Authors’ Booking Service is pleased to announce that young adult author Jocelyn Shipley is now scheduling visits to Ontario schools and libraries. Jocelyn divides her time between Toronto and Vancouver Island and will be in Ontario from June until December this year. Her rate is $250 per session, $400 for two sessions at the same venue, plus travel from Toronto.

Margaret Godden (Toronto Public Library) had this to say about Jocelyn’s visit:

"Brilliant! We got only positive feedback … thanks again for doing such a great presentation.”

Jocelyn is a member of The Writers' Union of Canada, and so schools or libraries wishing to invite her may be eligible for a travel and fee subsidy to off-set the cost. For details of this program, please contact us.

Selected Published Works

FICTION

How to Tend a Grave, 2012, Grades 8 – 12

Cleavage: Breakaway Fiction for Real Girls (co-editor), 2008, Grades 7 – 12

Seraphina’s Circle, 2005, Grades 6 – 9

Cross My Heart, 2004, Grades 7 – 12

Getting a Life, 2002, Grades 7 – 12

YOUNG ADULT STORIES

“Holding Harley” forthcoming in Voices in the Hall

“The Catalyst” in Up all Night

“My Current Obsession” in The Blue Jean Collection

Awards and Nominations

Surrey International Writers’ Conference 2011 Writing for Young People Award

Cleavage: Breakaway Fiction for Real Girls, ALA’s 2010 Amelia Bloomer List

CCBC’s Best Books for Kids & Teens 2009

Resource Links Best of 2008 for Grades 7 – 12

Seraphina’s Circle, 2007/2008 Stellar Book Award nominee

October 2008 selection for the Anne of Green Gables Book Club

Resource Links Best Book for 2006

Cross My Heart, CCBC “Our Choice” Selection 2005

Getting a Life, CCBC “Our Choice” Selection 2003

Presentation Details

How to Write a Book (Grades 8 – 12)

Using the journey of her YA novel, How to Tend a Grave, Jocelyn will take students through the publishing process, from the initial idea to first draft to finished book. Topics covered include how to get started, develop characters and build a plot, create effective dialogue and scenes. The focus is on the importance of editing, revising and rewriting. Jocelyn will read from her work, share her writing process and answer questions. She will also discuss the rapidly changing world of traditional publishing, and other options such as indie publishing and ebooks.

Writing and Editing Short Fiction (Grades 8 – 12)

Jocelyn writes for adults as well as teens, and her award-winning stories have been published in anthologies, newspapers and magazines. This presentation is geared towards those who want to work toward submitting their work for publication. Jocelyn will talk about the elements that make up a good story: beginnings and endings, point of view, voice, character, dialogue and setting. Using her experience as co-editor of the story collection Cleavage: Breakaway Fiction for Real Girls, as a writing contest judge, and her own success in winning or being shortlisted in over fifteen story contests, Jocelyn will discuss how to edit and strengthen short fiction, how to get stories published, where teens can submit their work, and what grabs an editor’s attention.

Specifics

I will present to students in Grade 8 and up. Presentations can be tailored to specific groups, and I would also be happy to present to adults.

Maximum number of students per session: 60

I am most comfortable in a classroom, a library meeting room or small auditorium, but am flexible about venues.

I require a teacher to be present and a table for my books and materials.