Writers’ Union Member. YA and MG fiction. Picture books (nonfiction and fiction). K to 12. Karen’s rate is $250 plus HST for one session, $450 for two, $675 for three, $900 for a full day (4 sessions). Mileage within Toronto may be waived. A virtual visit is $150 plus HST.
Karen Krossing is the author of many books for kids and teens, including picture books One Tiny Bubble and Sour Cakes, and novels Monster vs. Boy, Punch Like a Girl, Bog, and Cut the Lights. She won the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award for Canada in 2015 and 2023 and has been a finalist for the Ontario Library Association White Pine Award and the Joan F. Kaywell Books Save Lives Award, among other honors. Karen has been conducting book talks and workshops since 2002, and she has an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She loves meeting readers and writers of all ages.
Book Talks
The goal of Karen’s book talks is to promote literacy. They may include how she evolved as a writer, the writing life, an introduction to the work, a short reading, a discussion of issues raised by the reading, an oral storywriting exercise involving the audience, and questions and answers. She introduces her books by discussing how they were written, how a story is structured, and the writing techniques used. Her goal is to inspire audience members to share her passion for reading and writing.
For grades K to 2, Karen will showcase her picture books Sour Cakes and One Tiny Bubble with a focus on social-emotional learning, community, and prehistory evolution (STEM).
For grades 4 to 6, Karen will showcase her middle-grade novels: Monster vs. Boy, Bog, and Cut the Lights. Topics such as tolerance and accepting oneself may be discussed.
For grades 7 to 12, Karen’s novels and short stories for teens will be highlighted, including Punch Like a Girl, Cut the Lights, The Yo-Yo Prophet, Pure, and Take the Stairs. Issues such as bullying, depression, social justice, and prejudice may be explored. Performance and visual arts are also featured in these titles.
Writing Workshops
Karen delivers customized writing workshops for all ages – children, teens, and adults. Workshops typically include a discussion of specific story-writing techniques as well as inspirational writing exercises designed to generate story ideas and practice particular techniques. Her technique promotes intuitive writing using a variety of stimulating activities, including word games, masks, story dice, photos, and character games. Writing is then shared through positive peer discussion using anti-racist feedback techniques.
Workshops can include:
- StoryPlay and WordPlay Workshops
- How to Create a Believable OtherWorld
- Stories Inspired by Real Life
- How to Build Characters
- How to Revise Your Writing
Maximum number of students is 100 per session for book talks and 30 per session for writing workshops, although she will accommodate more in an auditorium situation.
Equipment and Other Requirements
Book talks and workshops can be virtual or in person. Karen is comfortable presenting in a classroom, library, or auditorium. She requires a microphone for large spaces or audiences, a bottle of water, and a table to display books. She may require a screen for presentations. She requests that a librarian, teacher, or other school representative be present throughout the presentation.