poetry – Authors' Booking Service

Jordan-Fenton, Christy (Fort St John, BC)

Memberships: Writer’s Union, Federation of BC Writers, CANSCAIP, CWILL, Connected North facilitator, ProWritingAid Ambassador/facilitator, Sefirot instructor

Some awards and nominations: 10 Best Books of 2010 Globe & Mail, 2x BC Book Prize finalist, 3x USBBY Outstanding International Books Honor List, 2 x Skipping Stones Honor Book, 4x Best Books for Kids & Teens, starred selection, Canadian Children’s Book Centre, 2x Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada Information Book Award nomination, Best Bets OLA, Golden Oak Award, First Nation Communities Read Selection in addition to 2x shortlisted, numerous readers choice awards AB, NS, ON, AK…

Christy Jordan-Fenton is the author of four award-winning and bestselling books about her Inuvialuk mother (in-law) Margaret Olemaun Pokiak-Fenton and her time attending a high Arctic Residential School in the 1940s. Christy’s poetry, short stories, and creative nonfiction have appeared in literary magazines and anthologies since she was 17. As a professional touring storyteller, Christy facilitates creative writing and storytelling workshops for over two hundred K-12 and adult audiences a year. She practices traditional ceremonies with the Kainai. Having been raised by a residential school survivor, she has been heavily involved in Truth and Reconciliation for nearly two decades.

Storytelling Sessions (with variations for busy learners and ELL students)

K-4 (45-60 min)interactive, multimedia storytelling around WHEN I WAS EIGHT and NOT MY GIRL. These sessions are trauma-informed, age-appropriate, and strengths-based, and are focussed on empathy building as well as taking inventory of personal resilience.

4-8, 9-12+ (60 min)interactive, multimedia storytelling that explores the life of Margaret Olemaun Pokiak-Fenton, as told in FATTY LEGS and A STRANGER AT HOME. Personal photos, and additional stories compliment these trauma-informed, age-appropriate sessions which deepen the context of Olemaun’s experiences. Olemaun’s acts of bravery and resilience are highlighted in ways that deepen students’ understanding of their own strengths.

PD 1.5-6 hrs

Educators are introduced to the story of Margaret Olemaun Pokiak-Fenton, her time attending a high Arctic residential school, and her brave journey sharing her story. Through a blend of modelling and deconstruction, educators are provided the tools for engaging as allies in Truth and Reconciliation and sharing stories in respectful, trauma-informed, age-appropriate, and strengths-based ways. Teachings are rooted in Christy’s experiences being raised by a residential school survivor, her close 20-year bond with Olemaun, 16 years working with K-12+, and her dedication to traditional ceremony.

Creative Workshops and Residencies (with variations for busy learners and ELL students)

Rev Up Your Creative Engines (45-90 min)

4+ Students learn to generate infinite story prompts and then turn those prompts into compelling loglines and blurbs.

Create Worlds that Inspire Stories (60-90 min)
3+ Students are introduced to the world-building elements used in FATTY LEGS and A STRANGER AT HOME, before learning to identify these elements in other popular/familiar stories, as they examine how to design worlds that inspire stories. Working with visual prompts, the students practice these techniques, before they are given an opportunity to create their own worlds with guided prompts.

Tea_2_TikTok (full day- 2 day)

3+ Youth/Elders Storykeeper/Storyteller workshop exploring the rights, responsibilities, and protocols around sharing stories intergenerationally, as youth and elders work collaboratively to create a written, oral, or visual story project. Especially ideal for Indigenous and new-comer youth and elders.

Other Writing Workshops and Residencies

Create Characters Who Make Stories Happen, Plotting the Journey, Create Beautiful Language, and Gamification for Imagination, Author as a Career. Modules can be combined for residencies. Custom residencies available.

In-person:

300 per 1 hr session, 400 per 1.5 hr session, 1000 for four 1 hr sessions, 1200 for five 1 hr sessions (can include aft/eve 1hr PD or parent event), 1200 per day for residencies, 1500 per day for PD

+GST + 60 travel surcharge per session or 240 per day within reasonable distance of a major city (inquire for remote locations)

Discounted group rates may be shared between schools.

Author is available during all breaks for questions, signing, and story club activities.

Virtual:

250 per 1 hr session, 800 for 4 sessions, 1000 for five sessions (can include 1 hr PD session)

+ GST

Follow-up questions via email will be answered, and teachers will be given temporary access to a recorded session, if requested.

Preferences

Size: Storytelling:5-500+ Creative Workshops: under 60

Venue: classroom, gymnasium, auditorium, learning commons, etc.

Tech: sessions include audio/visual components using an iPad. Author carries a projector, adaptors/dongles, and Apple TV, and all necessary sound equipment to include a headset mic. Author is experienced with using a variety of technologies, as well as integrating her own with existing systems, or setting up independent of school tech.

Contact Christy to book a visit:

Presley, Nadine (Oakville, ON)

Writer’s Union member. CANSCAIP.

Rates:

For in-person visits within the Greater Toronto Area, the rate is $300 + HST for the first session and $150 + HST for each additional session on the same day and at the same location. Each session runs 45 minutes to one hour, with a maximum of four sessions per day. Travel fees may apply.

For virtual visits, the rate is $150 + HST per session, with the same session length and daily maximum of four.

Nadine Presley is a Syrian Canadian picture book author passionate about storytelling and the healing power of poetry to preserve memory and identity. She brings a warm, empathetic, and flexible approach to her presentations, adapting to each group’s energy and interests. Drawing from her own experiences, growing up bilingual (English/ Arabic), rediscovering poetry after displacement, and her writing journey, Nadine creates engaging, sensory-rich sessions that invite students to explore their voices, connect deeply with stories, and develop empathy through creative self-expression.

Sample Sessions by Grade:

JK to Grade 1
Using The City of Jasmine and A Ramadan Night, Nadine brings picture books to life with expressive reading, sensory language, and a gentle conversational style. These sessions are joyful, warm, and often filled with laughter, the laughter of family and cousins, the smell of jasmine in the air, and maybe even a surprise sound effect or two. Nadine also brings custom coloring pages to help students reflect through art. Rooted in rhythm, repetition, and inclusive conversation, these sessions are designed to spark curiosity, empathy, and joy.

Grades 2 to 4
Nadine encourages students to step into someone else’s shoes through her stories, while also reflecting on their own identity and emotions. With joy, energy, and a touch of the unexpected, she keeps students engaged while introducing them to rich sensory language and poetic imagery. Sessions often include simple, open-ended writing or drawing prompts that invite students to explore who they are and where they come from in creative, playful ways. Sessions can focus on a particular book or theme (e.g., Ramadan, memory, family, displacement), and are easily adapted for different classroom needs.

Grades 5 to 8
Nadine shares her journey from growing up bilingual to finding her voice as a poet. Students are invited to explore how stories carry memory, shape identity, and build empathy. Using guided sensory exercises and powerful writing prompts—such as “I come from…”—she helps students peel back the layers of their own experience and express themselves with authenticity and emotion. These sessions focus on creating immersive, layered writing that connects with readers. Includes Q&A and discussion around writing, publishing, and the creative process.

Note: Nadine also has a deep passion for working with classes with students with special needs. Her inclusive, flexible sessions use tools like visual supports, sensory-friendly activities, and differentiated approaches to ensure every child can engage meaningfully and feel seen through storytelling.

Contact Nadine to book a visit:

Rasberry, Gary (Kingston)

Gary Rasberry Philosopher. Poet. Imagination Consultant. Musician. Artist. Educator. Juno-nominated children’s artist. Award-winning classroom creativity workshop facilitator. Workshop rates: $250 for one, $450 for two, $650 for three,$850 for four. Concert rates: Same as above for divisional concerts (JK, Primary, Junior, Intermediate). Full school performance: $550. Combo day: three workshops plus full school performance: $1000, plus travel. Continue reading “Rasberry, Gary (Kingston)”

Carmichael, LE PhD (Trenton, ON)

Writers’ Union Member. Multi-award-winning author of more than 20 books for kids and teens.

Fees for on-site visits: $350 + HST for up to one hour, $600 + HST half day, $900 + HST full day (4 hours). Mileage and other travel expenses may apply. Fees for virtual visits: $300 + HST for up to 1 hour, $250 + HST for each additional presentation on the same day.

Surprising facts, engaging stories, and her willingness to answer just one more question set Lindsey’s nonfiction programs apart. And her workshops make even the most reluctant young writers excited to express themselves. Lindsey also offers presentations for educators and workshops for adult writers.

Polar won the 2025 Lane Anderson Award and the SWCC Award
The Boreal Forest won the Information Book Award

NONFICTION PROGRAMS FOR KIDS

What Is a Forest For? Introducing the Boreal Forest | Grades 1-3 | Duration: 45 min | Curriculum Connections: biodiversity, photosynthesis, biomes, habitats, the boreal forest, climate change

The boreal forest is the largest, most northern forest in the world… and 29 percent of it is right here in Canada! This introduction to the boreal biome will help kids understand why forests matter. We’ll explore biodiversity with a look at some weird and wonderful animals that call the boreal forest home. During a movement activity, we’ll discuss photosynthesis and how it helps forests prevent climate change. This high-energy program is designed to captivate young learners, and includes plenty of time to answer questions. Inspired by Lindsey’s book The Boreal Forest: A Year in the World’s Largest Land Biome.

(Ant)Arctic Adaptations: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth | Grades 4-6 | Duration: 60 min | Curriculum Connections: biodiversity, biomes, polar regions, adaptations, life cycles, climate change

The polar regions are bitterly cold, freeze-dried wildernesses, where the wind can blow harder than hurricanes. They are also the only places on Earth where day—and night—last up to six months. And yet, many animals not only survive in these extreme environments, they thrive! After a brief introduction to the Arctic and Antarctica, kids will be asked to brainstorm a list of polar species. We’ll discuss the adaptations that help their favourite animals stay warm, find food, and raise their babies, all in two of the harshest habitats on the planet. Then, we’ll explore the surprising adaptations of some less-familiar species… including one that protects itself with projectile vomit! Packed with stunning visuals and surprising facts, this lively presentation features deleted scenes from Polar: Wildlife at the Ends of the Earth.

How Women Get Erased From History | Grades 4+ | Duration: 60 min | Curriculum Connections: world history, biography, social justice, art and literature, STEM, climate change, World War II

Have you ever done something amazing… and someone else took credit? In science and engineering, men getting credit for women’s achievements is called the Matilda Effect, but erasure happens to women in the arts, sports, politics, and more. In this program, we’ll explore six mechanisms of erasure using examples from The Matilda Effect: How 25 Women Were Erased From History. Then we’ll take a deeper dive into one mechanism—disinformation—by comparing two depictions of Two Gun Nan: an exclusive deleted scene from The Matilda Effect, and an episode of the 1950s TV series Death Valley Days. Bonus: an action plan for ending the Matilda Effect!

WRITING WORKSHOPS FOR KIDS

Eating Their Words: How to Write Found, Erasure, and Blackout Poetry | Grades 4+ | Duration: 60 min

How can poets overcome blank-page paralysis? By starting with a page full of words! In this workshop, we’ll define and explore three types of poems that begin from existing works. First, we’ll play with found poetry, using a handful of words offered by the text to write something new. Next, we’ll experiment with erasure and blackout techniques, writing poems that respond to, challenge, or subvert the meaning of the original text. Erasure poems from The Matilda Effect will be offered as examples; as starting points for their own poems, participants are encouraged to bring printed-out passages from books, websites, or articles that inspire or enrage them.

What’s Your Book About? How to Decide What to Leave Out | Grades 4-6 | Duration: 60 min

Tell people you’re a writer, and they’ll probably ask “What’s your book about?” But before we can tell other people, we have to be able to tell ourselves. Knowing what our book, story, article, or report is really about lets us research efficiently, revise strategically, and avoid time-consuming tangents… producing a final draft that’s concise, cohesive, and effective. In this presentation, I’ll share the coolest animal facts that aren’t in The Boreal Forest, and explain exactly why I cut them. Then, we’ll walk through each draft of the book’s opening scene, exploring the step-by-step-decision-making process of revision. Throughout the program, two-minute writing challenges give participants a chance to apply revision strategies to their own work. Designed to get writers excited about re-writing, this program can be adapted for elementary, middle, high school, or adult audiences.

Writing Down the Feels | Grades 7-12 | Duration: 60 min

Why do we forget some stories, while others stay with us for years? Be they fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, stories with staying power are the ones that make us feel. This workshop explores the connections between language and emotions, teaching writers how to manipulate their reader’s response. Writers will harness the emotional resonance of vivid words and figures of speech, making their readers laugh, cry, and remember their words forever.

IMPORTANT INFO:

For on-site visits, hosts must provide an LCD projector and screen for slideshows. Depending on program and audience size, speakers (for video), whiteboards, and a microphone may also be required. Contact Lindsey for details.

For virtual visits, hosts must provide meeting link and security. Lindsey can accommodate schedules in a range of time zones.

Contact Lindsey for a visit:

Sherrard, Valerie (Miramichi NB)

GG nominated, award-winning author. Valerie Sherrard has been named the 2024 Literary Arts Laureate of the New Brunswick Lieutenant Governor’s Award for High Achievement in the Arts.

Virtual Visit: $225.00 for a 60 minute presentation.

In school visits: $300 for a single presentation or $550 for two at one location. Full day workshop 700.00. Expenses are included in all fees. For in-school visit dates — please contact Valerie and she will let you know when she plans to be in Ontario.

Valerie is an experienced presenter (in-person and virtual visits) who uses humour and an interactive style to engage her audience. Feedback from her school and library visits has been enthusiastic.

Standing On Neptune – middle grade novel in verse. Poems. Poetry.

Birdspell Corbin Hayes is used to being alone. His mom’s illness means lost jobs, constant moves, new schools and friendships that never get to grow. So, when a classmate offers Corbin the talking bird she can no longer keep, he sees a chance to fill the gap in his life. But when things begin to spiral out of control, Corbin can no longer cope. At his lowest moment, he’s forced to do the one thing he fears the most. Young Adult.

Finding Avalon Avalon Monday doesn’t mind telling schoolmates that her mother ran off with a guy she met on the internet. After all, that’s way less embarrassing than the truth. But when the past collides with the present, exposing her secret and threatening to leave her new life in ruins, Avalon discovers there are some things you can never truly leave behind.

Cooper Clark and the Dragon Lady (Chapter Book) Desperate measures are called for when a boy is secretly afraid of dragons, but his new babysitter is rumoured to have a dragon in her basement!

Counting Back From Nine. Novel in verse. Poem. Poetry.

Presentations: I will present to grades 1 – 9. A signed bookmark or postcard will be provided for each student at all in-person presentations.

Grades 1 – 3: There’s a COW Under My Bed! or Down Here! Fun and interactive talk about expressions and language, and students’ own creative abilities. Reading with audience participation. I end with a short Q & A. For these grades you may book two half hour presentations in the place of a single 60 minute session if you prefer.

Middle Grades: Engaging interactive presentation on literacy, with or without issue-based segments depending on the book being presented. I end with a short reading and about 10 minutes for Q & A.

Young Adult: Engaging and interactive presentation on literacy, believing in oneself and a variety of writing or issue related topics, depending on the requested focus. I end with a short reading and about 10 minutes for Q & A.

Workshop for grades 6 and up: A Story’s Voice. This full day workshop is designed to help young people develop distinctive voices in their writing by examining the way character, setting, perspective, dialogue, tense etc. impact in telling a story. Writing exercises will demonstrate how each of these support a story in different ways, and help them to recognize which components will work best for their stories. Limited to 15 participants. Available virtually – contact to discuss a suitable arrangement.

I am flexible on audience size but in my experience, smaller in-person groups result in the greatest benefit to students. I am comfortable in all settings, including classroom, library, auditorium or gymnasium.

A sound system may be necessary depending on audience size, acoustics and the number of presentations booked.

Contact Valerie: