Thank you, Vancouver Writers Fest!
Had an absolute blast at the VWF this week, alongside Joel A. Sutherland and our extraordinary moderator, Shannon O. All my thanks and gratitude to the amazing team of staff and volunteers that made the week so seamless and awesome!
Book Launch for Alison Hughes and Kate Boorman
Alison Hughes – Life Expectancy
Sophie St. John’s grandmother, a world-renowned writer, may be as talented as she is rude, but Sophie is just Sophie: clumsy, emotional, and prone to outbursts.
When she stars in a class play based on her grandmother’s famous novel and then comes across an old legal case while doing research for homework, Sophie uncovers a profound, devastating, life-changing secret — a secret her parents have kept from her since birth.
Faced with a revelation that changes her entire future, Sophie must confront her dysfunctional family, ponder her life goals, and summon the courage to finally start living on her own terms.
Kate Boorman – The Heathens and the Dragon
Elodie works hard to keep a clean house for her master, take care of her little brother, and guard the secret pagan beliefs she was taught by the mother they recently lost. But the world around her is growing suspicious of paganism and violent toward non-Christians. When Crusaders arrive to arrest her kindly master, a Cathar, for heresy, he flees, and the orphans Elodie and Bertran try to follow his trail.
Armed only with meagre supplies and a few good stories, and accompanied—to Elodie’s dismay—by Bertran’s pet chicken, they head into the forest, where they soon become lost. Luckily, they stumble upon a penniless female troubadour, Joie, who has mysteriously left court life and appears eager to help them. To earn money and food, the trio improvises a spectacle involving storytelling, music, and a chicken-assisted magic trick. The crowd’s applause almost allows Elodie to forget that her dragon tale dishonours an origin story sacred to her mother.
When Joie’s own secrets emerge, Elodie is faced with a new dilemma. With Crusaders hovering and a voracious audience clamouring, Elodie realizes that, to save herself and Bertran, she’ll need to decide who to trust—and who to betray.
WCDR Masterclass
Happy to be joining the WCDR for a Masterclass, “Finding the “I” in Writing.”
Please visit, https://www.wcdr.info/calendar/ for more information.
The Serious Fun of Writing for Young Readers
My Spooky Interview with Book Banter
Much thanks to Dianne from Book Banter for the great and fun interview, where we got to talk about the writing process and all things Spooky!
Thank you to 2 Kids Interviews!
Much thanks to Abigail and James for the thoughtful and fun interview. I had a great time answering their questions and getting a chance to chat with them. Subscribe to their channel for all the interviews and reviews!
Join me and the WGA for a character & publishing intensive
I’ll be at Vancouver’s Writers Fest!
Annick Press 2023 Mentorship Supporting Writers Historically Excluded from Children’s Publishing

Selected writers will receive a $1,000 honorarium to develop their children’s book idea alongside an Annick editor for the four-month mentorship period starting in late Fall 2023.
The deadline for submitting an application is September 29th at 5:00 p.m. ET.
More details and the application form can be found on Annick’s website.
Registration: U of T SCS 1717-093
1717 – Writing for Children: Introduction
About this course
This course is the first step in the children’s writing stream of the Certificate in Creative Writing. You’ll explore the vibrant world of children’s literature, absorb basic literary technique and emerge with a draft of a picture book, story or opening chapter. You’ll meet a community of writers working in your genre and pick up advanced tips on writing picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels and young adult fiction. There will also be a primer on how to get published.
What you’ll learn
Understand the structure and techniques of telling stories for children.
Know trends and innovations in Canadian children’s literature.
Understand the publishing process.
Complete a draft of a picture book or early reader, or the opening chapter of a middle grade or young adult novel.
Classes are online and recorded. Attendance in the live sessions is not mandatory.
Classes run from September 26 – November 14 (weekly on the Tuesday), 6:30-900 PM, ET.
For full information and to register, https://learn.utoronto.ca/programs-courses/courses/1717-writing-children-introduction
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