Cyndi Sand-Eveland

Authors’ Booking Service is pleased to announce that children’s author Cyndi Sand-Eveland, is now scheduling visits to Ontario schools. 

Cyndi Sand-Eveland has worked with elementary aged children for the past fifteen years as a teaching assistant. She has led storytelling and journal writing workshops for primary and intermediate students. She has also worked as a freelance storyteller, children’s library

assistant and sign language interpreter. She currently lives on a farm near Nelson BC. 

Cyndi would love to plan a visit to your school or library.  Her rates are as follows: 

One session: $275 plus GST.

Two session rate at the same venue:  $500 plus GST.

Three session rate at the same venue:  $750 plus GST.

Four session rate at the same venue: $950 plus GST

I am a member of The Writers' Union of Canada, and so schools wishing to invite me may be eligible for a travel and fee subsidy to offset the cost of my visit. Contact us for details of this program. 

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Published Works:

Dear Toni   Tundra Books 2008

Awards and Nominations

2010 Hackmatack nominee

2010 Silver Birch Express nominee

Bank’s Street College Children’s Book Committee List- 2009 Best Books for Children

Here’s what teachers have to say about Cyndi’s presentations:

  “Cyndi’s presentation to Jefferson Elementary students was fun, informative, interactive and inspiring. I’d highly recommend her visiting your class.” Faye Cummins, Elementary teacher Jefferson Elementary, Corvallis Oregon

“Cyndi has spoken with my Writing 12 class on a number of occasions. She has also mentored students in the program. Her ease with the class, delivered with an informative and engaging style, inspired my students.” Robyn Sheppard, English Teacher LV Rogers Secondary School, Nelson BC

Here is what others have to say about Dear Toni:

  “Gene’s story is told in a marvelously authentic voice; delightful doodles accompany the text, which appears printed on faux-notebook paper. A great addition to middle-grade collections.” Kirkus Review

“Gene’s journal looks like a real notebook, complete with doodles, which adds to the novel’s winning authenticity.” Copyright 2009 Horn Book Guide Reviews.

“In the tradition of Ramona Quimby and Clementine, Dear Toni introduces another young spunky endearing character and her struggle to navigate the waters of school, family, friendship, and fitting in.” CM . . . . Volume XV Number 2 . . . . September 12, 2008 

“There are many thematic threads that run through this story: believing in yourself, having courage in the face of adversity, and dealing with jealousy, among others. But the most powerful theme is that of Gene’s altruism…Sand-Eveland accomplishes this without letting Gene get cutesy or without bringing in a parent to deliver the moral…”Quill and Quire

Presentation Details:

I enjoy an interactive presentation. I find that when students have recently been faced with their own creative writing experience, and/ or read my work, they come prepared to ask great questions. This makes for an enriching experience for my audience and me. The content, which can be flexible, is as listed below:  

• I start out with a bit of background information about myself and my relationship with both fiction and nonfiction as a child. I’ll also talk about the people in my life that influenced me as a writer.
• We’ll discuss our lives and all the material they offer for fiction. I’ll share some examples of how one sees and often misses all the stories presenting themselves to us everywhere, every day. We’ll talk about character creation, point of view and voice.
• I’ll walk the students through my process of writing from rough draft to publication. I’ll substantiate this by sharing the editing process that I initially go through, to the process of having others read my work.
• I’ll also show the process I used to create the doodles in Dear Toni.
• Included in the above are personal anecdotes that a writer faces when s/he sits down to write.
• I’ll happily answer questions and share tips.
• If time permits, I will read a brief excerpt from my book.
• With the younger audiences I’ll be sure to make time to engage them in a directed drawing of one of the characters from the story. 

I’m open to customizing this presentation to meet your needs. Let me know what you want.

Grades I will present to: Grades 3 to 6, although I am happy to speak to Writing Craft 12 classes as well.

Maximum number of students per session: 30-60

Is this flexible? Yes, but we’ll need to talk first.  

Workshops available: Yes for grades 3-6 and Writing Craft 12  

Maximum participants for workshop: A maximum of 24 for optimum results.   

Venues you are comfortable in: I am comfortable in all settings, preferably libraries or classrooms.   

Equipment and other requirements:  

• A projector screen for a PowerPoint presentation if the venue is a gymnasium or auditorium.
• A Power socket with multiple plug points
• Water would be much appreciated.
• A small table.
• An easel with blank paper and black felt tip markers.
• If a microphone is available that would be appreciated, especially in large spaces.
• I do ask that a librarian or teacher be present throughout the presentation.