Arts & Science alum Lindsay Zier-Vogel's new novel, The Fun Times Brigade, is her latest accomplishment in a writing career that started at the University of Toronto.
“Studying at U of T was the first time I'd truly committed to creative writing as an intellectual practice, not just something I did as a hobby," says Zier-Vogel, who earned her honours bachelor of arts degree as a member of Victoria College.
“I learned how to trust my voice and that was a transformative experience.”
Since graduation, Zier-Vogel has worked as a grant writer and created the internationally acclaimed Love Lettering Project. She’s also the author of a children’s book called Dear Street and her first novel, Letters to Amelia. But success wasn’t instant.
“I was publishing poems and letters, but I wasn’t publishing books, and I started to question if it would ever happen,” she says. “My advice to fellow writers is to trust that it’ll happen if you keep at it.”
In search of a catalyst to ignite her novel-writing aspirations, Zier-Vogel earned a Master in English in the Field of Creative Writing from U of T. She thrived in the small classroom environment, empowered by Creative Writing Mentor Lynn Crosbie and Associate Professor Andrew DuBois.
“Doing research for my books brings me joy and earning my master’s degree paved the way for knowing any book I write is going to include a major research component.”
The Fun Times Brigade explores music, motherhood and grief through the eyes of Amy, a successful children's musician searching for identity and validation as an artist. Amy tours with bandmates Jim and Fran. They play festivals and concert halls on a demanding schedule; they release mega hit albums and land a show on the CBC. When it came time to research those characters, Zier-Vogel approached legendary children’s songwriter Fred Penner.
“Fred told me kids are sponges — they just take in whatever you offer them and it's our responsibility as adults to provide them with really good art and music,” says Zier-Vogel. “Our conversation shifted to how my characters related to music and helped me see that their work had major influence.”
Zier-Vogel also explores the struggle for validation as an artist who creates content for children. This came from her own experience with how people reacted to her first book deal.
“I'd signed my first book deal in 2018,” says Zier-Vogel. “I would tell people, ‘I have a book coming out,’ and they'd say, ‘Tell me about it.’ When I'd say, ‘it's a kids’ book,’ their faces would fall with disappointment. It was hard. I wondered, ‘Am I not a real writer because I'm writing kids' books?’”
The Fun Times Brigade’s premise came to Zier-Vogel several years ago as Canada’s famous children’s musicians Sharon and Bram were crossing the country on their farewell tour. Iconic songs like “The Cat Came Back” and “Skinnamarink” were playing everywhere she went.
“I was swimming when it all came to me, which is where I come up with all my ideas. So, I should never stop swimming.”
The book has quickly drawn praise, including being named among the Toronto Star’s 25 books to read in 2025 and the CBC’s 70 Canadian fiction books to read in spring 2025.