My new book “Midlife Solo” is now available.

Beth Kaplan logo

Welcome.

I’m the author of five nonfiction books, long-time teacher of creative writing at the University of Toronto, an editor, and former actor. Lover of Beatles, France, Jon Stewart, cheese, reading, and my garden, among much else.

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“A terrific writer, I am so impressed. And what a life!”
ABIGAIL THOMAS, New York Times best-selling author

Photo by Marion Voysey

News: Beth’s upcoming and recent events:

Upcoming Events

I will be speaking at a couple of events soon at my local YMCA and online through the Creative Nonfiction Collective. Both events are exclusive to members.

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My latest book: Midlife Solo

The recent launch of Midlife Solo, my new memoir-in-essays, at Ben McNally Books was wonderful – full of readers, laughter, and Prosecco. Order here or go to the Books page for more details. Let me know what you think, and if you like it, please tell your friends! 

Books

Midlife Solo: Writing my way through chaos to find my place in the world

A single mother starting afresh in her forties struggles to come to terms with the messy complications of middle age.

Midlife Solo shapes bright fragments from a remarkable life into a twenty-first century kaleidoscope of women’s experiences.
—CHRISTOPHER MOORE, multi-award-winning author, past Chair of the Writers’ Union of Canada

Loose Woman: My Odyssey from Lost to Found

To her own amazement, a mixed-up young actress finds herself in an extraordinary situation in the south of France and is changed forever.

I loved reading this hugely enjoyable book, page-turning and honest. And it’s funny!
—DAME HARRIET WALTER, one of Britain’s foremost actresses

True to Life: 50 steps to help you tell your story

A succinct, illuminating guide to writing memoir or anything else.

This book is fabulous: a user-friendly, down-to-earth accessible guide to writing.
—WENDY LITNER, Huff Post and TV writer, lawyer, former writing student.

All My Loving: Coming of age with Paul McCartney in Paris

A teenaged girl spending a lonely year in Paris in 1964 keeps herself company with hilarious fantasies about the Beatles as she struggles to understand the world.

A lively, evocative, and moving memoir of a period, a girl, and a family.
—VALERIE HAUCH, former Toronto Star staff reporter

Finding the Jewish Shakespeare: The Life and Legacy of Jacob Gordin

A biography of the author’s great-grandfather, a titanic figure in the turbulent, mesmerizing world of the Yiddish theatre on the Lower East Side of New York.

This is a witty, shrewd and elegant book which tells a story of vital importance.
—TONY KUSHNER, Pulitzer, Emmy, and Tony award winning playwright and screenwriter

Teaching and Coaching

I’ve been teaching memoir and personal essay writing for nearly thirty years at two Toronto universities. In 2012 I was given the Excellence in Teaching Award at the University of Toronto.

Born to Blog

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