The School for Writers
Writing for Young Readers Workshop
For Authors & Illustrators of Young Adult Novels, Early Chapter Books,
and Picture Books
June 25 - June 30, 2006
Click here for program brochure (pdf).
Writing for Young Readers (WFYR) is an exciting new workshop for authors and
illustrators who create books for young readers. For six intense days, our
award-winning instructors will help you refine your text or illustrated
material so it meets the standards of Canada’s book publishers. Students spend
half of each day with their specific instructor, who will show them the secrets of successful writers and illustrators.
During five morning sessions, each participant will refine and improve the
project he/she brings to the workshop. They will learn about writing styles and techniques, types of illustrative materials, narrative devices, and the marriage of text and illustration. Students will have individual and group instruction from their assigned mentor on these subjects.
In the afternoon, the large group sessions will focus on career issues so that participants can learn how to get successfully published. These practical sessions will include:
- Assembling first-rate submission packages for editors.
- Understanding the complexities of a book contract.
- Working with editors to polish both text and image.
- Maximizing the opportunities to promote a book.
- Finding and developing markets outside Canada.
- Building a career as a full-time writer or illustrator.
Afternoon sessions will include hands-on demonstrations, panel discussions, and informal Q&A sessions. Additional guests will visit the workshop to offer their particular expertise.
Workshop Faculty:
TWO MORE STAFF TO BE ANNOUNCED
- Richard Scrimger, Winner of the Mr. Christie Award for children’s literature.
- Frieda Wishinsky, Winner of the “100 Best Children’s Books” award (TPL).
- Tim Wynne-Jones, Winner of the Governor General’s Award for Children’s
Literature.
Workshop Facilitators:
- Don Sedgwick, Agent and former publisher of Scholastic Books and Doubleday
Canada.
- Shaun Bradley, Director of the Transatlantic Literary Agency.
- Richard Scrimger has written a dozen books for children and adults during the
past ten years. He is particularly well known for the four books in his “Norbert Narratives” series and the two books in the “Peeler Chronicles.” In
addition to teaching at Humber College, Scrimger writes columns and creates
comic strips for The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, and Today’s Parent. Scrimger
has won the Mr. Christie Book Award and been nominated for the Silver Birch
Award, the Red Cedar Award and the Manitoba Young Readers Choice Award. He has
also been included in the distinguished ALA Notable Book List twice. He lives
in Cobourg, Ontario.
- Frieda Wishinsky was born in Munich, raised in New York, and now lives and
writes in Toronto. A student of international relations with a graduate degree
in special education, she has taught children and adults with learning
disabilities in Canada, the United States and Israel. Since 1980 she has
written more than twenty five books, some of which have been translated in
Spanish, French, Swedish and Danish. She has been nominated for a Governor
General’s Award and won the Print Braille Book of the Year Award in 1999. The
Toronto Public Library named her children’s book No Frogs for Dinner as one of
the 100 Best Canadian Children’s Books.
- Tim Wynne-Jones has written twenty-five books for children and adults, most
recently Ned Mouse Breaks Away and A Thief in the House of Time. His books
have been published in numerous languages, including Dutch, German, Spanish,
French, Italian, and Japanese. Wynne-Jones has also written a children’s
musical and songs for the television show “Fraggle Rock.” His first work of
fiction, Odd’s End, won the $50,000 Seal First Novel Award. He has also won the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Literature twice, and is a three-time winner of the Canadian Library Association Book of the Year. In 1997 he won the Vicky Metcalf Award. He lives on a farm near Perth, Ontario.
- Shaun Bradley was the Publicity and Promotion Manager for internationally
renowned children’s authors published by Harcourt Books in Canada. She now
works as a literary agent for award-winning authors of books for children and
adults.
- Don Sedgwick was the Editorial Director of Scholastic Canada, where he
published bestselling YA novels and picture-books by writers and illustrators
such as Budge Wilson, Barbara Reid, and Kim Fernandes.
Registration Details
click here for registration form
click here for work in progress form
Program Fee
By April 21, 2006: $875
After April 21, 2006: $925
A full refund, less $50 administration fee, will be issued if the School
receives written notice of withdrawal on or before April 21, 2006. No refund
will be issued after April 21, 2006.
Tuition includes classes, lectures, panel discussions, parking, lunches, and
coffee breaks.
How to Register
Please choose one of the following options:
- Phone 416-675-6622 ext. 3449 and put the cost of the workshop on your
MasterCard or Visa. This number is private and secure to Humber’s School of
Creative & Performing Arts.
- Fax your completed application form to 416-251-7167 to the attention of Hilary
Higgins. Please make sure to include your MasterCard or Visa information. This
number is secure and private.
- Mail your application to:
Hilary Higgins
School of Creative & Performing Arts
Humber Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning
3199 Lake Shore Blvd. West
Toronto, Ontario M8V 1K8
Canada
Humber’s residence is located at the Lakeshore Campus, steps away from the
shores of Lake Ontario. The residence consists of suites, each of which has two private bedrooms with a double bed, shared washroom, kitchenette, and sitting area. Breakfasts are included in the package rate listed below. Dinners are not included in the fee.
Accommodation is for six nights (June 24 - June 30 inclusive)
Cost is $262.08 (taxes included)
Extra nights available at $43.68 per night (including breakfast)
Participants who don’t think they’ll be comfortable in a college residence may
kilometers east of the campus, or the Stay Inn, a few kilometers north. All
arrangements for hotels and transportation between the hotel and the campus are the responsibility of the participants themselves.
Still have questions?
For further information, please call Hilary Higgins at 416-675-6622 ext. 3449,
or send email to workshop consultant Don Sedgwick at: wordbyword@sympatico.ca.
Two $500 scholarships (offered by Dr. Robert A. Gordon, Humber President) are
available to exceptionally talented students who cannot afford to pay full
tuition. Because competition is keen, however, you must include a statement
explaining your financial situation and some proof of need, as well as full
payment for the workshop with your application. Payments from scholarship
applicants will not be processed until a decision has been made and accepted by the applicant.
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