Rachna Gilmore

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Authors’ Booking Service is pleased to announce that children’s author, Rachna Gilmore, is now scheduling visits to Ontario schools for the coming school year.

Rachna would love to plan a visit to your school or library. Her rate is $300 for one reading, $550 for two, and $825 for three, plus GST. Her rate for a two-hour writing workshop is $400 plus GST.

For out of Ottawa visits, Rachna requires an additional $60.00 flat fee per reading for accommodation/meals, as well as local transportation from her hotel or from the subway/train station nearest the school.

A Governor General’s Award winner, Rachna is the author of numerous best selling, critically acclaimed picture books, early readers, middle grade as well as young adult novels. Her books have received multiple honours and awards, including Red Maple and Silver Birch nominations.

Rachna is a skilled and experienced presenter, who loves to share her enthusiasm for reading and writing with students and teachers. She has given hundreds of readings and workshops across Canada as well as internationally.

Here’s what Lynda Paterson, Assistant Librarian, had to say:

Rachna Gilmore was a wonderful presenter. She held the attention of each and every child during her hour-long author visit. She went over the many steps involved in the creation of a book which was so interesting. She was warm and patient with the children, encouraged their questions and responded enthusiastically to their comments. A thoroughly delightful author visit!

Here’s what Susan Townley, Children’s Progamer, Ottawa Public Library, had to say about Rachna:

"Thank you so much for your wonderful presentations. You are a consummate professional presenter. The children were enthralled and so was I. I especially enjoyed watching the diversity of your presentations. Very impressive!"

Teacher/librarian Lara Bafaro of Toronto said:

“We were so happy to have you visit Crestwood School. Your presentation was brilliant! The children were fully engaged with your presentation and loved the examples of drafts that you shared with them. I also had positive feedback from parents, as children who often go home saying they did "nothing" at school, gave a full, detailed description of your visit.”

Teacher Janet Kaplan of Vancouver said:

“Your words of wisdom and wonderful guidance has enlightened the students...had a profound effect...and has served to boost their confidence in all areas of language arts, particularly in writing. Again, thank you for coming to share your knowledge with us. It was a privilege to have you share your craft with us!”

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

Published Works: Rachna Gilmore

Picture books

Making Grizzle Grow, 2007

When-I-Was-a-Little-Girl, 2006

Grandpa’s Clock, 2006

A Screaming Kind of Day, 1999

A Gift For Gita, 1998

Wild Rilla, 1997

Roses For Gita, 1996

Lights For Gita, 1994

Aunt Fred Is a Witch, 1991

Early readers and novels

The Trouble With Dilly, 2009

The Sower of Tales, 2005

A Group of One, 2005

Mina’s Spring of Colors, 2000

Ellen’s Terrible TV Troubles, 1999

Fangs And Me, 1999

A Friend Like Zilla, 1995

Rachna also has a small number of out-of-print titles, which can be purchased directly from her.

Recent Awards and Nominations

Making Grizzle Grow

Nominated, Blue Spruce Award, 2009

Nominated, Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Award, 2009

The Sower of Tales

2006 National Chapter IODE Violet Downey Book Award

Nominated, Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award, 2007

Nominated, Red Maple Book Award, 2006

Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice Selection, 2006

A Group of One

Honour Book, Jane Addams Children's Book Award, 2002

New York Public Library Books for the Teen Age List 2002

Bank Street College of Education, 2002, The Best Children’s Books of the Year

Cooperative Children’s Book Centre, University of Wisconsin-Madison Choices, 2002

Mina's Spring of Colors

Nominated,2002 Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award

Nominated, 2001 Silver Birch Award

Canadian Children’s Book Centre Our Choice, Starred Selection

A Screaming Kind of Day

Governor General’s Literary Award for Children’s Literature Text, 1999

Maximum number 100 (I will be flexible with audience size under special circumstances.)

My readings are interactive and always flexible to accommodate teachers’ requests as well as the needs and skills of the students. With all students I begin by talking about my love of reading and how it sparked my interest in being a writer.

With younger students, I use picture books to talk about how my ideas start, showing scraps of paper on which ideas are scribbled, as well as messy first drafts, so students can relate to the process. I also show copies of the various stages of illustration to demonstrate how a picture book comes together. There is always time for questions.

If requested, I can focus my presentations on specific books, such as the Gita books, to explore the experience of new Canadians, or specific holiday festivals.

With older students, using an age appropriate novel, I talk about the story behind the story so that students can engage with, and discover the process of writing – from how ideas start, to developing a satisfying story “shape”, to the various stages of the re-writing/editing process. Drafts of manuscripts are shown so students can see the ongoing process. Questions are always welcome.

A hands-on two hour writing workshop that covers some of the basics of writing stories, including tips used by professional writers. Students have the opportunity to write as well as ask questions, and, if time permits, to exchange feedback.

An introduction to some of my books along with specific suggestions on classroom use, including general themes and curriculum connections, as well as innovative and creative classroom activities. Teachers’ Guides are handed out.

I am comfortable in any venue providing that it's a quiet, closed space.

I require: Table, blackboard or flip chart, drinking water.