Member of The Writers’ Union of Canada, Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP) and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI); Vice-president of Children’s Writers & Illustrators of BC Society (CWILL-BC); and a member of Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC). Fiction and non-fiction historical, finalist for the IODE Violet Downey Book Award 2026.
All ages. School visits/Classroom visits/Educator workshops/Family Literacy Evening
$350 plus HST for 1 session $600 for 2, $900 for 3 + travel (.60 cents per kilometer, round-trip)
Virtual Visits: $250 plus HST, per session.
Nikki is an educator, storyteller and presenter bringing her enthusiasm for reading and writing to schools and community events. Many of Nikki’s books have themes of kindness, community and activism woven throughout the stories. Presentations for schools, libraries, and educator workshops are engaging and energetic. Nikki builds with Lego and loves to include her brick creations to spark creativity in storytelling.
Kindness & Community (grades K-4)
Using Lila Lou’s Little Library and Seasons for Stones, we look at how kindness builds community to make a difference in the school, neighbourhood, country and world.
Kindness, Compassion & Community (grades 5-8) (grades 9-12) (adults)
On September 11, 2001 a small Canadian town of Gander took in almost 7000 strangers, giving them shelter, food and hope during a time of terrible tragedy. A presentation using Gander: The Town that Welcomed the World will share historical facts in a sensitive age-related way. The history of Gander airport, changes in technology and the importance of working together are springboards for discussion.
Old Growth Forests: A Promise to Protect (grades 5-8)
Let’s go for a walk among the trees, learning the importance of old growth forests and the species that are threatened with habitat loss. Environmentalism, activism and biodiversity are woven throughout this interactive presentation in connection with the middle grade novel A Promise to Protect.
Building a Story (K-3) (4-5)
Using the author’s Lego builds to engage students, we create characters with unique settings and problems. Discussions on how to find our voice in storytelling and the importance of being curious to grow a story.
Tell Me a Story (K-3) (4-8) (9-12) (adults)
What’s it like to be an author? From planning to publication, the ins and outs, ups and downs of being an author of picture books, middle grade and historical non-fiction.
Presentation topics can be combined or tailored to the specific audience and school/community goals. Group sizes range from auditorium to classroom.
My home and where I write is located on the unceded traditional and ancestral territories of the Stó:lō Matsqui, Sumas and Kwantlen First Nations and the Nooksack Indian Tribe. These communities have lived in this land, called S’ólh Téméxw (“Our Land”) in Halq’eméylem, since time immemorial.
Writers Union Member. Author of Early Reader Chapter Book Mehndi Boy. A Silver Birch Express nominee, and New York Public Library Best Book for Kids joint winner in 2023. All ages & grade levels. Ideal for schools commemorating South Asian, Islamic Heritage, & LGBT Pride month festivities.
Rates: $300 plus HST for one session, $450 for two, $675 for three, $900 for a full day (four sessions). Plus a travel fee of $0.68 cents per kilometer if school is more than 30 km away from my home. A virtual visit is $150 plus HST per session.
Zain Bandali (he/they) is an unapologetic storyteller who uses the beautiful South Asian tradition of henna to push stubborn gender norms in a kid friendly way. Zain is a versatile public speaker that can engage the entire school, providing fully customizable sessions for primary, junior, and intermediate students that meet your school’s needs. From packed gymnasiums to intimate classrooms or libraries, any audience will leave being engaged by Zain’s author visits. Zain has led over 80 talks for his debut Mehndi Boy, and has presented across Canada, the Northeastern United States, India, and Dubai. Zain also enjoys presenting to intermediate and high school students on his experiences being Queer & Muslim too.
“Zain’s sharing of his book “Mehndi Boy” with The Sterling Hall Schools grade 3-5 students was one we will never forget! Zain was incredibly personable and connected with the students immediately! We were all hooked as he read us the first 2 chapters of Mehndi Boy and explained the art of mehndi. Zain’s ability to bond with the students and make a big presentation feel like a cozy chat was fantastic to witness. It is wonderful to see teachers and students so enthused with a new book, they could hardly wait to get hold of “Mehndi Boy”and continue reading about Tehzeeb. We can’t wait to see what books Zain writes in the future and to have him back!”
– Gillian Younger, Teacher Librarian The Sterling Hall School
Mehndi Boy Session (45 – 60 min)
Mehndi Boy is a heartfelt story that celebrates identity, culture, creativity, and inclusivity. Learn about the inspiration behind Mehndi Boy, discover more about henna traditions and artistry, and engage in an interactive storytelling with the author himself!
Introduction to henna and its cultural significance in South Asian culture
Discussion on the journey behind publishing Mehndi Boy
Interactive read aloud storytelling of two chapters
Q&A session for students to ask their burning questions
Fun colouring & activity sheets for educators
Grades: 1-3, 4-6, 7-8, 9-12
Audience: Any size
No caps, preference for students in related ages and grades to be grouped together so that I may tailor my presentation that is best suited to them.
Tech Requirements: I’ll need a projector or screen to display visuals from the book, and a small table and chair at the front of the space for me. If we are in a larger space, I will also need a mic and mic stand, as well as a handheld mic for student questions ideally.
Purchasing Books: Happy to arrange for the purchase of signed copies of Mehndi Boy to students and staff, or coordinate with school administration if there is interest in ordering classroom sets.
Being Queer & Muslim Session (60 min)* Intermediate & High School ONLY
An engaging conversation about the LGBT community and Islam, drawn from my own personal experiences coming out as gay to my family, how I found comfort in my queer Muslim identity, and the ways in which it has impacted my writing. Perfect for GSA (gender and sexuality alliance) clubs or for Pride Month.
Introduction to being LGBT in the context of Islam
Dispelling the misconception “you can’t be Gay and Muslim”
Coming out at 19, my own personal journey
Joy, writing, and finding community
Q&A session for students to ask their burning questions
Resources and literature for educators
Rates: $500 plus HST for one session. Plus a travel fee of $0.68 cents per kilometer if school is more than 30 km away from my home. A virtual visit is $300 plus HST per session.
Grades: 7-8, 9-12
Audience: Preference for 10-60 students per session
Tech Requirements: Projector or screen. If we are in a larger space, I will also need a mic and mic stand, as well as a handheld mic for student questions ideally.
Non-fiction storyteller. Widely reviewed author. Canadian LongReads recommended. All ages. $200 plus HST for 1 session, $350 for 2. In-person (G.T.A.) and virtual.
Oren Weisfeld is a sports journalist whose work appears in The Guardian, Toronto Star, Globe and Mail, CBC, TVO, and more. His new book, The Golden Generation: How Canada Became a Basketball Powerhouse (ECW Press, 2025), has been called “Essential reading for basketball fans… especially for fans of Canadian sports history.”
Oren’s presentations focus on the power of storytelling in an ever changing media environment. The goal is to empower young creators with the tools to craft compelling narratives and share their views confidently and entertainingly across various platforms. He also enjoys giving media literacy workshops for older groups.
Oren generally begins presentations by introducing himself and recapping his career. While attending Oakwood Collegiate Institute in downtown Toronto, Oren fell in love with soccer and basketball but wasn’t good enough to continue playing competitively after high school, so he found a different way to stay involved in sports. He started by writing about them for his University newspaper and hosting shows at various radio stations around the country. Twelve years later, sports journalism has taken Oren from Victoria, B.C. for the Olympic men’s basketball Qualifying Tournament to Las Vegas for NBA Summer League to writing about several Olympic Games and World Cups.
Oren highlights how sports have a unique power to bring people together in an increasingly divided society. He explains the multitude of ways that kids can stay involved in their favourite sport long after their playing days are over, including sports journalism, content creation, public relations, coaching, and business. Finally, he dives into the basic tenets of sports storytelling and how narratives are created and distilled in the modern media environment.
Sports Writing Workshop
Oren reads a chapter from his new book, The Golden Generation, to provide an example of what entertaining sports journalism can look like. He then explains how research, reporting, interviewing, writing, and editing combine to make a good story, teaching participants how to back up their opinions with facts and defend them with confidence.
The participants are then split into partners, where they interview each other and write a short “profile” story about their partner’s life using quotes from the interview. Select volunteers will then read their story to the group, who will edit it together following Oren’s lead, focusing on using colour to paint a picture, developing a hook to pull readers in, grammatical improvements, and how to incorporate quotes. This gives participants a taste of everything that goes into sports journalism, from interviewing to writing to editing to public speaking.
Content Creation Workshop
Oren explains the shift we have seen in recent years from print to video journalism and content creation. He will then show participants examples of video essays, vlogs, and podcast clips from the internet, and the group will discuss why some videos were more successful than others.
Again, participants will be split into pairs and work together to create a 30 second TikTok video (also known as a Reel) about their favourite sport or hobby. They will first storyboard the topic on paper before writing a script, recording it on a phone, and finally using TikTok or Instagram to edit the video. Oren will show participants how to include background music, images, text, and transitional elements into the videos to make them entertaining and informative, encouraging as much creative expression as possible. A couple volunteers will then share their videos with the class, who will discuss them in detail.
Media Literacy Workship
Leaning on his Bachelor of Arts from Western University’s “Media, Information & Technoculture” program, Oren will begin by asking participants if they can make a distinction between media and social media. He will then highlight how our media consumption has changed over the years and what it means for our attention spans and productivity now that we consume media in shorter bursts. The groups will also discuss the difference between journalists and influencers — highlighting the unique ways that each of them shape trends and consumer behavior — before learning to differentiate between authentic and curated and/or branded content
Oren will then give participants the tools to do research using a wide variety of mediums including books, newspapers, documentaries, podcasts, and large language AI models like Chat GPT. Participants will learn how to distinguish fact from fiction and to detect misinformation on these platforms. This workshop will end with a quiz where Oren tests participants on their media literacy and ability to snuff out biases in the media.
Red Cedar Book Award nominee, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection, The Pedro and Daniel Intersectionality Book Awards (PADIBA) MG nominee, amongst many more.
Rates:
$300 plus HST for one sixty-minute session, $500 for 2, $750 for 3 and $1000 for 4 (Travel fees may apply).
Virtual Visits: $150 for one 60-minute session, $100 for each additional session on the same day, up to four sessions in one day.
Ambreen has been a teacher for thirteen years. She loves her job and her students, both of which have played a huge hand in ultimately leading her to write her middle-grade, Alina Butt series. Her books are inspired by her own childhood experience immigrating from Pakistan to England, being the new kid numerous times and trying to fit in…all with her funny last name! Now, she gets to combine both her passions of teaching and writing through her school visits. She loves to spread the message of the importance of inclusivity and diversity, believing in yourself, and becoming confident in your own voice. These themes are covered not only in her books, but are also incorporated in her engaging, thought provoking and inspiring presentations and workshops. Students leave feeling motivated, critically thinking and charged to create their own projects, with newly gained writing skills and a boost in their imaginations. In her workshops and presentations, she engages the audience through read alouds, funny anecdotes, open Q&A, and fun activities, suitable for all learners, with a memorable final product as a keepsake.
Presentation – How to Achieve ANYTHING You Want!Ideal for Grades 4 – 12 (Can be done as a whole school presentation)
Do you want to know how to be able to achieve your wildest dreams? Join Ambreen as she reveals four simple steps to being able to reach any of your goals! Ambreen will talk about her journey of becoming an author of the Alina Butt series, as well as her writing process, highlighting the importance of hard work and resilience. She will read a chapter from The Unlovable Alina Butt, speaking about what inspired her to write and why she feels this story was so important to share with the world. Through this inspiring presentation, students will reflect on their interests and gain the confidence to pursue their passion.
Workshop 1 – Turning Journaling into Story Writing
Grades 4 – 12 (Ideally maximum 20 – 30 students)
Join Ambreen for a fun and interactive session about turning journaling into story writing. Ambreen will read a chapter from The Unlovable Alina Butt, revealing how the story was inspired by her own childhood experiences, of immigrating to a new country, being the new kid, trying to fit in with a funny last name. Students will be inspired to learn that her writing journey began when her dad gifted her her very first, pink, fluffy diary as a 9-year-old – which she started journaling in every single day. Participants will think of their funniest memory, and learn how to turn that into a riveting story. Students will use their experiences and imagination to come away with the beginnings of their story, in written or picture format.
Workshop 2 – Creating the New Kid
Grades 4 – 8 (Ideally maximum 20 – 30 students)
Join Ambreen for her “Creating the New Kid” workshop! Ambreen will read an excerpt from The Unlovable Alina Butt, introducing her main character, Alina, who is the new kid, starting her first day of school in a new country. Participants will create their very own “new kid” who is being introduced to the class. They will learn how to create a three-dimensional, relatable character by coming up with diverse physical features, a distinctive personality, past experiences, and finally give their character a unique name! Students will come away with a well-developed character, the “new kid” they have created, either in written or picture format.
Required Materials:
Blackboard/whiteboard, laptop (or connecting adaptor for a Macbook), projector and screen, internet access, speakers and mic (for larger presentation).
Participants will require writing materials (lined paper and pencils, colouring pencils and crayons for younger grades), including assistive technologies for students who use them in the classroom on a regular basis.
Danny is a member of CANSCAIP, SCBWI, and TWUC. Virtual visits $150 + HST. In-person $250 + HST (available in Ottawa, ON only).
Danny is a children’s author, elementary school educator, and former teacher-librarian. He has worked in both public and independent schools across five continents. Danny is an advocate for fully funded and staffed school libraries, as well as a champion for 2SLGBTQ+ identities and communities. He currently lives in Ottawa with his husband and daughters.
As an author of chapter books, Danny’s presentations are best suited for elementary school audiences (Gr. 1-5). Presentations are prepared in collaboration with teachers and organizers.
Presentation Options:
Writing Workshop Style – This presentation includes a brief introduction to Danny’s journey as a writer, then dives right into the writing process for youth. He discusses tips for brainstorming ideas, various story map examples, how to write drafts, and the importance of editing and revising. By the end, participants will have a plan for creating their own 6-sentence stories. Best suited for single classes (or groups up to about 25 participants), the presentation runs for approximately 30-45 minutes, depending on the grade level and needs of the group.
Author Journey Format – This presentation includes Danny’s path to becoming an author, his writing process, a more in-depth look at his books and stories, as well as a Q&A session at the end. The presentation can be adapted for single classes or larger groups (up to 100 participants) and runs for approximately 45 minutes, depending on the grade level and needs of the group.
SCBWI, CANSCAIP and The Writer’s Union. Picture Books, Middle Grade & YA
Shari Becker is a critically acclaimed novelist and picture book author who has been writing and creating content, fiction and nonfiction for children and teens for over 25 years. Her nonfiction picture books include Taking Turns With Turtles: A Rescue Story and Sprouting Wings, which she co-authored. Her fiction picture books include Maxwell’s Mountain and Horris Grows Down. She has also written the YA climate-change adventure novel The Stellow Project, and she is currently working on a middle grade contemporary manuscript.
Over the span of her writing career, Shari has tutored, taught and led creative activities for students in elementary, middle and high schools across North America. In 2017, Shari founded Whale Rock Literary Workshops, a master-level writing education company for children’s authors that employs award-winning authors and editors as well as MFA-level faculty. She holds an MA from New York University and kicked off her career developing branded content for Nickelodeon, Disney-owned properties, and an Emmy Award–winning puppeteer.
Shari’s books have received honors including Bank Street Best Books Outstanding Merit, Children’s Book Council Notable Social Studies Book for Young People, Golden Kite Finalist, Oklahoma State Sequoyah Book Award Nominee, Pennsylvania Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Award Nominee and Charlotte Zolotow Honors. Multiple titles are Junior Library Guild selections, and she has received starred School Library Journal as well as a starred Publishers Weekly Reviews.
Rates:
Within Toronto, for in-person workshops, Shari’s rates are $300 for one session, $550 for two and $800 for three sessions. HST is additional. All sessions are between 45 and 60 minutes. For virtual workshops, Shari’s rates are $250 for one session, $450 for two and $675 for three. HST is additional. Kindergarten visits can be split into two 25 minutes visits with different classes. Travel fees may apply outside the metro-Toronto area.
Presentations are available in Montreal when possible as I am there often.
Presentations Available: Preschool through Kindergarten Taking Turns With Turtles: A Rescue Story 25-30 minute storytime with question and answer period and optional art activity connected to turtles or other community helpers. Shari is happy to connect with teachers and librarians ahead of time to adapt the presentation to their current curriculum.
Maxwell’s Mountain 25-30 minute storytime with question and answer period and optional art activity connected to map-making and trip planning. Shari is happy to connect with teachers and librarians ahead of time to adapt the presentation to their current curriculum.
Grades 3 – 5 Sprouting Wings This 45-60 minute presentation includes a reading of the picture book as well as a conversation about the backstory and/or questions students may have about James Herman Banning.
Class conversation will revolve around community and untold stories. Students will be given time to brainstorm an idea and write a story about either a community they are a part of or a greatest story from their family. If there is time we can share and read aloud.
Shari is happy to connect with teachers and librarians ahead of time to adapt presentations to the current curriculum. As well, if appropriate, Shari can combine Taking Turns With Turtles as part of a class discussion around the concept of community.
Grades 5 – 12 Shari has taught workshops in schools and afterschool programs for private and public groups. She tutored high schoolers in essay writing as well as in writing personal statements for the US university application process.
She will coordinate with school faculty to collaborate on specific, 45-60 minute writing workshops, aligned with the current curriculum, if desired, drawing on Shari’s extensive background in teaching creative writing and educational / academic writing to students.
Some examples of her workshops for middle and high schoolers include:
Using concrete nouns and creative verbs to enhance your writing We’ll explore how making word choices in writing can elevate a piece of writing. Shari will share and explore examples of paragraphs from age-appropriate literature where the authors use concrete nouns and unique verbs. Shari will create a list of nouns and verbs with students and each student will write their own paragraphs, which we will then share out loud and discuss.
Character development Memorable characters stay with readers for a lifetime. Shari will lead students through a conversation around their favorite characters. She’ll investigate why these characters are beloved and how the authors created them. Shari will share selections from literature and discuss with the class all the various questions an author needs to consider when creating a character. Students will each be asked to answer a series of questions about a character and then write a paragraph where they “tell” us about a character using the “show don’t tell” approach.
Dialogue and body language Compelling dialogue makes stories believable. In this workshop we’ll read a series of novel excerpts where characters are talking to each other. We’ll look at how real conversations often don’t include full sentences. Characters cut each other off, repeat themselves, start an idea and then continue later. We’ll look at how authors describe the characters’ bodies while they are speaking so that the reader can imagine the scene. Shari may ask two or three students to come up and act out the scenes they read. Students will then have an opportunity to write themselves or with partners a scene that contains dialogue and body language.
Personal Essays Personal essays can be a powerful writing tool for both students applying to universities and students looking for a form of self-expression. Using examples of the US Common Application essay as a starting point, Shari can teach 10th-12th graders the art of writing about oneself. She’ll talk about how to find a great topic, how to use narration as a tool to hook readers, and how to bring the narrative together in a way that is memorable.
Equipment required: Equipment differs from presentation to presentation. Flip chart and markers or whiteboard and pens, microphone and podium (for large rooms), paper and pencils or pens (for workshops). Art supplies may be needed or brought by author, TBD. Teacher and/or librarian must be present.
Writer’s Union Member, CANSCAIP Member. Middle-grade & High School. $400 plus HST for one session, $800 for two, for three or full day session (to be discussed). Virtual visits fees – $300 plus HST, per session. Plus travel fee of 0.50/Km, if outside Toronto.
EDDIE KAWOOYA was born in Uganda and raised on three different continents before settling in Canada. His love for writing was inspired by his grandmother’s oral stories and the folklore of Uganda’s ancestral past. As an immigrant to Canada, he is passionate about issues related to race, inclusion and diversity. He has spent years honing his craft in the field of public policy, corporate governance, and strategic communications. He published his first novel, Ace and the Misfits, in 2024. The sequel novel Ace and the Misfits vs. the Soccer Knights was published in 2025. He lives in Toronto.
Examples of Workshops:
Grades 5 – 8 (Imagining the Possible Workshops)
Students explore how imagination can open doors to new worlds, ideas and possibilities. Through guided exercises, discussions and story building activities, author Eddie Kawooya encourages students to harness their own voices, stretch their creativity and see how writing can be both powerful and fun.
Grades 5 – 8 (Thematic & Interactive Workshops)
Using themes from the Ace & the Misfit series, these workshops invite students to reflect on real-life challenges of fitting in, standing up to bullying, and building inclusive communities. Through story-telling and conversation, Eddie Kawooya helps students see how sport, friendship and resilience can inspire us to create spaces where everyone belongs
All venues, including library. Equipment required: microphone, screen and projector, soccer ball, parchment paper and markers. Lunch for full day sessions.
In-person: $300 for one session; $500 for two (same day and location) within Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley. Virtual: $150. All fees plus GST. Travel costs may apply of $0.50/km + ferry fares in applicable)
FOREST OF READING 2026 NOMINEE
Monique is a passionate and engaging presenter with a background in early childhood education. With experience in facilitating workshops for young children, teens, adults, parents, and educators, Monique can speak on immigration, financial literacy, early childhood education, and parenting. An entrepreneur, financial professional, homeschool parent (for 5+ years), and an immigrant from the Philippines, Monique brings a wide range of experience in every visit.
Presentations can be tailor fit to your specific needs and objectives. It is important to understand where the students are at in terms of their knowledge and understanding as well as what the goals are for the visit.
Immigration: Whether this is for younger children, teens, or adults, this presentation starts off with a read aloud of the book “It’s Okay, Just Ask”. Then, depending on the group’s level, the presentation can range from discussing unique cultural experiences to exploring themes of identity, belonging, and acceptance.
Financial Literacy: Audiences range from preschool to adults. The presentation format allows for sharing of concepts but also has room for more interactive elements such as brainstorming ways to save, invest, and earn money, business plan writing, formulating budget worksheets, and planning for retirement. This presentation is supported by the author’s self-published book series that explores habits and beliefs around the topic of finances.
Small groups are preferred for more interactive workshops. Large groups also work depending on the theme of the presentation. Indoor venues like a classroom, or meeting rooms works great. For technical requirements, if the presentation calls for it, then there would be a need for a screen, projector, and sound system. For virtual presentations, access to the online platform and ability to screen share is necessary. If the group is much larger, then technical support might is helpful for monitoring the chat group and/or Q&A.
Writers Union Member. Sci-Fi/Fantasy, White Pine (4) and Red Maple (1) nominee, Amy Mather’s Award winner, Monica Hughes Award nominee (2), LA Times Book Prize nominee, William C Morris Debut Award nominee. Grade 7-12.
$500 for one session, $650 for 2, $900 for 3, + travel ($0.68/km, SW Ontario). Virtual visits $200.
FOREST OF READING 2026 NOMINEE
EK Johnston has been telling herself stories for as long as she can remember, and she’s pretty thrilled that her for real grown up job involves telling stories to other people. She especially loves talking to students, because those are the people she is writing for. With 17 YA novels (and counting!), EK can speak on the writing process and publishing as a business, and she loves answering the kinds of questions teenagers come up with.
EK’s presentations are mostly student-led, following a Q&A format so that she engages with her audience on topics they find interesting (though she can “improv” while they’re warming up). She can answer a few questions about Star Wars, with the understanding that there are some topics she can’t speak on lest the chip in the back of her head activate. She prefers to talk to no more than 60 students for an hour (with teachers present), but also enjoys smaller groups, like book club lunches. She needs a microphone in any room bigger than a classroom, and appreciates some water and a bit of room to pace. (Sometimes she might need a desk to sit on, because she has a chronic spine condition.).
Alexandra Writer’s Centre Society member. WordBridge board member. 2025 Snow Willow Award finalist. Middle Grade (grades 4 – 8). Writing workshops for all ages.
In-Person Visits (45-60 minutes): $300 for 1 session; $550 for 2 sessions; $750 for 3 sessions; $900 for 4 sessions. Travel charge of $0.55/km (round trip) for locations over 50 km from Red Deer.
Virtual Visits (45-60 minutes): $200 per session.
FOREST OF READING 2026 NOMINEE
Jessica Renwick dove into the world of writing fiction as a preteen and never looked back. Naturally, this led to a career as a public library assistant. She is the author of middle grade books that explore Canadian history, family dynamics, and friendship through exciting paranormal ghost stories. Her most recent book for young readers, Ghosts of Gastown, is a finalist for the 2025 Willow Awards and was selected for the CCBC’s Best Books for Kids and Teens for spring of 2025.
Jessica is an experienced speaker who can tailor her presentations to suit the needs of the school or library. Her fun and interactive presentation is perfect for kids grades four to eight, and she loves doing writing workshops for that age and older (including adults!).
Her general presentation covers her writing journey. This includes themes of resilience, growth, and why rejection letters are not a bad thing. She discusses her writing process, from brainstorming to final edits. She relates the writing and publishing process to what students do in school with their writing assignments, and she includes tips and tricks for generating story ideas, getting over writer’s block, dealing with critique, and how to critique your peers’ work.
Free virtual visits: Jessica offers free fifteen-minute Q&A virtual visits for classes or library groups who have read Ghosts of Gastown.
Writing workshops: Available upon request. Jessica is a certified creative writing instructor through the Alexandra Writer’s Centre Society. She offers creative presentations about writing for kids, writing short stories, and can tailor workshops for a class or writing group’s needs. Maximum group size is one class or twenty adults.
Preferred venues and equipment: Libraries, classrooms, or gymnasiums. If she is presenting in anything larger than a classroom, a microphone will be required. A digital projector and screen will be required, and a table for supplies would be appreciated. Jessica will bring her own laptop for the slideshow.
