Member – Writers Union of Canada, Writers Federation of Nova Scotia, CCBC and CANSCAIP.
Middle-Grade and YA fiction.
Grades 4-12. $300 plus HST for 1 session, $500 for 2, $750 for 3 and $1000 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.
Winner: Red Maple Award, Arthur Ellis Award winner for juvenile crime fiction, CBC Young Canada Reads winner.
Nominated for Edgar Allan Poe Award, CLA Children’s Book of the Year, Young Canada Reads, New Jersey Library Association’s Garden State Teen Book Award, Ann Connor-Brimer Award x3, Red Cedar, Silver Birch x 2, Arthur Ellis x3, Red Maple, Golden Oak, BC Stellar, Saskatchewan Snow Willow x 3, and Hackmatack. Multiple awards for children’s television scripts and advertising work.
Television screenwriter, advertising copywriter and multi-award-winning author of eighteen middle-grade and young adult novels, Vicki brings her trademark humour to the classroom in her fun and informative school visits. Geared to the interests of the class, her presentations will delight Grades Four through Twelve. “The best presentation we ever had!” Ian Forsyth Elementary. “A wonderful rapport with students of any age!” Ellenvale Junior High. “She entranced our Grade 12 writing class!” St. Paul Catholic High School.
Vicki loves being a writer but that doesn’t mean she always loves to write. Illustrated with humorous slides and personal examples, her presentations focus on the tricks she’s learned to keep herself inspired and productive. She engages the class with hilarious read-alouds, lively Q & As, and easy exercises geared to their interest and age-group. She’s also happy to give presentations about writing humour, plotting mystery novels, character development and, for older kids, the business of writing.
Here’s a selection of her books:
Quid Pro Quo: A comic high-action legal thriller for 10 to 14-year olds
Also available in French
“A very, very funny book. I couldn’t put it down!” CBC’s Children’s Book Panel
“The kind of timing, pacing, deadpan one-liners and punchy humour that a seasoned stand-up would envy…but real and funny.” Quill & Quire starred review.
Winner of the Arthur Ellis Award for Best Juvenile Crime Novel, CBC Young Canada Reads. A Silver Birch Honour Book. Nominated for the Edgar Allan Poe Award, CLA Children’s Book of the Year, Young Canada Reads, New Jersey Library Association’s Garden State Teen Book Award, Ann Connor-Brimer Award, Red Cedar Award. A New York Public Library Best Book for Teens. Bank Street College List of Best Books
A Green Velvet Secret: A Middle-Grade mystery about love, grief and fabulous vintage clothes
“Upbeat and heartwarming. Stock up on tissues and settle in for a wholly satisfying read. Highly recommended.” CM: CANADIAN REVIEW OF MATERIALS
“Quirky, fully fleshed characters and a tender third-person narration accompany themes of grieving…in this winning novel.” PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY
Short for Chameleon: A Middle-Grade mystery about a boy, his Dad, and their rented family.
Red Maple nominee. Also available in French
“Short for Chameleon is a near perfect book. It bursts with a unique voice and a delightfully surprising plot.” Quill & Quire
“A delightful, quirky, and engaging read. 4 out of 4 stars.” CM
“Original, hilarious and evocative.” — Resource Links
Pigboy: A comic high-low adventure novel for 10 to 14 year-olds
ALA Quick Pick 2008, Silver Birch Honour Book
Also available in French
“Grant hits the nail on the head…A compelling story with lots of suspense, but it’s the journey to Dan’s personal redemption that is most enjoyable to read. Highly recommended.” CM Magazine
“Grant has done a fantastic job of developing the voice of an adolescent who is the class bully’s whipping boy. Dan’s wry sense of humor catches readers’ attention and has them rooting for him practically from the first page. Pigboy is a great quick read for boys who may be reluctant readers but others will enjoy it as well.” School Library Journal
36 Questions That Changed My Mind About You: A YA romcom based on a real psychological study
Also available in French
White Pine Honour Book. Chosen by the Toronto Public Library for THE LIST – 100 top books for teens
Foreign rights sold to 20 territories worldwide.
“Lots of laughs and a message about looking past appearances to make a connection” Publishers Weekly
Tell Me When You Feel Something: A YA medical thriller
Ann Connor Brimer nominee, CCBC’s Best Books for Kids and Teens, Fall 2021 — Starred Pick
“An important representation of the pressure that teenagers can feel and the damaging coping habits that they can use to maintain a semblance of normalcy.” —CM: Canadian Review of Materials
Maximum group sizes for presentations: 100+ for everyone else.
Writing Workshops 10 to 20 participants
Writing Workshop Topics:
Funny Pages: Tips on writing humour
Whodunnit?: How to plot a satisfying mystery
Making friends (or enemies!): Developing realistic and engaging characters
Other topics upon request.
All venues, library or classroom preferred. Equipment needed: A small table for books. A microphone if the room requires it. A screen and projector. (I have a MacBook but can also bring my presentation saved in Power Point on a USB stick.) A glass of water and lunch if I’m staying for the day. (I don’t need anything fancy!)
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.
