racism – Authors' Booking Service

Spencer, Kim. Vancouver, BC

Bestselling, award-winning debut novel Weird Rules to Follow (Orca Book Publishing). Under contract with Orca Book Publishing for a second book. Essay, I’ll Have What He’s Having (Filling Station magazine) was a finalist for the Alberta Magazine Publishers Association.

In-Person fee: $300 for 1 session. $450 for 2. $675 for 3. $850 for full day/keynote/large groups. Plus a travel fee of 70 cents/ km if driving outside of Vancouver. Virtual visit fee is$200.

Awards:

IODE Violet Downey Book Award 2023 Winner
USBBY Outstanding International Books List | 2023 Commended
Bank Street College of Education Children’s Book Committee Best Children’s
Books of the Year| 2023 | Commended

CCBC Best Books for Kids and Teens | 2023 | Commended

Kim Spencer completed The Writers Studio program at Simon Fraser University in 2020, where she focused on creative non-fiction. She is an experienced public speaker who is animated and enthusiastic and cares deeply about positive representation for BIPOC students. She is from the Ts’msyen Nation in northern British Columbia and resides in Vancouver.

Presentations:

Kim is an experienced public speaker, personable, and easily able to connect with and engage young audiences. Kim is flexible and can modify presentations to suit the audience’s needs.

Dual Worlds

Grade 5-12

Explore and learn from an inside look at Kim Spencer’s novel Weird Rules To Follow. Discuss challenging themes of identity, systems of inequality, microaggressions, and prejudice from the standpoint of an often-overlooked racialized Indigenous child. And how we can be more comfortable approaching weightier topics with empathy and care.

Anti-Bullying

Works best for Grade 5+

Interactive conversation. Why we must engage in dialogue around bullying. And read two stories from Kim’s debut novel, Weird Rules to Follow, that speak directly to bullying experiences and the impacts of those lived experiences.

Orange Shirt Day

Works best for Grade 5+, but also suitable for an assembly

A brief overview of the history and impacts of the Indian Residential School system in Canada. Followed by a reading and audience discussion of three of Kim’s stories from her debut novel, Weird Rules to Follow, which speak directly to Indian Residential Schools.

Writing Process Workshop

Grade 5-12

Kim shares her personal writing experience of becoming a writer. Students will learn tips on finding their writing voice through fun and engaging exercises and using images and music as a memory aid. And how creating/finding a safe space to express oneself is key.

Contact Kim to book a visit:

Matas, Carol (Winnipeg, MB,)

Carol Matas, Winnipeg, MB, member, Writers’ Union of Canada, English. Grades K- 12.

One hour in person $350 plus GST, $600.00 plus GST for 2 sessions, plus travel. One hour virtual visit, $200.00 plus GST.

Carol is the internationally best selling author of over 45 books for young people, which have received over 100 awards and honours and been translated into 16 languages.

Photo: Chantal Picton Holowka.

Carol Matas will have a new Holocaust novel, A Struggle For Hope, out this fall with Scholastic Canada. It tells the story of Ruth, a Holocaust survivor who has made the dangerous trip to Palestine after the war. She and other survivors tell their stories as a way of making sense of the world and Ruth discovers how powerful stories can be – for good and for ill. Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Carol has written historical, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary novels. She is about to have her first picture book published. She has written early readers, middle grade novels and young adult novels and a YA crossover book. She often gets emails from young people telling her that they didn’t like to read until they discovered her books, and she is thrilled to cultivate new readers. Many of Carol’s presentations are about her Holocaust novels. In these sessions she delves into the roots of antisemitism and racism which informed Hitler’s worldview. She loves to talk about “big questions” using books like Cloning Miranda, when she encourages discussions about what it means to be a human being.

Who’s Looking for science based presentations.

There is no size limit as long as a microphone is provided for in person visits, even in small venues – although the perfect venue is a library.

Carol does virtual visits all over North America, most recently Atlanta, Georgia to present “The War Within,” a Civil War novel.

Writers’ Union; Canscaip; SCBWI. Also presents to adults.

Carol’s books have garnered over 100 awards and honours, including 2 nominations for the Governor General’s Award; the Silver Birch Award; a New York Times Notable book; a Sydney Taylor Award; a National Jewish Book Award finalist; an ALA Best Book of the Year for YA; a Helen and Stan Vine Canadian Jewish Book Award for Young People; CCBC Best Book for Kids and Teens; New York Public Library, book for the Teen Age; and the Geoffrey Bilson Award. They have also been translated into 16 languages and many have been best sellers. Daniel’s Story has sold over 1 million copies in the United States and Canada.

Contact Carol to book a visit

Skrypuch, Marsha Forchuk (Brantford ON)

Writers Union Member. Fiction & NF, 2X Silver Birch winner, 2x Red Cedar Winner, Yellow Cedar Winner. Multi awards. All ages. $400 plus HST for 1 session, $650 for 2, $900 for 3 and $1100 for 4, + travel (.68 cents per kilometer, round-trip for SW ON).

Virtual Visits: $300 plus HST, for one session, 20-60 minutes, $200 for each additional session on the same day.

Continue reading “Skrypuch, Marsha Forchuk (Brantford ON)”

Camlot, Heather (Toronto, ON)

Writers’ Union Member. Fiction and nonfiction writer.

Heather’s rates are $300 for one session, $550 for two, $800 for three. For virtual presentations: $300 for one session, $500 for two. HST applies to all sessions. No travel costs within Toronto or if I am in your city (I travel to Montreal several times a year). Able to present in English and French.

Heather is an award-winning children’s author, journalist, editor and translator. Her two middle-grade novels, CLUTCH and THE OTHER SIDE, received Skipping Stones Honor Awards and nominations for Forest of Reading, among other honors. CLUTCH was also named a 2017 Best Book from Kirkus Reviews.

Heather is also an accomplished nonfiction writer. SECRET SCHOOLS and THE PRISONER AND THE WRITER were named Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections and What If Soldiers Fought with Pillows? True Stories of Imagination and Determination received a Skipping Stones Honor Award. Her next nonfiction book, Becoming Bionic and Other Ways Science is Making Us Super,

In her presentations, Heather aims to entertain and educate, leaving the audience interested in writing fiction and nonfiction as well as looking into their own history for inspiration.

PRESENTATIONS (60 minutes, grades 3+)

Heather engages students with a fun and interactive presentation, customized to audience and interest.

Generally speaking: Heather shares the inspiration and the challenges of writing works that delve into history and social justice. She also discusses the basic elements of writing fiction and/or nonfiction, how to give stories life through research and why bringing the past to the present is so important. Q&A session and reading are included.

What does it mean to be a superhero?: This STEM/STEAM-related presentation draws on BECOMING BIONIC. We’ll delve get into how science is turning us into superbeings – powering up our bodies with what we may not have been born with and what we may never have thought we’d need. We’ll discuss what those powers look like in the real world, based on the sections of Becoming Bionic. We’ll create our own superhero identities and answer the ultimate question: Cape or no cape.

Stand up and speak out: This social-justice-related presentation, based on THE PRISONER AND THE WRITER, begins with a quote from Captain Alfred Dreyfus: “My only crime is to have been born a Jew.” How would students fill in the last word of Captain Dreyfus’s quote to reflect their lives or world around them? We’ll discuss the meaning of social justice, play a game of news fact vs news fiction, and discuss ways to stand up and speak out.

Maximum presentation size: 100 for virtual presentations; 60 for in-person reading/Q&A. Teacher and/or librarian must be present.

WORKSHOPS (60 minutes, grades 3+)

Look no further: A simple moment can kickstart the writing process. Students choose a moment in their own lives or family history and turn into a work of fiction or nonfiction. Based on CLUTCH and THE OTHER SIDE.

What’s news?: Bias in the media is not difficult to spot. This session will delve into media literacy and how to determine if what you’re reading is fact…or fiction. I’ll test students’ knowledge of news fact vs news fiction through a fun game and we’ll create a reference guide to better judge whether what they are reading, seeing, hearing is objective, biased or completely fake. Based on THE PRISONER AND THE WRITER.

A single object: A single object can inspire an entire world. Students will begin with an “item of interest” and learn how to add different layers — setting, storyline, character, big reveal — to build a short story. Based on THE OTHER SIDE.

Just the facts: How do you write a nonfiction book that makes tough subjects compelling and easy to understand all the while ensuring it stick to the truth? Based on her nonfiction books.

Get activ-ist!: “What cause would you defend…and how would you defend it?” We’ll discuss various forms of activism and what is important to students right now. We’ll come up with methods to get messages across and students will put ideas into action by creating a poster for their cause. Based on THE PRISONER AND THE WRITER and I CAN’T DO WHAT?

Customized topic: Heather is happy to tailor workshops to your needs and audience, including educators and the general public. Topics can include social injustice, advocacy, World War II, the Holocaust, antisemitism, soccer, baseball, media literacy, arts and entertainment, etc.

Maximum workshop size: 30 (flexible).
Equipment required: Flip chart and markers, screen and projector, microphone and podium (for large rooms), paper and pencils (for workshops). Teacher and/or librarian must be present.

Heather offers the services of professional editing, copyediting, proofreading and
translating. She also provides manuscript evaluations – fiction and nonfiction.

Contact Heather to book a visit:

Hohn, Nadia (Toronto)

The Writers Union member. Picture book. All ages. $350 for 1 session (60 min) $ 600 for 2 sessions of 60 minutes (1/2 day)$ 400 for 2 x 30 minute sessions (great for JK to 1). Full day (4 sessions) $ 1000. + kilometrage. Can present in English and French.

Nadia is fully booked for the remainder of the 2021/2022 school season. She is currently scheduling for the 2022/2023 school year.

Malaika’s Costume (2016) and Malaika’s Winter Carnival (2017).

Hune, Bernice (Toronto)

Storytellers of Canada. Gold Mountain Stories. Traditional Asian folklore & Canada’s immigrant history (FDK – 12). Per session, 80-100 students. Three Sessions $625 + travel from Toronto. Continue reading “Hune, Bernice (Toronto)”

Kerbel, Deborah (Toronto, ON)

Writers’ Union Member. Fiction & NF. GG finalist. Forest of Reading Yellow Cedar Winner. Red Cedar Winner. 2x Junior Library Guild Gold Standard. Silver Birch Honour. Picture Book, Middle Grade, Graphic Novel, Young Adult.

In-person: $350 for one session, $600 for 2, $850 for 3, $1000 for 4, + travel (no travel costs within GTA). Full day fee can be split between two neighbouring schools. Out of town visits require two or more bookings. Can present in English and French.

Virtual Visits: $250, for one session, 20-60 minutes, $150 for each additional session on the same day.

Deborah Kerbel is the award-winning author of twenty-five books for children and teens. She’s an experienced presenter and energetic speaker who uses an interactive style to engage her audience. She loves visiting new schools, travelling, sharing her passion for books, and meeting readers and writers of all ages. Her enthusiasm is infectious and Deborah has often been called “the best author who has ever visited our school”. Based in Thornhill, Ontario, she’s the proud mom of two young adults and a rescue Schnoodle named Fred.

SAMPLE PRESENTATIONS BY GRADE (I’m always open to requests for modifications and/or specific books):

Sun Dog – Grades K-3

During this 45 minute presentation, I read from my award-winning picture book, Sun Dog and discuss the inspiration behind the story. We talk about where ideas come from and how thoughts and ideas can grow into something bigger. We look at the artwork and talk about the differences between rough drafts and final illustrations. Finally, we discuss some of the science between the pages such as the Arctic Circle, Midnight Sun, Sun Dogs, as well as life in the arctic.

Final 10 – 15 minutes of my presentation will be available for Q & A.

*a shorter, 25 minute version of this presentation is available on request for JK-G1.

Weather Days – Grades K-3

During this 45 minute presentation, I will read from a selection of the four titles from my award-winning picture book series (Snow Days, Sunny Days, Windy Days, Rainy Days), and discuss the inspiration behind the stories. I’ll speak to students about the seasons and various different kinds of weather that accompany them. There will be fun grade-specific STEM activities to accompany each book. Final 10 – 15 minutes of my presentation will be available for Q & A.

*a shorter, 25 minute version of this presentation is available on request for JK – G1.

The Path to Publication – Grades 4-8

During this interactive 60 minute presentation, I discuss who I am, how I became a writer, and my road to publication. I also include a fun quiz on famous children’s authors which always captures the interest of the audience and encourages their participation. Publication is a difficult road and one of the main themes of my presentation is how hard work, persistence, and determination will always lead to success. I also discuss my novels and upcoming projects, including various personal anecdotes about each of my books.

During the final 15 minutes of my presentation will be for a reading from my latest book + Q & A session.

Fred & Marjorie – Grades 4-8

During this 60 minute presentation, I will discuss and expand on the historical and scientific themes from my 2023 Forest of Reading Award Winning graphic novel, Fred & Marjorie, starting with an explanation of what diabetes is, how it used to be treated before insulin, the role of insulin in the body, and the process by which it was discovered by Banting and Best in Ontario in 1921. I will also discuss the role of the insulin dogs in this discovery, and touch on the ethics of using animals in medical research.

The final 10 – 15 minutes of my presentation will be available for Q & A.

Maximum number of students per session: 60-80 (flexible)

Venue: All acceptable, but library preferred.

Equipment requirements: Projector and screen, glass of water, microphone for larger groups.

Workshops: Deborah’s interactive workshop is designed to help emerging writers take their craft to the next level. Participants can expect to come away with a variety of creative new ideas and material for their writing as well as the tools to implement them. We’ll discuss story ideas, characters, settings, and plot problems. During the final part of the workshop, participants will take several minutes to write a scene using some of the story components that were collectively brainstormed within the group.

Maximum workshop size: 15 (flexible)

Venue: All acceptable, but library preferred.

Equipment requirements: Projector and screen, glass of water, microphone for larger groups.

Contact Deborah Kerbel to book a visit:

McKay, Sharon (Burlington ON)

Writers’ Union Member. Sharon travels across Canada several times a year. Sharon E. McKay (Mick-EYE) writes fact-based fiction for young adults. Multi-awards, all ages.

Flat fee of $900 for a full day, four sessions and includes a free (optional) brown-bag lunch for anyone interested in writing. Flat fee of $600 for an afternoon. Parents and media are welcome in all sessions.

Virtual Visits: $150, 60 minutes, Skype. Continue reading “McKay, Sharon (Burlington ON)”

McNicoll, Sylvia (Burlington)

DEAL:To celebrate The Great Mistake Mysteries travelling to Russia, Sylvia McNicoll will include a free Snake Mistake with every author visit booked before November 30.

Writers’ Union Member. Silver Birch Winner, Creative Writing Instructor Grade 2-Adult

RATES: $300 solo session, $525 for two sessions Continue reading “McNicoll, Sylvia (Burlington)”

Schmidt, René (Trenton, ON)

René Schmidt is the author of four books by Scholastic Canada on Canadian Disasters series, and received the Red Maple Honour Book award for Leaving Fletchville.

$275 for one session, $375 for two, $525 for three and for $750 for four sessions. No travel charge will be asked within 100 km of Trenton Ontario. Skype sessions are available for $150 per session.

FACT vs. FICTION. Where do you get your information from? As well as his regular presentations, René Schmidt is presenting on teaching students to separate known fact from rumours and fiction.

Do you teach any students that don’t have a clue

about fiction or non-fiction what’s opinion, what’s true?

Because in our world of media confusion

many students can’t tell between real and illusion.

They research something and come up with actual

opinions or hearsay but nothing proven factual.

Did they read it on Facebook or other media social

(because we all can be fooled by arguments emotional).

So I tell what I found researching Canadian Disasters,

including many times when rumors spread faster than truth…

My rule is: don’t trust any source that can’t be fired

for lying or misleading the public or whoever hired – them

Be it books or newspapers, TV or Internet media;

a lot of real facts can be found in Google or Wikipedia.

But trust only sources with something valuable to lose,

like a job, or tenure, or a reputation; they should have no excuse…

for lying.

To your students I’ll bring funny stories of misinformation

and tragic ones too, that fooled our nation.

Because the falsehoods we sift through are no real mystery

bogus stories are endemic through Canada’s history.

So invite me to your school if your principal has a budget

and you and I will teach research and how to judge it.

Q & A sessions follow all presentations.

As a member of the Writer’s Union of Canada, René’s presentations qualify for the Ontario Writer’s In The Schools grants (WITS) program.

Contact Rene to book a visit: