Philip Roy

This author travels regularly between Nova Scotia and Ontario and requires at least a week’s notice before scheduling a visit.   

Philip would love to plan a visit to your school or library.  His rate is $250 per session. There is no travel charge within the London area. For travel outside of London the standard kilometrage applies.

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

Here is what Barbara Kissick, Youth Services Librarian at PEI Public Library Service has to say about this author's presentations: 
 

Thank you so very much for sending Philip Roy to PEI!. The readings 
were excellent as you promised. In fact I want to share with you, the 
review from the staff person, Johanna van Waarden at Hunter River 
Memorial Library.  
 
"The reading went great. The kids and Philip arrived approximately at 
the same time. I didn't even get a chance to use my introduction, he and 
the kids just launched right into how he build his own submarine .  
He's a entertaining speaker, enthusiastic and good rapport with the 
kids . Great mix of telling stories on how his submarine was built, 
writing the book, stories about diving etc and reading from his book. 
 
Kids were very responsive especially the boys. making comments, 
answering his questions. A book that definitely. appeals to boys 
I was impressed. 
He ended up speaking an extra 15 minutes, the kids and teachers begged 
for more. 
Then I send him off to lunch in Hunter River and on to Kensington. 

Published Works:

Submarine Outlaw  (Ronsdale Press: Vancouver, 2008)

Journey to Atlantis  (Ronsdale Press: Vancouver, 2009) 

Awards and Nominations

Red Maple nominee, 2010

1^st Prize Atlantic Writers Competition 2007

Silver Medal Foreword’s Book of the Year Award 2008

Shortlisted:  Ann Connor Brimer Award; Hackmatack Award; Diamond Willow Award; Rocky Mountain Award; Red Maple Award; Langely Book of the Year Award; Best Books for Kids.

Philip’s Presentation Details:

I like to bring along my own submarine on school visits.  It six feet long and made out of recycled materials—50 pairs of wooden crutches, 13 bicycle wheels, two canoe paddles, one old boat propeller and over six hundred bolts.  It rides on the top of my car and rolls along very well on its own rollers.  It’s really a piece of folk art—an “artistic expression” of a submarine—and is a terrific example of recycling old stuff into art.  It also relates directly to my young adult novel series, Submarine Outlaw.

My presentations include this very tactile display, discussion of the sea in all its great geographic and ecological variety, ocean and river navigation, travel through Canada and other countries, especially along coastal waters, and how a writer takes all these elements and puts them together into an adventure novel. A favourite topic in my presentations is the investigation of the limits of realistic fiction.

Typically, my presentations include a reading, a question and answer session and open discussion.

Grades I will present to: 3 to 8  

Maximum number of students per session: no maximum.  I am eminently flexible with all visit arrangements, including last minute changes.  I LOVE visiting schools!  

I am available for writing workshops.  I have a host of unique writing exercises and adore working with young writers.

Maximum participants for a workshop: 20 students are plenty.  Any more than that compromises individual attention, but does depend upon the age/grade.   

I am comfortable in all settings.   

No equipment is necessary.  I bring all my own apparatus.