Member of The Writer’s Union of Canada; Society of Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators (SCBWI); Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators & Performers (CANSCAIP); Access Copyright; MASC Artist/Instructor
Amanda’s rates: In-person workshops: $400 for one session, $625 for two, $850 for three. Virtual presentations: $300 for one session, $525 for two. No travel costs within GTA or Eastern Ontario. $.50/km west of Toronto, north of Ottawa.
Each program is adapted to the needs of the class/group.
CCBC Book Awards: Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People nominee, 2025 Lane Anderson Award
Amanda West Lewis combines careers as a writer, theatre artist, and calligrapher. She is the author of ten books for youth and young readers, including three-starred A Planet is a Poem, Focus Click Wind, (listed as one of the Best Books of 2023 by The Globe and Mail),and the semi-autobiographical novel These Are Not the Words, (recommended by the American League of Poets as recommended reading in 2022.)
Amanda’s books have been nominated for the Silver Birch Award, the Red Cedar Award and the Violet Downey IODE Award. She has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts.
In her theatre career, Amanda has acted, directed, produced, and written for theatre, as well as founded The Ottawa Children’s Theatre, a school dedicated to theatre education for young people. Her calligraphic artwork has been exhibited in numerous shows and she has written books on calligraphy and the development of writing.
Amanda teaches writing, theatre, and calligraphy to people of all ages, in schools and libraries across Canada.
Born in New York City, Amanda moved with her mother to Toronto, Canada as a teenager. She now lives with her husband, writer Tim Wynne-Jones, in the woods near Perth, Ontario, where they raised their three children.
Author Readings/Presentations
“A PLANET IS A POEM” A Cross-Curriculum Workshop combining Science and Literary Arts (Grades 1 – 5)
- EUREKA! 2024 Excellence in Children’s Non-Fiction Award, California Reading Association HONOR BOOK;
- NCTE Notable Poetry Book;
- Cybils Award nominee 2024;
- School Library Journal Best Poetry Books 2024
- Lane Anderson Award 2025
This unique workshop combines Science AND Writing! Working with the book A Planet is a Poem, we’ll explore the solar system through poetry. What is a poem? How do planetary scientists use metaphors to explore big ideas? Why did I pair Saturn with a Sestina poem form? What’s a Companion poem, and why does it work for Pluto and Charon? We’ll take a deep dive into our solar system, talk about some of the poetic and magical things we can discover there, and write poems based on our discoveries.
Equipment And Other Requirements: A projector compatible with a computer for a memory stick. A flip chart or white board.
WRITING FROM MEMORY: A Poetry Writing Workshop (Grades 1 – 12/sec V)
Memories are made of small moments that can form the basis for new story ideas. In this collaborative workshop, we’ll start with the writing prompt: “What is your earliest memory?” Together, we’ll create a series of group poems that are both specific and personal. We’ll also look at examples of how this same memory prompt inspired the verse novel “These Are Not the Words.”
The workshop explores ways that our memories and dreams can spark ideas and springboard us into larger writing projects.
Equipment and other requirements: A projector compatible with a computer for a memory stick. A flip chart or white board. Writing utensils.
“CONFLICT FROM BOTH SIDES” A Cross-Curriculum Workshop combining History and Literary Arts (Grades 5 – 12/ sec V)
In “Conflict from Both Sides,” the focus is on an empathetic understanding of World War 2. Looking at the lives of British and German children, we’ll explore true stories of young people in England, Germany, the United States, and Canada who had to face the challenges of World War 2 and the Vietnam War. Working with the novels September 17 , The Pact, and Focus. Click. Wind, we’ll discuss the impact of propaganda, indoctrination, racism, and survival.
Equipment And Other Requirements: A projector compatible with a computer for a memory stick. Writing utensils
“A LENS ON THE PRESENT” A Cross-Curriculum Workshop combining History and Literary Arts (Grades 7 – 12/ sec V)
Opening a window into the past gives us an understanding of our present moment. Using the YA novel Focus. Click. Wind, we’ll look at some of the reasons behind political activism in 1968 and draw parallels between 1968 and contemporary political movements. Looking at the past shows us there are reasons to be optimistic and hopeful about our own future.
Equipment and other requirements: A projector compatible with a computer for a memory stick. Writing utensils.
“WHAT’S BEYOND?” A Cross-Curriculum Workshop Combining Literary Arts and Theatre Arts (Grades 7 – 12. sec V)
We can learn a lot about a character by what they don’t say. Conveying the space between words –– the pauses in life –– is an essential skill for any writer. This unique, interactive workshop combines theatre and writing skills. Drawing on improvisation and drama games, we’ll explore character motivation, points of view and dialogue as we discover the hidden meaning beyond the words.
Equipment and other requirements: A large pace to move around in. Writing utensils.
“ILLUMINATED LETTERS” A Cross-Curriculum Workshop Combining Literary Arts and Visual Arts (Grades 5 – 12/ sec V)
This workshop helps to develop a love and passion for letters by combining writing skills with artwork.
The workshop starts by writing simple poems based on participants’ names. Then, we’ll learn how to draw Versal letters in the style of 15th Century Books of Hours. These illuminated letters will be used to create a uniquely decorated poem. Equipment and other requirements: Two-session workshop. A projector compatible with a computer for a memory stick. A flip chart or white board. Paper and pencils.
