As well as offering presentations for children in schools and libraries, I have been a creative writing instructor for more than 15 years. I've designed and presented workshops and classes for organizations such as The Surrey International Writers' Conference, the Canadian Authors Association, the Vancouver Branch of the Editors' Association of Canada, the Federation of BC Writers, the Nakusp Spirit of Writing Festival and the Surrey Creative Writing Diploma Program - of which I was the coordinator for eight years.

I have also taught creative writing to prison inmates, seniors' groups and high school students.

Here is a list of resources that are especially useful to anyone wanting to write for children.
For other writers' resources check my other website at LPwordsolutions.com

Online

S Canadian Children's Book Centre
S CANSCAIP - Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers.
S Children's Writers & Illustrators Chat Board
Especially informative are the Publishers / Agent / Magazine Response times threads.
S Colossal Directory of Children's Book Publishers' Guidelines
S Compuserve’s Books and Writers site - Check out the YA/Children’s Literature page.

S CWILL - Children’s Writers and Illustrators of BC.

S CWIM - Alice Pope is the editor of the annual Children's Writer's & illustrator's Market,
and maintains a blog here.

S Editorial Anonymous - A blog of a children’s book editor. Useful. Amusing. Insightful.

S Karleen Bradford - Award-winning author of a number of historical, fantasy and
contemporary novels for children.

S Linda Sue Park - Newberry Author winner, author of about a dozen mid-grade novels
and picture book stories.

S Marsha Skrypuch - Author of eight children’s novels and picture books.

S Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators - Some pages only accessible
by members.

S Vancouver Children's Literature Roundtable - Promoting children's authors,
illustrators, and great reading for kids.

S Writing, Illustrating, & Publishing Children's Books: The Purple Crayon -
'A children's book editor's site, with information about writing, illustrating, and
publishing children's books.'

S Write for Kids - 'The Children’s writing supersite.' Info, links and a message board.
Also offers a newsletter by paid subscription.

In Print (subject to change)
These are my ten 'best bets' as of June 2008

S 101 - and more - Writing Exercises to Get You Started & Keep You Going by Lois Peterson

S The Everything Guide To Writing Children's Books: From Cultivating an Idea to Finding the
Right Publisher All You Need to Launch a Successful Career by Lesley Bolton

S Make Your Words Work by Gary Provost

S Manuscript Makeover : Revision techniques no fiction writer can afford to ignore
by Elizabeth Lyon

S Only Connect: Readings on children's literature by Sheila Egoff

S Sin and Syntax: How to craft wickedly effective prose by Constance Hale

S Stein on Fiction by Sol Stein

S The Uses of Enchantment by Bruno Bettelheim

S The Writer Magazine

S Writing for Children by John Rowe Townsend

2008 Classes & Workshops
Contact me to book a customized presentation for your school, library, organization, conference or critique group.

Hot Off the Press: Online Databases for Writers

Online databases are an invaluable tools for both marketing and research. But few writers know about them, and even fewer use them. This hands-on introduction offers a tour of the some of the best, and provides tips on using them for fiction and nonfiction projects. Semiahmoo Library, 1815-152 Street, Surrey. FREE.
Sat. Sept. 27, 10-11:30am. Register for this workshop only by emailing or phoning me at 604-596-1601.

Co-sponsored by Surrey Public Library and the Surrey Creative Writing Diploma Program.

Writing Fiction for Kids

This full-day workshop introduces you to the range of fiction written for children and teens. You’ll gain insights into how to write compelling stories for each age group, and explore strategies for finding a home for your work in books and magazines.

Sat. Oct. 25, 9am – 4pm $75.00 Johnston Heights, 15350-99 Ave, Surrey, BC 604-587-2302
For registration, updates, corrections, etc. check at the time of registering or confirm with the CE website.

BOOK LAUNCH & free workshops
Sat. Nov. 1. Details here

Character Workshop
Learn how to populate your fiction with living breathing ‘people’. Writing, list-making, brainstorming and discussion will help you bring your characters to life in this engaging, energetic workshop.
Sat. Nov. 22,   9am – 12 noon Johnston Heights, as above / $45.00 / 1 session

Johnston Heights, 15350-99 Ave, Surrey, BC 604-587-2302
(Students who also attend the Dialogue Workshop that follows will receive a $10 refund from the instructor = $80.00 for both). For registration, updates, corrections, etc. check at the time of registering or confirm with the CE website.

Dialogue Workshop
Readers want to hear dialogue that rings in their head long after the work is over. In this half-day workshop you’ll explore eight ways to create believable dialogue that supports and enhances characterization and offers a rewarding experience to readers.
Sat. Nov. 22, 1 – 4 pm / $45 Johnston Heights, 15350-99 Ave, Surrey, BC 604-587-2302
(Students who have also attended the Character Workshop will receive a $10 refund from the instructor = $80.00 for both.) For registration, updates, corrections, etc. check at the time of registering or confirm with the CE website.

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