My calendar

TURN TO PAGE ONE: a writing workshop masterclass series for adult authors (November 2023)

What’s a good opening sentence? Simple. It compels the reader to read the next sentence. And so on. During this masterclass series, we’ll explore various opening techniques that are available to authors as well as identify common errors to tackle. To register, please contact The Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia.

KIDS WRITE 4 KIDS COMPETITION

I will be serving on the author jury panel for this annual, nationwide creative writing contest for youth in grades 4-8. The winning stories are published as books made available for sale online. Competition details can be found on the Ripple Foundation website.

CREATIVE WRITING SUMMER CAMP (ages 9 – 12): This workshop series explored the written word using creative approaches such as visual writing prompts, to discover and explore character development, build description through observation, expand the use of figurative language, and promote journal writing. Participants delved into different genres, including poetry, fiction, non-fiction, picture books, and graphic novels. Offered in partnership with the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design.

VIRTUAL WORKSHOP: This past April and May, I delivered a 6-session writing workshop series for teen authors called “Grab The Wheel.” It was sponsored by the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia.

VIRTUAL WORKSHOP: In May, I delivered a writing workshop on how to write a book series. This workshop included an overview of the types of series, challenges and strategies, helpful tools, when to end a series, and a publisher’s insights. It was co-presented by WFNS and the Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Awards.

VIRTUAL PRESENTATIONS: In May, I delivered an author presentation at the Trafalgar Elementary School in B.C. This tour was sponsored by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.

VIRTUAL PRESENTATIONS: In May, I delivered an author presentation at the Nipawin & Area Early Years Family Resource Centre in Saskatchewan. This tour was sponsored by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.

VIRTUAL PRESENTATIONS: In May, I delivered an author presentation at the Elizabeth Ballentyne Elementary School in Quebec. First Book Canada will be donating 50 copies of my picture book The Better Tree Fort to students at this school. This tour is sponsored by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.

VIRTUAL PRESENTATIONS: In May, I delivered an author presentation at the Cyberstone Virtual School in Saskatchewan. This tour was sponsored by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.

VIRTUAL PRESENTATIONS: In May, I delivered an author presentation at the Beaconsfield Public Library in Quebec. This tour was sponsored by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.

VIRTUAL PRESENTATIONS: In May, I delivered an author presentation to the Gaspesie Literacy Council in Quebec. This tour was sponsored by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.

VIRTUAL PRESENTATIONS: In May, I delivered an author presentation to The Learning Exchange in Quebec. This tour was sponsored by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.

VIRTUAL PRESENTATIONS: In May, I delivered presentations to school groups in British Columbia, Quebec and Saskatchewan, three of my all-time favourite provinces. This tour was sponsored by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.

VIRTUAL PRESENTATION: In April 2022, I delivered a presentation to students from grades 4-6 at John Wanless Elementary School in Toronto. This wasfunded by The Writers’ Union of Canada, of which I am a proud member.

VIRTUAL PRESENTATION: In April 2022, I delivered a presentation to students from grades 4-6 at John Fisher Elementary School in Toronto. This was funded by The Writers’ Union of Canada, of which I am a proud member.

VIRTUAL WORKSHOP: In April 2022, I delivered a workshop to adult learners about how to write a series for the Regina Public Library.

VIRTUAL PRESENTATION: In February 2022, I delivered a presentation to 200 students from K-4 at Wellington Public School in Aurora, Ontario. This was funded by The Writers’ Union of Canada, of which I am a proud member.

VIRTUAL WORKSHOP FOR ADULT WRITERS: In February, 2022, I delivered a workshop to members of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, during which I demonstrated how I use cool tools for writers.

VIRTUAL PRESENTATION: In December, 2021, I Zoomed to the Regina Public Library to chat with the grades 4-6 about where I get my story ideas.

CREATIVE WRITING DAY CAMP FOR YOUTH (in partnership with NSCAD University and the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia). In July, I taught a summer writing camp that explored the written word using creative approaches to character development, building description through observation, and expanding young writers’ use of figurative language.

VIRTUAL PRESENTATION – Slave Lake Public Library, Alberta In June 2021, I Zoomed to classes ranging from grades 4-6 to talk about the life of an author and where I get my story ideas from.

VIRTUAL PRESENTATION – St. Francis of Assisi in Mississauga, Ontario In April 2021, I chatted with classes ranging from K-3 to talk about the life of an author and where I get my story ideas from. Everyone was studying from home, and they handled the technology beautifully. This presentation was sponsored by The Writers’ Union of Canada.

VIRTUAL PRESENTATION – St. Brigid Elementary, Stouffville, Ontario In March 2021, I visited ten classes ranging from K-3 to talk about the life of an author and where I get my story ideas from. I also give a similar presentation, but with an astronomy focus, to their Grades 4-6s in April, 2021.

VIRTUAL WORKSHOP – MASC Young Writers and Illustrators conference, I led writing workshops for Ottawa-area students from grades six to eight who have a passion for writing. The workshop took place in April 2021.

VIRTUAL PRESENTATION – Blessed Trinity, Maple, Ontario In March 2021, I visited four Grade 3 classes to talk about the life of an author and where I get my story ideas from. I hope they send me their beautiful artwork! This presentation was sponsored by the Writers’ Union of Canada.

VIRTUAL PRESENTATION – Beechville Lakeside Timberlea Elementary School

Under the Writers in the School Program of the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia, I presented to the grades 4s and 5s via Google Meet in January 2021.

VIRTUAL PRESENTATION – Annapolis East Elementary School

Under the Writers in the School Program of the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia, I presented to the grades ones and twos via Google Meet in January 2021.

CANCELLED – PANDEMIC

From April 20 – 23, 2020, I’ll be delivering writing workshops to grades 4 – 7 at the Canada Science and Technology Museum (Ottawa) as part of MASC programming.

I visited Grades 4-6 at Portland Estates Elementary (Dartmouth Nova Scotia) to share insights about my new novel, Clear Skies. Between presentations, I came across these gorgeous poppies, part of that school’s Remembrance Day ceremonies.

Gave a reading at WordPlay, a Read by the Sea literary festival in River John, Nova Scotia. This year marks the festival’s 20th anniversary. Shout out to Sheree Fitch and Monica Graham for organizing my visit.

School visit with the K-3s at Balmy Beach Community School (Toronto), featuring The Better Tree Fort. Special shout-out to Lauren McCraig and Susan Arbour for organizing my visit.

Library visits with the K-3s in Wellington County, Elora and Hillsburgh, Ontario, featuring The Better Tree Fort. Special shout-out to Justine Dainard for organizing my visit.

A school visit with the K-3s at John Wanless Public School (Toronto), featuring The Better Tree Fort. Special shout-out to Sarah Hunter for organizing my visit.

Book tour for the K-3s and participation in the Forest of Reading literary event (Toronto), featuring my new picture book, The Better Tree Fort.

I led a writing workshop for the Ontario Library Associations’ Forest of Reading celebrations (Toronto). Nice to see a full house! Special shout- out to Meredith Tutching and Stephanie Lamb for making the day go so smoothly.

Recess at Westmount Elementary! I spent the day chatting with Grades 3-6 about where I get my story ideas. Favorite question: what do I read more – fiction or nonfiction?

I spent a lively day with the Kindergarten to Grade 3 students at Duc D’Anville Elementary, during which they insisted that, even when reading sad stories out loud, “teachers never cry.”

What an honor it was for my books to be included in an exhibition with other talented arts administrators, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Anna Leonowens Gallery of the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. Some of my most creative years were spent there.

With the support of Groundwood Books, I was invited to chat about the inspiration for The Better Tree Fort to booksellers from the Atlantic Booksellers’ Association annual meeting.

With the support of the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia, I was invited to speak to Grades 4-6 at the Bridgetown Regional Community School as a visiting author. I had to tackle great questions, such as what is the shortest amount of time needed to write a book.

I led a workshop for children’s authors called Cultivating Your Voice at the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia. It resulted in some terrific personal accounts of dramatic moments retold.

With the support of Woozles Children’s Book Store (Halifax), the Halifax Central Library, and Groundwood Books, I launched The Better Tree Fort on Father’s Day.

With the support of the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, I toured Montreal and surrounding towns where I delivered 11 presentations to 600 students from grades 3 to 6 in less than five days. A big shout out to Carol-Ann Hoyte and Shannon Howe Barnes who organized this fabulous tour!

I was invited to lead a writing workshop at this year’s Nova Scotia Teachers of English conference. English teachers make wonderful workshop participants, even sharing their own work during read-out-louds!

At the MASC Young Writers and Illustrators conference, I led writing workshops for 150 students from grades four to eight who had a passion for writing. The conference took place in Ottawa at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum.