends and local businesses I frequented on the pages.
In 2009, Korey Kealey sent me a job description for the magazine’s editor-in-chief, “You’d be perfect for this,” she said. And, I’ll admit, I was perfect for it. The job was perfect for me, too. I would go on to buy the publication and spend 15 years running it and turning it into Ottawa’s premiere lifestyle and décor magazine, but I didn’t do this alone. A dynamic group of creators, combined with Jennifer Tackaberry’s tenacious zest for client relations, has resulted in a successful product. We have had a lot of fun along the way.
Often, I’m asked if it’s hard to find content, and my answer is a resounding “Nope.” This city never disappoints. The stories flow from talented designers to innovative restaurants, local businesses, and spirited people. It isn’t for lack of content that we are retiring the print product for Ottawa At Home.
I always maintained that I would do this job until I was 60. I’m 60 now, and the time to move on feels right. I end my career on a high note, never once resenting the effort it takes to assemble the pages.
Yes, I will miss being a part of the Ottawa community through my involvement with the magazine. But, for everything, there is a season. If you follow me on social media, you will know that I also write fiction and have secured a literary agent, intending to become a traditionally published author. I am now, officially, a full-time writer.
Thank you, Ottawa, for providing the dynamic content that allowed us
to produce an outstanding publication with each issue. It has been a privilege to play a role in showcasing all that this city has to offer. And
thank you to the Ottawa At Home team, past and present. I am forever grateful to each of you.
To Ottawa, with love,
Mary
Mary’s Summer Must Reads
- How to Age Gracefully by Clare Pooley, out June 11th. When Lydia takes a job running a Senior Citizen’s Social Club, she assumes she’ll be spending her time drinking tea and playing cards, she is wrong…
- IHope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue. A funny, heart-warming office comedy about an admin worker who accidentally gains access to colleagues’ private emails and DMs and uses this intel to save her job.
- Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan, out June 4th. Newly single mom Ali, needs to make her life messier, but there’s no harm in a bit of summer romance. Is there?
- Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller, out June 18th. An entertaining satire about a small southern town battling over banned books, and the little lending library that changes everything.
- We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer. Things go terribly wrong when a family claiming prior ownership shows up at the new home a young couple recently purchased.
- Moon Road by Sarah Leipciger, out August 20th. A couple rediscover their grief-broken relationship on a road trip across Canada.
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Mary Taggart
