Portfolio
Writing
Suzanne’s written work has appeared online and in print for Kokuban e-newsletter, Canadianfamily.net website, Vitality Magazine, Canadian Living magazine, Style at Home magazine and The Toronto Star newspaper.
Murphy’s Law: In An Instant My Life Changed
This piece juxtaposes the classic Murphy’s Law adage with a dog named Murphy, who broke my leg during the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. It documents my reflections and insights, within a Japanese Canadian context, of a life-changing event during an already disrupted time. Read the full article in the December 2023, Issue 8, Vol. 2 of Empyrean Literary Magazine .
Architect Raymond Moriyama died knowing his most meaningful work faces the wrecking ball
Japanese Canadian architect Raymond Moriyama created many iconic structures in Toronto including the original Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre on Wynford Drive. This distinctive building and others face an unknown future yet continue to hold deep meaning for many. This article ran on Sept. 12, on page A13 of the Toronto Star.
20 Grains of Rice
Rice, for many Asians, is a weekly staple. Whether a meal or quick snack – it’s our comfort food. In 20 Grains of Rice: Seeds of Reclamation, it’s a metaphor for language and cultural loss. Read my article in the October 2023 issue of Nikkei Voice for more details. The work-in-progress by Kate Kamo McHugh, uses dance, text and video projections to explore themes of Japanese Canadian identity.
History and Roots
On Sunday, May 15, 2022, Toronto Japanese Garden Club celebrated their 70th Anniversary at the Japanese Canadian Culture Centre in Don Mills.
The following History and Roots video was presented as a slideshow and also included a tribute to our founding members.
Return
This year’s annual Powell Street Festival in Vancouver included the launch of Return. Published by Mata Ashita: The Japanese Canadian Writers’ Circle, the premier issue of this special e-zine features attractive design by Sen Canute and works by JC artists and writers. Thanks so much to Leanne Toshiko Simpson, Sen Canute and Nicola Koyanagi for moderating the group and including a chapter excerpt from my MFA project, The Nail That Sticks Out Gets Hammered In. I’m honoured to be part of this collection. Congratulations to the organizers and all contributors.
Just Add Shoyu
There is something universal about sharing culture through food. The Japanese Canadian Culture Centre created this beautiful cookbook. It is a compilation of Japanese Canadian recipes and the stories behind them. Candy soybeans were one of my great-grandmother’s favourite dishes. I’m honoured to have my grandmother’s recipe included in this wonderful collection and to have been a part of this community project.
Editing and copy editing
Since May 2022, Suzanne began copy editing various news publications owned Metroland Media. Other publications include: Dalhousie Gazette newspaper (September 2020 to April 2021), Vitality magazine (March 2014 to July 2019), Canadian Environmental Network/RCEN newsletter (November 2017 to June 2019), Style at Home magazine (August 2005 to November 2009), Nikkei Voice newspaper (December 2001 to December 2004), Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre newsletter (June 1987 to December 1993) and the JCCC’s Salute to 25 Years memorial booklet (1988).
Old Sage Hands
Launched in April 2013 by Suzanne Hartmann, Old Sage Hands began as a lifestyle blog about taking an enlightened, hands-on approach to healthy living. Since then, it evolved to become a Toronto-based company providing clients with editing, consulting and creative services.
