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Copywriting for Business
I offer a number of writer services for business. The way in which you communicate with your customers is a vital component of your business and well written content can be the difference between success and failure. I have extensive experience in writing for a wide range of industries and market segments. I offer a variety of copywriting services including website content, blogs and newsletters, social media including Facebook and X, brochures, direct mail, sales letters, press releases, newspaper and magazine advertising and more. Learn...
read moreThe Stone of the Seer – Where Magic and Historical Fiction Collide
The Stone of the Seer is an exciting historical fantasy series of adventure novels for young adults, primarily set in the turbulent era of the English Civil War. “Magic and Historical Fiction Collide – This book combines historical fiction with a world of magic. It is set in the period of the English Civil War and incorporates magic, mystery and witch hunting. This book engages the reader with action and interesting characters. It is the first in a series and will leave the reader looking for book 2.” “Royal Blood: Book...
read moreUpcoming Courses – University of Calgary
Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling: A Quick Review A well written document reflects our attention to detail and can mean the difference between getting and keeping a job. Many of us learned the basic rules of grammar, punctuation and spelling in grade school, however, may have lost these basic skills in our digitized world. This course will look at the basic rules of language and spelling, identify the proper use of punctuation, focus on common mistakes and writing dilemmas, and how to avoid them. Course Details By completion of this course,...
read moreThe Children’s Writer’s Guide 2
The Children’s Writer’s Guide 2 is ideal for writers not just of books for children and young adults, but also features information that’s applicable to writers in all genres. The first installment of The Children’s Writer’s Guide has a wealth of tips and advice, including suggestions regarding how to get started as a writer, dealing with writer’s block, conducting research, choosing appropriate names for your characters, the editing and revision process, as well as the world of marketing and promotion. This second book further...
read moreWriting Battle
Writing Battle (@writingbattle) has invited me to participate as a Professional “Owl” Judge in the Tempest Owl Battle that started on Jan 13th! Participants can join the ranks up until Friday, Jan 16th, and all stories are due on Sunday, Jan 18th. Tempest hashtag#flash hashtag#fiction short stories have 9 possible genres that participants have drawn from. There are certainly bound to be some gems found out on the Battleground this season! Participants must also incorporate character and object prompts into their submitted stories. A huge...
read moreThe Children’s Writer’s Guide
The Children’s Writer’s Guide examines how you can get started as a writer, create time and space to pursue your craft and deal with lack of motivation and writers block. Topics covered include where ideas come from and how writers turn them into stories, choosing names for characters that are appropriate to the story, the importance of historical research if your novel is set in a different era, writing science fiction and fantasy, and the use of magic in stories for children. The guide examines the role of editing and revision and how...
read more“Congratulations on a great read for kids.”
The Alchemist’s Portrait A school trip to the art gallery at the city museum leads Matthew into an eerie meeting with Peter Glimmer, imprisoned inside his own portrait by his villainous uncle in 1666. Entrusted by Peter with recovering the one object that can save the world, Matthew is sent hurtling over 300 years into the past. Encountering magic, mayhem and murder, Matthew also has to contend with Peter’s uncle, the ruthless and seemingly immortal Nicolaas van der Leyden, at every turn, in a desperate race through time to save...
read moreAn Untimely Death
An Untimely Death is an exciting science fiction and fantasy adventure for young adults. When Peter’s great-grandfather, Ted, passes away, Peter is looking through his belongings in the attic. Peter knows about Ted’s experiences with the Canadian Army in World War II and absentmindedly flips a coin. To his astonishment, Peter finds himself in the heat of battle in 1944, where he embarks on a highly dangerous mission to ensure that history is placed back on track. Learn more...
read moreThe Benefits of a Writing Coach
A professional writing coach is someone with whom you can consult, ask questions and receive constructive feedback. They act as a guide as you build your career as a professional writer. A coach can help you conquer a stumbling block, regain momentum or make a start on a new project. My program helps you progress as a writer. You decide what you want to work on during a personalized, one on one relationship. I can be your coach and mentor for just one month or we can establish a month-to-month arrangement, depending on your schedule and...
read moreWhat’s it all about? An excerpt from Where Do Ideas Come From?
Introduction Many of my novels can be used as the basis for workshops and projects in the classroom. The Alchemist’s Portrait, The Sorcerer’s Letterbox, and The Heretic’s Tomb are all time travel stories and can be used as the basis for workshops in which students create time machines and stories set in a different era. All three novels are also ideal for studying the different historical periods depicted in the stories. The Alchemist’s Portrait can be the starting point for workshops using pictures for inspiration, creating stories...
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