“Erik D’Souza is a multifaceted figure in the literary landscape of Vancouver, BC, where he has been making significant contributions as an author, publisher, and community leader.”
AI
Every writer is tasked with writing their own biography. We should highlight our achievements and successes. In other words, a humble brag. And I, like so many other writers, hate doing it. So I asked Microsoft’s new Co-pilot to “Tell me about Erik D’Souza.”
It wasn’t perfect. AI still lacks the soul of a human writer. It still took a little massaging, editing, and proofing. But here’s my new bio. Let me know what you think.
Erik D’Souza is an author and publisher based in Vancouver, BC. He co-owns the publishing company Timbercrest Publishing. Among his works, “Death in Halfmoon Bay” stands out as the first book in the Suzanne Rickson Mystery Series. Suzanne is more than a clever and resourceful sleuth; she is a doting grandmother and devoted Christian who often seeks advice from her cherished priest, Father O’Brian.
She resides in the serene retirement community of Halfmoon Bay on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. The story unfolds when a friend and neighbor, Adeline, is poisoned and dies, prompting a police investigation. Suzanne is confident that her nemesis, Regina Snow, is the culprit behind the murder of the HOA treasurer. As evidence piles up against her, Suzanne finds herself in a precarious situation, needing to prove her own innocence.
The novel weaves together elements of rivalry, jealousy, and relentless politics, creating a tantalizing whodunit that keeps readers guessing until the very end. Interestingly, the characters of Suzanne and her husband, Charles Rickson, are inspired by Erik D’Souza’s actual parents, and the book’s premise mirrors a real-life dust-up his parents had with their HOA president.
Erik D’Souza actively participates in several writing communities. His involvement extends beyond his own writing, and he contributes significantly to the Canadian crime writing community. He is the Social Media and Webinar Coordinator for Crime Writers of Canada (CWC), a national non-profit organization dedicated to Canadian mystery and crime writers, associated professionals, and anyone with a serious interest in Canadian crime writing. Erik hosts a weekly podcast for mystery and crime writers. The podcast provides insights, discussions, and valuable information related to the genre. You can listen to it at crimewriterscanada.com
Erik is the president of the Tri-City Wordsmiths, a local writing community that organizes an annual BookFest Literary Festival. Additionally, he hosts the popular “Writers in our Midst” reading sessions at the Port Moody Library. These events provide a platform for local writers to share their work, connect with fellow authors, and engage with the literary community. Erik’s involvement in these gatherings fosters creativity, collaboration, and support among writers in the Vancouver area.
While posting this I discovered that WordPress (my website builder) has AI built in, so I asked it to expand my bio. This was the result:
Erik D’Souza is a multifaceted figure in the literary landscape of Vancouver, BC, where he has been making significant contributions as an author, publisher, and community leader. His creative journey has led to the co-ownership of Timbercrest Publishing, a company that has played a pivotal role in bringing compelling stories to life.
A notable creation in Erik D’Souza’s repertoire is the first book in the Suzanne Rickson Mystery Series, titled “Death in Halfmoon Bay”. This captivating work introduces readers to the charming and astute sleuth, Suzanne Rickson, whose endearing qualities go beyond her investigative prowess. As a grandmother and devout Christian, Suzanne adds layers of depth to the narrative as she seeks guidance from her beloved priest, Father O’Brian.
Set in the tranquil retirement community of Halfmoon Bay on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, the story unfolds with a tragic event – the poisoning and subsequent demise of Suzanne’s friend and neighbor, Adeline. This incident sets in motion a gripping police investigation, as Suzanne becomes convinced of the involvement of her adversary, Regina Snow, in the ominous demise of the HOA treasurer. As the weight of evidence begins to point towards her, Suzanne finds herself in a precarious position, compelled to establish her innocence in the face of mounting suspicions.
The novel skillfully interlaces themes of rivalry, jealousy, and internal politics, concocting a tantalizing whodunit that keeps readers on tenterhooks until the very last page. Adding an intriguing layer of authenticity and inspiration, the characters of Suzanne and her husband, Charles Rickson, are actually drawn from Erik D’Souza’s own parents, while the premise of the book mirrors a real-life conflict his parents faced with their HOA president.
Beyond his literary pursuits, Erik D’Souza is an active participant in various writing communities. Notably, his involvement extends beyond personal endeavors, as he makes substantial contributions to the Canadian crime writing community. His roles as the Social Media and Webinar Coordinator for Crime Writers of Canada (CWC) and the host of a weekly podcast for mystery and crime writers showcase his commitment to nurturing and expanding the reach of the genre. This podcast serves as a valuable platform for fostering insightful discussions and sharing essential information related to the intricacies of crime writing.
Erik also holds the position of president within the Tri-City Wordsmiths, a local writing community that plays a pivotal role in organizing the annual BookFest Literary Festival. Furthermore, his stewardship is evident in the popular “Writers in our Midst” reading sessions at the Port Moody Library. These events serve as vibrant platforms for local writers to showcase their work, connect with peers, and engage with the literary sphere. Erik’s dedication to these endeavors exemplifies his commitment to nurturing creativity, fostering collaboration, and providing support to writers within the Vancouver area.
Erik D'Souza 