Category: Uncategorized

Jones, Kevin (aka Kevin heronJones) Brampton, Ontario

(Writer’s Union), Hackmatack Award Nominee (2023)  Named Brampton’s Official Writer-in-Residence (2025) Knowledge Bookstore nomination for best spoken word CD recording (2011) Telly Award: Video production of heronJones Presents The Season (2006) Golden Sheaf Award nomination for the Yorkton Short Film Festival multicultural category for heronJones Presents The Season (2006) Roots Lounge Slam Poetry Champion (Multi Awards) Wordlympics Team Poetry Slam Runner-up (2004) Urban Music Association of Canada nomination for best poetry recording (2001)

In Person and Virtual Visits.  Grade four to University in age:

Workshops/Author Readings $400 per session (1 hr)

Workshops include Performance/reading along with lecture and coaching (up to 40 students per session)

Author Readings include Live reading and discussion (no restrictions on number of students)

Performances $400 per session (1hr)

Performances include Live show/concert with Q&A (no restrictions on number of students)

Travel rates .50 cents per kilometer, round-trip outside of the GTA

Multiple sessions up to 4 per day are negotiable

Kevin heronJones is a novelist, poet, journalist, editor, narrator and lecturer. This electrifying artist is best known for his profound and powerful delivery. He is currently serving as the city of Brampton’s first Writer-in-Residence. He grew up in Jane/Finch Toronto and Brampton.  He studied journalism at Sheridan College and creative writing with the University of Toronto. He is the founder of PoeticSoul, an organization dedicated to promoting the poetic arts scene and providing lovers of poetry with quality entertainment. He’s held numerous workshops for students throughout the Greater Toronto Area, providing an interactive introduction to storytelling and spoken word where students are challenged to create their own prose and oratory creations and believe in their creative abilities. He has authored three published novels, three books of poetry, he has recorded three spoken word poetry CDs and narrates literature through his Listen Fiction platform.

Writing Fiction Workshop: Finding Inspiration

60 minutes, grades – 4-8

Students are encouraged to create their own stories with coaching from Kevin Jones

How do we know what to write? Inspiration comes from the places we least expect (the places we don’t pay attention to)

What is your favourite show, movie, song, poem?

What is your favourite saying, quote, lyric?

What excites you, makes you mad, happy, upset?

What are the top news stories? What did you read on a billboard today? What did you see in a commercial?

These are possible starting points when you are trying to figure out what to write

* Additional Writing Workshops can be constructed to suit your school’s writing goals and student interests.

Author Reading

60 minutes, grades – Elementary/Middle School/Secondary

Narration/reading excerpt of Half Court Trap or Not Talking About You (Elementary/Middle School)

Narration/reading excerpt of Hacking Heartbreak (Middle School/Secondary)

Discussion of novel’s themes

  • Half-Court Trap – Body image, sportsmanship and bullying
  • Not Talking About you – Racism and sportsmanship
  • Hacking Heartbreak – Social media ethics, romantic relationships and cyberbullying

Black History Month Assembly:

60 minutes, grades – Elementary/Middle School/Secondary

Spoken word poetry performance

Talk about equality

Celebration of African achievements

African History facts

Q & A

Writing Poetry Workshop:

60 minutes, grades – Elementary/Middle School/Secondary/College

Spoken word poetry performance

Storytelling and Poetry for Beginners (Elementary school students)

The Art of the Spoken Word (Secondary school students)

How to Write and Perform Slam Poetry (Secondary school, College/University)

Urban Griots (College/University students)

What You Think Is What You Are (Business/General public)

Preferred Venues 

Workshops – Classroom or library

Poetry performances – Gymnasium or Theatre

Author Readings – No stipulation

Tech Required

Projector for workshopsand author readings

Book Kevin for a visit

    Hazard, N.M.L. (Nadja) Toronto, ON

    Member: The Writers Union of Canada, CANSCAIP, SCWBI. Fiction writer. Skipping Stones Book Award 2025. In person sessions: $250 for one, $450 for two, $600 for three, $800 for four . Mileage within Toronto waived, otherwise $.50 cents/km for SW ON.

    Nadja is a veterinarian turned writer, and an experienced workshop facilitator for both adults and children. She is the author of a children’s chapter book series, as well as a short story collection and a novel for adults. As a life-long animal lover and longtime advocate for them, Nadja always shares her passion for nature and animals with her audiences.

    “A truly engaging and inspiring visit. The children were completely captivated by her storytelling.” Judith Goldberg, Principal, Bayview Glen PS (YRDSB)

    Presentations:

    Nadja is an extremely flexible presenter, and very familiar with the Ontario curriculum through her work with Scientists in School. She is willing and able to adapt her workshops to cover topics such as animal needs and characteristics, life cycles, habitats, biodiversity, and more.  She also loves to facilitate creative writing with engaging prompts and activities. Regardless of the workshop theme, Nadja shares her childhood love of both books and animals, her career as a veterinarian, and her passion for storytelling.

    Let’s Talk Dogs!

    Target Audience: Grades 1-3

    Nadja will guide students through ways to understand doggie feelings in this dynamic and interactive presentation. Her second children’s chapter book, Tizzy and Me: The Incredible Adventure of Moondog’s Eye, explores the joys and challenges of adopting a dog. Using her book as a guide, students will learn Doggie SOS, a quick and simple way to stay safe around dogs, as well as how to read a dog’s body language. (For some extra fun, they’ll also learn to speak a little guinea-pig!) Students will have a chance to “adopt” their own dog. As a wrap-up, students will use story stones to generate their own animal stories.

    Let’s Be Animal Kind

    Target Audience: Grades 2-5

    Description:

    Nadja will introduce students to the mink, a semi-aquatic animal native to Canada. Using her children’s chapter book, Tizzy and Me: Fifteen Ways to Love a Mink as a guide,students will learn about mink characteristics, as well their needs. They will be introduced to the issue of mink fur farming in Canada, in a sensitive and age-appropriate way. Finally, they’ll get to be “Animal Kind” kids and explore ways to take action to help animals. Each student will design, make and keep their own poster and/or button. As a wrap-up, students will use story stones to generate their own animal stories.

    Tizzy and Me: Fifteen Ways to Love a Mink: friendship, family, kindness, conflict, mink, dogs, animals, animal activism, protests, Toronto, LGBTQ+.

    Tizzy and Me: The Incredible Adventures of Moondog’s Eye: friendship, family,  adoption, dogs, guinea pigs, animals, dog safety, doggie language, doggie SOS, veterinarian, Toronto, LGBTQ+.

    Group Size Preference: 12 – 25 (maximum 40)

    Venue: classroom

    Tech: projector and screen for Power-Point

    Book Nadja for a visit

      Thompson, Allister (North Bay, ON)

      Writer’s Union member, Children’s Book Centre member, Editor’s Association of Canada member, Hackmatack Children’s Choice nominee

      $300 plus HST for 1 session, $600 for 2, $800 for 3 and $1000 for 4, + travel (.50 cents per kilometer +HST south of Huntsville, west of Sudbury, and north and east of North Bay).

      Virtual Visits: $150 plus HST for one session, 20-60 minutes, $100 for each additional session on the same day.

      Allister Thompson is a lifelong book editor in all genres and for all age groups and a writer with a passion for books that grapple with the biggest issues of our time. He has a gift for writing and speaking about climate change and environmentalism in a way that can spark hope and activism in young readers. His presentations on Birch and Jay, his speculative fiction/post-apocalyptic young adult novel set in northern and southern Ontario, thoughtfully examine how we came to be in the dire situation we are in as a species and how generations of the future can walk a different path.

      Allister Thompson - Birch and Jay

      Presentations are for grades 10-12, preferred size of group around 30 but larger possible

      Interested participants may be developing a passion for writing or members of an environmental or climate change club.

      Only requirements for participants are pen and paper

      Example of presentation:

      Allister begins by presenting the plot and themes from his young adult post-apocalyptic climate-change novel, Birch and Jay, and then talking about how climate change is affecting young people and their perception of their future, but also how it has entered the popular consciousness through art: books, film, TV, gaming, and music, giving examples that the teens can relate to.

      He examines what kinds of stories are out there: hopeful, bleak, etc., and asks students for examples they have seen or read.

      Several music prompts are used (original music by the author, and also examples from popular music) to get students brainstorming about how climate change is affecting them personally. Students are asked to decide if the music is hopeful/bleak, and they will write something in response to that.

      Lastly, students have a few minutes to come up with their own hopeful scenarios through writing prompts such as “The future to me looks like…?” The outlook for coming generations will be very challenging. What does hope look like for them? What would they like the world to look like in a hundred years? Allister will specifically be asking them to think about positive change, not bleak scenarios, as an entry point for them to think about things they can do in their own lives to embody positive change where climate and the environment are concerned. The group will discuss some of the provided examples.

      Themes: Earth Day, activism, conservation, feelings and social situations

      Book Allister for a visit:

        Autio, Karen. Kelowna. BC.

        Member of Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP); Children’s Writers & Illustrators of BC Society (CWILL-BC); and Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC). Fiction and non-fiction, 2X Word Award winner, CBC Kids Book Club Pick, OLA Best Bets, MYRCA finalist, Arthur Ellis finalist, 2X Chocolate Lily finalist.

        Karen is the author of 11 books for young readers, with her newest disability-inclusive picture book called PLAYDATE SURPRISE and in French UNE SURPRISE MERVEILLEUSE.

        • January 29, 2025: Karen is available for a school author visit in Brampton or Toronto.
        • January 30, 2025: OLA Super Conference CANSCAIP Book Tasting (10:30-11:25 am) Karen will present  PLAYDATE SURPRISE.
        • January 31, 2025: OLA Super Conference book signing of PLAYDATE SURPRISE and UNE SURPRISE MERVEILLEUSE with illustrator Laura Watson at 11 am at Scholastic Canada booth #211.
        • May 5-9, 2025: Karen is available for author visits to schools in Saanich and Victoria, BC.

        JK-Grade 6. $300 for 1 session, $500 for 2, $700 for 3 and $900 for 4, maximum 4 sessions per day, + travel and lodging if outside of the Okanagan Valley, BC, unless otherwise stated.

        Virtual Visits: $250 for 1 session, $200 for each additional session on the same day; via Zoom or other preferred online platform; support personnel (to moderate and manage technical aspects)

        Karen is an experienced presenter who welcomes the opportunity to talk about the writing process and share her passion for researching and writing. Each of her five interactive presentations is tailored to one or more of her picture books, middle-grade novels and narrative non-fiction. Karen reveals the inspiration behind the book(s), explores relevant book-related topics, uses props and Power-Point, and includes a reading followed by time for Q&A.

        JK to 3: I CAN, TOO! & PLAYDATE SURPRISE: Disabilities, Inclusion and Friendship based on picture books I CAN, TOO! and PLAYDATE SURPRISE: play, accessibility, adaptive equipment, movement, sports, inclusive playground

        2 to 5: Kah-Lan: Sea Otters and a Thriving Ocean based on chapter books KAH-LAN THE ADVENTUROUS SEA OTTER and KAH-LAN AND THE STINK-INK: sea otters, ocean, adventure, survival, oil spill, marine mammal rescue

        3 to 6: MAKING SEAKER: Writing and STEAM topics based on middle-grade contemporary novel MAKING SEAKER: new girl, science, technology, trackable model boat, Nipigon, Great Lakes, Paddle-to-the-Sea, self-realization, acceptance, friendship

        3 to 6: Growing Up in Wild Horse Canyon: Exploring Centuries of History based on narrative non-fiction picture book GROWING UP IN WILD HORSE CANYON set in the Okanagan Valley, BC, covering Indigenous content (Syilx Okanagan, Nsyilxcən language, First Nation quest, history, culture), wild horses, fur brigade, settlers, railway, secret wartime commando training, firestorm

        4 to 6: Bringing Canadian History Alive based on middle-grade historical novels SECOND WATCH, SAARA’S PASSAGE, and SABOTAGE: Canadian home front during World War I, living in 1914-1915 in Northwestern Ontario, First World War, shipwreck of Empress of Ireland in St. Lawrence River, tuberculosis, sanatoriums, spies, sabotage, internment camps; Finnish immigrant family dynamics

        Maximum group size: To promote interaction during in-person presentations, Karen prefers to meet with smaller groups, so a maximum of three classes.

        Venue: Library or classroom preferred

        Equipment Required: A table to hold presentation materials; a screen, computer and projector for displaying PowerPoint presentation from a USB drive; a microphone if the venue is not the library or classroom; lunch (egg salad sandwich on brown bread) if she is staying for the day.

        Please note: Her surname is pronounced like Audio with a soft T.

        Contact Karen to book a visit:

          Cacao, Joanna (Winnipeg, MB)

          Member of SCBWI and CCBC.

          In Person: $300 plus tax per hour. (1 session = 1 hour)

          Virtual Visits are $250 plus tax per hour.

          *If outside of Manitoba: travel and hotel accommodations are needed. 

          *Will do a maximum 4 sessions in one area in a single day.

          Awards & Lists:

          • 2025 IL Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award – Nominees
          • 2025 MYRCA Northern Lights Award Nominee
          • 2024 Aurora Award Nominee
          • 2024 Utah Beehive Book Awards – Nominees: Graphic Novels (Children)
          • 2023-24 Tennessee Volunteer State Book Award in the Middle School category.
          • 2023-24 Pennsylvania Keystone to Reading Book Award – Reading List
          • 2023-24 Pennsylvania Keystone to Reading Secondary Book Award – Reading List: Middle School
          • 2023 CBC Books’ Best Canadian Books for Kids & Teens
          • 2023 CBC Children’s and Young Adult Favorites Award List
          • 2023 CBC Children’s Favorites Award List: Grades 3-5
          • 2023 CCBC Choices List: Fiction for Children
          • 2023 Bank Street Children’s Book Committee Best Books of the Year – Book List: Ages 9-12
          • 2023 Sakura Medal
          • 2022 VLA Graphic Novel Diversity Award – Honors: Youth

          Joanna Cacao is a Canadian Filipino illustrator and author primarily for middle grade graphic novels. She is most known for her collaboration with Christina Soontornvat for The Tryout and The Squad, as well as her debut author/illustrator graphic novel: The Secret of the Ravens.

          Book Topics: Fantasy, Magic, Adventure, Culture, Friends, Family, Asian, Middle School, Poverty, LGBT+


          LIFE OF A CARTOONIST

          Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a cartoonist? What are their lives like? What goes into the world of creating a graphic novel from start to finish?

          Joanna delves into her experience from drawing on her notes in school to creating her first webcomic and taking the leap into traditional publishing. Joanna discusses her trials of following her dreams, growing up Filipino, seeing her name on a bookshelf for the first time and experiencing fame and getting to know her fans. Presentation ends with a Q&A.

          Ages: 8+
          Group Size: No max.

          A/V Needs: In Person sessions require the use of a projector, virtual sessions require the ability to share screens. 

          The above is Joanna’s go-to presentation, but she is happy to delve into other topics or activities to suit your school needs/events/activities! She has also done conversation styled panels, and is absolutely happy to be part of one.

          Contact Joanna to book a visit:

            Thompson, Julie (Whitby, ON)

            The Writer’s Union of Canada, Society of Children’s Book Writers, Writer’s Union of Canada 2024 Grant Recipient.

            In-person rates:  $400 for one session, $750 for two, $1100 for three and $1400 for four, + travel (.68 cents per km, round-trip within the GTAH). Each session runs between 45 – 60 minutes. Virtual Visits: $300 a session. Each session runs between 45 – 60 minutes.

            Julie will collaborate with teacher’s and librarians to tailor her presentation to meet curriculum requirements. Students and staff can purchase signed copies of “When Isaac Hears the Rain.” Contact Julie for details.

            Julie Thompson creates stories that reflect and celebrate the lived experiences of children everywhere. As a mother of two boys, Julie is especially drawn to books that honor Black Boy Joy. She hopes that her stories will encourage open dialogue within families and their communities.

            Julie’s stories are inspired by the people, places, and experiences that have shaped her 27-year career in youth services, community outreach, and law enforcement. She lives with her two sons in Toronto, where she teaches yoga, breathwork, mindfulness, and meditation. Julie is eager to meet with you and your students.

              Levels: Grades 1-3

              Key themes: curiosity, environment, mindfulness, friendship, kindness, family, diversity, black boy joy

              Maximum group sizes for presentations: 30 kids ideal.

              JK 45-60 minutes. Author reading session ((When Issac Hears the Rain)

               with an activity (if time permits Julie will remain with the students while they complete their activity).

              Grade 1-2: 45 to 60 minutes: Author reading session (When Isaac Hears the Rain). Question and Answer with an activity (if time permits Julie will remain with the students while they complete their activity).

              Grade 3: 45 to 60 minutes: 45 to 60 minutes: Author reading session (When Isaac Hears the Rain). Question and Answer with an activity (if time permits Julie will remain with the students while they complete their activity).

              Presentations are preferred in the library.

              Equipment needs for in-person visits:  Table, stool, a microphone for larger groups or 30 or in the gym. A screen and projector to connect computer. Teacher/librarian must be present.

              Contact Julie to book a visit:

                Daher, Anita, (Manitoba)

                Note: Last name pronunciation is “dare.” The Writers’ Union of Canada, Manitoba Writers’ Guild, ACTRA Finalist: White Pine, Red Cedar, MYRCA, Violet Downey, Arthur Ellis, Diamond Willow.

                Rates for in-person: $300 per single presentation, $200 for additional presentations at the same school per day.

                Rates for virtual: $200 per presentation.

                Anita Daher is an author, screenwriter, producer, and actor primarily of Icelandic and Irish heritage. She has been entrenched in the publishing industry since 1995, and helped found writing organizations in Yellowknife, NWT, and the Algoma region of Northern Ontario before landing in Winnipeg in 2004. From 2019 to 2021 she served as Chair of the Writers’ Union of Canada. She thinks too much, rises too early, and in her spare time enjoys renovating old campers.

                Anita is a dynamic speaker who has presented in hundreds of schools in urban, rural and remote communities across Canada, primarily in the North and West. She can do up to four presentations in the same school or area in a day. She has power point presentations appropriate to the grade, which include a professionally filmed scene adapted from one of her novels.

                Presentations

                • Grades 3 to 6
                • Grades 7 and 8
                • Grades 9 to 12

                For younger grades the focus is plot and planning. For older grades, it is “the story underneath,” or the heart of the story. Each touch on the author’s journey, and what—besides inspiration—you need to write a book.

                Presentations are generally 45 minutes, adaptable to school needs, and include time for Q & A.

                Group size preference, preferred venues (for in person), tech required for your presentations.

                Anita’s preferred venue is a library and is flexible regarding size of audience—whatever is appropriate to the space. She requires a projector with speakers to accommodate her power point presentation. 

                Contact Anita to book a visit:

                  Maheshwari, Priti (Cambridge, ON)

                  Priti Birla Maheshwari is an award-winning children’s author and teacher. She is the recipient of the 2023 CCBC and TD Grade One Book Giveaway, as well as many other awards for her debut picture book Chaiwala! (illustrated by Ashley Barron, published by OwlKids Books 2021).

                  Priti is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), and the Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP). She gives English and French language presentations and workshops for grades K-3 in the category of fiction.

                  In-person rates: $400 for 1 session, $650 for 2, $900 for 3 and $1100 for 4, + travel (.68 cents per kilometre, round-trip for SW ON).

                  Virtual Visits: $300 for one session, 45-60 minutes, $200 for each additional session on the same day.

                  Priti is an experienced educator and speaker who tailors each presentation to the group in front of her through fun interactive sessions. She can do up to four daily presentations in the same school. As the author of a picture book and an early reader chapter book series, Priti can offer a vast range of workshops for kindergarten to grade 3 students.

                  She will gladly collaborate with teachers and/or librarians to customize visits to meet the children’s interests and the teachers’ curriculum requirements. Students and staff have the option to order personalized, signed books which will be delivered to their school. Priti will provide ordering instructions.

                  In-person visits:

                  Priti begins with a PowerPoint presentation that immerses the students in the sounds and sights of India. This is followed by an interactive reading session and then an art activity where the students make personalized teacups.

                  Participatory Reading & Activities: Age level: K – grade 1; Duration 45-60 minutes. Best for up to 30 students for optimal engagement.

                  Priti introduces students to facts about India and a fun participatory reading session of Chaiwala! Priti also discusses idea generation and the inspiration for the story. This includes a small moment activity and an art activity.

                  Key concepts: diversity, arts

                  Key themes: curiosity, exploration, family and traditions, cultural appreciation

                  Explore a Book! Age level: Grades 1-3; Duration: 45-60 minutes. Appropriate for classroom visits.

                  Students will explore the picture book Chaiwala! through the lens of a reader, writer, and artist. They’ll discover how the author and illustrator work together to create a picture book, and how the world in which we live is interconnected with “small moments”. Students will do an activity on what makes a moment special and end with an art activity.

                  Key concepts: picture book creation, writing process

                  Key themes: curiosity, exploration

                  Levels: Grades 1-3

                  Equipment needs for in-person visits:

                  • Laptop with PowerPoint – presentation is on a USB stick (or Priti can bring her own laptop if it can be connected to the school projector)
                  • SmartBoard or digital projector and screen for presentation
                  • Microphone if the space is larger than a classroom
                  • Table to set materials
                  • Chair or stool

                  For virtual visits, school Zoom account (or similar). Student supplies depend on the session which will be discussed before the visit. The teacher or librarian must be present for all presentations, virtual or in-person.

                  Contact Priti to book a visit:

                    Frayne Sharon, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario

                    Writers Union Member. Young Adult and Adult genres. $300 plus HST and travel ($0.50/km outside Niagara) for 1 session, $500 for 2, $700 for 3 and $900 for full day.

                    Virtual Visits: $100-200 plus HST (depending on time required)

                    Background: Sharon Frayne was born in St. Catharines, grew up on a Niagara farm and in Muskoka, and now divides her time between Niagara and Northern Ontario. She was a high school Visual Arts and English teacher, an Arts Department Head, and Elementary Principal. During her career, she worked with many special needs children, their families and teachers. She’s an award winning short story writer and novelist, whose contemporary tales include diverse characters, environmental issues, Canadian history and outdoor settings.  

                    Public Speaking and Workshops: Sharon is a dynamic, engaging, experienced teacher and Principal who is comfortable leading small groups, individual classrooms or presenting in assemblies. She enjoys speaking to adult groups and book clubs. Presentations include visuals and are interactive, tailored to individual and group needs.

                    Workshop Themes (samples, more are available and can be customized)

                    How to Self-Edit (suitable for students in grades 4- 12. Meets Ontario Curriculum Guidelines)

                    How to create amazing, realistic, empathetic characters (for short stories or novel length)

                    Does Setting matter? It sure does – let’s do some world building to enhance your story.

                    Seven Steps to writing a prize winning Short Story.

                    What’s a plot line? How to develop one for a short story or novel.

                    Who needs conflict? Your story does – here’s how to create some.

                    For Better or for Worse – How does Social Media Affect Us?

                    Materials Required for School Presentations:

                    Classroom or Library setting preferred. Microphone (if acoustics are problematic), table for computer and materials, screen and data projector. Preference is for individual classrooms, or similar age/grade groups up to 100.

                    Free Virtual Visits!

                    15 minute virtual visits, with a short teacher/moderator led Q & A session are available to classes or clubs who are reading one of my books.  This works best with small groups.

                    Writer in Residence option:

                    This is a fantastic opportunity to develop a working relationship with a group over a pre-arranged time period. This could be writing workshops, feedback sessions, book discussions and can be arranged to suit interest and ability levels.

                    Publications:

                    Magazines and Newspapers: Eden Mills Writers Festival Chapter Publication (winning writers), CommuterLit, Agnes and True, The Ekphrastic Review, Uproar, The Local (NOTL Paper), The Lake Report (NOTL Paper), Stage of Life (USA online publication) and others

                    Novels: The Sound of a Rainbow, (Latitude 46 Publishing),2023 (gr. 8 -12)

                    Caught Between the Walls, (Bygones Press), 2016 (gr. 6 -12)

                    Awards:

                    Frayne’s short stories and poems have won in the South Simcoe Arts Festival, Eden Mills Writers Festival, the Northern Ontario Writer’s Workshop, the Banister Poetry Contest and Stratford Rotary Writing Contest. She won the Best Novel Award in the Muskoka Novel Marathon in 2019, 2020 and 2022. She’s been a frequent winner of the NOTL Rising Spirits Writing competition for both short stories and poetry. Her personal essay, ‘Stepping into a Lifetime’ was the USA national winner in the Stage of Life writing competition.

                    She won the Halton District School Board’s Award of Distinction for Creativity in Education and was nominated for the Ontario Premier’s Award for Education.

                    Associations: In addition to belonging to the Writer’s Union of Canada, she’s an NOTL Writer’s Circle board member, past president of the Niagara branch of the Canadian Author’s Association. She’s a past Editor of the CAA Niagara annual Anthology and has appeared as a guest speaker at numerous Arts Festivals. She was featured in a televised production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ with the CBC.  She also belongs to the NOTL Pumphouse Art Gallery, and is a past board member with NOTL Newcomers Club.

                    Contact Sharon To Book A Visit:

                      Krampien, Celia (Welland, ON)

                      SCBWI member.

                      Celia Krampien writes and illustrates picture books and novels for young people. She grew up in a small town (population 400) in rural Southern Ontario where she spent most of her time reading and exploring the woods around her house. Celia loves creating bright, colourful, emotionally complex books. Celia’s books are best suited for students in grades JK – 8 but is happy to be flexible and adapt presentations to meet the needs of students of any age.

                      Book topics: the power of stories, handling adversity, facing fears, differences in perspective, friendship, bullying, Halloween.

                      RATES*:

                      Virtual Visits

                      $200 – 1 hour virtual presentation + drawing activity + Q&A  (Gr 3 and up)

                      $100 – 30 minute picture book story time and drawing demo (Gr JK – 2)

                      In-Person Visits

                      $250 – two 30 minute picture book story time and drawing activity sessions (Gr JK – 2)

                      $300 – 1 hour  presentation + interactive activity + Q&A (Gr 3 and up)

                      $500 – two 1 hour presentations with interactive activity and Q&A (Gr 3 and up)

                      $900 – all day visit, as many presentations/activities/Q&A sessions as we can fit! (Gr JK and up)

                      In-Person, Large Groups (50+ attendees)

                      $400 – 1 hr presentation + interactive activity + Q&A (requires podium, slideshow projection system, microphone & sound system)

                      *HST will be charged on all fees

                      Presentations (all can all be offered virtually or in-person)

                      Storytime and draw-along – 30 mins (JK – Grade 2)

                      – Picture book(s) read aloud

                      – Drawing and colouring activity – students can draw and colour along as Celia demonstrates how to draw characters from her books

                      – Q & A session

                      Telling Stories with Pictures – 1 hour (Grades 3 – 5)

                      – Slideshow presentation about using words and pictures as storytelling tools with examples from Celia’s recent book with Kristen Dickson, Fiona Builds a Fairyhouse

                      – interactive drawing activity – students draw along with Celia, drawing their own fairytale creatures and creating a story to introduce them to the rest of the class (requires easel and large pad of paper)

                      – Q&A session

                      How a Story Becomes a Book (And Why Does it Take So Long?!) – 1 hour (Grades 4 and up)

                      – slideshow presentation showing the step-by-step process of the creation of Celia’s spooky middle grade novel, The Bellwoods Game. Students will get a behind the scenes peek at Celia’s journey, starting at her first attempts at writing through to publication day

                      – interactive activity- students will tryout different brainstorming techniques to answer the age old question of where ideas come from (requires easel and large pad of paper)

                      – Q&A session

                      Cover Stories – the making of a book cover (Grades 4 and up)

                      – slideshow presentation about the step-by-step process of creating illustrated covers for middle grade novels and why sometimes it’s okay to judge a book by its cover

                      – interactive activity – students draw along with Celia to create their own book covers (requires easel and large pad of paper)

                      – Q&A session

                      Equipment Required:

                      –      Projector to display slideshow (in-person visits)

                      –      easel and large pad of paper for presentations activities

                      –      Paper, pencils/crayons/markers for students for presentations with brainstorming and draw-along activities.

                      –      Microphone, sound system and podium for larger groups (50+ attendees)

                      Contact Celia to book a visit: