Blog
Triwood Christmas Market
Looking for the perfect gift? This Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm I’ll be signing copies of all my books at the Triwood Christmas Market. The event is being held at Triwood Community Association, 2244 Chicoutimi Drive NW in Calgary. Hope to see you...
read moreCalgary Expo Holiday Market – November 30
Calgary Expo Holiday Market – November 30 Today I’ll be at the Calgary Expo Holiday Market at Stampede Park from 10 am to 5 pm, signing copies of all my books. You can find me in booth A932 in Hall B of the BMO Centre. This one-day event is all about shopping and community spirit – this is THE market for pop-culture-loving holiday shoppers! Deck the Halls with Boughs of Starships and enjoy Walking in a Nerdy Wonderland. Check out at the geekiest holiday event in the province. Hope to see you...
read moreAuthor Visits Part Four – Study Guides and Classroom Resources
Some authors offer study guides for teachers to download from their website or to purchase, for use either before a visit or just as an ongoing teaching resource. These guides often have exercises connected to certain chapters or episodes in the novel, worksheets about specific characters, or may describe potential projects related to the subject matter of the author’s books. There are study guides for all my novels in Where Do Ideas Come From? The book examines how The Alchemist’s Portrait, The Sorcerer’s Letterbox, The Clone...
read moreAuthor Visits Part Five – Virtual Author Visits
Children are almost always inspired when they meet a real author or illustrator, but it may not always be possible to have an author visit your school. However, why not put technology to work for you? Now you can arrange a virtual author visit via video using Skype. These can be conducted with large groups in a library or gym or with individual classes. You can get an idea of what a virtual visit looks like by viewing my videos in which I talk about my books, my workshops for adults and schools, plus my various services for writers. To host...
read moreAn interview with Judith Starkston
Please join me in welcoming Judith Starkston. In advance of the launch of her second book in her award-winning historical fantasy Tesha series, the first book, Priestess of Ishana, is available for FREE Oct 2-6 on Amazon. This seemed like the perfect time to ask her about her intriguing Tesha series. The second book, Sorcery in Alpara, will launch on Oct 14 (available on preorder). You based your fictional main character Tesha on a real Hittite woman, Queen Puduhepa. She is not exactly a household name. How did that source of inspiration come...
read moreAuthor Visits Part Three – Author in Residence
An Author in Residence program involves an author working at a school for a week or longer. This allows the students to cover certain topics in much more depth than would be possible during a regular author visit. The author can also work with the students on a specific project. A week in residence can be designed however you’d like, to best meet the needs of the students. You can see what such a week could look like here on my website. However, this is just an example, and I’m always happy to discuss a residency with the school...
read moreAuthor Visits Part Two – Types of Presentations
Many authors who conduct school visits on a long-term basis have a well organized set of presentations, workshops and other material. These might be related to their own books, but also to topics such as editing and revision, for example. Authors might talk about where they get their inspiration, character development or just how a book comes together, and whenever possible they leave time for questions from the students. In addition to the subject matter of my own books, I cover such topics as where ideas come from, story structure, editing...
read moreAuthor Visits Part One – The Benefits of an Author Visit
Many teachers and librarians like to host artists in a variety of disciplines at their schools each year. They know that an author visit can be inspirational, boosting student creativity and encouraging children with their own writing. And for the author, meeting their readers can be one of the most enjoyable elements of a school visit. Younger students especially are almost always thrilled to meet a published author, especially if they have read and enjoyed their books. Examples of comments from students, teachers and librarians about my...
read moreWhen Words Collide Blue Pencil Cafe
Today, I’ll be appearing at the When Words Collide in Calgary literary festival at the Delta South Hotel in Calgary. When Words Collide brings together the literary community, both readers and writers, for a sharing of information, for learning, and to build a sense of community. Blue Pencil Cafe Children’s and Middle Grade – August 11 at 3 pm In this session aspiring writers are invited to bring me the first page or two of their children’s book or young adult manuscript for 1-on-1 feedback. Manuscripts should be...
read moreTime Travel: Not Just a Thing of The Past at When Words Collide
Today, I’ll be appearing at the When Words Collide in Calgary literary festival at the Delta South Hotel in Calgary. Historical Fiction for Middle Grade and Youth – August 10 at noon This panel explores how to educate and entertain through historical fiction for youth Time Travel: Not Just a Thing of the Past – August 10 at 3 pm My young adult novels The Alchemist’s Portrait, The Sorcerer’s Letterbox, The Heretic’s Tomb, Flashback, Twisted Fate, and Parallel Destiny all feature time travel, a genre that...
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