Stephens Gerard Malone was a child of military bases and once wallpapered a Toronto apartment with publishers' rejection letters. He's the author of five novels, including Big Town (Nimbus Publishing/Vagrant Press). His novel of rural angst, Miss Elva, was short-listed for the Dartmouth Book Award. While the world-renowned gardens in The History of Rain may be fabulous, his is not. Stephens writes in Nova Scotia with his chow chows, living and remembered.