Are
you still in need of an author visit before the end of the school year?
We can help! Take a look at our great line-up of presenters here. Click on a name and you’ll be directed to that presenter’s full info page.
We are pleased to welcome Kyo Maclear, mega-award winning author of Spork, Virginia Wolf, and Flux! Email us to book Kyo or any one of our presenters: abs@authorsbooking.com
Last chance for spring:
Sigmund Brouwer
is available for bookings on June 4 and 6 in the GTA. The presentation
is an end-of-year literacy celebration with a special focus on summer
reading, and includes 50 copies of his new special edition Canada Sports
Hall of Fame hockey novel as prizes for the summer reading.
You’re invited …
… to the launch of Outcast by Adrienne Kress!
Get your best 1950’s gear on and head to The Dominion Pub 500 Queen Street East Toronto, June 6, 2013, 7 p.m.
Looking forward to fall:
Sharon McKay is available in Toronto, September 23 to 27th and October 21st to 25th
Ashley Spires’ October visit is nearly full. She has just two days left so book now while you can! Full day bookings for October 8 and 10.
Michael Kusugak will be in the GTA and is available for bookings October 14 - 18.
Winners!
Congratulations Forest of Reading Winners and Honour Books! ABS members are in bold:
The 2013 Blue Spruce™ Award Winner
Kate and Pippin
Martin Springett & Isobel Springett
Honour Books for Blue Spruce
Splinters, Kevin Sylvester
Don’t Laugh at Giraffe, Rebecca Bender
The 2013 Silver Birch® Express Award Winner
Margaret and the Moth Tree
Brit & Kari Trogen
Honour Books for Silver Birch Express
Dalen & Gole, Mike Deas
Harry Houdini: The Legend of the World’s Greatest Escape Artist, by Janice Weaver
The 2013 Silver Birch® Fiction Award Winner
Making Bombs For Hitler
Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Honour Books for Silver Birch Fiction
Missing, Becky Citra
A Tinfoil Sky, Cindy Sand-Eveland
The 2013 Silver Birch® Non-Fiction Award Winner
No Shelter Here: Making the World a Kinder Place for Dogs
Rob Laidlaw
Honour Books for Silver Birch Non-Fiction
Case Files: 40 Murders and Mysteries Solved by Science,
Larry Verstraete
50 Underwear Questions: A Bare-All History (50 Questions), Tanya Lloyd Kyi & Ross Kinnaird
The 2013 Red Maple™ Fiction Award Winner
The Vindico
Wesley King
Honour Books for Red Maple Fiction
This Dark Endeavour, Kenneth Oppel
The Vampire Stalker, Allison Van Diepen
The 2013 Red Maple™ Non-Fiction Award Winner
Real Justice: Fourteen and Sentenced to Death
Bill Swan
Honour Books for Red Maple Non-Fiction
Last Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan’s Rescue from War, Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Running To Extremes: Ray Zahab’s Amazing Ultramarathon Journey, Steve Pitt with Ray Zahab
The 2013 White Pine™ Award Winner
Dark Inside
Jeyn Roberts
Honour Books for White Pine
Witchlanders, Lena Coakley
All Good Children, Catherine Austen
Congratulations to Jennifer Lanthier (The Stamp Collector), Susin Nielsen (The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen) and Wallace Edwards (Uncle Wally’s Old Brown Shoe ) for their CBA Libris Award 2013 nominations.
Congratulations to Catherine Austen for winning the Hackmatack for 26 Tips for Surviving Grade 6
Congratulations to Marsha Skrypuch for winning the Red Cedar Information Book Award for Last Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan’s Rescue From War.
Congratulations to Becky Citra for winning the Diamond Willow Award for Missing.
Congratulations to Ashley Spires for winning the Shining Willow Award for Small Saul.
The Booking Chicks are on the road!
Did you know that the
“Marsha & Valerie” behind Authors’ Booking Service are both
Forest of Reading nominees themselves? Valerie Sherrard’s novel Testify
is a Red Maple Fiction nominee and Marsha Skrypuch’s novel Making
Bombs for Hitler is a Silver Birch Fiction nominee. Marsha’s book Last
Airlift is a Red Maple Non-fiction nominee as well.
This week, Marsha
will be participating in Forest of Reading events in Parry Sound, North Bay and
Thunder Bay. Also this week, Valerie will be driving to Ontario from New
Brunswick.
And of course they
will both be at their Award ceremonies in Toronto the following week.
Because of this
flurry of activity, there will be no newsletter next week. However, we will be
checking the ABS mail as usual. Do be patient if it takes a few days for us to
answer your emails as our response time is likely to be a little slower than
usual.
Important Book Draw Notice
We will be conducting
our final book draws later this month, at which time we will draw 40
winners from those who held bookings between March 1 - June 30. At that time,
we will be ending our book draw program. But don’t despair - this fall will see
some exciting new prize opportunities!
News from ABS Members!
Congratulations to Jennifer
Lanthier for winning the SCBWI Crystal Kite Award for The Stamp
Collector.
Sigmund Brouwer will be in the GTA in the first week of June; he’s
available for bookings on June 4, 6, 7. The presentation is an end-of-year
literacy celebration with a special focus on summer reading, and includes 50
copies of his new special edition Canada Sports Hall of Fame hockey novel as
prizes for the summer reading.
Sharon McKay is available in Toronto, September 23 to 27th and October 21st to 25th.
Ashley Spires’ October visit is nearly full. She has just two days left so book now
while you can! Full day bookings for October 8 and 10.
Michael Kusugak will be in the GTA and is available for bookings
October 14 - 18.
Frieda Wishinsky is now accepting fall bookings. Her schedule fills
quickly (as some of you discovered when you tried to arrange a spring visit,
only to learn her calendar was full) so don’t delay!
ABS Members Touring for Book Week
We send our wishes
for safe and happy travels to our CCBC Book Week touring members! They are:
British Columbia:
Marthe Jocelyn, Adrienne Kress and Richard Scrimger
Alberta: Alma
Fullerton
Saskatchewan: Lois
Peterson
Manitoba: Wallace
Edwards
Quebec: John Wilson
New Brunswick: Eric
Walters
Nova Scotia: Sylvia
McNicoll
Newfoundland: Helene
Boudreau
Labrador: Jennifer
Lanthier
Nunavut: Sarah Tsiang
Are you in a panic about Education Week programming?
Take a deep breath and let us help you! At the bottom of this
newsletter, you’ll find an availability listing tailor made for
Education Week!
Congratulations . . .
To Ashley Spires (Small Saul) and Becky Citra (Missing), the 2012 Saskatchewan Willow Award winners.
To Helaine Becker for winning the CSWA Award for Outstanding Canadian Science Book for Youth for The Big Green Book About The Big Blue Sea! Illustrated by Willow Dawson.
The following 2014 Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award nominees:
Crush. Candy. Corpse. - Sylvia McNicoll
Making Bombs for Hitler - Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch
Margaret and the Moth Tree - Brit Trogen & Kari Trogen
Small Medium at Large - Joanne Levy
The Grave Robber’s Apprentice - Allan Stratton
The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen - Susin Nielsen
The Gargoyle at the Gates, written by Philippa Dowding,
was honoured as a White Ravens’ book for 2013. The White Ravens is an
annual catalogue featuring 250 new and notable titles of children’s and
young adult literature from over 50 countries.
Are you looking for a French presenter for May 14th?
Christine Ouin
auteure
d’une série de minibiographies d’illustres Canadiens contemporains
destinées aux jeunes de 8 à 12 ans, en nomination pour le Prix Tamarac
avec le titre Dominique Demers,
sera à Toronto pour visiter les jeunes lecteurs francophones de la
région dans la semaine du 14 mai 2013. Pour plus d’information, envoyez
un message à abs@authorsbooking.com
Education Week Theme Suggestions!
Rene Schmidt has just completed an updated edition of the classroom favourite, Canadian Disasters.
Reluctant readers will like the photos and simple text, history buffs
will appreciate over forty brief, factual, and compelling stories.
Available from Scholastic beginning June 1st, the seventeen new stories feature the Titanic,
the Franklin Expedition, a ‘cold case’ involving a bomb on an aircraft,
medical disasters such as Listeriosis and Polio, plus fatal van
crashes, aircraft fires, hurricanes and mine disasters.
In advance of the release of his new version of Canadian Disasters, Rene Schmidt is selling copies of the 2006 version of Canadian Disasters for ½ price. Class visits in Eastern Ontario are also on for ½ price.
Rene Schmidt K-12 Available May 6, 8, 9, 10 150 Km radius of Trenton
Megan Crewe
Science–THE
WAY WE FALL portrays a realistic epidemic based on in-depth research on
viruses and consultation with a microbiologist. I can talk about the
science of viruses, how they spread, and how we combat them.
Bullying–GIVE
UP THE GHOST’s main character is ostracized at school, after having
been bullied by a former friend and classmates, and a large part of the
story deals with her coming to terms with the past, moving on, and
finding healthier friendships.
Social Issues–GIVE
UP THE GHOST also addresses the issues of alcohol abuse, depression,
and suicide in teens. The boy the main character starts to become
friendly with is depressed, has turned to alcohol, and becomes suicidal,
and the main character must grapple with the best ways to help him
without betraying his trust.
Megan Crewe, 6 to 12, May 7 and 8 (between 9am and 1pm only), 9 and 10 (all day). 100km radius of Toronto.
Julie Burtinshaw’s
lively, engaging workshops will bring out the creative spark in
students, These workshops are interactive so show up with pen and paper.
Her readings cover real life issues like suicide and bullying, while
offering insight into the writing process from idea to page.
Julie Burtinshaw, 7-12, available May 5-10th within Go Train, public transit, Toronto.
Sigmund Brouwer:
I’m available in the Hamilton/St Catharines/Niagara area on the morning
of May 7 for a Rock and Roll Literacy presentation to the whole school.
The presentation will include 50 copies of the brand new Canada Sports
Hall of Fame special edition hockey novel by me.
Book now for Education Week!
Shane Peacock, grades 4 to 12, May 8th to 10th. GTA to Kingston.
Claire Eamer, grades K to 8, May 6, 7, 9, 10. Public transit range of Toronto.
Andrew Larsen, grades K to 6, May 7, 8. GTA.
Frank B. Edwards, grades K to 8, May 6 - 10. Trenton to Quebec border/Ottawa Valley.
Julie Burtinshaw, grades 7-12, May 5-10th within Go Train, public transit, Toronto.
Andrea Beck, grades K – 6, May 6 (am, York Region) May 10, GTA.
Anna Kerz, grades 3-7, May 7, 8, 10, 50 km radius of Scarborough
James Bow, grades 5 to 8, May 6 - 10, GTA and 100 km radius of KW
Mireille Messier, grades 1 to 6 (immersion), May 7, 8, GTA, May 9 Guelph.
Wesley King, grades 6 - 8, May 10. 100km radius of Oshawa.
Martin Springett, grades 1 to 4, May 6, 7, 8. 100 km radius of Toronto.
Helaine Becker, K-8, 100 km radius from Toronto
Veronika Martenova Charles, grades K to 6, May 7, 9, 10. 50 km radius of Toronto.
Kathy Kacer, grades 4 to 8, May 8, 200 km radius of Toronto
Megan Crewe, grades 6 - 12, May 7 to 10. 100km radius of Toronto.
Richard Scarsbrook, grades 7 to 12, available May 6-10. 250 km radius of Toronto
Rene Schmidt K-12 Available May 6, 8, 9, 10 150 Km radius of Trenton
Kate Jaimet, grades 3-11, May 7, 8, 9, 10. 50 km radius of Ottawa/Gatineau.
Kira Vermond, 4 to 8, available May 5, 6, 7, 8. 100km radius of Guelph.
Mahtab Narsimhan, grades 4-8, May 6 - 10, Toronto area only.
Sigmund Brouwer, K-8, May 7 morning, Hamilton/St. Catharines/Niagara.
Valerie Sherrard: K-9, May 9 and 10. 100km radius of Toronto.
Kari-Lynn Winters, grades JK-8, available May 9. Niagara, GTA, Brantford, Hamilton
Eric Zweig, grades 4 to 8. May 6 to 10. North GTA / 100km radius of Owen Sound / 100km radius of Orillia.
_________________________________
Questions? Comments? We’re listening!
Marsha & Valerie
Contact us at abs@authorsbooking.com
We
respond quickly to all e-mails – usually within a day or two. Please
note: If you haven’t had a reply to messages sent to the above address
within 2 working days, your message may have gone astray. In that case,
please contact either of us at home. Valerie Sherrard: valeri@nbnet.nb.ca or Marsha Skrypuch: marsha@calla.com
Have you seen our newest ABS members? Check out these exciting presenters!
Kudos . . .
A Good Trade written by Alma Fullerton and illustrated by Karen Patkau
was honoured as a White Ravens’ book for 2013. The White Ravens is an
annual catalogue featuring 250 new and notable titles of children’s and
young adult literature from over 50 countries.
Congratulations to Valerie Sherrard whose free verse novel Counting Back from Nine has been shortlisted for a Word Guild Award in the Young Adult category.
Karen Patkau’s Ecosystem Series, which includes: Who Needs a Jungle?, Who Needs a Swamp? and Who Needs an Iceberg? made it on to the The Children’s Literature Roundtables of Canada 2013 Information Book Award preliminary list. A Good Trade, written by Alma Fullerton and illustrated by Karen Patkau
made the list, too. Karen will be presenting at the Literacy for Life
Conference at the University of Saskatchewan on May 7th and 8th, 2013.
Valerie Sherrard and John Wilson are in Moose Jaw, SK this week, where they are guest speakers at the Saskatchewan Reading Conference 2013.
Thanks for the thanks!
You have been so helpful every time I book an author! – Liz Zylstra
Marsha and Valerie, Love you guys – Susin Nielsen
Check out our website here
Last Chance!
Last chances to book the Trogen Sisters together! Kari Trogen’s
sister and co-author, Brit Trogen, joins her for a limited time in May.
Their remaining available days together are May 13 and 15 and their
combined fee is $325 + HST per session. Public transit or car rental.
Allan Stratton has these dates open: May 13, 15, 21, 22, 23, week of the 27th, and all June except the 6th and 19th.
Marsha Skrypuch has one day left; May 13th.
Wendy Kitts has two days left: May 14th and 15th
Planning for Fall?
Book now to avoid disappointment:
Eric Walters, has limited availability in September, October and November.
Sharon McKay, available September 23 to 27th and October 21st to 25th
Ashley Spires is accepting full day GTA bookings for October 8, 10 and 11.
Michael Kusugak is taking GTA bookings for October 14 - 18.
Meet Helaine Becker
What did you do before you became a writer?
I
owned a school supply business specializing in math and science
materials.I also did education market consulting and worked as the Sales
Director at a school and daycare supply company, and wrote lots of
educational materials for teachers in areas such as ELL, Math, Science
and Library science. As a result, I really know the curriculum, and know
what teachers need from authors!
What is the strangest question you’ve ever been asked about your craft?
Why don’t you write something like Shades of Grey? Um, no, I write kidlit, not bad erotica…..
What is the most difficult thing about your work as a writer?
Being
a writer is a pretty great job. I don’t have to get up early, don’t
have to wear shoes most days, and never have to engage in mindless
office politics. But at the same time, writing can be pretty isolating.
You spend all day alone, in your fantasy world, and that can make you
quite strange if you don’t guard against it! There’s also a general lack
of respect, out there, from people who don’t understand what writers do
(they think it’s easy), and don’t consider kids people (If you were any
good, you’d write something for grownups). Relatives can be the worst.
“When are you going back to work?” they say. Or, my personal favourite:
“What do you do when you go to schools? Read other people’s books?”
How do you handle creative blocks?
I
don’t really have creative blocks. In just the same way, teachers still
teach even when they are having an off day, I write, even when I am
having an off day. It’s my work, and since I like to eat, I work whether
I feel inspired or not. Thanks to this habit, I am usually able to
produce something whenever I sit down with my computer. It may not
always be top notch, but it’s better than air, and I can always revise
and improve it the next day.
______________________________
Questions? Comments? We’re listening!
Marsha & Valerie
Contact us at abs@authorsbooking.com
We
respond quickly to all e-mails – usually within a day or two. Please
note: If you haven’t had a reply to messages sent to the above address
within 2 working days, your message may have gone astray. In that case,
please contact either of us at home. Valerie Sherrard: valeri@nbnet.nb.ca or Marsha Skrypuch: marsha@calla.com
This
just in!
Red
Maple Fiction nominee Sylvia McNicoll has openings for Ottawa
area school visits June 3. Revisit old classics such as The Tiger
Catcher’s Kid or her brand new title Dying to Go Viral.
OLA
Nominees in Northern Ontario
Larry
Verstraete (Silver Birch NF) available in ON near Manitoba in
April and early May.
Janet
Wilson (Silver Birch NF) is available: in Thunder Bay on May 13 &
14.
News!
Congratulations
to Loris
Lesynski
whose picture book Boy
Soup
(illustrated
by Michael Martchenko) has been announced as the 2013 TD Grade One
Book Giveaway Selection!
Going,
Going …
These
fabulous authors have just one day left available during their next
visit to Ontario. Don’t wait until it’s too late to book them!
Sharon
McKay
is
available in the Toronto area on May 1.
Linda
Bailey
is
available in Scarborough on the morning of May 29.
Other
Members Coming from Out of Province:
Ashley
Spires
will
be in Toronto and is accepting full day bookings for October 8, 10
and 11.
Michael
Kusugak
will be in the GTA and is available for bookings October 14 - 18.
Congratulations
to Susin Nielsen!
Whose
novel The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen has won the
2013 CLA Book of the Year for Children Award!
And
-
Congratulations
to honour titles A Tinfoil Sky by Cyndi Sand-Eveland
and The Grave Robber’s Apprentice by Allan
Stratton!
Congratulations
to these ABS members who have just been shortlisted for the Ruth and
Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Awards:
In
the Picture Book Category
Ashley
Spires for Larf
Jean
Little for Wishes (illustrated by Genevieve Cote)
In
the Young Adult/Middle Reader Category
Cyndi
Sand-Eveland for A Tinfoil Sky
Allan
Stratton for The Grave Robber’s Apprentice
Susin
Nielsen for The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen
New
release!
Mireille
Messier’s
newest French picture book,
C’est
chouette, une maman!
(Mommies
are awesome!), is illustrated by Geneviève Després. This whimsical
homage to motherhood shows how mothers become so much more than just
mothers: blankets when we are cold, hankies when we are sad, ladders
when we are too short… Mireille is available for French or
bilingual visits in the GTA.
__________________________________
Visit
our website to see our Regular Member List
http://www.authorsbooking.com/2043.html
(Click
on any member’s name to be taken to a page with details on
publications, presentations, fees and more!)
Meet
the Author: Mahtab Narsimhan
What
did you do before you became a writer/illustrator?
Writing
is actually my fourth career in life. Before that I was the Front
Office Manager at a five-star hotel, have worked in the Recruitment
and Credit Card Industry as a Sales Executive and now finally I’m
in Information Technology sales and renewal of computer hardware. The
last job is so boring, I escape into my fantasy world whenever
possible, emerging only for school visits. So…call me!
What
is the most difficult thing about your work as a writer?
Deciding
on a subject that I am passionate about and which will sustain me
through countless rewrites over months and years. The other aspect
that I find really daunting is deciding the point-of-view character.
Once I get that, the writing is relatively
easier.
What
is one of your guilty pleasures?
Watching
old
Bollywood
songs on YouTube, some of which were filmed even before I was born.
Some songs take me back to the time when I first heard them and I
love the bitter-sweet nostalgia of it all.
Forest
of Reading availability list
Blue
Spruce
Rebecca
Bender is available in Burlington and surrounding communities: April
30, May 14 and 28, June 13, 18 and 20.
Cary Fagan limited
dates this spring in the GTA and beyond.
Heather Hartt-Sussman
available May 13 GTA only.
Martin Springett good availability
in May. Anywhere he can get by transit, GO, VIA, TTC or cab.
Émilie
Rivard presents in French only. May 14 in Toronto
Silver
Birch Express
Natalie Hyde has good availability within
150kms of Cambridge
Eric Walters’ only remaining dates are
June 11, 12, 13, 14.
Karen Patkau has good availability in
April, as well as May 13 and 14 open. 150km radius of Toronto.
Kari
Trogen has good availability in April. Anywhere by public transit.
Kari’s sister and co-author, Brit Trogen, joins her May 7, May 9, 13,
14, 15 and 17. They will have a vehicle at that time and their
combined fee is $325 + HST per session.
Karen
Reczuch has good availability except May 5 to 10. GTA and
west.
Silver Birch Fiction
Allan Stratton has
good availability the first half of April and May.
Marsha
Skrypuch has two remaining dates open: May 13th and 20th
and will drive within a 200 km radius of Brantford.
Steve
Vernon is available in the GTA May 13 - 15
Cyndi
Sand-Eveland is available May 13th anywhere accessible by public
transit from Toronto.
Evan Munday is available April 23 –
26, April 29 - May 2, May 14, plus the rest of May. Can go anywhere
accessible by TTC or public transit.
Silver Birch
non-fiction
Kathy Kacer is available April 22, 23, May 1,
2, 6, 7. Kathy is willing to drive just about anywhere.
Larry
Verstraete, is available May 17 in a.m. in Toronto. Takes public
transit.
Janet Wilson has good availability April - June.
Wendy Kitts is available in Toronto, May 14 and 15.
Red
Maple Fiction
Sylvia McNicoll has good availability in
April. Loves to drive.
Shane
Peacock has good availability April through June. Loves to
drive.
Eric Walters is available June 11, 12, 13, 14
only.
Valerie Sherrard is available in the GTA May 8 to 10.
TEN of Valerie’s early novels free with each session booked.
Mahtab
Narsimhan has good availability in April and May. GTA, and also
beyond if booking for a minimum of two sessions.
Pam Withers
is available for one session in Toronto on May 17.
Wesley King
has good availability in April and May. Loves to drive.
Red
Maple non-fiction
Marsha
Skrypuch has two remaining dates open: May 13th and 20th
and will drive within a 200 km radius of Brantford.
Claire Eamer is
available May 6, 7, 9-14 in Toronto.
Bill Swan has good
availability this spring.
Kira
Vermond has good availability until mid-May. Has a car and loves to
drive.
White Pine
Catherine Austen is available
May 16 in the a.m. in Toronto.
Eric Walters is available June
11, 12, 13, 14 only.
Teresa Toten has good availability April
- June. Will drive up to 3 hours outside of Toronto. Teresa is
offering 5 free copies of The Taming with bookings.
Lena
Coakley has good availability in April and May. Will drive up to two
hours from Toronto. Lena is also in the Ottawa area April 24 –
26.
Megan Crewe has good availability in April and May.
Cathy
Ostlere is available in the GTA May 7 to 16.
Cecil Castellucci
is available in the GTA May 16 and 17.
Tamarac
Express and Peuplier
Mireille Messier has good
availability this spring.
Geneviève Lemieux is available on
the morning of May 16 in Toronto.
Andrée Poulin is available
for French or French immersion visits May 14 or 17.
Golden
Oak
Eric Walters is available June 11, 12, 13, 14
only.
Wendy Kitts is available May 14 and 15, Toronto.
Joy
Fielding, Home Invasion. Limited availability this spring.
Sorry
- these Nominee’s Spring Schedules are now full!!
Lois
Peterson
Pam Withers
Riel
Nason
Becky Citra
Carrie
Mac
Frieda Wishinsky
Going,
Going …
These fabulous authors
have just one day left available during their next visit to Ontario. Don’t wait
until it’s too late to book them!
Sharon McKay is available in the Toronto area
on May 1.
Linda
Bailey is available in Scarborough on the morning of May
29.
Other Members Coming from Out of
Province:
Anita Daher is available in Ottawa May 27, 28, 29.
Ashley
Spires will be in
Toronto and is accepting full day bookings for October 8, 10 and 11.
Michael
Kusugak will be in
the GTA and is available for bookings October 14 - 18.
___________________________________
Many of this
year’s OLA Nominees are available
for spring bookings.
Full details here: http://authorsbooking.blogspot.ca/
___________________________________
New release!
Andrew Larsen’s
newest picture book, In the Tree House,
is illustrated by Dusan Petricic. When their neighbourhood loses power, two
brothers rediscover their friendship beneath the twinkling stars of a hot
summer night. In the Tree House shows
how childhood is not simply a time but also a place. Andrew is available for
visits in the GTA this spring.
__________________________________
Visit our website to see our Regular
Member List
http://www.authorsbooking.com/2043.html
(Click
on any member’s name to be taken to a page with details on publications,
presentations, fees and more!)
__________________________________
True Inspiration: Julie Burtinshaw
My
writing life feels likes it’s trudging along in slow motion. I am in wait and
see mode, between books, a dangerous holding pattern for a writer. It’s easy to
fall prey to feelings of doubt and allow my inner critic to overtake my
imagination with her unsettling questions and observations: “Why do you
bother writing at all? Nobody reads your books. It’s so hard to get reviews
these days. I bet you won’t find a publisher. Why haven’t you got a bestseller?
You should just give up.” I stared at the blank document on my screen,
with nothing to say and no ideas. Minutes later, an email arrived in my inbox
from a teenager who had just finished reading the Darkness Between the Stars.
It was full of spelling errors and wisdom: I sincerely hope you aren’t one
of those authors who believes her book was successful only if it was Extremely
Popular. I would like to say thank you. I wouldn’t be the me I am today if not
for your books.
And in a flash,
my fingers were flying across the keyboard as a new story formed. The last
thing I heard before I lost myself in my imagination was the disgruntled sigh
of my defeated inner critic as she slunk away, defeated again.
____________________________________
Meet the Author: Shane
Peacock
What is
the most difficult thing about your work as a writer/illustrator?
I think the
toughest thing is the re-writing and editing process. It can be very long and
tedious, but you must do it. You have to re-write and re-write and re-write.
That is what makes your work excel. The best part about writing is the period
at the very beginning, when the story is coming to you, hopefully just flowing
out of you, and you are at your most creative.
How old
were you when you realized you wanted to become a writer/illustrator?
Most
authors know they want to be writers when they are very young. They are the
brains in the class or always have their noses in a book. I wasn’t like then
when I was a kid … I wanted to play hockey! It wasn’t until I reached the end
of high school, in what used to be Grade 13, when I had a wonderful English
Literature teacher, who showed me how magical literature is, that I really knew
that a deep love of the writing arts was growing inside me. She hooked me, and
I never looked back.
What is
your typical writing routine?
I start
by reading, aloud, what I’ve written the day before. I read it with as much
feeling as possible, as dramatically as possible, and as critically as
possible. I read it over and over and edit it as I go. I get myself thoroughly
immersed in its style, atmosphere, and everything about it, and I carry all of
that into writing the next part of the novel. Though I start first thing in the
morning, my best work usually doesn’t happen until I have been laboring away
for several hours. Often, I don’t slip completely into the best writing until
sometime in the afternoon.
How do
you handle creative blocks?
I have to
say that I haven’t really had any (at least not debilitating ones) and that is
because whenever I stumble a little creatively, I always go back to thinking
about the things that I am really passionate about, which should always be
one’s subject matter, and why I write. That always gets me rolling.
This just in!
Halifax author, Jessica
Scott Kerrin (Martin Bridge, The Lobster Chronicles) is
available for presentations close to downtown Toronto on ONE DAY ONLY: April
19th. Considered an expert on what boys read, Jessica’s jam-packed presentation
is a behind-the-scenes look at the daily experiences she writes about. Her
presentation involves props, short readings, and video clips sure to keep
students glued to their seats. $250 per session. No travel fee.
Some of our Deals of the Week that are
Still Available!
(Even
better – you can also apply for
subsidies for these author visits!)
LM Falcone, award-winning
author (Silver Birch/Diamond Willow/Red Cedar) of middle-grade novels Walking
with the Dead, The Devil, The
Banshee and Me, and The Midnight Curse, will give one
class set of her supernatural thriller, The Mysterious Mummer,
to the first two schools that book two presentations.
Teresa Toten mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:EN-CA">
Rene Schmidt, author of 2010
Red Maple honour title Leaving Fletchville, will do a
two-for-one workshop deal for schools in the Eastern Ontario or GTA.
Topics: Bullying in the Intermediate Grades, Taking Responsibility,
Fletchville Math, Canadian Disasters.
Valerie SherrardJanet Wilson
is offering a 10% discount on the presentation based on Shannen and the
Dream for a School, the First Nation Communities Read Selection for 2012/13.
This talk addresses offers a better understanding of broader First Nations
issues. Shannen’s story is a positive and hopeful one of successful youth
activism.
__________________________________
Your Turn!
Thanks to these teachers who recently took the time to
drop us encouraging notes!
Lindsay Brennan: I just want to say thank you for the great service
that you do! I love receiving your emails and reading about the various
authors.
Tonja Walsh: As always, your service is stellar.
__________________________________
Availability Details for our
OLA Nominees
can be found
Right Here!
http://authorsbooking.blogspot.ca/
Wondering who else we represent?
Visit our website and browse the
impressive list!
http://www.authorsbooking.com/2043.html
(Click
on any member name to be taken to a page with details on publications,
presentations, fees and more!)
Members Coming from Out of Province:
Sharon McKay is available in Toronto,
May 1 and 2
Linda
Bailey is available in Scarborough on the morning of May
29.
Anita Daher is available in Ottawa May 27,
28, 29.
Ashley Spires will be in Toronto and is accepting full day
bookings for October 8, 10 and 11.
Michael Kusugak will be in the GTA and is available for bookings
October 14 - 18.
__________________________________
News
from our Members
Congratulations
to our members who have been shortlisted for the 2013-14 Hackmatack
Awards. They are:
Ashley Spires for Binky Takes Charge
Philippa Dowding for The Gargoyle at the Gates
Natalie Hyde for Cryptic Canada: Unsolved Mysteries from Coast to Coast
Wendy Kitts for Sable Island: The Wandering Sandbar
Claire Eamer for The World in Your Lunch Box: The Wacky History and Weird Science of
Everyday Foods
Congratulations
to Sharon McKay who has been
shortlisted for the 2013 Ann Connor Brimer Award for Enemy Territory!
____________________________________
Meet the
Author: Larry Verstraete
What did you do before you became a writer?
I was a middle years science teacher for many years, but writing was
actually a big part of my
teaching career. Whenever I couldn’t find material that was just right
for my students, I wrote
my own. When I used it in the classroom, I received instant feedback. So
in many ways,
teaching and writing were never far apart and I learned a lot about
writing for young people
because I was doing it on a daily basis.
What is the most difficult thing about your work as a writer?
Writing the beginning to a non-fiction story is the most difficult for
me because there are so
many ingredients that have to be in place. The first few paragraphs have
to be compelling
enough to keep readers intrigued and wanting more, but they also have to
contain vital
information about time, place, conflict and main characters. Just as
importantly they have to
convey mood. I tend to write beginnings in long hand rather than on the
computer because the
process of putting pen to paper feels more open and liberating to me.
Once I have a strong
beginning, the rest of the story seems to flow more easily.
What is your typical writing routine?
For many years, I wrote while still teaching full time. To make it work,
I had to carve out a
portion of my day and devote it to writing. I started getting up an hour
earlier than normal,
and got into the habit of going to a nearby coffee shop to write. Even
though I am no longer
teaching, I still begin each day the same way. The major difference,
though, is that now I can
come home afterwards to continue the piece I started earlier.
What is one of your guilty pleasures?
I love sweets. Fortunately my wife, Jo, loves to bake and she’s great at
it, too. So it’s a match
made in heaven. She bakes it. I eat it. The perfect arrangement!
__________________________________
Virtual
Visits
There are so many great reasons to book a virtual visit
with one of our members – check out the list below to see who’s available! ** indicates that this member is also a
current OLA Nominee.
Don Aker: $150 + HST, 60 minutes, Skype
Helaine Becker: $200 plus HST, 60 minutes (may be divided) Skype
Hugh Brewster: $ 120, 60 minutes (may be divided) Skype
Sigmund Brouwer: $250, 60 minutes, Skype, iChat, Facetime. Includes a free
ebook for each student and a class set of 25 books.
**(White Pine) Lena Coakley: $100 plus HST, 60 minutes (can be divided),
Skype/Google Talk
Joan Marie Galat: $175 plus GST, 60 minutes, Skype
Natale Ghent: $150, 60 minutes, Skype
Vicki Grant: $150 plus HST, 60 minutes, Skype
** (Silver Birch NF) Kathy Kacer, $250 plus HST, 60 minutes, Skype/Google Talk
Adrienne Kress: $150, 45 – 60 minutes, Skype, ichat or by phone
Sharon McKay: $150, 60 minutes, Skype.
**Mahtab Narsimhan: $150 plus HST, 60 minutes, Skype
Monique Polak: $150 plus HST, 60 minutes, Skype
Margriet Ruurs: $200, 50 minutes, Skype
** (Silver Birch) Cyndi Sand-Eveland: $125.00, 45 - 60 minutes, Skype
Lesley Simpson: $150, 60 minutes max, Skype
** (Silver Birch and Red Maple NF) Marsha Skrypuch: $150 plus HST, 60 minutes,
Google Talk
Arthur Slade: $250.00 + HST, 60 minutes, Skype/Google Talk/iChat
Gail Sidonie Sobat: $150, 60 minutes, Skype
**Allan Stratton: $150 + HST up to 30 students (larger groups to be negotiated),
60 minutes, Skype
Meg Tilly: $150 plus HST, 60 minutes, Skype
Robert Paul Weston: $175 plus HST, 60 minutes, Skype / Google Talk
Caroline Pignat: $150, 60 minutes, Skype
__________________________________
Questions? Comments? We’re listening!
Marsha & Valerie
Contact us at abs@authorsbooking.com
We respond quickly to all e-mails – usually within a day or
two. Please note: If you haven’t had a reply to messages sent to the above
address within 2 working days, your message may have gone astray. In that case,
please contact either of us at home. Valerie Sherrard: valeri@nbnet.nb.ca or Marsha
Skrypuch: marsha@calla.com
Deal of the Week!
Special
to Scarborough area schools:
Linda
Bailey
is available on the morning of Wednesday May 29th
only for two sessions. WITS subsidy eligible. Act now to avoid
disappointment.
100+
presenters all on one page!
Have
you seen our author listing? Click here
to view an index of our 100+ fabulous presenters.
Click
here
to view an index of our Forest of Reading nominees.
Meet
the author: Claire Eamer
What
did you do before you became a writer?
I’ve
been some kind of writer for most of my working life. My first job
after university was writing advertising copy for an Ottawa radio
station. I’ve also worked as a newspaper reporter, freelance
journalist, radio reporter, trade book editor, and science
communicator for a climate change organization. Occasionally, also, I
have taught English to university and college students, but I’d
rather be writing English than teaching it! Writing children’s
books is a fairly recent wrinkle in my writing career – the first
one, Super
Crocs and Monster Wings: Modern Animals’ Ancient Past,
came out in 2008. However, it’s a very interesting and enjoyable
wrinkle.
What
is the strangest question you’ve ever been asked about your craft?
“How
do you get kids past being afraid of science?” I was boggled
briefly, because I don’t think I’ve ever met a kid who was afraid
of science – or even not interested in science, for that matter.
Then I realized that the interviewer, who was also a parent, was
herself afraid of science. So I said that, in my experience, kids
aren’t afraid of science, but often their parents and other adults
are. Later, I began thinking about where that apparent fear comes
from. Somewhere between the ten-year-old I’m writing for and the
adult that ten-year-old will become, something is happening to turn
some people off science. And we need to stop that. I hope some of my
books will help kids sail through that barrier and keep their
enthusiasm and interest in science alive as they grow up, regardless
of whether they become scientists themselves.
What
is the most difficult thing about your work as a writer/illustrator?
Stopping
the research and settling down to writing. I lovelovelove the
research!
What
is one of your guilty pleasures?
Republic
of Doyle. I love that show.
How
old were you when you realized you wanted to become a writer?
I
think I always wanted to be a writer, but I didn’t think that was
realistic for a kid from Saskatchewan. When I was starting a
doctorate in English at the University of Manitoba, I got addicted to
Peter Gzowski’s morning show on CBC radio. I found the stories far
more interesting than the stuff I was studying. At that point, I
decided to be a journalist and start finding and telling stories
myself.
What
is your typical writing routine?
If
I’m researching, I spend a lot of time on the Internet, digging up
information and references, emailing questions to people, and
generally surfing whatever topic I’m working on. If I’m working
on the contract science writing and editing that is my main source of
income, it usually means a long day at the computer, working on the
files, with frivolous breaks for email, news, Facebook, Twitter, that
sort of thing. When I’m working on fiction, there’s a lot of
pacing, fretting, coffee-drinking, long walks, while I try to sort
out what comes next.
How
do you handle creative blocks?
Long
walks. Showers. Going back a bit in the manuscript and revising up to
the blocked point—a bit like taking a run at it to get some
momentum going. Any and all suggestions are welcome!
Availability
notes for our regular authors:
is available for visits on May 1 and 2 in Toronto.
is
available for bookings in Ottawa May 27, 28 and 29. She will present
her JCR novels to grades 3 to 6, her teen sports thriller, Two Foot
Punch, to grades 7 and 8, and her teen psychological thriller,
Spider’s Song to grades 9 through 12. Anita will draw from student
names for one free book during each presentation.
will
be in Ontario from October 14 to 18, 2013.
Forest
of Reading availability list
Blue
Spruce
author and illustrator of
Larf
is
coming to Toronto in October! Full day bookings only please. October
8, 10 and 11. She will be staying downtown with quick access to Union
Station.
Rebecca
Bender,
author and illustrator of Don’t
Laugh at Giraffe.
Lives in Burlington, ON.
For
these remaining dates, local schools only: (Burlington, Hamilton,
Mississauga, Oakville, Milton and the rural areas around)
April
30, May 14, May 28, June 13, June 18, 20
Cary
Fagan,
author of Ella
May and the Wishing Stone.
Lives in Toronto, ON.
Has
dates open this spring. Can drive to venues beyond the GTA.
Heather
Hartt-Sussman,
author of Here
Comes Hortense!
Lives
in Toronto, ON.
Has
dates the week of April 8 and May 13, GTA only.
Martin
Springett,
author and illustrator of Kate
and Pippin.
Lives in Toronto, ON.
Excellent
availability in May. Will go anywhere by transit, GO, VIA, TTC,
sometimes it has to be a cab of course.
Émilie
Rivard,
author
of Really
and Truly.
Lives in Quebec. Presentations in French only.
May
14 open.
Silver
Birch Express
Natalie
Hyde,
author of I
Owe You One.
Lives in Cambridge ON.
Excellent
availability in March, April and May and will drive within 150km
radius of Cambridge
Eric
Walters,
author of Matatu.Lives
in Mississauga, ON. June 11, 12, 13, 14 only.
Lois
Peterson,
author of The
Paper House. Lives
in British Columbia.
Fully
booked.
Karen
Patkau,
author and illustrator of Who
Needs A Swamp? A Wetland Ecosystem.
Lives in Toronto.
Excellent
availability in March and April. May 13 and 14 open. Has a car and
will travel 150km radius of Toronto.
Kari
Trogen,
co-author of Margaret
and the Moth Tree.
Lives in Toronto.
Kari
has excellent availability in April and will go anywhere public
transit can take her.
Kari’s
sister and co-author, Brit Trogen, will be coming to Ontario from New
York to attend the 2013 Forest of Reading celebrations. Their
presentation rate as a pair is $325 plus HST and their days of
availability together are May 7, May 9, 13, 14, 15 and 17. Kari
will have access to a car and standard kilometrage will apply.
Karen
Reczuch,
illustrator of Loon.
Lives in Acton.
Has
excellent availability this spring, but is fully booked May 5 to 10.
Has a car and is happy to drive to the GTA, with a preference for the
western GTA. Requests a week’s notice for bookings.
Silver
Birch Fiction
Allan
Stratton,
author of The
Grave Robber’s Apprentice.
Lives in Toronto.
Excellent
availability the first half of April and May.
Marsha
Skrypuch,
author of Making
Bombs For Hitler.
Lives in Brantford, ON is available on April 15 in Newmarket, April
26 in Toronto for one morning session, and on May 13th
within 200 km of Brantford, Limited dates open in April.
Steve
Vernon,
author of Sinking
Deeper, Or My Heroic Decision to Invent a Sea Monster.
Lives in Halifax NS.
Cyndi
Sand-Eveland,
author of A
Tinfoil Sky.
Lives in BC.
May
13th open. Can go anywhere accessible by public transit from
Toronto.
Evan
Munday,
author of The
Dead Kid Detective Agency.
Lives in Toronto.
Dates
open: April 23 – 26, April 29 - May 2, May 14, plus the rest of
May.
Can
go anywhere accessible by TTC or public transit.
Becky
Citra,
author of Missing.
Lives in BC. Fully booked.
Silver
Birch non-fiction
Kathy
Kacer,
author of To
Hope and Back: The Journey of the St. Louis.
Lives in Toronto.
April
9, 16, 22, 23, May 1, 2, 6, 7.
I
have a car and am willing to drive just about anywhere.
Larry
Verstraete,
author of Case
Files: 40 Murders and Mysteries Solved by Science. Lives
in Winnipeg.
The
morning of May 17th is open for Toronto. Takes public transit.
Janet
Wilson,
author of Shannen
and the Dream for a School.
Lives near Guelph.
April
2, 4, 8, 10, 23-26. May 2, 13, 14, 17,20-23, 27-31. June-open. Ottawa
area April 11, 12 and 15. Drives to venues.
Frieda
Wishinsky,
author of Explorers
Who Made it … or died trying.
Lives in Toronto. One day open in April, fully booked
otherwise.
Wendy
Kitts,
author of Sable
Island: The Wandering Sandbar.
Lives in California. Availabile in Toronto, May 14 and 15.
Red
Maple Fiction
Sylvia
McNicoll,
author of crush.candy.corpse.
Lives in Burlington, ON.
Excellent
availability in April. Sylvia loves driving and loves visiting
northern Ontario.
Shane
Peacock,
author of The
Dragon Turn: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His 5th Case.
Lives in Baltimore, ON.
Has
excellent availability April through June. Loves to drive.
Eric
Walters,
author of End
of Days.
Lives in Mississauga ON.
June
11, 12, 13, 14 only.
Valerie
Sherrard,
author of Testify.
Lives in Miramichi, NB.
May
6 to 13. Valerie will have a car and will travel up to 200 kms of
Toronto.
10
of Valerie’s early novels free with each session booked.
Mahtab
Narsimhan,
author of The
Tiffin.
Lives in Toronto, ON.
Excellent
availability in April and May. Can travel beyond the GTA if booking
for a minimum of two sessions.
Riel
Nason,
author of The
Town That Drowned.
Lives in New Brunswick.
Fully
booked.
Pam
Withers,
author of First
Descent.
Lives in BC.
Has
room for one session in Toronto on May 17.
Wesley
King,
author of The
Vindico.
Lives in Oshawa.
Excellent
availability in May. Many spots still open in April. Has a car and
loves to travel.
Red
Maple non-fiction
Marsha
Skrypuch,
author of Last
Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan’s Rescue from War.
Lives in Brantford, ON is available on April 15 in Newmarket, April
26 in Toronto for one morning session, and on May 13th
within 200 km of Brantford, Limited dates open in April.
Claire
Eamer,
author of Lizards
in the Sky: Animals Where You Least Expect Them.
Lives in White Horse, YT. May 6, 7, 9-14, Toronto.
Bill
Swan,
author of REAL
JUSTICE: Fourteen and Sentenced to Death. Lives
near Oshawa ON.
Kira
Vermond,
author of The
Secret Life of Money.
Lives in Guelph, ON.
Excellent
availability from April 15 until mid-May. Has a car and loves to
drive.
White
Pine
Catherine
Austen,
author of All
Good Children.
Lives in Gatineau, QC.
Has
the morning of May 16th open in Toronto.
Eric
Walters,
co-author of The
Taming.
Lives in Mississauga ON.
June
11, 12, 13, 14 only.
Teresa
Toten,
co-author of The
Taming.
Lives in Toronto ON.
April:
5th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 26th, 29th, and 30th.
May:
1st, 2nd, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st and 24th.
June:
6th, 10th, 11th, 13th and 14th
Has
a car and will travel up to 3 hours outside of Toronto.
Lena
Coakley,
author of Witchlanders.
Lives in Toronto.
Excellent
availability in April and May. Can travel by car in a two hour radius
of Toronto. Ottawa area April 24 – 26.
Megan
Crewe,
author of The
Way We Fall.
Lives in Toronto.
Good
availability in April and May.
Cathy
Ostlere,
author of Karma.
Lives in Alberta.
May
7 to 16 open.
Cecil
Castellucci,
author of First
Day on Earth.
Lives in Los Angeles.
May
16 and 17 open.
Carrie
Mac,
author of The
Opposite of Tidy.
Lives in BC.
May
16 and 17 open.
Tamarac
Express
Mireille
Messier,
Fatima
et les voleurs de clémentines.
Lives in Toronto, ON.
Good
availability this spring.
Peuplier
Mireille
Messier,
Chapeau
Charlotte!
Lives
in Toronto, ON.
Good
availability this spring.
Geneviève
Lemieux,
author of Le
zoo de Yayaho,
is available on the morning of May 16 in Toronto.
Golden
Oak
Frieda
Wishinsky,
Remembering
the Titanic.
Lives in Toronto, ON.
One day
open in April. Otherwise full.
Eric
Walters,
Matatu.
Lives in Mississauga. June 11, 12, 13, 14 only.
Wendy
Kitts,
Sable
Island: The Wandering Sandbar.
Lives in California. Available May 14 and 15, Toronto.
Joy
Fielding,
Home
Invasion.
Lives in Toronto, ON. Some availability this spring.
Deals of the Week!
Author Cyndi Sand-Eveland is offering a free Dear Toni,
½ hour presentation for any school or combination of neighbouring
schools that book her for a minimum of two, but ideally three,
presentations for A Tinfoil Sky, on the 13th of May.
Claire Eamer is offering a free history or science book with every session booked in her upcoming visit to Ontario.
Want to know the Willow nominees for 2013-2014? Scroll down!
Looking for a French speaking presenter?
Émilie Rivard,
auteure jeunesse québécoise, auteure de plus de 20 titres jeunesses
pour les 4 à 12 ans et en nomination pour le Blue Spruce Award avec son
album Really and Truly
sera à Toronto pour visiter les jeunes lecteurs francophones de la
région dans la semaine du 14 mai 2013. Pour plus d’information, visitez cette page.
Geneviève Lemieux, Prix Peuplier nominated author of Le zoo de Yayaho, is available on the morning of May 16 in Toronto.
Mireille Messier, author of Prix Peuplier nominated Chapeau Charlotte! and Tamarac Express nominated Fatima et les voleurs de clémentines. Lives in Toronto, ON. Good availability this spring.
Hélène Boudreau, author of the Real Mermaids series, is available in the GTA.
Don’t miss this opportunity to nab an out-of-province award-winning author at at reduced travel costs:
Joy Fielding (Golden Oak nominee) is available for presentations in Toronto, to grade 9+.
Sigmund Brouwer is in various locations: March 25-29.
Jacob Berkowitz is
available in the GTA, March 25, 27 and 28 and April 8 – 12. He is
presenting his fun and popular Jurassic Poop show, and giving away a
sample of coprolite at each location.
Cyndi Sand-Eveland, author of A Tinfoil Sky. Lives in BC.
May 13th open. Can go anywhere accessible by public transit from Toronto.
Sharon McKay is available for visits on May 1 and 2 in Toronto.
Valerie Sherrard, author of Testify. Lives in Miramichi, NB.
May 6 to 13. Valerie will have a car and will travel up to 200 kms of Toronto.
10 of Valerie’s early novels free with each session booked.
Wendy Kitts, Sable Island: The Wandering Sandbar. Lives in California. Available May 14 and 15, Toronto.
Claire Eamer, author of Lizards in the Sky: Animals Where You Least Expect Them. Lives in White Horse, YT. May 9, 10, 13 and 14, Toronto.
Catherine Austen, author of All Good Children. Lives in Gatineau, QC.
Has the morning of May 16th open in Toronto.
Cathy Ostlere, author of Karma. Lives in Alberta. May 7 to 16 open for Toronto.
Carrie Mac, author of The Opposite of Tidy. Lives in BC.
May 16 and 17 open.
Cecil Castellucci, author of First Day on Earth. Lives in Los Angeles.
May 16 and 17 open.
Anita Daher is
available for bookings in Ottawa May 27, 28 and 29. She will present
her JCR novels to grades 3 to 6, her teen sports thriller, Two Foot
Punch, to grades 7 and 8, and her teen psychological thriller, Spider’s
Song to grades 9 through 12. Anita will draw from student names for one
free book during each presentation.
Ashley Spires is
coming to Toronto in October! Full day bookings only please. October 8,
10 and 11. She will be staying downtown with quick access to Union
Station.
Michael Kusugak will be in Ontario from October 14 to 18, 2013.
Meet the Author: Becky Citra
What did you do before you became a writer?
I
was an elementary school teacher for twenty-five years in several small
rural communities in B.C. For ten years, I taught First Nations
students in band controlled schools. I loved it! I read wonderful books
every day to my classes. In 1995, I published my first children’s book, My Homework is in the Mail,
and for the next ten years I taught school and wrote in my spare time.
Then I was lucky enough to be able to retire early and devote myself
full time to writing.
How do you handle creative blocks?
Creative
blocks are not fun! I go for long walks, ride my horse, free write
“character journals”, read books by authors I admire, meet with my
writing friends, read one of my previously published books, peruse blogs
by other authors or read a how-to-write book (I have a shelf full!) If
all else fails, I take a long bubble bath! My writing blocks usually
don’t last long and I’m back at it.
Forest of Reading availability list
Blue Spruce
Rebecca Bender, author and illustrator of Don’t Laugh at Giraffe. Lives in Burlington, ON. For these remaining dates, local schools only: (Burlington, Hamilton, Mississauga, Oakville, Milton and the rural areas around)
April 30, May 14, May 28, June 4, June 11, 13, June 18, 20
Cary Fagan, author of Ella May and the Wishing Stone. Lives in Toronto, ON.
Has dates open this spring. Can drive to venues beyond the GTA.
Heather Hartt-Sussman, author of Here Comes Hortense! Lives in Toronto, ON.
Has dates the week of April 8 and May 13, GTA only.
Martin Springett, author and illustrator of Kate and Pippin. Lives in Toronto, ON.
Excellent availability in May. Will go anywhere by transit, GO, VIA, TTC, sometimes it has to be a cab of course.
Ashley Spires, author and illustrator of Larf. Lives in Saskatchewan.
Ashley will be in Ontario in October and has openings on October 8, 10 and 11.
Émilie Rivard, author of Really and Truly. Lives in Quebec. Presentations in French only.
May 14 open.
Silver Birch Express
Natalie Hyde, author of I Owe You One. Lives in Cambridge ON.
Excellent availability in March, April and May and will drive within 150km radius of Cambridge
Eric Walters, author of Matatu.Lives in Mississauga, ON. Limited dates in June only.
Lois Peterson, author of The Paper House. Lives in British Columbia.
Fully booked.
Karen Patkau, author and illustrator of Who Needs A Swamp? A Wetland Ecosystem. Lives in Toronto.
Excellent availability in March and April. May 13 and 14 open. Has a car and will travel 150km radius of Toronto.
Kari Trogen, co-author of Margaret and the Moth Tree. Lives in Toronto.
Kari has excellent availability in March and April and will go anywhere public transit can take her. Kari’s
sister and co-author, Brit Trogen, will be coming to Ontario from New
York to attend the 2013 Forest of Reading celebrations. Their
presentation rate as a pair is $325 plus HST and their days of
availability together are May 7, May 9, 13, 14, 15 and 17. Kari will
have access to a car and standard kilometrage will apply.
Karen Reczuch, illustrator of Loon. Lives in Acton.
Has
excellent availability this spring, but is fully booked May 5 to 10.
Has a car and is happy to drive to the GTA, with a preference for the
western GTA. Requests a week’s notice for bookings.
Silver Birch Fiction
Allan Stratton, author of The Grave Robber’s Apprentice. Lives in Toronto.
Excellent availability in March, the first half of April and May.
Marsha Skrypuch, author of Making Bombs For Hitler. Lives in Brantford, ON.
is available on March 25th and May 13th within 200 km of Brantford, for one morning session in Toronto on April 26th and limited dates open in April.
Steve Vernon, author of Sinking Deeper, Or My Heroic Decision to Invent a Sea Monster. Lives in Halifax NS.
Cyndi Sand-Eveland, author of A Tinfoil Sky. Lives in BC.
May 13th open. Can go anywhere accessible by public transit from Toronto.
Evan Munday, author of The Dead Kid Detective Agency. Lives in Toronto.
Dates open: April 23 – 26, April 29 - May 2, May 13 & May 14, plus the rest of May.
Can go anywhere accessible by TTC or public transit.
Becky Citra, author of Missing. Lives in BC. May 14 open for Toronto.
Silver Birch non-fiction
Kathy Kacer, author of To Hope and Back: The Journey of the St. Louis. Lives in Toronto. April 9, 16, 22, 23, May 1, 2, 6, 7. I have a car and am willing to drive just about anywhere.
Larry Verstraete, author of Case Files: 40 Murders and Mysteries Solved by Science. Lives in Winnipeg. The morning of May 17th is open for Toronto. Takes public transit.
Janet Wilson, author of Shannen and the Dream for a School. Lives near Guelph.
March
7, 8, 18-25, April 2, 4, 8, 10, 23-26. May 2, 13, 14, 17,20-23, 27-31.
June-open. Ottawa area April 11, 12 and 15. Drives to venues.
Frieda Wishinsky, author of Explorers Who Made it … or died trying. Lives in Toronto. Good availability this spring.
Wendy Kitts, author of Sable Island: The Wandering Sandbar. Lives in California. Availabile in Toronto, May 14 and 15.
Red Maple Fiction
Sylvia McNicoll, author of crush.candy.corpse. Lives in Burlington, ON.
Excellent availability in March and April. Sylvia loves driving and loves visiting northern Ontario.
Shane Peacock, author of The Dragon Turn: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His 5th Case. Lives in Baltimore, ON. Has excellent availability March through June. Loves to drive.
Eric Walters, author of End of Days. Lives in Mississauga ON. Fully booked March, April, May. Limited dates in June.
Valerie Sherrard, author of Testify. Lives in Miramichi, NB. May 6 to 13. Valerie will have a car and will travel up to 200 kms of Toronto. 10 of Valerie’s early novels free with each session booked.
Mahtab Narsimhan, author of The Tiffin. Lives in Toronto, ON. Excellent availability in March, April and May. Can travel beyond the GTA if booking for a minimum of two sessions.
Riel Nason, author of The Town That Drowned. Lives in New Brunswick. Fully booked.
Pam Withers, author of First Descent. Lives in BC. Has room for one session in Toronto on May 17.
Wesley King, author of The Vindico. Lives in Oshawa. Excellent availability in May. Many spots still open in March and April. Has a car and loves to travel.
Red Maple non-fiction
Marsha Skrypuch, author of Last Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan’s Rescue from War. Lives in Brantford, ON. is available on March 25th and May 13th within 200 km of Brantford, for one morning session in Toronto on April 26th and limited dates open in April.
Claire Eamer, author of Lizards in the Sky: Animals Where You Least Expect Them. Lives in White Horse, YT. April 29 to May 1, Niagara area. May 6, 7, 9-14, Toronto.
Bill Swan, author of REAL JUSTICE: Fourteen and Sentenced to Death. Lives near Oshawa ON.
Kira Vermond, author of The Secret Life of Money. Lives in Guelph, ON.
Excellent availability from April 15 until mid-May. Has a car and loves to drive.
White Pine
Catherine Austen, author of All Good Children. Lives in Gatineau, QC. Has the morning of May 16th open in Toronto.
Eric Walters, co-author of The Taming. Lives in Mississauga ON. Fully booked March, April, May. Has a few days open in June.
Teresa Toten, co-author of The Taming. Lives in Toronto ON. March: 21st, 22nd, 25th and 26th. April: 5th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 26th, 29th, and 30th. May: 1st, 2nd, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st and 24th. June: 6th, 10th, 11th, 13th and 14th Has a car and will travel up to 3 hours outside of Toronto.
Lena Coakley, author of Witchlanders. Lives in Toronto. Excellent availability in April and May. Can travel by car in a two hour radius of Toronto. Ottawa area April 24 – 26.
Megan Crewe, author of The Way We Fall. Lives in Toronto. Good availability in March, April and May.
Cathy Ostlere, author of Karma. Lives in Alberta. May 7 to 16 open.
Cecil Castellucci, author of First Day on Earth. Lives in Los Angeles. May 16 and 17 open.
Carrie Mac, author of The Opposite of Tidy. Lives in BC. May 16 and 17 open.
Tamarac Express
Mireille Messier, Fatima et les voleurs de clémentines. Lives in Toronto, ON.
Good availability this spring.
Peuplier
Mireille Messier, Chapeau Charlotte! Lives in Toronto, ON. Good availability this spring.
Geneviève Lemieux, author of Le zoo de Yayaho, is available on the morning of May 16 in Toronto.
Golden Oak
Frieda Wishinsky, Remembering the Titanic. Lives in Toronto, ON. Good availability this spring.
Eric Walters, Matatu. Lives in Mississauga. Has 6 days open in June.
Wendy Kitts, Sable Island: The Wandering Sandbar. Lives in California. Available May 14 and 15, Toronto.
Joy Fielding, Home Invasion. Lives in Toronto, ON. Some availability this spring.
Book Draw Winners!
CONGRATULATIONS to the winners in
our January and February book draws! They are: Margaret Geare, Lisa
Rumble, Sarah Dodge, Michelle Kates, Tye Wong, Linda van Raay, Nadia
Generosa, Lisa Harhay, Penny Huntley, Maureen Grice, Colleen Timmins,
Anna Szumilas, Melanie Mulcaster, Wendy Bateman, Michelle Shapiera,
James Venn, Sharon Gusz, Susan Shaver, Karin Main and Andrea
Rewutzsky-Gardin.
DID YOU KNOW that every session
booked through ABS automatically earns you a ballot in our book
draws? That’s right – you don’t have to do a thing – we’ll enter you
in the draws for the month in which your author visit takes place.
To see the list of books available in our monthly draws, check out this page on our blog:
http://authorsbooking.blogspot.ca/ (Scroll down to the heading: Books for our Draws!)
Congratulations to our 2013-2014 Willow Award nominees!
Shining Willow
Here Comes Hortense! by Heather Hartt-Sussman, Illustrated by Georgia Graham
Kate and Pippin: An Unlikely Love Story, by Martin Springett, Illustrated by Isobel Springett
Toads on Toast, by Linda Bailey, Illustrated by Colin Jack
Uncle Wally’s Old Brown Shoe, by Wallace Edwards
Diamond Willow
The Gargoyle at the Gates, by Philippa Dowding
A Tinfoil Sky, by Cyndi Sand-Eveland
Snow Willow
crush. candy. corpse. by Sylvia McNicoll
Fly Boy, by Eric Walters
The Opposite of Tidy, by Carrie Mac
The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen, by Susin Nielsen
The Tiffin, by Mahtab Narsimhan
Looking for a Tree author?
We’ve done our homework! Scroll to the bottom of this newsletter for an up-to the minute listing of open nominee dates!
Hot hot hot!
This just in! Anita Daher is
available for bookings in Ottawa May 27, 28 and 29. She will present
her JCR novels to grades 3 to 6, her teen sports thriller, Two Foot
Punch, to grades 7 and 8, and her teen psychological thriller, Spider’s
Song to grades 9 through 12. Anita will draw from student names for
one free book during each presentation.
Sigmund Brouwer is in various locations: March 18-22 and 25-29.
Jacob Berkowitz
is available in the GTA, March 25, 27 and 28 and April 8 – 12. He is
presenting his fun and popular Jurassic Poop show, and giving away a
sample of coprolite at each location.
Sharon McKay is available for visits on May 1, 2 and 3.
Ashley Spires
is coming to Toronto in October! Full day bookings only please. October
8, 10 and 11. She will be staying downtown with quick access to Union
Station.
Michael Kusugak will be in Ontario from October 14 to 18, 2013.
And the Winner is . . .
Mrs. Gulliver’s grade 8 class at Chambers Public School in London submitted the first crush. candy.corpse book trailer video. Their prize will be a Sylvia McNicoll author visit. Congratulations to Justin, Nishita and Samar for a dynamic production that also honoured copyright laws.
You are invited . . .
Beth Tikvah Synagogue, 3080 Bayview Avenue, North York, invites you to meet Rona Arato as she launches The Last Train on March 17, 2013, 2pm.
The Last Train is
the true story of one family’s journey from Hungary to Bergen Belsen,
and of the reunion, sixty-five years later, between survivors of the
Bergen Belsen death train and the American soldiers who liberated them.
ABS Member Nominations!
2013 CLA Book of the Year for Children Award
Susin Nielsen, The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen
Shane Peacock, Becoming Holmes
Cyndi Sand‐Eveland, A Tinfoil Sky
Arthur Slade, Island of doom
Allan Stratton, The Grave Robber’s Apprentice
2013 CLA Young Adult Book Award
Bright’s Light, by Susan Juby
The Reluctant Journal of Henry K Larsen, by Susin Nielsen
2013 Amelia Frances Howard‐Gibbon Award for Illustration
Goodnight, Canada illustrated by Andrea Beck
Jennifer Lanthier’s Stamp Collector illustrated by François Thisdale
War Brothers by Sharon McKay
and Daniel Lafrance, has been nominated for the Great Graphic Novels
for Teens (GGNT) List from YALSA to be published in January 2014.
Enemy Territory by Sharon McKay has been short-listed for the 2013 IODE Violet Downey Book Award.
Forest of Reading availability list
Blue Spruce
Rebecca Bender, author and illustrator of Don’t Laugh at Giraffe. Lives in Burlington, ON.
For these remaining dates, local schools only: (Burlington, Hamilton, Mississauga, Oakville, Milton and the rural areas around)
April 30, May 14, May 28, June 4, June 11, 13, June 18, 20
Cary Fagan, author of Ella May and the Wishing Stone. Lives in Toronto, ON.
Has dates open this spring. Can drive to venues beyond the GTA.
Heather Hartt-Sussman, author of Here Comes Hortense! Lives in Toronto, ON.
Has dates the week of April 8 and May 13, GTA only.
Martin Springett, author and illustrator of Kate and Pippin. Lives in Toronto, ON.
Excellent availability in May. Will go anywhere by transit, GO, VIA, TTC, sometimes it has to be a cab of course.
Ashley Spires, author and illustrator of Larf. Lives in Saskatchewan.
Ashley will be in Ontario in October and has openings on October 8, 10 and 11.
Émilie Rivard, author of Really and Truly. Lives in Quebec. Presentations in French only.
May 14 open.
Silver Birch Express
Natalie Hyde, author of I Owe You One. Lives in Cambridge ON.
Excellent availability in March, April and May and will drive within 150km radius of Cambridge
Eric Walters, author of Matatu.Lives in Mississauga, ON
Fully booked March, April, May. Has 6 days open in June.
Lois Peterson, author of The Paper House. Lives in British Columbia.
Fully booked.
Karen Patkau, author and illustrator of Who Needs A Swamp? A Wetland Ecosystem. Lives in Toronto.
Excellent availability in March and April. May 13 and 14 open. Has a car and will travel 150km radius of Toronto.
Kari Trogen, co-author of Margaret and the Moth Tree. Lives in Toronto.
Kari has excellent availability in March and April and will go anywhere public transit can take her.
Kari’s
sister and co-author, Brit Trogen, will be coming to Ontario from New
York to attend the 2013 Forest of Reading celebrations. Their
presentation rate as a pair is $325 plus HST and their days of
availability together are May 7, May 9, 13, 14, 15 and 17. Kari will
have access to a car and standard kilometrage will apply.
Karen Reczuch, illustrator of Loon. Lives in Acton.
Has
excellent availability this spring, but is fully booked May 5 to 10.
Has a car and is happy to drive to the GTA, with a preference for the
western GTA. Requests a week’s notice for bookings.
Silver Birch Fiction
Allan Stratton, author of The Grave Robber’s Apprentice. Lives in Toronto.
Excellent availability in March, the first half of April and May.
Marsha Skrypuch, author of Making Bombs For Hitler. Lives in Brantford, ON.
Still
has some Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays open in March and April.
One day left in May — the 13th. Loves to drive and can do Silver Birch
and Red Maple presentations back to back.
Steve Vernon, author of Sinking Deeper, Or My Heroic Decision to Invent a Sea Monster. Lives in Halifax NS.
Cyndi Sand-Eveland, author of A Tinfoil Sky. Lives in BC.
May 13th open. Can go anywhere accessible by public transit from Toronto.
Evan Munday, author of The Dead Kid Detective Agency. Lives in Toronto.
Dates open: April 23 – 26, April 29 - May 2, May 13 & May 14, plus the rest of May.
Can go anywhere accessible by TTC or public transit.
Becky Citra, author of Missing. Lives in BC.
Is available in Thunder Bay on May 9. In Toronto May 13, in the afternoon, May 14 and the morning of May 15.
Silver Birch non-fiction
Kathy Kacer, author of To Hope and Back: The Journey of the St. Louis. Lives in Toronto.
April 9, 16, 22, 23, May 1, 2, 6, 7.
I have a car and am willing to drive just about anywhere.
Larry Verstraete, author of Case Files: 40 Murders and Mysteries Solved by Science. Lives in Winnipeg.
May 14th and the morning of May 17th is open for Toronto. Takes public transit.
Janet Wilson, author of Shannen and the Dream for a School. Lives near Guelph.
March
7, 8, 18-25, April 2, 4, 8, 10, 23-26. May 2, 13, 14, 17,20-23, 27-31.
June-open. Ottawa area April 11, 12 and 15. Drives to venues.
Frieda Wishinsky, author of Explorers Who Made it … or died trying. Lives in Toronto.
Good availability this spring.
Wendy Kitts, author of Sable Island: The Wandering Sandbar. Lives in NB.
Red Maple Fiction
Sylvia McNicoll, author of crush.candy.corpse. Lives in Burlington, ON.
Excellent availability in March and April. Sylvia loves driving and loves visiting northern Ontario.
Shane Peacock, author of The Dragon Turn: The Boy Sherlock Holmes, His 5th Case. Lives in Baltimore, ON.
Has excellent availability March through June. Loves to drive.
Eric Walters, author of End of Days. Lives in Mississauga ON.
Fully booked March, April, May. Has 6 days open in June.
Valerie Sherrard, author of Testify. Lives in Miramichi, NB.
May 6 to 13. Valerie will have a car and will travel up to 200 kms of Toronto.
10 of Valerie’s early novels free with each session booked.
Mahtab Narsimhan, author of The Tiffin. Lives in Toronto, ON.
Excellent availability in March, April and May. Can travel beyond the GTA if booking for a minimum of two sessions.
Riel Nason, author of The Town That Drowned. Lives in New Brunswick.
Fully booked.
Pam Withers, author of First Descent. Lives in BC.
Has room for one session in Toronto on May 17.
Wesley King, author of The Vindico. Lives in Oshawa.
Excellent availability in May. Many spots still open in March and April. Has a car and loves to travel.
Red Maple non-fiction
Marsha Skrypuch, author of Last Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan’s Rescue from War. Lives in Brantford, ON.
Still
has some Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays open in March and April.
One day left in May — the 13th. Loves to drive and can do Silver Birch
and Red Maple presentations back to back.
Claire Eamer, author of Lizards in the Sky: Animals Where You Least Expect Them. Lives in White Horse, YT.
April 29 to May 1, Niagara area. May 6, 7, 9-14, Toronto.
Bill Swan, author of REAL JUSTICE: Fourteen and Sentenced to Death. Lives near Oshawa ON.
Kira Vermond, author of The Secret Life of Money. Lives in Guelph, ON.
Excellent availability from April 15 until mid-May. Has a car and loves to drive.
White Pine
Catherine Austen, author of All Good Children. Lives in Gatineau, QC.
Has the morning of May 16th open in Toronto.
Eric Walters, co-author of The Taming. Lives in Mississauga ON.
Fully booked March, April, May. Has 6 days open in June.
Teresa Toten, co-author of The Taming. Lives in Toronto ON.
March: 19th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 25th and 26th.
April: 5th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 26th, 29th, and 30th.
May: 1st, 2nd, 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st and 24th.
June: 6th, 10th, 11th, 13th and 14th
Has a car and will travel up to 3 hours outside of Toronto.
Lena Coakley, author of Witchlanders. Lives in Toronto.
Excellent availability in April and May. Can travel by car in a two hour radius of Toronto. Ottawa area April 24 – 26.
Megan Crewe, author of The Way We Fall. Lives in Toronto.
Good availability in March, April and May.
Cathy Ostlere, author of Karma. Lives in Alberta.
May 7 to 16 open.
Cecil Castellucci, author of First Day on Earth. Lives in Los Angeles.
May 16 and 17 open.
Carrie Mac, author of The Opposite of Tidy. Lives in BC.
May 16 and 17 open.
Tamarac Express
Mireille Messier, Fatima et les voleurs de clémentines. Lives in Toronto, ON.
Good availability this spring.
Peuplier
Mireille Messier, Chapeau Charlotte! Lives in Toronto, ON.
Good availability this spring.
Golden Oak
Frieda Wishinsky, Remembering the Titanic. Lives in Toronto, ON.
Good availability this spring.
Eric Walters, Matatu. Lives in Mississauga.
Fully booked March, April, May. Has 6 days open in June.
Wendy Kitts, Sable Island: The Wandering Sandbar. Lives in NB.
Joy Fielding, Home Invasion. Lives in Toronto, ON.
Some availability this spring.
Valerie Sherrard & Marsha Skrypuch
Authors’ Booking Service
Connecting Canadian Creators and Educators
Contact us at abs@authorsbooking.com
If
you haven’t received a response at the above address within two
working days you are welcome to contact Marsha at marsha@calla.com or
Valerie at valeri@nbnet.nb.ca
2 Deals of the Week: Free books!
Becky Citra, author of Silver Birch 2013 nominee Missing, will offer 10% off her regular fee and a signed copy of Missing for the first three library or school visits booked in May in the Toronto area.
LM Falcone, award-winning author (Silver Birch/Diamond Willow/Red Cedar) of middle-grade novels Walking with the Dead, The Devil, The Banshee and Me, and The Midnight Curse, will give one class set of her supernatural thriller, The Mysterious Mummer, to the first two schools that book two presentations.
Want the perfect author visit? Check out our tips sheet:
http://authorsbooking.com/
Author News
Kate Jaimet, author of three Orca Sports books and the middle-grade comedy Dunces Anonymous, will be featured in a new column on “up-and-coming children’s authors with buzz” in the spring issue of Canadian Children’s Book News. Kate answers questions on how and why she writes, and previews her new novel Break Point.
Gail Sidonie Sobat
will be writer-in-residence in Doha, Qatar through the Qatar Reads
Association in March 2013. She’ll be visiting schools, libraries and
Qatar University! Her latest novel, Not With a Bang,
is one of ten nominees on the long list for the Alberta Readers’ Choice
Awards. Gail’s second book of poetry, and her tenth book, How the Light is Spent, will be published by Wintergreen Studios Press in April 2013.
Rachna Gilmore‘s middle-grade novel That Boy Red
was selected as one of six titles in British Columbia Libraries’
2012-2013 Reading Link Challenge Program for Grades 4 &5 students.
Rachna will tour libraries in the Fraser Valley area during the week of
February 25 to March 1.
The graphic novel version of Sharon McKay’s War Brothers
has just been released and is getting outstanding reviews! Sharon will
be back from Afghanistan with new stories from the war zone on April
10th. She will be available in the Toronto/Burlington/ Hamilton/Oakville
area April 30, May 1, 2, 3. and would LOVE to do some school visits.
Sister Authors of Silver Birch Express nominated Margaret and the Moth Tree to tour Ontario
Kari Trogen and Brit Trogen will be in Parry Sound on May 6, in North Bay on May 8, in Thunder Bay on May 10, and in Toronto on either end.
Together,
this sister writing team gives a high-energy, uplifting and fun
presentation to get young audiences inspired about books and writing.
The fee for Kari alone is $250 and for both Kari and Brit is $325, plus HST plus travel.
“A charming story of magical realism… The Trogens breathe new life into the old trope of the plucky orphan in dire straits.” — School Library Journal.
Availability Notes
Sigmund Brouwer is in various locations: Feb 25-28, March 18-22 and 25-29.
Janet Wilson is available in the Ottawa area April 11, 12 and 15.
Jacob Berkowitz is available in the GTA, March 25, 27 and 28 and April 8 – 12.
Jeremy Tankard will be in the GTA and is available for full day bookings (one location or shared between two) April 19 and 22.
Lena Coakley (White Pine) is available in the Ottawa area April 24 – 26.
Don Aker’s schedule is now full for the week of April 22 – 26 in the GTA.
Marsha Skrypuch
(Red Maple non-fiction and Silver Birch Fiction) has good availability
within driving distance of Brantford on Mondays and Wednesdays between
now and April. Marsha is giving away 12 free books for February and
March bookings!
Eric Walters (multiple OLA nominations) has very limited dates left in April and May.
Joy Fielding (Golden Oak nominee) is available for presentations in Toronto, to grade 9+.
Sharon McKay Toronto/Burlington/ Hamilton/Oakville area April 30, May 1, 2, 3.
Michael Kusugak will be in Ontario from October 14 to 18, 2013. Book now to avoid disappointment!
Out-of-Province Nominees Visiting Ontario in May are:
Becky Citra (Silver Birch Fiction)
Steve Vernon (Silver Birch Fiction)
Cyndi Sand-Eveland (Silver Birch Fiction) May 13
Wendy Kitts (Silver Birch Non-Fiction)
Larry Verstraete (Silver Birch Non-Fiction) May 15
Riel Nason (Red Maple Fiction)
Valerie Sherrard (Red Maple Fiction) May 6 - 13
(Valerie is donating ten of her early titles for each session booked. Ask about details.)
Claire Eamer (Red Maple Non-Fiction)
Catherine Austen (White Pine) May 14, 16 and 17
Cathy Ostlere (White Pine) May 7 - 16
Cecil Castellucci (White Pine)
Émilie Rivard,
auteure jeunesse québécoise, auteure de plus de 20 titres jeunesses
pour les 4 à 12 ans et en nomination pour le Blue Spruce Award avec son
album Really and Truly sera à Toronto pour visiter les jeunes lecteurs
francophones de la région dans la semaine du 14 mai 2013. Pour plus
d’information, visitez cette page
Authors/Illustrators in Northern Ontario
Larry Verstraete (Silver Birch NF) available in ON near Manitoba in April and early May.
Janet Wilson
(Silver Birch NF) is available: in Parry Sound/Sudbury/North Bay on May
7, in North Bay/Sudbury on May 8 and in Thunder Bay on May 13 & 14.
Kari Trogen and Brit Trogen
(Silver Birch Express) are accepting bookings in Parry Sound around May
6, in North Bay, May 8 and in Thunder Bay around May 10.
Most Ontario based Nominees have good availability. Here’s the direct link:
http://authorsbooking.com/
Meet the Author: Silver Birch Express nominee, Karen Patkau
Q: What did you do before you became a writer/illustrator?
A:
Before I was an author and/or illustrator, I was a graphic designer,
illustrator, visual artist, and visual arts instructor. I still like to
participate in the design of my books.
Q: What is the strangest question you’ve ever been asked about your craft?
A: Why do you bother to do what you do?
Q: What is the most difficult thing about your work as a writer/illustrator?
A: Trying to come up with a good idea for a new book.
Q: What is one of your guilty pleasures?
A: If I’m really tired, I can sleep in on a weekday.
Valerie Sherrard & Marsha Skrypuch
Authors’ Booking Service
Connecting Canadian Creators and Educators
Contact us at abs@authorsbooking.com
Deals of the Week!
Valerie
Sherrard will donate 10 of her early titles for each session booked May 6 - 13. This includes the entire Shelby
Belgarden mystery series, plus Kate, Sam’s Light, Sarah’s Legacy and Three
Million Acres of Flame. Great for your library, or to be used as prizes. Book
Valerie today, and you can also apply for a subsidy to offset the cost of her
visit!
The next five people to book Helaine Becker
for an appearance or creative writing workshop will receive a signed copy of
her Silver Birch winning books Secret Agent Y.O.U. or Boredom Blasters! for
each session booked; so, if you book 4 sessions, you’ll receive 4 FREE BOOKS!
News from our Members
Lesley Simpson’s
new picture book A Song For My Sister
won a Sydney Taylor Notable Book Award from the Association of Jewish
Libraries. It is the only English picture book about choosing a name for a baby
girl in the Jewish world. And her picture book Yuvi’s Candy Tree just won an award from Bechol Lashon for
diversity. It is inspired by the true story of how a five year old girl
outwitted robbers in her escape from Ethiopia.
Allan Stratton
just returned from Chile where he biked up The Devil’s Canyon in San Pedro de
Altacama, went up a volcano in the lake district, saw over 100,000 penguins on
Magdallen Island, and mediated with the moai heads on Easter Island. His first
question on coming home:”Where to next?” (The answer: Machu Picchu in
July.)
Tapping
into students’ love of television, LM
Falcone – award-winning middle-grade author and writer of such television
series as The Littlest Hobo, The New Monkees, and Nickelodeon’s hugely popular
‘Are You Afraid of the Dark? – will be presenting a ‘Writing for Television
Workshop’ for pre-teens at the Toronto Public Library College/Shaw Branch on Saturdays
between June 8th – June 29th.
The Write Stuff Team comes in third!
KidsLitQuiz Canada––Regional Heats
Energy sparked off a gym full of book loving students from all over the GTA, at
the Kidslit competition last week. Creator and host, Wayne Mills tried to
baffle The Write Stuff Team, authors Michael Betcherman, plus Red Maple
nominees, Wesley King, Bill Swan and Sylvia McNicoll, but
great teamwork and good guesses propelled them into third place. Many thanks to
Trish Cislak, KidsLitQuiz Coach, for inviting the author team!
Meet the Author/Illustrator: Patricia Storms
Q: What did you do before you became a writer and illustrator?
A: I did a variety of things for many years I was a
library technician. I worked in a university library, a special library and for
the Toronto Public Library. When I worked at McMaster University I also got to
repair old books, which was lots of fun! I have also worked as a graphic
designer for many different companies and organisations. But I love writing and
illustrating children’s books the most!
Q: What is the strangest question you¹ve ever been
asked about your craft?
A: I really don’t get strange questions, but I would
say the question people ask me the most is, “Where do you get your
ideas?” From now on I’m thinking of answering, “Gimli,
Manitoba.”
Q: What is the most difficult thing about your work
as a writer/illustrator?
A: Knowing whether or not an idea is good, even if it
does come from Gimli, Manitoba.
Q: What is one of your guilty pleasures?
A: Too many to name, one of them being chocolate
covered blueberries. Yum.
The Writer’s Life:Tim Beiser
Those of you following the news about the bones of King
Richard III recently being identified with the help of DNA from his last living
relative might be interested to know that we have a little royal blood right
here at ABS. Tim Beiser (author of
“Bradley McGogg, the Very Fine Frog,” “Miss Mousie’s Blind Date,” and the
upcoming “Little Chicken Duck”) is the 13th-great-grandson of Henry Hunsdon
Carey, First Baron Hunsdon (1526-1596). Baron Hunsdon was the son of Mary
Boleyn, who was the mistress of the King of England at the time. If several
Tudor legends – not to mention the book and film “The Other Boleyn Girl”—are
correct, this would make Tim Beiser’s 14th-great-grandfather none other than
King Henry VIII.
Guess who’s coming to visit?
YOU ARE! Come hear the ABS chicks and Andrew Larsen at the OLA Superconference! Our presentation is on Thursday at 9:05am, #326, MTCC 202CD. Not only will we give you the inside scoop on booking presenters, but we’ve got skill testing questions and PRIZES!
Rene Schmidt, author of 2010 Red Maple honour title Leaving Fletchville, will do a two-for-one workshop deal for schools in the Eastern Ontario or GTA. Topics: Bullying in the Intermediate Grades, Taking Responsibility, Fletchville Math, Canadian Disasters.
This is for you, Sudbury!
Rabbit and Bearpaw author Chad Solomon will be travelling north of Sudbury in early February. He is available for presentations from February 4 to 6. Contact us for more information.
Get the Scoop on the Poop!
Author Jacob Berkowitz is back with his crowd-pleasing show The Mysterious Case of Who Dung It?. Based on his book Jurassic Poop,
it’s a unique theatrical 30-minute presentation on the science of
fossil poop — coprolites. Berkowitz enters as his alter ego – Chief
Bottom, Dung Detective. He’s found a mysterious coprolite and needs the
audiences’ help to find the poopetrator.
Audience members are sworn-in as junior dung detectives and use their
“CLAWS” clues to help bag this case! The show involves the one-and-only PoopCase,
an old suitcase full of real coprolites. It’s a highly interactive show
full of laughs and learning. The performance is followed by a 15-30
minute Q&A session. The show works best with grades 3 to 5 (and up
to grade 6 with a mixed-grade audience). Book Jacob for a visit in the
GTA area this March or April.
The Writer’s Life: Kate Jaimet – Bartering for a Book Trailer
In anticipation of the launch of my new teen sports novel, Edge of Flight,
I decided to try my hand at making a video trailer. Since the book
involves rock-climbing, I knew I had to get some footage of climbers in
action.
After pursuing several fruitless leads, I discovered that the
Ottawa branch of the Alpine Club of Canada was planning a rock-climbing
day-trip, led by a Polish-Canadian named Ryszard Tokarczyk.
I
contacted Ryszard, explained the situation, and asked if he would be
willing to take me and my video camera along. Without hesitation,
Ryszard replied:
“You are buying the beer afterwards?”
“Sure,” I said.
“It’s okay. You can come,” he said.
A
couple of pitchers Alexander Keith’s turned out to be a cheap price to
pay for some great climbing footage. The book trailer can be viewed on
youtube. Just search Kate Jaimet and it pops up.
Availability Notes
Larry Verstraete (Silver Birch NF) available in Ontario near Manitoba in April and early May.
David Poulsen is available in Toronto Jan 30 and Feb 1. Special rates and a free class set of books for these dates only!
Sigmund Brouwer is available in many parts of Ontario: Jan 21-25 and 28-30, Feb 11-15 and 25-28, March 18-22 and 25-29.
Chad Solomon is available in Brampton on January 29 and 30, Sudbury February 4 to 6.
Claire Eamer
(Red Maple NF) is available February 5 to 12 in Toronto, Ottawa and
various other parts of the province – ask about your location!
Janet Wilson
(Silver Birch NF) is available in the Ottawa area April 11, 12 and 15,
Parry Sound/Sudbury/North Bay on May 7, in North Bay/Sudbury on May 8
and in Thunder Bay on May 13 & 14.
Jacob Berkowitz is available in the GTA, March 25, 27 and 28 and April 8 – 12.
Lena Coakley is available in the Ottawa area April 24 – 26.
Don Aker’s schedule is almost full for the week of April 22 – 26 in the GTA.
Marsha Skrypuch
(Red Maple non-fiction and Silver Birch Fiction) has good availability
within driving distance of Brantford on Mondays and Wednesdays between
now and April. Marsha is giving away 12 free books for February and
March bookings!
Eric Walters (multiple OLA nominations) has very limited dates left in April and May.
Joy Fielding (Golden Oak nominee) is available for presentations in Toronto, to grade 9+.
Out-of-Province OLA Nominees in Ontario around the time of the Awards:
Ask us about dates and locations.
Becky Citra (Silver Birch Fiction)
Steve Vernon (Silver Birch Fiction)
Cyndi Sand-Eveland (Silver Birch Fiction)
Lois Peterson (Silver Birch Express)
Wendy Kitts (Silver Birch Non-Fiction)
Larry Verstraete (Silver Birch Non-Fiction)
Riel Nason (Red Maple Fiction)
Valerie Sherrard (Red Maple Fiction)
Pam Withers (Red Maple Fiction)
Claire Eamer (Red Maple Non-Fiction)
Catherine Austen (White Pine)
Cathy Ostlere (White Pine)
Cecil Castellucci (White Pine)
Most Ontario based Nominees have good availability – just ask!
Émilie Rivard, auteure jeunesse québécoise, auteure de plus de 20 titres
jeunesses pour les 4 à 12 ans et en nomination pour le Blue Spruce Award avec
son album Really and Truly sera à Toronto pour visiter les jeunes lecteurs
francophones de la région dans la semaine du 14 mai 2013. Pour plus
d’information, visitez cette page
Valerie Sherrard & Marsha Skrypuch
Authors’ Booking Service
Connecting Canadian Creators and Educators
Contact us at abs@authorsbooking.com
Deals of the Week!
A
class set of books and a discount!
It doesn’t get any better than this folks! David A. Poulsen is available in the GTA Jan 30
and Feb 1. Schools booking either of these two dates will receive a class set
(up to 25 copies) of one of David’s middle grade or young
adult novels. If that wasn’t enough, David is also slashing his fee to $350.00 for a half day or
$650.00 for a full day. Book now to avoid disappointment!!
Win Some Old Crap! Jacob Berkowitz is offering a
signed copy of Jurassic Poop: What Dinosaurs (and Others) Left Behind and
a piece of real coprolite (fossil poop) to any GTO-area venue that books his Mysterious
Case of Who Dung It? presentation this March or April.
Janet Wilson is offering a 10% discount on the
presentation based on Shannen and the Dream for a School, the First
Nation Communities Read Selection for 2012/13. This talk addresses offers
a better understanding of broader First Nations issues. Shannen’s story is a
positive and hopeful one of successful youth activism.
Authors/Illustrators in Northern
Ontario
Larry
Verstraete (Silver Birch NF) available in ON near Manitoba in April and
early May.
Janet
Wilson is available: in Parry
Sound/Sudbury/North Bay on May 7, in North Bay/Sudbury on May 8 and in Thunder
Bay on May 13 & 14.
Member News!
January
is Alzheimer Awareness month. crush. candy. corpse is the story
about a girl on trial for the manslaughter of an afflicted senior in a Longterm
Care Residence. Read page 85 to 89 to your students to help them
understand this terrible affliction which too many of them will watch some
loved one go through. Book a visit in January with author Sylvia McNicoll and receive two free copies of the book.
In
March, adventure novelist Pam Withers
heads to Cochabamba, Bolivia to research an upcoming novel set there. “I
chose Bolivia because I needed a Third-World country for my plot, one with lots
of adventure potential,” she says. “It turns out Bolivia has an
incredible number of national parks and outdoor adventures galore.” Her
most recent award-winning novel, First Descent
involved a teen kayaker kidnapped in Colombia.
On
January 10th, Julie Burtinshaw was
the special guest reader at the UBC Master of Creative Writing Locution night.
Julie read from the novel she is currently working on and is happy to report
that it was very well received.
Meet the Author: Pam Withers
What did you do before you became a
writer/illustrator?
I was a journalist, which was good training for
writing discipline and dealing with deadlines.
What is the strangest question you’ve ever been asked
about your craft?
“When will you start writing for adults?”
My response: “When will pediatricians become real doctors?”
What is the most difficult thing about your work as a
writer/illustrator?
Isolation. (On the other hand, I get paid for going
into a room and playing with imaginary friends, and what could be better than
that?)
How old were you when you realized you wanted to
become a writer/illustrator?
Seven. (When I announced this to my grandmother, she
replied, “And what will you do to earn a living?”)
Authors/Illustrators in YOUR Area
David Poulsen
is available in Toronto Jan 30 and Feb 1.
Special rates and a free class set of books for these dates only!
Sigmund Brouwer
is available in many parts of Ontario: Jan 21-25 and 28-30, Feb 11-15 and
25-28, March 18-22 and 25-29.
Chad Solomon
is available in Brampton on January 29 and 30.
Claire Eamer (Red Maple NF) is available
February 5 to 12 in Toronto, Ottawa and various other parts of the province –
ask about your location!
Janet Wilson is available in the Ottawa area
April 11, 12 and 15.
Jacob Berkowitz is available in the GTA, March
25, 27 and 28 and April 8 – 12.
Lena Coakley is
available in the Ottawa area April 24 – 26.
Don
Aker’s schedule is almost full for the week of April 22 – 26 in
the GTA.
Marsha
Skrypuch (Red Maple non-fiction and Silver Birch Fiction) has good
availability within driving distance of Brantford on Mondays and Wednesdays
between now and April. Marsha is giving away 12 free books for February and
March bookings!
Eric
Walters (multiple OLA nominations) has very limited dates left in
April and May.
Joy
Fielding (Golden Oak nominee) is available for presentations in
Toronto, to grade 9+.
Out-of-Province OLA Nominees in Ontario
around the time of the Awards:
Ask us
about dates and locations.
Becky Citra
(Silver Birch Fiction)
Steve Vernon
(Silver Birch Fiction)
Cyndi Sand-Eveland
(Silver Birch Fiction)
Lois Peterson
(Silver Birch Express)
Wendy Kitts
(Silver Birch Non-Fiction)
Larry Verstraete
(Silver Birch Non-Fiction)
Riel Nason (Red
Maple Fiction)
Valerie Sherrard (Red
Maple Fiction)
Pam Withers (Red
Maple Fiction)
Claire Eamer (Red
Maple Non-Fiction)
Catherine Austen
(White Pine)
Cathy Ostlere
(White Pine)
Cecil Castellucci
(White Pine)
Most Ontario based Nominees have good
availability – just ask!
Émilie
Rivard, auteure jeunesse québécoise, auteure de plus de 20 titres
jeunesses pour les 4 à 12 ans et en nomination pour le Blue Spruce Award avec
son album Really and Truly sera à Toronto pour visiter les jeunes lecteurs
francophones de la région dans la semaine du 14 mai 2013. Pour plus
d’information, visitez cette
page.
Happy New Year!!
We hope you’ll
take a moment to browse our first newsletter of 2013!
In this Issue:
Meet the Author:
Andrew Larsen
The Writer’s Life:
Eric Walters
Author
availability
Deals of the Week
and …
Fall Book Draw Winners!
CONGRATULATIONS to the winners in our October - December
book draws! They are: Marjah Tajibnapis, Patricia Dueck, Mary Siegner, Clare Gorman, Nurin
Allidina, Alison Harris, John Hawley, Arlene Stevens, Robin Morrison-claus, Jane
Decloe, Mike Laverty, Lynn Heibein, Donna Carson, Lauren McGuire, Sheila
Morgan, Lora Langner, Tracy Campbell, Susanne Amedeo, Cynthia Spring, Anita Dilley,
Alison Seaborn, Katherine Lafranier, Cynthia Galpin, Mary Hickey, Merley
Wheaton, Grace Andrews, Sharon Campbell-Springstead, Anne Houle, Patricia Gladding
and Nancy Evans.
DID YOU KNOW that
every session booked through ABS automatically
earns you a ballot in our book
draws? That’s right – you don’t have to
do a thing – we’ll make sure you’re entered in the draws for the month in which
your author visit takes place.
To see the list
of books available in our monthly draws, check out this page
on our blog!
Deals of the Week!
Teresa
Toten is giving away five copies of The Taming with every visit booked!
The first five people to book Megan Crewe for a presentation in the
2012-2013 school year, within a 2-hr drive of Toronto, will receive a signed
copy of The Lives We Lost, the
soon-to-be-released sequel to her White Pine-nominated novel The Way We Fall (or one of her other
books, if preferred)!
Cathy Ostlere will happily provide free signed copies of Karma and Lost (the memoir) to each high school or library who books her for
a presentation or a writing workshop in May 2013.
Meet the Author: Andrew Larsen
Q: What did you do before you became a writer?
A: I was a stay-at-home dad but before that I worked
in restaurants. I started out as a teenager, washing dishes. Restaurant work
allowed me to travel, go to university and meet my wife. If only I hadn’t spent
all my tip money…
Q: What is the strangest question you’ve ever been
asked about your craft?
A: I was recently asked to name my favourite word? I
hesitated for a moment and then said, “Baffle.”
Q: What is the most difficult thing about your work
as a writer?
A: Writing is the easiest part of my work. The
hardest part is finding a home for the stories I write.
Q: What is one of your guilty pleasures?
A: Don’t tell anyone but sometimes, especially when
I’m stuck in the middle of a story, I go online and read British tabloids. They
are oddly inspiring.
Q: What’s the best part of your work?
A: The best part of my work is that it doesn’t feel
like work. It’s more like play.
FYI: Andrew will be joining Marsha and Valerie
at their OLA Super Conference session on Thursday, January 31st. (9:05 in the morning, # 326) It’s titled, “Guess Who’s Coming to Visit”
and it offers lots of tips on hosting successful author visits. We hope to see many of you there!
Member News!
Congratulations,
Jean Little, winner of the $20,000
Matt Cohen Award. Here’s what the jurors had to say: “Jean was a pioneer
Canadian writer, standing almost alone as a major, internationally recognized
Canadian children’s author. She was an outstanding leader when it came to
fearless book promotion. Her school appearances were legendary… let’s just
say they could send shivers of fear and joy through children’s spines.”
Marsha Skrypuch is thrilled to announce that her
book, Last Airlift: A Vietnamese Orphan’s Rescue from War is one of five
finalists for the 2012 CYBILS Award, non-fiction for tweens/teens
Wondering Who’s Available?
Many of our Ontario-based members have good availability
for visits. Browse the list of names
here: http://www.authorsbooking.com/2043.html Locations and other details are listed on
this index page. For information about
any member’s publications, presentations, fees and so forth, simply click on
his or her name.
Ditto for the OLA Nominees, found here: http://www.authorsbooking.com/2064.html
Many of the out-of-province nominees
will be in Ontario around the time of the awards in May, and are accepting
bookings during their visits.
The Writer’s
Life: Eric Walters
Two years ago it was walking
across the Sahara Desert to write Just
Deserts. Last year it was climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to write Between Heaven and Earth. This year’s
adventure was a 150 kilometer walk across Kenya with 4 of our orphans, and 4
young Canadians, including my youngest daughter Julia. This walk, co-led by my
good friend Henry Kyatha, took us from the floor of the Maasi Mara, up to the
rim of the Rift Valley, down into Nairobi, through the largest slum in Africa –
Kibera – along the Mombasa Highway, through Machakos and ‘home’ to our Creation
of Hope orphanage in Kikima.
Passing through some very
dangerous areas (if you see zebra, think lion) we were accompanied by two
Special Forces police officers - one of whom carried a sub-machine gun. The
book I wrote, Walking Home, is about
a boy and his little sister walking across Kenya to find their maternal
grandparents after their parents are killed in the political violence of 2008.
From the Internal Displacement Camp and all the way to Kikima our walk is the
route travelled by my characters. The story was shaped and formed by the walk
and my Kenyan consultants helped me to portray the reality and tragedy of that
period in recent Kenyan history.
Please take a moment to visit
the Creation of Hope site here: www.creationofhope
Authors/Illustrators in YOUR Area
(NO long distance travel costs for
out-of-province authors)
Sigmund Brouwer
is available in many parts of Ontario: Jan 21-25 and 28-30, Feb 11-15 and
25-28, March 18-22 and 25-29.
Chad Solomon
is available in Brampton on January 29 and 30.
Claire Eamer (Red Maple NF) is available
February 5 to 12 in Toronto, Ottawa and various other parts of the province –
ask about your location!
Don
Aker is now accepting bookings in the GTA for the week of April
22 – 28.
Marsha
Skrypuch (Red Maple non-fiction and Silver Birch Fiction) has good
availability within driving distance of Brantford on Mondays and Wednesdays
between January and April. Marsha is giving away 12 free books for February and
March bookings!
Eric
Walter (multiple OLA nominations) has very limited dates left in
April and May.
Larry
Verstraete (Silver Birch NF) available in ON near Manitoba in April and
early May.
Out-of-Province OLA Nominees in Ontario
around the time of the Awards:
Ask us
about dates and locations.
Becky Citra
(Silver Birch Fiction)
Steve Vernon
(Silver Birch Fiction)
Cyndi Sand-Eveland
(Silver Birch Fiction)
Lois Peterson
(Silver Birch Express)
Wendy Kitts
(Silver Birch Non-Fiction)
Larry Verstraete
(Silver Birch Non-Fiction)
Riel Nason (Red
Maple Fiction)
Valerie Sherrard (Red
Maple Fiction)
Pam Withers (Red
Maple Fiction)
Claire Eamer (Red
Maple Non-Fiction)
Catherine Austen
(White Pine)
Cathy Ostlere
(White Pine)
Cecil Castellucci
(White Pine)
Most Ontario based Nominees have good
availability – just ask!
Émilie
Rivard, auteure jeunesse québécoise, auteure de plus de 20 titres
jeunesses pour les 4 à 12 ans et en nomination pour le Blue Spruce Award avec
son album Really and Truly sera à Toronto pour visiter les jeunes lecteurs
francophones de la région dans la semaine du 14 mai 2013. Pour plus
d’information, visitez cette
page.
Yes, we’ve told you ‘last newsletter before
the holidays’ twice now. But we’d rather look silly (twice) than have you miss
out on an awesome opportunity.
We have just learned that the Writers’ in the
Schools subsidy limit between now and the end of March has expanded. What does
that mean to you?
It means that even if you’ve already obtained
WITS funding during this period, you are now eligible for a SECOND
subsidy.
That’s right! Go ahead and plan your author
event – a regular visit or perhaps something in celebration of Family Literacy,
or Black History Month, or any other occasion between now and the end of
March.
Many of our Ontario-based members have good
availability for visits. Browse the list of names here: http://www.authorsbooking.com/2043.html
Locations and other details are listed on this index page. For information
about any member’s publications, presentations, fees and so forth, simply click
on his or her name.
Ditto for the OLA Nominees, found here: http://www.authorsbooking.com/2064.html
And, we have a few out-of-province members who
will be in the province during that time period. Here’s a list:
Sigmund Brouwer is available
in many parts of Ontario: Jan 21-25 and 28-30, Feb 11-15 and 25-28, March 18-22
and 25-29.
Valerie Sherrard (Red Maple
Fiction) is available in the GTA on January 30.
Claire Eamer (Red Maple NF)
is available February 5 to 12 in Toronto, Ottawa and various other parts of the
province – ask about your location!
While we’re at it, we
might as well offer you
Deals of the
Week!
Rebecca Bender will give a
free, signed, Don’t Laugh at Giraffe poster with each visit.
Have access to a SMART Board? Anita
Reynolds MacArthur is excited to share the news that both of her
MacCheeky picture books are now available on iTunes as digital, interactive
story apps! The first five people to book Anita for a 2013 visit will receive a
signed copy of each hardcover picture book! Anita is so excited, she’s waiving
her travel fee in and around the GTA!
The first two schools/libraries within the GTA
to book Mahtab Narsimhan for two consecutive sessions (morning
or afternoon) will get a signed copy of The Tiffin
Warm Wishes for a Safe and Happy Holiday from
Marsha and Valerie and all of the ABS Members
Arctic Ecosystem by Karen Patkau
Larry Verstraete: Gift-Giving Revamped
For
the past twenty years our family had a gift-giving tradition that was
fun, but getting expensive as the family grew ever larger. Last year we
tried something more economical and less stressful. Each person brought a
wrapped, recycled gift – something given in the past by someone outside
of the family, but little or never used. No name tags were put on gifts
and they were discretely and anonymously deposited in a large box at
the start of our family gathering. Later we played Bingo (practically
any large-group game could be used in the same way). The little ones
drew the numbers and called them out. The winners each claimed a gift
from the box, then opened it in front of everyone. When we tired of the
game, we held a draw for the remaining items. Everyone ended up with
something, and the variety was amazing, from rice cookers and garden
statues to toys and puzzles. As a final step, those who wanted to swap
with someone else were given the chance. In the end, everyone was
involved and it was a lot of light-hearted fun.
Kathy Kacer: Talent Show
We
have a huge family gathering at Chanukah which includes my many nieces,
nephews, in-laws and their significant others. Many of my wonderful
relatives love performing. For the past twenty years I have put together
a talent show which follows the Chanukah feast. When I said that my
relatives love to perform, I didn’t mean to imply that they are all
talented. But they have guts. Our talent shows have included magic
tricks, old camp routines, stand-up comedy, along with songs, and
readings. At the end of the evening, we crown the annual “Chanukah Idol”
complete with a pink sash!
This
tradition began when our children were young and we were looking for
ways to entertain them. Over the years, the kids have taken over. And
while they still insist on their uncles doing some kind of ridiculous
act, they have all become part of the show as well.
These
days, there is a new generation of audience members. Several of my
nieces have young children. These little ones are becoming part of the
show – and invariably they are the ones winning the Idol sash. Who can
resist a three-year-old singing about a dreidel?!
Claire Eamer’s Family Gingerbread Recipe
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup melted butter
1/2 cup molasses
spices to taste (ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, whatever you fancy)
pinch of salt
Add alternately:
1 cup boiling water
2 cups flour.
Add last - 1 tsp soda in a little warm water. This is called the “lash” and makes the gingerbread rise.
The mixture will be runny, but don’t panic and DON’T add more flour!
Bake
at about 350 degrees F, until the centre springs back when touched. In
our family, it’s usually served warm with a dollop of whipped cream – a
perfect winter dessert.
A season illustration by Celia Godkin
Brent and Valerie Sherrard: A Tale of Four Kitties
The time of year has come again
When hearts are filled with glee
Our kitties’ hearts – they can’t believe
We’ve brought another tree!
In through the door, into the stand
We wrestle it in place
While furry creatures gather ’round
A smirk upon each face.
It won’t be long until the thing
Is looking mighty bare
With broken lights and sagging limbs
And claw marks everywhere!
Tim Burton’s Nightmare pales beside
What happens to our tree.
While lectures meet with kitty scorn.
(A feline specialty.)
The sounds that wake us in the night
Would freeze the stoutest heart
Thank goodness it’s not burglars, just
Our tree being torn apart.
“That’s it!” we’ll shriek, “We’ve had enough!
Our days of trees are done!”
But next year our resolve will fade –
They’ll get another one.
Marsha Skrypuch’s Chocolate Coconut Oatmeal Macaroons
Our family has been making this recipe for more than 70 years. It’s simple, speedy and yummy:
In a medium saucepan, bring these ingredients to a boil, then let boil for 2 minutes or until it reaches 235° F:
1/2 cup salted butter
1/2 cup milk
1.5 cups white granulated sugar
6 tablespoons Fry’s unsweetened cocoa
Remove from heat, then stir in 1/2 tsp of vanilla.
immediately mix in:
3 cups oatmeal (large flake, instant, whatever you have)
1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut (you can replace with sweetened or flaked if that’s what’s on hand)
Drop a teaspoon of the mixture at a time on a greased cookie sheet and let cool. Requires no further cooking.
Makes 4 dozen cookies.
Sylvia McNicol’s Special Delivery
December
of 2008, our family decided to forgo Christmas presents for everyone
except the little ones. My adult kids had newly minted mortgages and
debts to pay, there were too many of us to buy for. No one really needed
anything.
Still
I worried that our celebration would consist of lovely food and…
nothing. Then on Christmas Eve my eldest daughter Jennifer went into
labour.
Instead
of opening presents, we timed contractions. And at 5:15 a.m. December
25th, our seven pound seven ounce granddaughter Jadzia was born.
The best present ever.
Lesley Simpson: Let there be light!
When
we have a Chanukah party with our friends we ask them to bring their
menorah and candles with them. We put these on a table in front of a big
window in our living room. The menorot (the plural form) range from
traditional to funky, from serious to silly. The candles are range in
colour from orange, blue, red, yellow, white and pink. We turn out the
lights when we light the menorot and you can see the flames from the
candles dancing in the reflection of the window.
Lois Peterson’s Broken Cookie Cake
My
mother - and grandmother as well - made a big deal of making the family
Christmas cakes. But no child in the family ever liked them. So each
year there would be a Broken Cookie Cake for us– which we made ourselves
once we were old enough to crush cookies with a rolling pin.
Years
later this became my own daughter’s favourite. When Holly grew up and
was living far from home I would sometimes make one and mail it to
her… in which case it might became a Broken Broken Cookie Cake.
8 oz digestive cookies
½ cup butter
1 level tablespoon of cocoa
I level tablespoon of sugar
I level tablespoon of Golden Syrup (or corn syrup)
*Whipping cream and red and green candied cherries - optional
Place cookies in plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin until crushed but still slightly chunky
Melt together butter, cocoa, sugar and syrup over low heat in a medium-sized pan until bubbling.
Add biscuit crumbs and mix well
Press into greased round 8-inch cake pan
Refrigerate until set
*Optional - beat whipping cream until it is thick. Spread on the cake, arranging cherries on top.
Becky Citra: The Best Tree Ever!
Our
family lives on a ranch in the Cariboo region of British Columbia. Our
search for the perfect Christmas tree starts early in the fall on our
daily hikes in the forest that surrounds our home. After much
deliberation we settle on a pine or spruce that seems “perfect!” The
week before Christmas, we set out to retrieve our tree. The snow is
deep, icicles hang from the horses and the temperatures are well below
freezing. Every year my husband grumbles that we should have picked one
closer to the house! But we all agree, when the tree is decorated and in
its place of honor in our living room, that it is the best tree ever!
Kate Jaimet’s Musical Christmas
A
few years ago, my husband and I invited some neighbours over for a
Christmas get-together. Our 92-year-old neighbour Fred Green brought
along his hand-made cigar-box banjo to liven up the party. Though the
banjo had only one string, Fred plucked out a mean Deck the Halls — and
thus, the Musical Christmas was born.
Every
year since then, we’ve invited friends over in early December to sing
and play Christmas carols. The gathering has grown to include a pianist,
a French horn player, a trumpeter, a trombonist, and several guitar
players. Children are welcome, and a section of the evening is always
dedicated to their performances.
The
most wonderful and astonishing thing has been to discover the hidden
musical talents of so many of our friends. And even those who modestly
say that they ‘haven’t picked up the clarinet since high school,’ have
been willing, after a cup or two of mulled wine, to discard their
inhibitions and join in the chorus.
Hallelujah!
New Boots by Pam Withers
The
plan was to spend the holidays in a remote Vermont cabin accessible
only by cross-country skis. My two friends and I set off, me in my
brand-new ski boots. Our 40-pound backpacks held everything from
sleeping bags to food and water. By the time we arrived, my heels were
so heavily blistered from the new boots that I could hardly walk. So for
several days, my friends went off back-country skiing each day while I
chopped wood, tended the woodstove, cooked, cleaned and read. They felt
sorry for me, but I was secretly pretty content, until one morning I
stepped outside to use the outhouse and the wind slammed shut and locked
the cabin door behind me. The temperature was minus-20 not counting
windshield; in such cold, one needs a scarf or balaclava over one’s face
to prevent frostbite, and must not stop moving. So I paced around and
around the cabin in my slippers until my friends returned with the key.
Inside, hot cider never, ever tasted so good. And by the end of the
holidays, my angry red heels had healed enough that I could shuffle back
to the car: humbled and wiser about the need to break in new boots.
Jane Drake and Ann Love
are just back from presenting at the Labrador Creative Arts Festival,
2012. One of their hosts provided amazing Cheese Chocolate Cupcakes.
Jane and Ann have modified the recipe for the Season.
You’ll need:
For the batter
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
2 cups water
2/3 cup oil
2/3 T vinegar
3 tsp mint extract
For the filling
250 g cream cheese
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup sugar
1/8 tsp salt
300 gm chocolate chips or mint chocolate chips
Mix
both sets of ingredients in separate bowls — but hold back the
chocolate chips from the filling bowl. Place the filling bowl in the
fridge and grease the muffin tins with butter. Preheat the oven to 350
degrees C. Remove filling from fridge and stir in the chocolate chips.
Pour batter into each muffin cup to just more than half full and then
pour filling into the center of each cup up to just over 3/4 full.
Bake for about 20 -25 minutes. Do not overcook.
Cathy Ostlere: Reading Tradition
Twenty-six
years ago when my first child was a month old, our family began a
Christmas Eve tradition – the reading of “The Night Before Christmas.”
For the next six years my husband and I read the book aloud, turning the
pages so our children (now three of them) could see the simple line
drawings of St. Nicholas in action. On the seventh Christmas Eve our
eldest daughter started to read some of the pages. As the years passed
and the children grew they each read a section of the poem. We all had
our favourite words and phrases but mine has always been: “As dry leaves
that before the wild hurricane fly/When they meet with an obstacle,
mount to the sky.” The highlight is still the communal shouting of:
“Now, DASHER! now, DANCER! now, PRANCER and VIXEN! On, COMET! on CUPID!
on, DONDER and BLITZEN!” Our children are grown and I feel lucky that
they still come home for Christmas. This year we will gather again
around the fireplace and pass from hand to hand an old book that after
twenty-six years still gives us so much pleasure.
If you’d like to browse the recipes and stories in the holiday newsletters from past years, you can find them right here on our blog.
Wishing all of you health, happiness and love:
Connecting Canadian Creators and Educators
Contact us at abs@authorsbooking.com
Important Notice!!
This is the last regular newsletter before the winter
break. Next week we will be sending out
our yearly Holiday Newsletter – a compilation of recipes, stories, traditions
and more from our members. PLEASE NOTE:
we will be including wonderful original seasonal illustrations created by ABS
artists. Be sure that your email is set to view images so you don’t miss out on
this treat!
We are here to assist with your booking needs right
through the holidays, although our response time may be slightly slower.
Deals of the Week
David A. Poulsen will be available for schools in the GTA
Wed., Jan 30 and Friday, Feb 1. David will be in the area for the arrival of
his new YA novel, Old Man and will be at the OLA Super Conference. Schools
booking either of these two dates will receive a class set (up to 25 copies) of
one of David’s middle grade or young adult novels. David’s fee will be just $350.00 for a half
day (regularly $475)and $650.00 for a full day (usually $925). David’s most
recent YA Numbers was the winner of the Sakura Medal (a reader’s choice award
in Japan).
The first five people to book Wesley King for an
appearance for the 2012-2013 school year will receive a special discount price
of $125.00 per session! No group size limits! This deal will only last until
December 1st, so book a session with the author of the critically acclaimed
novel The Vindico today!
Rona Arato’s presentation on Working for Freedom, the
Story of Josiah Henson is perfect for February, Black History month. Book now for a discounted price of $200 (plus
HST) per session.
January and February Visits from Out-of-Province Authors!
Sigmund Brouwer: available in many parts of Ontario:
January 21-25 and 28-30, February 11-15 and 25-28.
Valerie Sherrard (Red Maple Fiction) is available in the
GTA on January 30.
Claire Eamer (Red Maple NF) available February 5 to 12 in
various parts of the province – ask about YOUR location!
News
Congratulations to Eric Walters, who has just won Aesop
Accolades from the American Folklore Society for The Matatu!
Gail Sidonie Sobat will be presenting at the Death in
Literature Symposium in Helsinki, Finland in December 2012. She’ll be giving a
paper based on her new novel, Not With a Bang, and addressing the treatment of
death and dying in children’s and young adult literature.
New Releases
Valerie Sherrard: Counting Back from Nine. A novel in free verse. Laren knows you don’t date a friend’s ex, but
Scott makes her willing to break the rules.
If only they can keep it a secret until they figure out a way to make it
okay. Then tragedy strikes and Laren learns that she is not the only one with
something to hide.
Kate Jaimet: Edge of Flight. Vanisha has one last chance
to conquer Edge of Flight, the toughest climbing route of her life before she
moves to Vermont. But as she and her friends head toward the climb, they
stumble on a marijuana plantation. When a friend is shot by the bikers guarding
the crop, Vanisha must confront her fears and climb Edge of Flight alone to
reach help.
Kate’s interactive class presentation includes a short
video-trailer and an interactive demonstration of climbing gear and climbing
knots, as well as a reading from the book and Q & A session.
Meet OLA Nominee: Marsha Skrypuch
Q: What did you do before you became a writer?
A: I sold industrial supplies after finishing university. I travelled
southwestern Ontario visiting factories and machine shops, providing abrasives,
hand tools, materials handling equipment and cutting tools. I was the sales rep
in my company, but after 4 years of being the only woman in the profession, I
was ready for a change. I went back to school and got my Master of Library
Science degree, not to become a librarian, but so I could do the research
necessary to write historical fiction. I was briefly a Research Librarian for
Agriculture Canada, and somewhere along the way, I became the inventor of
Nursing Mother Breast Pads.
Q: What is the strangest question you’ve ever been asked about your craft?
A: “When you make picture books, does the publisher supply you with the
illustrations and then you write a story around them?” This question was asked
by an adult.
Q: What is the most difficult thing about your work as a writer?
A: The volume of research that must be done when writing on historical topics
that were previously hidden.
Q: What is one of your guilty pleasures?
A: Facebook Lexulous and Wordscraper. I am an addict!
Planning an Event in the New Year?
Sigmund Brouwer is available in many parts of Ontario –
ask about your location. His dates are: January
21-25 and 28-30, February 11-15 and 25-28, March 18-22 and 25-29.
Valerie Sherrard (Red Maple Fiction) is available in the
GTA on January 30.
Claire Eamer (Red Maple NF) is available February 5 to 12
in Toronto, Ottawa and various other parts of the province – ask about YOUR
location!
Eric Walters’ schedule for spring is nearly full! Book today to avoid disappointment – very
limited dates remaining in March, April and May.
Don Aker is now accepting bookings in the GTA for the
week of April 22 – 28.
Larry Verstraete (Silver Birch Non-Fiction) is available
in Ontario locations near Manitoba in April and early May, and in the GTA
around the time of the Forest Celebrations.
Marsha Skrypuch (Red Maple non-fiction and Silver Birch
Fiction) has good availability within driving distance of Brantford on Mondays
and Wednesdays between January and April. Marsha is giving away 12 free books
for February and March bookings!
Claire Eamer (Red Maple Non-Fiction) is available in May,
in the GTA and other areas.
Becky Citra (Silver Birch Fiction) is available in
various parts of Ontario May 6 – 16.
Wendy Kitts (Silver Birch Non-Fiction) is available in
May in the GTA.
Pam Withers (Red Maple Fiction) is available in London on
May 13, and various locations May 14 through 24.
Valerie Sherrard (Red Maple Fiction) is visiting Ontario
in May. Ask about dates and locations.
Émilie Rivard, auteure jeunesse québécoise, auteure de
plus de 20 titres jeunesses pour les 4 à 12 ans et en nomination pour le Blue
Spruce Award avec son album Really and Truly sera à Toronto pour visiter les
jeunes lecteurs francophones de la région dans la semaine du 14 mai 2013. Pour
plus d’information, visitez cette
page.
We are arranging visits for many of your OLA nominees –
from Ontario and other provinces. The
list of nominees we can connect you to is here: http://authorsbooking.com/2064.html
Check out the list of our regular members here: http://authorsbooking.com/2043.html
Want information on any of these authors or illustrators’
publications, presentations, fees and more?
Simply click on their names.
Deals of the Week
The first five people to book Kathy Kacer for
an appearance or creative writing workshop for the current school year will
receive a signed copy of her Silver Birch nominated book, To Hope and Back: the journey of the St. Louis (or any other Kacer
title!) for each session booked; so, if you book 4 sessions, you’ll receive 4
FREE BOOKS.
Frank
Edwards: A free iBook version of Troubles with Bubbles is available at Apple’s iTunes bookstore. (It
is free until the end of November.) This is the first of nine titles in Bungalo
Books’ New Readers series aimed at kindergarten and primary students learning
to read. The books are suitable only for iPads. Want to know how to create
picture books for the iPad? Book Frank for a workshop!
The first five
people to book Silver Birch Non-Fiction nominee Wendy Kitts (available during award week) will receive a signed copy of Sable Island: The
Wandering Sandbar for each
session booked.
Virtual
Visits
There are so many great reasons to book a virtual visit
with one of our members – check out the list below to see who’s available! ** indicates that this member is also a
current OLA Nominee.
Don Aker: $150 + HST, 60 minutes, Skype
Helaine Becker: $200 plus HST, 60 minutes (may be divided) Skype
Hugh Brewster: $ 120, 60 minutes (may be divided) Skype
Sigmund Brouwer: $250, 60 minutes, Skype, iChat, Facetime. Includes a free
ebook for each student and a class set of 25 books.
**(White Pine) Lena Coakley: $100 plus HST, 60 minutes (can be divided),
Skype/Google Talk
Joan Marie Galat: $175 plus GST, 60 minutes, Skype
Natale Ghent: $150, 60 minutes, Skype
Vicki Grant: $150 plus HST, 60 minutes, Skype
** (Silver Birch NF) Kathy Kacer, $250 plus HST, 60 minutes, Skype/Google Talk
Adrienne Kress: $150, 45 – 60 minutes, Skype, ichat or by phone
Sharon McKay: $150, 60 minutes, Skype.
**Mahtab Narsimhan: $150 plus HST, 60 minutes, Skype
Monique Polak: $150 plus HST, 60 minutes, Skype
Margriet Ruurs: $200, 50 minutes, Skype
** (Silver Birch) Cyndi Sand-Eveland: $125.00, 45 - 60 minutes, Skype
Lesley Simpson: $150, 60 minutes max, Skype
** (Silver Birch and Red Maple NF) Marsha Skrypuch: $150 plus HST, 60 minutes,
Google Talk
Arthur Slade: $250.00 + HST, 60 minutes, Skype/Google Talk/iChat
Gail Sidonie Sobat: $150, 60 minutes, Skype
**Allan Stratton: $150 + HST up to 30 students (larger groups to be negotiated),
60 minutes, Skype
Meg Tilly: $150 plus HST, 60 minutes, Skype
Robert Paul Weston: $175 plus HST, 60 minutes, Skype / Google Talk
Caroline Pignat: $150, 60 minutes, Skype
(multiple nominations) is giving away 24 books for a half day or 36 for a full
day, when you book him on one of these dates: January 17, 23, 24, 29, and
February 19, 20.
Valerie Sherrard
(Red Maple Fiction) is available in the GTA on January 30 and locations from
Ottawa to London and north to Barrie in May.
***NEW*** Claire
Eamer (Red Maple NF) is available February 5 to 12 in Toronto, Ottawa and
various other parts of the province – ask about YOUR location!
Don Aker is
now accepting bookings in the GTA for the week of April 22 – 28.
Larry Verstraete
(Silver Birch Non-Fiction) is available in Ontario locations near Manitoba in
April and early May, and in the GTA around the time of the Forest Celebrations.
Marsha Skrypuch
(Red Maple non-fiction and Silver Birch Fiction) has good availability within driving
distance of Brantford on Mondays and Wednesdays between January and April. Marsha
is giving away 12 free books for February and March bookings!
Claire Eamer
(Red Maple Non-Fiction) is available in May, in the GTA and other areas.
Wendy Kitts (Silver Birch Non-Fiction) is available
in May in the GTA.
Pam Withers (Red Maple Fiction) is available in London on May
13, and in the Toronto and Ottawa areas (and communities between) May 14
through 24 with the exception of May 15.
We are arranging visits for many of your OLA nominees –
from Ontario and other provinces. The
list of nominees we can connect you to is here: http://authorsbooking.com/2064.html
Check out the list of our regular members here: http://authorsbooking.com/2043.html
Want information on any of these authors or illustrators’
publications, presentations, fees and more?
Simply click on their names.