Volume 40 Number 3 Summer 2018 ISSN0708-594X

IN THIS ISSUE • I=>?@ABCD=E MGB?HH= MCG@JG= • CLGD?H MGCKGN MHO@?DGL LHC>B?H – Linda Granfield • A CHLHX?G>D@= @Y JG=H> LB== – Louise Dennys • C?D>DCGL W?D>D=E – Karen Krossing • ‘FGD? DHGLD=Eb’ – Sylvia McNicoll Plus all of our regular features Logo variation by Martha Newbigging

Introducing... Maureen McGowan By Bev Katz Rosenbaum

Maureen McGowan’s route to children’s writing was not quite typical, which totally befits a writer whose main theme in her MG and YA novels is figuring out one’s role in the world. Maureen came to writing after a successful financial career and came up in the writing world via the commercial adult fiction route. Over cider on a Toronto patio on one of the first nice Spring days in Toronto—we’ve been doing such things for fifteen years, since I inquired on a Yahoo writing group if any Torontonians were interested in getting together IRL—Maureen told me that when she chose her first career, she put earning a living at a higher priority than what she wanted to do. “Starting university during a depression may have coloured my choices,” she says wryly. II JKL IMN 1990L, and she worked in Silicon She is still a “craft junkie” and admits she can often Valley, during the beginnings of little known get stalled while second-guessing her instincts. technologies such as the ‘world wide web’ and (Who can relate?!) ‘graphic user interfaces’. “Much as I didn’t love I was interested to know if Maureen thought accounting,” Maureen says, “I did carve out a place coming up in the popular adult fiction world, she in it, in an exciting environment.” saw the writing/publishing business differently But when she returned to Canada, she knew than some of our Canadian children’s writing she wanted to do something more creative, or at colleagues. Before answering, she noted that least creative adjacent, and toyed although she came from that with the idea of starting an online “…it’s the best time in world, she never published in that craft retail business. “Think Etsy. I history to be an author. market. She wrote several adult wish I’d thought of Etsy,” she says Authors have more manuscripts and won some large ruefully. “But I abandoned my less- opportunities to take writing contests, including the good-than-Etsy idea when I control of their careers RWA’s Golden Heart (twice!) and realized how expensive shipping the Amazon Breakout Novel than before. Some are was in Canada compared to the writing contest, and signed with a going with small digital U.S. Then a friend asked me to help US-based agent. But she didn’t out with her hedge fund publishers or publishing on manage to sell until she started to management company and I ended their own.” write for children. up as CFO and part owner. That “Yes,” she says thoughtfully, “I do experience was short-lived and stressful, but it think that because I learned about the industry gave me the financial flexibility to reinvent myself through a genre fiction lens, I see the writing/ once it was over.” publishing business a little differently than some The reinvention process involved signing up for of my children’s fiction colleagues. There are a lot a number of drawing and painting classes, of reasons to be pessimistic about publishing including a ‘How to Write a Romance Novel’ class these days, given all the recent changes in the at Ryerson. She chose that course not because she industry, but on the other hand, it’s the best time had a huge desire to write romance—she hadn’t in history to be an author. Authors have more even read a book in that genre at the time!—but opportunities to take control of their careers than because it was the only novel writing class that before. Some are going with small digital term that didn’t require a work in progress to publishers or publishing on their own.” register! “I totally credit that Ryerson course for my Ih INijL kl mMnopiNh’L JinInhq and self- writing career,” she says. “Not only did it give me publishing, Maureen says, “There’s a fairly strongly the basic tools and courage to write fiction, I also held belief in the children’s writers community met my critique partners in the class, two of whom that self-publishing isn’t a viable option, but this I still work with today, nearly fourteen years later.” might have to do with price point. The publisher Maureen’s formal training didn’t stop with the of my Dust Chronicles series priced my e-books Ryerson class. She took many more classes and competitively, and the trilogy sells very well in attended many writing conferences before writing both the e-book and the digital audio formats. and publishing. She wanted to be sure that when Maybe the major publishers price e-books a little she did write something, it was a work of quality.

CANSCAIP NEWS 2 SUMMER 2018 too high, and then mistakenly conclude that YA asked her why her heroine was so emotionally and MG readers don’t read e-books.” closed off. “When I started to explore what On the plus side of traditional publishing, happened to her when she was a teen,” Maureen Maureen acknowledges that the says, “My critique partners both experience of working with a good said, ‘Write that book instead!’” editor and publisher is invaluable. This was just as The Hunger Games “Writers who self-publish can hire was blowing up, and reading that great editors, copy editors, book made Maureen realize that proofreaders, cover designers, and YA fiction was no longer as juvenile publicists, but it’s hard to know as it was when she was a teen. “I’d what to expect from them if you’ve always assumed,” she says, “that never been through the process. writing for children and teens And without any gatekeepers, it’s would mean toning down my voice hard to self-evaluate whether or and ideas, but The Hunger Games not you’re ready to be published— made me realize that notion was and reader reviews on Amazon and wrong. I decided it made sense to Goodreads can be brutal. But,” she transform my adult urban fantasy adds, “it’s been empowering to see idea into a book about my heroine authors I know who always as a teen.” appeared successful with multiple At the time, Maureen had also books each year, but who couldn’t been contemplating an unrelated make a living on the midlist with idea that had sparked when the their publishers, now earning many eruption of a volcano in Iceland times more than they used to by disrupted air travel and leveraging their out-of-print communications. That disaster backlists and selling their new work made her wonder what would without the middlemen.” happen if something similar It was the strictures of writing happened on a more catastrophic for the commercial, adult, genre scale. She melded the two ideas world that eventually proved and the result was Deviants, which frustrating for Maureen. “You can was quickly followed by two more write a young adult novel with books, Compliance and Glory. The dystopian, horror, sci-fi, fantasy and trio became the Dust Chronicles romantic elements,” she says, “but series, which was published by one in the adult world, you would have of Amazon’s publishing arm to pick one of those things. Everyone wants to imprints, Skyscape. know which shelf the book goes on.” (For anyone who is confused, releasing a book Maureen was actually working on an idea for an with one of Amazon’s own publishing imprints is adult urban fantasy series about a woman with not the same as self-publishing with Amazon. As closed-off emotions who lived in a society where with any other traditional publisher, one has to she had to hide the truth about who she really was submit a manuscript, which goes through all the and what she could do when her critique partners

CANSCAIP NEWS 3 SUMMER 2018 usual traditional publishing hoops before one gets was an adventurous retelling of Cinderella. To test a traditional type publishing contract.) the boundaries of creative control,” Maureen Publishing with Amazon proved a mostly recalls, “I asked you if there could be ninjas. I was wonderful experience. As with their self- mostly joking, but you said, ‘Sure!’ Quite honestly, publishing authors, “Their philosophy is that the that moment was a huge spark for some of the author is the customer,” Maureen explains. “They concepts in Cinderella: Ninja Warrior. Even want you to be happy.” The timing of Maureen’s though I’d been joking, I immediately saw a scene 2012 release of Deviants was not ideal, as shortly in my mind with Cinderella and her stepsisters after she signed her contract, the being attacked by ninjas dropping big box bookstores boycotted all from trees in the forest.” Amazon books. However, Amazon Maureen made the choice of proved it could do well by their having all the stories’ paths lead to authors strictly with electronic a traditional (romance-wise) happy sales. They are still actively ending. “My feeling was that promoting the trilogy, six years fairytales promised something. I later. They recently ran a Bookbub did get some pushback for that,” ad for it, Maureen says, “and it still she admits. “But in all paths of sells very well.” both books, the princess was Before Deviants, Maureen had always the one to save herself, written and published a couple of adventure-wise.” middle grade novels, a duo of The packager ended up selling choose-your-own-path fairytales the series to Silver Dolphin Books. for a (now defunct) book packager Though Maureen still gets letters called Pink Shoes, on a work-for- from readers, the books are now hire basis. The packager’s editor out of print. Says she, “I’d love to just happened to be…yours truly! I thought have the rights back so I could make them Maureen’s mathematical mind might prove available in print again, but given the write-for- helpful in keeping the many paths in the books hire nature of my contract, that’s unlikely. That’s straight. Plus, I’d read some of her adult work and the downside of working for a packager.” thought that, despite the differently-aged Maureen has also had some short stories readership, her style and preferred themes (who to published. Her very first publishing contract was trust and why, and, as previously mentioned, for a short story in an anthology called The figuring out who you are and/or who you want to Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance. Short be) made her a good fit for the project. stories, novels, teen fiction, adult fiction… “If I’ve Maureen relished the challenge of working with learned one thing about publishing,” she says, a packager. Her biggest concern when she “and maybe myself, it’s that nothing is certain. I submitted the proposal based on the packager’s think it makes sense to diversify and not put all concept, she says, was that she wouldn’t have any your eggs in one basket.” The only disadvantage to creative control over the stories and would be diversifying, she adds, “is not having enough time frustrated following someone else’s outline and to write all the projects I want to. Also, with social vision, but her fabulous editor (aka moi!) proved media and the need to do marketing and very flexible. “The first book the packager wanted

CANSCAIP NEWS 4 SUMMER 2018 promotion, it’s hard to do that for more than one square one. Well, I know I’m never really back to name and/or one reader group.” square one. Everything builds, and while learning more and more about writing and storytelling can RNmNhIow, MKxiNNh MKL yNNh an make novel writing seem daunting active member of both the Toronto at times, I sometimes think back to Romance Writers and CANSCAIP. where I was when I started and Says Maureen, “I feel so privileged realize how far I’ve come.” to be part of both communities of She has found she’s had the most writers.” I asked her what she success when she can do the first thought the Canadian children’s draft fast, when she can get her writing community could learn head totally into the world of a from the world of adult commercial story and let the words fly onto the fiction and what the adult page. “Alas”, she says, “life doesn’t commercial fiction world could always allow for the concentrated learn from the world of Canadian time necessary for doing a fast first children’s writing. draft. And I enjoy revising better “Romance authors are used to than first drafting, especially when having very little publisher support the words aren’t coming fast. I can and doing things for themselves,” actually waste a ton of time going she responds. “That’s made most of back over what I’ve already done them very entrepreneurial and instead of moving forward.” generous with sharing information. Maureen likes to work at coffee I think the children’s world could shops, or at writers’ retreats learn a lot from RWA conferences, surrounded by other creative which include multiple tracks so minds creating. (Right around the there’s something for everyone time of my deadline on this article, from beginners to NYT bestselling Maureen and Claudia Osmond and authors. On the other hand, I like I will be heading to a retreat in that children’s authors expect to be Quebec City, where we will be paid to speak at conferences. spending four days writing in a Romance authors often travel to former monastery—!—and and appear at conferences to do heading into the city at night for detailed workshops with little or no food and drink. We are sure the reward other than giving back to monks would approve!) All of us, the community, and perhaps some including Maureen, are busy publicity.” outlining our projects. As for her writing process, Maureen says, “If I’ve learned anything about my process, it’s that it “BNlkiN LIKiInhq K ykk{,” she says, “I try to have tends to change with every book. Just when I think at least some idea about the major characters, the I have a handle on my craft, either I learn world, and the overall plot structure, but I’m something new, or something that always worked impatient with planning and often don’t do as for me no longer does and I feel like I’m back at much as I probably should.” She tells me she

CANSCAIP NEWS 5 SUMMER 2018 recently attended a workshop of Andrew Pyper’s on pre-writing that “blew my mind”. After that, she resolved to do as much upfront work as he suggested, “but to date, I haven’t managed to”. Right now, she has several projects on the go, “which is not how I work best,” she admits. “And that’s probably why nothing is a hundred percent done.” Two YA projects, one contemporary and one sci-fi, are both in the final revision stages. She hopes to publish both traditionally. She also has two romance projects in the works. As has been made evident, Maureen is constantly surprising her readers, so whichever project of hers ends up on the shelves next, we’re sure to be delighted by it!

BEV KATZ ROSENBAUM is a children’s author and popular freelance editor. Look for her Orca Currents novel, Who is Tanksy?, in Fall 2019. For information on Bev (and her editing service), check out her website: http://bevkatz.com/.

CANSCAIP NEWS 6 SUMMER 2018 Kari-Lynn Winters and François Thisdale, ill. for Congratulations French Toast (Pajama Press) CANSCAIP Members! Silver Birch Award (Grades 3–6) • Fiction Charis Cotter Laura Best for Cammie Takes Flight (Nimbus The Ann Connor Brimer Award for The Painting Publishing) (Tundra Books) Heather Camlot for Clutch (Red Deer Press) Kathy Kacer and Jenny Kay Dupuis Becky Citra for The Griffin of Darkwood (Coteau The Red Cedar Award (Information Book) for I Am Books) Not a Number (Second Story Press) Gillian Newland, ill. Marina Cohen for The Doll’s Eye (Roaring Brook Press) Miriam Körner and Bernice Johnson-Laxdal The Children’s Literature Award (Saskatchewan Gordon Korman for Restart (Scholastic Canada) Book Awards) for When the Trees Crackle with Miriam Körner for Yellow Dog (Red Deer) Cold: pīsimwasinahikan (Your Nickel’s Worth • Non-fiction Publishing) Antonia Banyard and Paula Ayer; Belle Wuthrich, Casey Lyall ill. for Eat Up! An Infographic Exploration of Food The Red Cedar Award (Fiction) for Howard (Annick Press) Wallace, P.I. (Sterling Children's Books) Helaine Becker and Phil McAndrew, ill. for Elizabeth MacLeod Monster Science: Could Monsters Survive (and The Silver Birch Award (non-ficiton) for Top Dogs: Thrive!) in the Real World? (Kids Can Press) True Stories of Canines That Made History Claire Eamer and Bambi Edlund, ill. for What a (Annick Press) Waste: Where Does Garbage Go? (Annick) Vikki VanSickle Mary Beth Leatherdale and Eleanor Shakespeare, The Red Maple Award (fiction) for The Winnowing ill. for Stormy Seas: Stories of Young Boat Refugees (Scholastic Canada) (Annick) Danielle Younge-Ullman Michelle Mulder for Pocket Change: Pitching in for The White Pine Award for Everything Beautiful is a Better World (Orca Book Publishers) Not Ruined (Razorbill Canada) Silver Birch Express SHORTLISTED for The FESTIVAL of TREES AWARDS Linda Granfield and Brian Deines, ill. for The Vimy Blue Spruce Award (picture books, JK–Grade 2) Oaks: A Journey to Peace (Scholastic) Glen Gretzky and Lauri Holomis; Kevin Sylvester, Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer; Gillian ill. for Great (Puffin Canada) Newland, ill. for I Am Not a Number (Second Story Andrew Larsen and Mike Lowery, ill. for A Press) Squiggly Story (Kids Can Press) Anita Miettunen for Big Blue Forever: The Story of Mireille Messier and Pierre Pratt, ill. for The the Largest Blue Whale Skeleton (Red Deer Press) Branch (Kids Can Press) Liam O’Donnell and Mike Deas, ill. for Tank & Fizz: The Case of the Missing Mage (Orca Books)

CANSCAIP NEWS 7 SUMMER 2018 Red Maple Award for Fiction (Grades 7–8) Jennifer Dance for Hawk (Dundurn Press) Vicki Grant, Short for Chameleon (HarperTrophy) David A. Poulsen for And Then the Sky Exploded (Dundurn Press) Lorna Schultz Nicholson for Bent Not Broken: Madeline & Justin (Clockwise Press) Allan Stratton for The Way Back Home (Scholastic)

White Pine Award (fiction, Grades 9–12) Susin Nielsen for Optimists Die First (Tundra) Kenneth Oppel for Every Hidden Thing (HarperTrophy)

Golden Oak Award (fiction and non-fiction, ESL adults) Marsha Forchuk Skrypuch with Tuan Ho (Brian Deines, ill.) for Adrift at Sea: A Vietnamese Boy’s Story of Survival (Pajama Press)

Shortlisted for the Ann Connor Brimer Award (Atlantic Book Awards) Sheree Fitch for Polly MacCauley’s Finest, Divinest, Wooliest Gift of All (Running the Goat) Illus. Darka Erdelji. Susan White for The Memory Chair (Acorn Press)

CANSCAIP NEWS 8 SUMMER 2018 set in their own communities but in those days it was rare. Thank you, Lyn, and best wishes for NOTEWORTHY more happy years. CONGRATULATIONS to Lyn Cook who celebrated CANSCAIP ART EXHIBIT her 100%& birthday on May 4ÇÉ.

CANSCAIP Illustrator Rep Michele Nidenoff thanking everyone for coming. Photo by Holly Main. CANSCAIP’s exhibit of Members and Friends’ children’s book art took place in May at the Canadian Contemporary School of Art in Toronto. CANSCAIP Illustrator Rep Michele Nidenoff organized the show which contained over 60 works of illustration in a wide variety of styles and media. The 36 participating illustrators were from Lyn was a very early member of CANSCAIP, Toronto and across Ontario, Nova Scotia and personally invited by Claire Mackay, and she British Columbia. A well-attended wine and stayed involved and interested even when she cheese reception was held on Wednesday, May moved from Scarborough to Westport near 2nd. Ottawa. Lyn had a varied career—meteorologist in the RCAF based at Centralia and Trenton in World War Two, librarian in Sudbury, storyteller on CBC Radio—but it was as a pioneer in Canadian children’s literature that most of us remember her. Her fifteen titles were first published between 1950 and the 1980s but many are still in print. By setting her books in named places such as Sudbury (Bells On Finland Street) and Stratford (Pegeen and the Pilgrim) Lyn created a literary landscape of Ontario for those of us growing up in the 50s and 60s. As a result she made our everyday lives seem more real. Today’s children can find many books Photo by Debbi Ridpath Ohi

CANSCAIP NEWS 9 SUMMER 2018 Participating illustrators were: Sahar Abdallah, Members and Friends and their work on our social David Anderson, Ellie Arscott, Ashley Barron, media, through #FollowFriday as well as other Yvette Besner, Andrea Blinick, Veronika M. campaigns. Do you know of a CANSCAIP Member Charles, Paul Hock, Marthe Jocelyn, Loraine or Friend whose work (behind-the-scenes or Kemp, Carlynne Kobewka, Vladyana Krykorka, public) you admire and feel deserves more Patsy MacKinnon, Holly Main, Carmen Mok, recognition? Or are you a Member or Friend who Michele Nidenoff, Ruth Ohi, Gus Papoutsis, Karen would appreciate a shout-out? If so, please fill out Patkau, Barbara Reid, Debbie Ridpath Ohi, Nati this form. We promise your info will not be shared Romero, Melika Saeeda, Barbara Spurll, Natalia with any third parties. And be sure to follow Starikova, Ann Marie Stasiuk, Patricia Storms, CANSCAIP on Twitter and Facebook. Olya Tkachenko (Sonya O’Lee), Sue Todd, Richard Ungar, Jeff Walker, Genie Weinstein, Anika A. FOLLOW CANSCAIP: Looking for some new Wolf, and Margara Zuleta. friends? There is now a handy page on the CANSCAIP website where the Twitter handles of CANSCAIP SASK HORIZONS Report: At press our professional members are listed (http:// time, we were 6 days away from our one-day Mini- canscaip.org/page-1862893). Let’s follow each Conference in Saskatoon. Thirty-two people are other and help promote each other’s work. registered to attend and another six have registered for the post-conference video links. FINDING CANADIAN BOOKS: 49thShelf.com is a There will be three speakers: Vikki VanSickle (“13 website devoted to Canadian children’s books. Going on 30: What age group are you writing Produced by the Association of Canadian for?”), Danica Lorer (“Powering Up Your Live Publishers together with the Canadian Publishers’ Presentations”) and Alice Kuipers (“Your First One Council, and with funding from the Department Thousand Words: How to make your work great of Canadian Heritage and the Ontario Media for editors, agents and publishers”). This Development Corporation and a lead sponsorship conference was made possible by a grant from the from Amazon.ca., its purpose is to make it easier Saskatchewan Writers Guild and moneys raised for readers to discover Canadian books in all from our January “First Thousand Words” editing genres, from bestselling authors to new talent, fundraiser. If you didn’t register but wish you had, from publishers large and small, from all regions you can still purchase the video links for $20 ($30 of the country. for non-members) by emailing us at CREATIVE WRITING: If you are teaching a course [email protected]. in writing or illustration for the children’s market, Congratulations to member Miriam Körner! Her we’d love to send you a package of brochures book, When the Trees Crackle With Cold, created about CANSCAIP and about Packaging Your with Bernice Johnson-Laxdal, won the Children’s Imagination to distribute to your students. Literature Award at the recent Saskatchewan Book Email our office (offi[email protected]) to let Awards. Helena Aalto know how many you may need. Save the date: Prairie Horizons Conference— May 17-19, 2019 in Saskatoon, SK. LOGO VARIATION: Our front-page logo variation – Submitted by Dianne Young is by Martha Newbigging. You can see more of her illustrations in Warriors and Wailers: One USING SOCIAL MEDIA: From time to time Hundred Ancient Chinese Jobs You Might Have CANSCAIP would like to help promote its Relished or Reviled (written by Sarah Tsiang) and

CANSCAIP NEWS 10 SUMMER 2018 Attack of the Killer Video Book—Take 2: Trips and Tricks for Young Directors (written by Hazlitt MEET CONNECT SHARE! Krog) both published by Annick Press.

ILLUSTRATORS: We are looking for more logo variations to dress up the NEWS. For inspiration, you can view our current ones at the logo site on our home page (and see below). If you are a full CANSCAIP member/illustrator and would like to submit your version for possible use, here are the specifics: Digital submission is Never miss a meeting: www.canscaip.org/ preferred, so scan your art at 300 dpi and email the EventsCalendar! Add CANSCAIP events file to offi[email protected]. Put CANSCAIP Logo straight to your calendar or inbox with Submission in the subject line. We’d love to have handy RSS and calendar tools. colourful, playful art. Those who find scanning a Montreal: CANSCAIP meetings are held challenge can send paper art to the CANSCAIP regularly. For more information, contact office. Carol-Ann Hoyte. [email protected] Toronto: Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of each month, ten times a year (no meetings in July or August). Meetings in fall 2018: September 12, October 10, November 14, December 12. See website for location and topic: www.canscaip.org/ Monthly-Meetings. Saskatchewan: Holds virtual meetings monthly on the 15Z[. Your Saskatchewan representative is Sharon Plumb Hamilton. skcanscaip.wordpress.com.

CANSCAIP NEWS 11 SUMMER 2018 and leaks, the angst and anguish, the non-stop questioning of ‘who am I?’ I told the audience that I certainly had all the content I needed to write a From the young adult novel. From the laughter, they seemed to agree. by Sharon JenningsPresident’s Desk So here’s where I’m going with this. Why haven’t I written anything YA? It is the first My high school, closing at the end of this school question my agent asks me when we talk, having year, decided to have a final assembly and prom in instructed me often (it’s more of a demand) to do May, inviting graduates from the six decades of the so. Am I lazy? Scared? Stupid? school’s existence. I was asked to be I began my career with picture a guest speaker and address how books, and I was terrified when my high school experience helped asked to write a chapter book, and me reach my dreams. It is tricky to consumed with doubt when asked give a speech such as this: one must to write a reluctant reader for be personal, and yet say something grade six boys. A colleague told me that would resonate with people that I had to write a mid-grade aged seventeen to seventy-five. novel; it took me only ten years to And, of course, I had no idea upon do so. When asked for a sequel to leaving grade 13 that the school had that novel, it took me four years to ‘helped me reach my dreams’; I just figure out a story. wanted out of there. But in Photo by Debbie Ridpath Ohi The irony is this: I teach a hindsight, I realized how many course at Ryerson and present my teachers taught me life skills (typing and jogging), students with my knowledge about narrative pull, career skills (editing), and the passion for story plot structure, and story arc. We talk about gaps (two teachers who thought grade 10 was not too and barriers, conflicts and complications, inciting early to decipher Northrop Frye and Joseph incidents and crises. I share all the tools learned Campbell). from such heavyweights as Robert McKee and After thanking those teachers, I spoke a bit Donald Maass and, of course, the fabulous about writing for young people, about how we presenters at Packaging Your Imagination. We must look at our own youth and recall our take an article from the newspaper that has caught memories honestly, without adult censorship or our interest and make up an outline for an entire judgement. And I told the audience that story. Everyone leaves the class inspired that he or pondering the events of this day, I was flooded she can complete a manuscript. And so do I, with memories of the teenage years. I ran down a except…. list of the embarrassing, cringe-worthy, sad, happy, I have several first chapters. And they’re great, fearful moments and days of those five years in if I do say so myself. Rape! Betrayal! Mean girls! high school. For example, the time I was in the Dead parents! A dead narrator! (Oh, wait—that’s backseat of a car with a boy, and a policeman been done.) A whole bunch of first chapters, just banged on the window with his flashlight. Or the sitting around, kind of like Pirandello’s Six time I had my first under the sweater action and Characters in Search of an Author. And even had stuffed my bra. I mentioned the body odours

CANSCAIP NEWS 12 SUMMER 2018 though I know what has to happen structurally, I of reading with a view to finishing a story is not a draw a blank at Chapter Two. Herculean feat. Many of us talk about the ‘impostor syndrome’; I’ll let you know in an upcoming Newsletter if I I think I have the ‘inability to knuckle down succeeded or not. But honestly, I don’t want a syndrome’. Or maybe the thought of writing more repeat of my last email exchange with my agent. than 800 words still frightens the hell out of me. Her: Written anything new? Me: A picture book. Sometimes, I’m convinced that I’m writing drivel Her: Sigh. and who cares. Or everything wonderful has been written. The worst is that I’m old. My kids are doing one of those online challenges to run a certain number of kilometres in a specified time period. Many of their friends are involved and, determined to beat each other to the finish line, they have apps that tell them how everyone is doing, and apps that cheer them on and encourage them to move. I know that writers have NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), but it’s in November and that’s too close to Packaging Your Imagination and Christmas. See how easily I wiggled out of that commitment? However… it is summer. Two (fingers crossed) glorious months of not quite so much to do. So here’s what I’m thinking: lately, I haven’t been reading as much as I used to do. I blame it on my addiction to CNN and all things Trump. Facebook has had a role to play, as well. But what if I devote all that time to reading? What if I visit my local book store, head to the teen shelves, and emerge with arms full of YA novels? What if I study each one as if I were going to teach the plot structure to students? And what if I haul out my orphan chapter ones and wonder what a Nielsen or a Juby or a Stratton or a Toten or a Walters might make of them? And what if I get wildly inspired and write Chapter Two? Chapter Three through Chapter Twenty? And OMG, what if I type ‘The End’ at the 65,000 word mark? I know that there are people who do those crazy amazing race sort of marathons, who are willing to crawl over desert sand on their hands and knees, or swim through shark-infested water to finish. Hmmm. Not my cup of tea. But surely a summer

CANSCAIP NEWS 13 SUMMER 2018 Illustration West. She has also illustrated several picture books, including How Nivi Got Her Names Welcome! (Inhabit Media 2017), Elisapee and Her Baby by Monique Polak Seagull (Inhabit Media 2017) and The Great Googlini (Orca Book Publishers), which is In this column we welcome our newest scheduled for publication in fall 2018. Charlene Members. lives in Ontario with her husband and their two SAHAR ABDALLAH is an cats. Egyptian children’s KEVIN FRANK is an books illustrator who award-winning author/ recently immigrated to illustrator who has been Toronto and has fallen in creating humorous love with the city. In books and illustrations 2009, she was included for over 20 years. He as an illustrator in the wrote and illustrated Children’s Books Scurvy Dogs, a middle- Encyclopedia-Egypt. She grade graphic novel worked with various which was published by publishers in the Arab world. She finds her Kane Miller in 2016, and inspiration in her cat. She often works using is currently working on a sequel entitled Scurvy collage. She wrote and illustrated Fanoun’s Tales Dogs and the Dinosaur Boneyard. From 2006 to (Elias 2012) and I found a Home-Tout the Flea 2016, Kevin also created a newspaper comic strip (Arab House Library for Books 2014), which were for King Features, which was profiled in the New nominated for the Shaikh Zayed Prize. The third York Times, and he has freelanced for publishers book that Sahar illustrated, Life is Love Not War, including Scholastic Canada and the Discovery was published by Al Banan-Lebanon in 2017. Channel Canada. He does school visits in Canada CHARLENE CHUA grew and the US, teaching about his road to publication up in Singapore, where and giving tips for aspiring authors and she divided her time illustrators. Kevin lives in rural Ontario where he between drawing, steals his best material from his wife and three reading comics and children. failing her Mandarin WENDY MCLEOD classes. Charlene started MACKNIGHT grew up in her working life in 1998; St. Stephen and wrote she eventually decided to her first novel at age pursue illustration as a nine. She worked for the career in 2003, moving to Government of New full-time illustration in 2006. Since then, she has Brunswick for 25 years, worked with clients from Canada, the US, Europe, ending her career as the Singapore and Australia on a wide variety of Deputy Minister of illustration projects. Her work has appeared in Education when the American Illustration, Spectrum and SILA’s

CANSCAIP NEWS 14 SUMMER 2018 siren call of writing became impossible to ignore. Wendy is represented by Lauren Galit of the LKG NEWS ROUNDUP Agency in New York City. Her debut middle grade By Elizabeth MacLeod novel, It’s a Mystery, Pig Face! was published by Sky Pony Press in 2017. Her second book, The Deadline for SUMMER NEWS: August 20, 2018 Frame-Up, a fantasy set at the Beaverbrook Art We’d love to hear from you! Let us know about your Gallery, was sold at auction to Greenwillow Books new books, tours, awards, launches, etc. Email the in a two-book deal and will be published in June details, including your town and province, with the subject line: SUMMER NEWS to: 2018. [email protected]. ATLANTIC REGION LESLEY CHOYCE’s young-adult novel about gender ambiguity, Identify (Orca Book Publishers), in the “Soundings” series, has been translated and published in Swedish and Slovenian. Lesley lives in East Lawrencetown, NS.

CHARIS COTTER is pleased to announce that her middle-grade novel The Painting (Tundra Books) won the Ann Connor Brimer Award for Atlantic Canadian Children’s Literature for 2017–2018. The award was announced in Halifax along with the other Atlantic Book Awards in a gala evening celebration in the magnificent new Halifax Public Library. The award ceremony was the culmination of Eastbound: Talking Atlantic Books, presented by the Atlantic Publishers’ Marketing Association. Charis lives in Western Bay, NL.

ORYSIA DAWYDIAK’s young-adult novel, Rika’s Shepherd (Acorn Press), will be available in June after a long gestation period. Teenager Rika, who helps her father on their farm, has been longing for a dog to herd her sheep and to bring in the dairy cows. A coyote attack changes her direction and disrupts her quiet rural life in ways she could

CANSCAIP NEWS 15 SUMMER 2018 never have imagined. Orysia, a breeder and Programs (@CCWWP). Angus lives in Antigonish, importer of Turkish Akbash Dogs and co-author of NS. the award-winning book Livestock Protection WENDY MCLEOD MACKNIGHT poses the question, Dogs (Alpine Publications), has woven real events “What if every original piece of art is alive, but into the story of Rika’s struggles. Orysia’s book doesn’t want us to know that it is?” in her new Kira’s Secret was nominated for the 2016 book The Frame-up (Greenwillow Books/Harper Hackmatack award and was followed by Kira’s Collins). This fantasy/adventure mystery was Quest. The third book in that series, Kira’s published June 5 and is set in the real Beaverbrook Pendright (all Acorn Press), will be published in Art Gallery located in Fredericton, New 2019. Orysia lives in Union Road, PEI. Brunswick. It includes many of the gallery’s SHAUNTAY GRANT is famous masterpieces as characters, images of pleased that her newest which are included in the book via a full-colour picture book, Africville insert. Wendy hopes that thanks to The Frame-up, (Groundwood Books) is which is her second middle-grade book, readers available for pre-order will never look at art in the same way again! from Chapters Indigo Wendy lives in Hanwell, NB. and Amazon. Africville was a vibrant Black QUEBEC community for more NATALIE KURTOG travelled to Russia this spring. than 150 years. Even On March 29 in the Reading Centre of Stupino, though its residents paid she met with about 150 children and demonstrated municipal taxes, they lived not only without paved how she creates her books, showed cartoons of her roads, running water and sewers, but also with no tales, answered children’s questions and ambulance, fire or police services. In the 1960s, distributed autographs. city officials decided to demolish the community, moving people out in city dump-trucks and relocating them in public housing. Today Africville has been replaced by a park, where former residents and their families gather each summer to remember their community. Shauntay’s book shows a young girl visiting the site of Africville in Halifax and imagining what the community was once like — the brightly painted houses nestled into the hillside, the field where boys played football, the pond where all the kids went rafting and the bountiful fishing. Shauntay lives in Halifax, NS. From April 5 to 11, Natalia was a guest of honor at the International Book Fair in Tunisia. She ANGUS MACCAULL is excited to join the board of presented her books (which have been translated the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia. Earlier this into seven languages) and illustrations at the year he also started managing the Twitter account Russian booth. Natalie was accompanied by for Canadian Creative Writers and Writing children of the national dance group “Veselinka”

CANSCAIP NEWS 16 SUMMER 2018 from the city of Naro-Fominsk, Russia. They ONTARIO (OUTSIDE TORONTO) performed before the Minister of Culture of Tunisia Mohamed Zine El Abidin, who opened the Welcome to new Friends: Shelley Albertine, exhibition. Natalie talked with the press and Oakville; Laura Ann, Guelph; Sandra Appleby, publishers and also conducted master classes for Barrie; Sandy Brooks, Dundas; Brenda Cherkas, children. Her story “Reed, Moon and Sahara” was Ottawa; Rosaleen M. Egan, Alliston; Yun Jung read in French. Natalie lives in Montreal. (Lilly) Kim, North York; Robin Larin, Ancaster; Anne Mason, Sarnia; Donna Reid, Bancroft; ANNE RENAUD is thrilled Ermelinda Whiting, Kanata. with the upcoming September release of her SYLV CHIANG’s debut latest picture book, The middle grade novel True Tale of a Giantess: Tournament Trouble The Story of Anna Swan launched in March. It’s (Kids Can Press), the first book in the beautifully illustrated by “Cross Ups” series and Montreal artist Marie tells the story of 12-year- Lafrance. The book old Jaden who’s recounts the life of Nova convinced he could own Scotia giantess, Anna Swan, who was once anyone at the video game featured in P.T. Barnum’s American Museum in tournament. If only he New York City. Both the English and French didn’t have to hide his gaming from his mom, who versions (Scholastic Canada) will be released believes it will make him violent. The second simultaneously. This book follows on the heels of novel in the series, Anyone’s Game (both Annick Mr. Crum’s Potato Predicament (Kids Can Press), Press), will launch in September 2018. Sylv lives in for which Japanese rights were recently sold. Also, Pickering. Anne’s book La SUPER Invention de Florence SUE IRWIN is excited to Labelle-Binette (Dominique et Compagnie) is announce the release of scheduled for release in August. This will be Breaking Through: Anne’s sixth book with the Quebec-based French Heroes in Canadian publisher. Anne lives in Westmount. Women’s Sport (James LORI WEBER’s latest book for young adults, Deep Lorimer & Company Girls (Dancing Cat Books), is coming soon. Deep Ltd.), which will be Girls is a collection of nine short stories that published in August. explore the lives of teenaged girls as they navigate This book highlights the the complex terrain of adolescent life. The girls achievements of think, feel, love and hurt deeply as they encounter Canadian women sports the challenges of becoming independent young stars—the role models of today’s young female women. The stories explore those tiny sparking athletes. They fought for the right to compete in moments of clarity, born of intense emotion, that sports traditionally dominated by men and proved mark the road to adulthood. This is Lori’s first that women’s sports are just as competitive and short-story collection. She lives in Montreal. exciting to watch as men’s. Breaking Through focuses on seven sports and the women who made

CANSCAIP NEWS 17 SUMMER 2018 them their own, including well-known legends July 1 at Waterdown’s “Oh Canada RibFest,” as well such as soccer player Christine Sinclair and hockey as bringing stories and fun into the Family Fun player Hayley Wickenheiser. Readers will also see Zone for the Telling Tales Festival in September. basketball, bobsleigh and rugby represented and Jennifer is the author of Speechless (Scholastic will learn the stories of less well-known athletes Canada) and Captain Monty Takes the Plunge such as indigenous cross-country skiers Sharon (Kids Can Press). She lives in Burlington. Anne and Shirley Firth, and Olympic wrestler AIMEE REID has two Carol Huynh. Who says you can’t play “because picture books you’re a girl”? Sue lives in Grimsby. forthcoming. First HEATHER KIRK’s most Morning Sun chronicles recent book, Seeking the firsts enjoyed by a Peace: The Quakers is new baby and Welcome receiving good reviews, to the World (both Beach including one in the Lane Books, Simon & April 2018 issue of Schuster Canada) Resource Links (Vol. 23, portrays babies being No. 4, page 29). Seeking celebrated by relatives, Peace is Heather’s friends and neighbours. Aimee’s picture book All second book about a the Earth (Penguin Random House Canada) little-known but features the many ways that animal and bird important nonviolent resistance movement. Her parents care for their young. It’s edited by Nancy first was Be Not Afraid: The Polish Revolution, Paulsen and scheduled to be released in 2020. “Solidarity” (both Borealis Press). Both books are Aimee enjoys celebrating the good that children’s heavily illustrated and aimed at senior high-school books bring to the world on her blog “Good Books students. Heather lives in Barrie. to Share.” Go to www.aimeereidbooks.com/blog to take a look. Aimee lives in Hamilton. JENNIFER MOOK-SANG has returned from JUDY ANN SADLER is Quebec where she was delighted to announce honoured to be part of the release of her picture TD Canadian Children’s book Nothing Happens Book Week, organized In This Book (Kids Can by the Canadian Press), perfectly Children’s Book Centre. illustrated by Vigg. Vigg It was a dizzying and has already won an exciting tour of six towns Applied Arts Illustration and cities. She enjoyed Award for Nothing. Judy sharing her love of reading and writing with the Ann is very excited that children in schools and at the Morrin Cultural the end of the book features a gatefold spread. She Centre. Her favourite souvenirs of the trip are has written over 20 books for kids and this is the collections of hand-drawn pictures and letters first gatefold spread of her career! Judy Ann lives from the children. She looks forward to appearing in London.

CANSCAIP NEWS 18 SUMMER 2018 MARSHA SKRYPUCH is JOSEPHINE VACCARO-CHANG was inspired by the pleased to announce the characters in her popular children’s books titled October publication of We Are Colourful Friends and Our Colourful Too Young to Escape: A Cookies (both Dance in the Rain Publishing) to Vietnamese Girl Waits to create a collection of mosaics. They will be be Reunited with Her featured in the Richmond Hill 2018 Studio Art Family (Pajama Press), Tour. You’re invited to meet Josephine, an author/ co-authored by Van Ho. illustrator and artist, on Saturday October 13 and After the Vietnam War, Sunday October 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Van wakes up one Richland Academy, 11570 Yonge Street, Richmond morning to find that her Hill, ON. Josephine lives in Richmond Hill. mother and siblings are gone. They have escaped KARI-LYNN WINTERS reports that her book On My for freedom in the West. Four-year-old Van is too Swim (Tradewind Books), the fourth book in the young—and her grandmother is too old—for such “On My…” series, is hitting the shelves this a dangerous journey by boat, so the two have been summer. This playful, call-and-response book for left behind. Once settled in North America, her toddlers and pre-school children takes you to the parents will eventually be able to sponsor them, beach on a splishery-splashery, blustery day. but for now, Van must work hard to satisfy her Young children will take delight in this rhyming aunt and uncle, who treat her like an unwelcome story, whimsically illustrated by Christina Leist. servant. And at school she must learn that calling Kari-Lynn lives in St. Catharines. attention to herself is a mistake, especially when the bully who has been tormenting her turns out TIM WYNNE-JONES’ to be the son of a military policeman. Marsha lives book The Runious Sweep in Brantford. (Candlewick Books/ Random House Canada) CHERYL UHRIG has two comes out June 26. This stories published in My eagerly awaited book, a Crazy Family (Crazy cross-over mystery for Soup for the Soul), the ages 14 and older, has latest book in the already garnered a “Chicken Soup for the starred review in Soul” series. The book Publishers Weekly. The was released in the book is also being published as an audio book United States at the (Brilliance Audio) for which Tim has done the beginning of June. Both audio recording. A book and CD launch for The short stories are based Runious Sweep will be held in Toronto July 4 at on Cheryl’s experiences growing up in the fifties Ben NcNally Books from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Other and sixties. On the art front, Cheryl and Laura launches will be held in Ottawa and Kingston. Go Sugarman held their fourth two-woman art show to www.facebook.com/TWynneJones/ for more and Sale at the Mill Pond Gallery in Richmond information. Tim’s novel The Emperor of Any Place Hill. Cheryl lives in Newmarket. (Candlewick Books) was shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award, featured as a

CANSCAIP NEWS 19 SUMMER 2018 Junior Library Guild Selection, and listed in The educators and librarians with finding young adult School Library Journal Best Books of the Year, The and children’s book creators who are qualified and Chicago Public Library’s Kids Best of the Best willing to present at schools and libraries. Caroline Books and the Horn Book Fanfare List, among looks forward to growing Authors’ Booking others. Tim lives in Perth. Service, with a focus on connecting authors and readers, building community and embracing TORONTO diversity. Welcome to new Friends: Rosina Bastone, Jena MICHELLE Ledson, Natalia Medina Romeo, Natalia KADARUSMAN’s book Starikova-Abud. The Theory of Hummingbirds (Pajama LAURA ALARY is excited to announce the release Press) has been of her newest book, Read. Wonder. Listen. Stories nominated for the 2018 from the Bible for Young Readers (Wood Lake Saskatchewan Young Books, 2018). This collection of more than 100 Readers’ Choice stories, written by Laura and illustrated by Ann Diamond Willow Award, Sheng, invites children and adults to wonder about the 2019 Manitoba Young and search for wisdom in these ancient tales. A Readers’ Choice Award compassionate and inclusive theology shapes the Sun Dog Award and included in the 2018 Best retellings of familiar stories. Books for Kids & Teens Starred Selection. ANNE LAUREL CARTER is Michelle’s second middle-grade novel will be pleased to launch her published by Pajama Press in spring 2019. first middle-grade work MARY BETH LEATHERDALE is thrilled to announce of non-fiction My River that her book Stormy Seas: Stories of Young Boat (Formac Publishing) this Refugees (Annick Press), designed and illustrated summer throughout by Eleanor Shakespeare, was named a 2018 Silver Nova Scotia. My River Birch Non-Fiction Honour Book. Mary Beth had a tells the inspiring story wonderful time meeting Forest readers at the of Stella Bowles and her London, Toronto, Durham and Waterloo Festival successful campaign— of Trees events. through her grade six and grade seven science fair projects—to force ELIZABETH MACLEOD’s book Top Dog (Annick three levels of government into funding a $15.7 Press) won the 2018 Silver Birch Non-Fiction million cleanup of the Lahave River. Girls. Science. Award. Many thanks to everyone at Annick. Liz’s Activism. Anne can’t wait to share Stella’s story books Meet Viola Desmond and Meet Chris with kids across Canada. Hadfield (Scholastic Canada) will be published August 1. These early readers feature colourful CAROLINE FERNANDEZ is pleased to announce she illustrations by Mike Deas, speech balloons, time will be the new lead for Authors’ Booking Service. lines and more. Special thanks to editor Erin Caroline takes over from CANSCAIPers VALERIE Connor. Liz’s book Super Cats (Annick Press) SHERRARD and MARSHA SKRYPUCH who created continues to get good reviews. “… a lively flow of Authors’ Booking Service in 2006 to assist information… entertaining and accessible dive into

CANSCAIP NEWS 20 SUMMER 2018 feline history,” says She can’t talk about it yet but news will be Publishers Weekly. Want forthcoming. to discover if you’re a Super Cat or a Top Dog? MANITOBA, SASKATCHEWAN, Go to annickpress.com/ ALBERTA blog/entry.php? entry=473 and take the Welcome to new Friend: Marika Smythe, Calgary. quiz—please post your JOAN MARIE GALAT is result in the comments! pleased to announce the Earlier this year, Liz was Society of Children’s interviewed for the show Book Writers and “Worlds Awaiting” on Brigham Young University Illustrators (SCBWI) (BYU) Radio in Provo, Utah—go to Martha (Hairston) www.byuradio.org/episode/ Weston Grant committee c0c1729d-2d30-447c-943e-33455ecef2c1? has selected her as the playhead=222&autoplay=true to hear the 2018 winner. The interview. If you’d like to be interviewed, contact Hairston family the show’s producer Christine Nokleby established the grant to ([email protected]). remember author/illustrator Martha Weston who DEBBIE RIDPATH OHI is delighted to announce the had more than 50 picture books published and launch of her new picture book I’m Sad, written by whose first middle-grade novel was released Michael Ian Black and illustrated by Debbie. The shortly before her death. The grant encourages book is a sequel to I’m Bored (both Simon & recipients to nurture their creativity in a different Schuster Books For Young Readers), which was a genre of children’s books and funds the recipient Junior Library Guild selection and New York to attend the SCBWI summer conference in Los Times Notable Children’s Book. Kirkus said, Angeles. Joan’s title Stories of the Aurora “Bibliotherapy done right… Happy to see such a (Whitecap Books) in the “Dot to Dot in the Sky” well-done feelings book.” You can find out more series, was shortlisted for the non-fiction Red about the book at DebbieOhi.com/sad. Cedar and Hackmatack awards. In May, Joan visited libraries in New Brunswick as part of a KEVIN SYLVESTER’s MINRs3 (Simon & Shuster) Hackmatack tour. She lives in Parkland County, was released in May. His book Mucus Mayhem AB. (Scholastic Canada) launches the “Almost Epic Squad” series this October. It’s about a girl who MIRIAM KÖRNER and co-author Bernice Johnson- can make her boogers come to life. Books by Laxdal won the Children’s Literature Award at the Lesley Livingston, RICHARD SCRIMGER and TED Saskatchewan Book Awards with When the Trees STAUNTON will round out the series in 2019. Crackle with Cold: pīsimwasinahikan (Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing). It’s inspired by the SUE TODD has received the advance reading copy Cree moon calendar and Bernice’s childhood of her latest picture book, The Wild Beast (Orca growing up in Saskatchewan’s second-oldest Book Publishers), by ERIC WALTERS. The African community. The book is available in print and as creation story is due for release this 2018. Sue is ePub with audio files for three Cree dialects. also excited about a recent assignment—a game!

CANSCAIP NEWS 21 SUMMER 2018 Miriam and Bernice just released an activity book GWEN MOLNAR is accompanying When the Trees Crackle with Cold: pleased to report pīsimwasinahikan with fun activities for kids such Edmonton bookstores as Cree/English word searches, colouring pages continue to consign her and how to make a moose call. The book’s books, while Chapters available just in time for summer reading Strathcona will host a programs and family literacy events! Miriam lives book launch on June 30 near La Ronge, SK. for her recent title Decima and the Penny ALISON LOHANS is looking forward to the Black about a girl who September 1 release of Timefall (Five Rivers deals with family upsets Publishing). It’s a combined, expanded edition of and solves a mystery. Gwen is again collaborating Collapse of the Veil and Crossings, two young adult with BARBARA HARTMANN to publish a children’s fantasy novels that were orphaned by another picture book illustrating Gwen’s poem Bygumbo, publisher in 2014. Go to concerning a panda and the conditions he sets fiveriverspublishing.com/?page_id=3876 to learn before consenting to lead a parade. (Spoiler alert: more about the book. Alison has also been editing it involves a Carmen Miranda hat!) Fans can follow for Coteau Books and Radiant Press, both of the book’s progress by signing up for Barb’s online Regina. She lives in Regina, SK. newsletter (http://eepurl.com/duS37v) that SALLY MEADOWS has documents the project. Gwen and Barb’s previous spent the last three years collaboration, Hazel’s Rainbow Ride, depicting a travelling around little girl’s journey by balloon through the colour Saskatchewan and spectrum, remains in demand. Gwen continues to beyond raising autism write brief and meditative poems on whatever else awareness for thousands strikes her fancy. She lives in Edmonton. of elementary students COLLEEN NELSON and Nancy Chappell-Pollack are through her two-time excited to announce the launch of their dystopian nationally/ young adult novel Pulse Point (Yellow Dog Books). internationally The book was selected by CBC as one of the most nominated children’s anticipated young-adult releases of spring 2018! picture book, The Two Trees (Your Nickel’s Worth This is Colleen’s seventh young-adult book, but Publishing). A new adventure awaits this summer the first she has co-authored with her sister. with the publication of When Sleeping Birds Fly: Colleen lives in Winnipeg. 365 Amazing Facts About The Animal Kingdom (Siretona Creative), releasing in July. Guaranteed to pique the interest of kids and make adults BRITISH COLUMBIA, YUKON, chuckle too, this book is a treasure trove of ideas NUNAVUT, NWT to inspire writers and illustrators. Sally invites you Welcome to new Friends: Devon McFadden, to keep up with all her latest news—including the Shawnigan Lake, BC; Marla Morden, Comox, BC. release of two more picture books by spring 2019—by signing up for her newsletter at KAREN AUTIO’s first picture book, a narrative non- sallymeadows.com. Sally writes from Saskatoon. fiction called Growing Up in Wild Horse Canyon

CANSCAIP NEWS 22 SUMMER 2018 (Crwth Press), illustrated by LORAINE KEMP, will Darkwood (Coteau Books), was shortlisted for the be published this fall. A Ponderosa Pine seedling Silver Birch 2018 Fiction Award. She lives in Bridge tunnels its taproot into the soil of a large, steep- Lake, BC. walled canyon. As it grows, readers begin an CLAIRE EAMER’s tenth children’s book, Out of the enchanting journey through time and history— Ice: How Climate Change is Revealing the Past wild horses, the Syilx people, fur traders, railway (Kids Can Press) will be released in September. construction and much more—in British Out of the Ice is a tale of ancient stories locked for Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. Karen lives in millennia in the world’s frozen places—glaciers, Kelowna, BC. ice patches and permafrost—which are now melting as Earth warms. Claire reports that she has written ten books in ten years. She lives on Gabriola Island, BC.

GLEN HUSER’s book The Snuggly (House of Anansi Press), illustrated by Milan Pavlovic, was launched at KidsBooks bookstore in Vancouver on May 10 as part of Groundwood’s 40th anniversary. For children Karen and Loraine hiking to Wild Horse Canyon in kindergarten to grade NORMA CHARLES’s novel Runner: Harry Jerome, two, the picture book World’s Fastest Man (Red Deer Press), has been tells what happens when young Todd wears a shortlisted for the Sheila Egoff Children’s snuggly—with his teddy bear tucked into it—to Literature Prize. As part of the BC Book Prizes, she school. All his friends add items to the snuggly, toured northern British Columbia, from Prince creating a show-and-tell disaster. In a featured George to Prince Rupert, and did many school review, Quill & Quire notes, “Milan Pavlovic’s presentations about Harry Jerome, one of Canada’s images stand out against a white background. The almost forgotten heroes. Norma’s novel Tree Snuggly comes together tastefully, without heavy- Musketeers (Ronsdale Press), which is about some handed moralism. For those seeking a lesson, students who want to save a magnificent old cedar there’s one included, having to do with when to from being cut down, will be released in say no. But it can just as easily be ignored when September. Norma lives in Vancouver, BC. enjoying this humorous tale.” Glen lives in Vancouver, BC. BECKY CITRA’s young-adult historical fiction novel Murder at the St. Alice (Coteau Books) will be LORAINE KEMP is pleased to announce that the released this fall. It’s a fun, fast-paced mystery set latest book she’s illustrated, Growing Up in Wild in an historic hotel in Harrison Hot Springs, BC, Horse Canyon (Crwth Press), will be published brimming with quirky characters and lots of clues! this fall. It’s a narrative non-fiction picture book Becky’s middle-grade novel, The Griffin of written by KAREN AUTIO. During the more than 200-year lifespan of a Ponderosa Pine in Wild

CANSCAIP NEWS 23 SUMMER 2018 Horse Canyon in British Columbia’s Okanagan the journey of ten-year-old Dorothy and her Valley, readers take an historical journey that family to their homestead in 1903. In this novel, includes taming wild horses, the life of the Syilx Trial By Winter (all Coteau Books), they encounter people, fur traders and cowboys, commando life-threatening dangers during their first, fierce training for the Second World War and much winter in the North-West Territories. Dorothy’s more. Loraine lives in Kelowna, BC. choices surprised Anne as she wrote and they will surprise the reader too. Anne lives in Victoria, BC. ANITA MIETTUNEN’s non-fiction book, Big MARGRIET RUURS is Blue Forever (Red Deer touring schools on Press), was selected for a British Columbia’s lamp post plaque in the Sunshine Coast in June. 2018 Reading Lights In August she’ll be program in Vancouver, speaking at the 2018 where she was also IBBY Congress in invited to speak at Athens, Greece, about Kensington Library. Her her book Stepping book was recently Stones (Orca Book nominated for the 2018–19 Hackmatack Children’s Publishers), which so far Choice Book Award in Atlantic Canada and has raised more than $80,000.00 for refugees. previously nominated for the Ontario Library Margriet lives on Salt Spring Island, BC. Association’s 2018 Silver Birch Express Award. In JOCELYN SHIPLEY’s YA novel Impossible, a dark May, Anita enjoyed attending the OLA Forest of and gritty thriller for older teens, was published in Reading celebrations in Toronto. She also visited a the “Soundings” series in spring 2018. Resource celebration organized by Durham District School Links called it “ ... perfect for reluctant readers in Board and Blue Heron Books in Oshawa and spoke either a literature circle setting or as an to keen readers at St. Josephine Bakhita Catholic independent read.” Jocelyn’s new novel, Raw School. Anita says meeting so many inspiring kids Talent (both Orca Book Publishers), is a bright and adults who love books was a true highlight and upbeat story about a girl who wants to be a and she’s grateful to all the amazing book pop singer but suffers from stage fright. It will be champions, organizers and supporters of these published in the “Limelights” series in fall 2018. events. Anita lives in Vancouver, BC. Jocelyn lives on Vancouver Island and in Toronto. ANNE PATTON IRENE N. WATTS is pleased to announce that her announces that the graphic novel Seeking Refuge (Tradewind Books), conclusion to her illustrated by Kathryn E Shoemaker, won in the historical fiction trilogy category of “Children & Youth” for the Jonathan & about the Barr Colony Heather Berkowitz Prize, part of the Western will be published next Canada Jewish Book Awards. Marsha Lederman spring. The previous interviewed the winning authors. The prize was books, Full Steam to presented on April 26, 2018, in Vancouver. Irene Canada and Through lives in Vancouver, BC. Flood and Fire, follow

CANSCAIP NEWS 24 SUMMER 2018 BERYL YOUNG has two new books being released in September 2018. A Boy from Acadie: Roméo LeBlanc’s Journey to Rideau Hall (Bouton d’or Acadie) is a middle-grade biography about the Acadian boy who became governor general of Canada. Beryl’s middle-grade novel set in Saskatchewan in 1948 is called Miles to Go (Heritage House Publishing Company) and is the story of two twelve-year-old girls learning about friendship, loss and the importance of promises. Beryl lives in Vancouver, BC. INTERNATIONAL GORDON KORMAN is pleased to announce the recent release of WhatsHisFace a ghost story about friendships and righting old wrongs. This one is #93 on the very long list, Gordon reports. He was also in Toronto recently to attend the OLA’s Forest of Reading event at Harbourfront in Toronto. His novel, Restart (both Scholastic), was one of the Silver Birch nominees and was voted an Honour Book of the 2018 Silver Birch Fiction Award. “Thanks, OLA!” says Gordon. Restart is also on many state and provincial award nomination lists, so stay tuned! Gordon lives in Great Neck, NY.

Editor’s note: Members can be contacted via the form on their CANSCAIP site Membership page.

CANSCAIP NEWS 25 SUMMER 2018 The Third Annual CLAIRE MACKAY Memorial Lecture In 2013 when CANSCAIP renamed our PYI Keynote Address in honour of our co-founder Claire Mackay we decided that the memorial lecture would be printed in our newsletter to make it available to all our members. Unfortunately we missed printing the third Mackay Memorial lecture. To rectify that oversight, we present it here. The sixth annual lecture will appear in the upcoming winter issue. Tips for Creatively- Inclined Girls and Guys By Linda Granfield

Years ago, Miranda, a fifth grade student, wrote to pre-teen price of $3.99) I entered the world of me and asked, “Did you have to research or do you fashion, reviews and informational articles. I know it all?” Yeah, sure thing, I do indeed know it learned about bylines and hemlines; I poured over all. Maybe that’s why I’m standing here right now? the pages and without realizing it, learned how to And then her classmate, Tyler, took me down a hone my writing. I even tried to write for the peg or two, or a hundred, with his observation: “I magazine; I saw the film “Doctor Zhivago” (first really did not like your book. It was not that run) and wrote a review. Typed it up, sealed it in interesting that you talked about pens. I would not an envelope and left it on the hall desk for my read your book again. Thanks for your time.” I will mother to stamp and mail. I never heard back mention that the book being lambasted was, and from Seventeen magazine. Thirty years later, while still is, Postcards Talk!—and the book was up for clearing my parents’ home after their passing, I the Silver Birch Award (so there, Tyler!). realized why. In the back of a drawer in my Counter Tyler’s reaction with Laura’s: “I mother’s dresser, I found the envelope. The review wouldn’t read it more than once—too many held up, written as it was by a teenager without words.” The above ferociously-delivered, scalding much writing experience; I still wonder what words lead me to my title, “Tips for Creatively- might have happened if it had been sent. Inclined Girls and Guys.” Ykx’íN MKp K okhq pKw full of what I hope were Why that title? I blame Seventeen magazine. intense sessions that left your head ready to The teen bible of my high school days. The reason explode with new ideas, different tactics, effective I saved half my baby-sitting and library page options and the best kind of fatigue ever. You’re money (the other half had to go into the bank.) overstimulated, maybe sleepy, and perhaps already For fifty cents a copy (today it’s still a reasonable worrying about how the traffic will be on the

CANSCAIP NEWS 26 SUMMER 2018 Gardiner or the Don Valley Parkway. Relax for a thought she was actually making up words! Any few minutes here; you don’t need to take any notes ‘big’ word she used was followed by the pause… right now. You just need to ‘meet’ Claire Mackay, the look-out at the group… and… wait for it… there in case you were never lucky enough to have it is, the slight jerk of the head and… “look it up!” known her. I was fortunate to have been one of her Home-run! I went home from meetings happy, friends since the day I joined CANSCAIP in 1988. filled with baked treats and too much coffee, and I met Claire at one of the CANSCAIP monthly fuelled for another month of writing, thinking, meetings, then held at the Toronto Press Club sharing. For me, the mother of two young kids, downtown. Oh, the Press Club. Our meetings were those Wednesday nights were once-a-month held in a room that was open to the bar at the lifelines. back. The old bar where old reporters propped Claire of the navy blazer and pearls, of the themselves up, smoked, (yes, it was THAT long comfortable clothes and the on-and-off glasses. ago!) and spoke loudly to one another, even when Claire of the running shoes, and the all-embracing they were sitting side by side. Pity the poor late- way she welcomed every new member into coming CANSCAIPers who had to sit in the last CANSCAIP. She could make us laugh but like any row of that room. You could hear the wall good comedienne, she knew when to pull back, telephone ringing, the toilets were flushing when to admonish, when to encourage, when to be nearby, the room was very dark and dreary. still. Claire the mentor. It is an honour for me to BUT—that’s where I met many of the creators I bring her back to us for even these few minutes. still know. Some of them are here today. And CoKh CANSCAIP, as I like to call it, is as great as its Claire was the first person who welcomed me to individual members and Friends. It’s ridiculous the group. She sent me (snail-mail back then) a now for me to look back and recall that I newspaper clipping—my first review ever—with ignorantly thought one couldn’t belong to ‘Congratulations” written across the top. She CANSCAIP unless one had published a book! So, I encouraged me to continue coming downtown for waited until my first book, All About Niagara Falls, monthly meetings, to trek in from far away was in print and then I nervously arrived at the Siberia, also known as Etobicoke. And I kept Toronto Press Club. Had I been better informed, coming, in part because I had fun at the meetings. I’d have benefitted from time spent being a Friend, Claire, Jean Little, Madeline Freeman, and others, asking questions, listening, taking part more in all many of them founders of this august group, were aspects of the organization. What a missed there every month and they kept us informed, opportunity that was for me. educated, and laughing. Everyone knew that if I should have been engaged in the world of Claire stood up, something entertaining was going CANSCAIP long before my first book appeared; to happen. She’d clear her throat, take off her be- the camaraderie and support could only have chained eye glasses, turn to the group and… Wait… helped. before… she… spoke with that lovely, gravelly, low Engagement in CANSCAIP can be through voice. We were primed—she wound up and she more active participation than sitting in on a delivered every time. monthly meeting. Volunteering in some capacity She made good points and observations and is something every Friend and Member might then sent out the zinger. Her vocabulary was consider: I found that the more I volunteered, as amazingly bountiful, full of interesting words an executive member, as an archivist, as a cookie- some of us had never heard before. Sometimes I baker, as a chair-stacker and as Chair of the 1990

CANSCAIP NEWS 27 SUMMER 2018 Packaging conference, the closer I grew to creators know what Barbara Reid does in her in all the CANSCAIP fields—the writers, the presentations?” and it’s good to know what she performers, and the illustrators. The chit-chat does. And it’s great for her to know what YOU do. shared during tasks gave me an understanding of Sitting in on sessions helps team-build, it helps many skills I’d never have known otherwise: how educate those who might hire us, and it’s always the illustrators have their own lingo, how a book’s interesting for you. I’ve been fortunate to have sat illustrations (some ultimately the pictures in my in over the years on sessions by many own books) were conceived and executed, how the CANSCAIPers, some of whom who have presented playwrights figured out moveable screens and today. If you add up all the books that today’s props and took their shows on the road. I hope presenters have produced you’re in the hundreds. they learned a bit about fact-finding and So much talent in one place, so much mentoring, information books from me. selfless sharing with a new generation of writers, A last note about volunteering—one of the illustrators, and performers for children. And on most enjoyable volunteer tasks in a group like top of that the publishers, agents, consultants, CANSCAIP is that of driving a visiting author editors, bloggers, and art directors here today have around when they come to Toronto. I have fond brought a wealth of experience and expertise and memories of driving Ted Harrison to various proved that they can juggle anything. They can places, and making sure his bottle of Glenlivet was probably even rub their tummies and pat their in his B&B room at the end of each day! What heads at the same time. And they’ll help us do that terrific chats we had while sitting in traffic jams too, if we ask! around the GTA! He regaled me with tales of the Earlier this fall, writer Geraldine Brooks was Yukon, so vivid that I felt I was there. speaking at the Toronto Reference Library and I Likewise, I drove the incredibly talented Joanne was so inspired I had to go home and do some Taylor of Nova Scotia to a number of Toronto digging about her. It’s not as though I know Public Library branches. When I was visiting nothing about her but I think we all like to google schools in Nova Scotia, she drove me around. away to learn more about writers and artists, More sharing, more bonding, more feeling a part anyone really, who we find speaks to us. And I of the national clan of children’s creators. What found a wonderful thing she has said: “Truth is the joy Joanne found in life, what a fantastic, best story-teller.” embracing, huge laugh she had. Little did we know Here’s my truth, how I came to this podium, in it was to be her last hurrah as her health failed a short documentary entitled “Why I’m Standing soon after and I often think of the novels she had Here.” in her that we will never read. • I was born in a Boston suburb long enough Sk, CoKh CANSCAIPNiL are great hosts—and ago that I will become a senior citizen next guests. At least, I hope I’ve been. Sometimes one week. And yes, this is a Boston-Irish does wonder what is said after they put you on the accent, weathered by 41 Canadian winters bus, or drop you at the airport at the end of a Book and yet still thick enough that I have had Week or another presentation trip. to listen to people ask me for 41 years Another bonding option happens when, let’s “you’re not from around here, are you?” say once a year, we try to go to each other’s gigs, as • I’m the oldest of seven children, six a supportive audience member, and as a learner. survived infancy. My mother was told in Often you will be asked questions like “do you high school that it was too bad she was a

CANSCAIP NEWS 28 SUMMER 2018 girl because tests showed she’d have been a • I trained to be a high-school teacher. There great engineer. Instead, she worked as an were no jobs when I graduated. So I went administrative assistant to the Governor of to get a Masters. Completed. Still no Massachusetts and then the administrative teaching jobs. So I came to Canada to get a assistant of my father and the rest of us. PhD in Victorian literature. (notice: not My dad became a lawyer thanks to the GI history). I did all but my dissertation, met Bill and worked for the State as well. a nice guy from Toronto, paid back my • In grade five I knew I wanted to write education loan. Still no teaching jobs. Got books. I was too shy to stand in front of a married. Began writing reviews and class and perform in plays I wrote. I read interviewing children’s writers for Quill & Little Women the book that made me want Quire. That lasted for 17 years. Worked at to be like Jo March and write. (That was a the original Children’s Book Store on little Geraldine Brooks link there—she Avenue Road for one year. Left because I won the Pulitzer prize for her book about didn’t get a 10-cents-an-hour raise. Had a Jo March’s dad.) By the way, I still daughter and then a son. correspond with my Grade five teacher, Yes, things in life happen for a reason. My working Miss Madeleine Goebel. She’s 101 and one- life changed when I went to a children’s book half years old, plays Scrabble and just took conference as part of my Quill work. I walked a bus trip to Longfellow’s Wayside Inn. down an aisle in the huge book display room and We’re pen-pals and I cherish every word heard someone call out from a booth: “So when she sends me. are you going to stop writing about children’s • I wrote wherever and whenever I could: books and write one yourself?” I would have been high school newspaper editor, high school crazy not to follow through on that challenge. The reporter for the city weekly. My first byline person with the question was Ricky Englander, appeared with an important story about then a co-publisher/co-owner of Kids Can Press. the school cafeteria… the menu for the And yes, the rest, as they say, is history. And for week: Monday: American chop suey, me, quite literally, history, for the first of my 30 bread, butter, milk, and a brownie. titles came out in 1988. After a paper shortage, and Tuesday: … I won’t bore you. There was no then a printers’ strike. Lots of typewriter copies Pulitzer for those cafeteria columns. I was a and correcting tape. Oh, what I would have given university newspaper reporter and movie for a computer and the internet back then. You reviewer. young’uns don’t know how easy you have it • I worked in the local public library. compared to the old days! Reference department. I already liked the Let’s move away from all this revealing and historical sites the family visited (Louisa riveting history and talk about stuff. I’m sure many May Alcott’s house for instance). Suddenly, of the creators in this room are surrounded by lots at age fifteen, I was handling reference of things. I’m not saying you have to become a materials for people coming in to do hoarder, although writing non-fiction has research. Before Google, before Ancestry, certainly given me every excuse to keep things that before any kind of computers. Ah, the might one day be important information for a backward 1960s and 70s! book. Let me warn you though: everything you

CANSCAIP NEWS 29 SUMMER 2018 keep you will one day curse and that one day will of Freedom and other honours. He inspires me be Moving Day as you downsize your life. with comments like “[I have] never begun [to Fki wNKiL I Jki{Np in an Eden of a study—13 by write] a book because [I] was an expert in the 20 feet of splendid space. This summer I moved topic. Quite the reverse. [I] write because [I] want into an 8 by 9 foot room. If the other space was to learn about a subject which has caught [my] Paradise, this room is still Hell. There is no interest… Find something that interests you, and Purgatory, to carry on the metaphor—there’s make it interesting for others.” plenty of purging, though. I had to part with 20 At a book signing I attended, McCullough was cartons of research books (farewell, Second World asked by an audience member how long it took War, Circus, Cowboys, Immigration and him to write one of his books. He chuckled and Elections!), another 25 cartons of manuscript said that the really good question that no one ever materials, a four-drawer lateral file, an office asks a writer is how long he thought about the cabinet, four bookcases… You get the picture. So book before writing it. There’s a pointer right there my advice is collect your finest pieces. Cherish for the rest of us creators. your most precious items. And cut back on the I like his re-iteration of what our job is—to rest. We creators have so much emotion invested make something interesting, delightful, for in everything around us. That’s what makes our someone else. Where do we find those interesting books, our art, so wonderful, so evocative to us. bits? One day, I sat and thought about the various But editing has to happen in your study or studio, highways we travelled on Sunday journeys the as well as in your books. Granfield brood used to take. We’d pack the car What did I keep? My childhood books. No one with all of us, two parents, x-number of kids, one will ever take my copy of Little Women, or the first usually a brand-new baby, and then go pick up my book I ever bought, Silas Marner. Bought in Grade grandmother. That mental snapshot is just one seven—Mr. Robert Trudeau’s class. We girls all setting off point for any number of picture books, thought Mr. Trudeau was rather dashing because novels, short stories, even non-fiction. he could speak French fluently. What we didn’t I {NñI jxLnhq KykxI where we went with Nana know is that, hey, he was French-Canadian, like a and how she smelled of camphor, how she wore a large part of New England. By the way, that copy of hat with a long hat-pin, how she parcelled out Silas Marner cost me a dime. And I had to turn in coins with the oldest (me) getting the quarter and five Coke bottles to get the dime. And I had to my sister the dime, and the next sister the nickel, climb through the shrubs around the local pond and little brother a couple of pennies. I didn’t where the high school boys took their girlfriends complain—I was getting the Top Money, the and had a Coke and tossed the bottles in the largest heist in the back seat of the grey shrubs because they were too busy, let’s say, to find Oldsmobile. But my sisters and my brother pulled a trash barrel in the dark. The publisher of that faces. The baby didn’t know any better as personal edition of Silas Marner was Scholastic. Interesting finances weren’t important yet. And my mother, in loop in life that my publisher now is Scholastic the front, would reach over to the back seat and Canada. wait for all of us to drop our coins into her hand DKínp MmCxookxqM, the wonderful narrator of for ‘safe-keeping.’ documentaries and even more wonderful author Some safe-keeping! I pulled a face then and the of non-fiction titles, has won two Pulitzer prizes, others grinned. They knew there would be a fair the National Book Award, the Presidential Medal and equitable re-distribution of the funds when

CANSCAIP NEWS 30 SUMMER 2018 we got home. And the drive continued with stops BxpqN WnoLkh LMKiNp that she loved to sit in a for kids to relieve themselves in the bushes along booth and just listen in on all kinds of the roadside, or for one sister to get sick to her conversations, kids’ and adults’. She’d take notes stomach because she was always car-sick. Finally, while enjoying her own beverage, keeping her after what seemed like hours, but now I know was head down, her ears wide open, and her pen about forty-five minutes, we stopped for ice cream flying. She used the material in her terrific stories cones at Richardson’s Dairy. and novels, capturing every nuance of an after- The cows were out back and the flies were out school stop at a Tim Horton’s or a family meal in a front with us and our ice-cream. Funny to think of restaurant. Good research spots are at our the places that matter when we are young. We fingertips. watched for the Mr. Peanut promo statue and Through the years of visiting schools, I’ve kept store along Route 1. Thought we were lucky to have lines that students have written in letters to me. a sunny day’s trip to Pleasure Island, a local mini- Most certainly, these quotes show how and what version of what Walt Disney had produced on a they are thinking, what’s important to them, what much grander scale. And, wow, a really long trip, their expectations were prior to the visit, and how an hour, took us into Maine, to a restaurant they perceived a creator for children—ME. YOU. named Goldenrod, with its shellacked tables that Here’s a selection: shone like mirrors and the salt-water taffy • “You were able to inform us and at the machine that could hypnotize you if you stood same time not clog up our heads with dry there long enough watching it. Perhaps this facts.” recollecting of the past will lead to a future • Your speech inspired the way we think historical novel taking place in the 1950s and 60s. about elderlies. Wanna hear a joke… A guy Listening to the fiction writers here at Packaging walked into a bar. No. No. A METAL BAR… encourages me to at least try a new genre… OWWW. Hahahahaha…” maybe… if I get courageous… if I run out of • “Did you by any chance meet any slaves information book ideas… yourself and did you meet John Newton, A ynI jkiN jxLnhq. What’s the good of sitting at the man that wrote the song?” (John a computer for weeks, months, or years, in Newton’s dates are 1725-1807) isolation, never making contact with the world of • “You were very funny and you didn’t bore children. Keep up! What television programs and us like some of the other authors we’ve movies are they watching? What apps are being met.” used? What’s being played in schoolyards? Do • “Hey, Linda, your presentation was like the kids know what a Chinese jump-rope is? Are they first one that I didn’t fall asleep.” still playing string-games? Can you even get a set And then you might get one that leaves you on a of Pick-Up Sticks anymore? We’re worried about high for the day, a quote that you can pin on the young readers not being taught cursive writing wall for the days that aren’t going as well as you’d anymore; do they know what checkers are? like, when Procrastination messes with your head Fortune-tellers to fold in and out? What is old but and hair and you question everything. A grade six new again? When’s the last time you took a field- student writes: “It gave me a great feeling to leave trip to a ToysRUs just to wander and see what’s the school with such a better understanding of new? I’m due to go wander the aisles—it’s been too some of the sacrifices our soldiers made for people long. they never knew.” Wow! Jackpot! One elementary

CANSCAIP NEWS 31 SUMMER 2018 school student long ago, wrote that he thought “I made the newspapers with her lament about “the had potential.” I’m still trying to reach my full collapse of the whole structure of the English potential. language under the devastating influence of radio, Sk MNiN JN KiN near the end of this presentation. screen and press.” That “the motion pictures and Did you get all the tips? Newsflash—they were the radio, the digests and pictorials and tabloid embedded. I recall once getting a blue sheet filled newspapers were fast taking the place of good in at a conference; someone complained that I was books and threatening to end cultural reading and ‘too anecdotal’ during my presentation. Gee, I bring a ‘menacing vocabulary deficiency.” Sound guess there was nothing to gain from my familiar? Our technology has us wringing our anecdotes, specifically selected to be shared. For hands all these years later, and still we have books, me, story has always led to inspiration, shared good books, great books, being produced by emotions, even lessons learned. As that student people like you. said, potential. We no longer recognize many of the writers in Now if you REALLY want a story, I can tell you “Silver Pennies.” We do, however, still recognize about the time Phoebe Gilman and I feared being one name—John McCrae, on page 92. I would be apprehended by the police on Parliament Hill remiss not to mention McCrae today because as when she was sketching and doing research for you may know, 2015 marks the 100ÇÉ anniversary of one of her books. I was her lookout. Every time I’m the writing of “In Flanders Fields.” Blanche wrote in Ottawa I pass the huge iron gates and enjoy the the introduction to the poem in 1925, just seven memory. years after the First World War ended. “The I think you can go away today with enough soldiers who fought in the World War did so to drive and encouragement and even subject matter, make the world so safe that there would be no to write and draw quite happily for ages, to travel more wars,” she wrote. Alas, fourteen years later new creative avenues, to dare. Someone once said, the world was once again at war. “Easy writing makes damn hard reading.” Today’s Let’s listen to Dr. Thompson’s definition of the sessions have reinforced how much effort goes into magic of creation: the production of every book young readers enjoy. Magic If you didn’t take notes, as I suggested in the Oh, a bottle of ink, a bottle of ink! beginning, I hope you won’t be calling, excuse me, What’s bottled up in a bottle of ink? texting, others asking “what did she say? What was Princes and ponies and pirates and bees, that story about Mr. Peanut.” And all will suddenly Pixies and brownies and magical keys, become clear. Geraldine Brooks was right: Truth is Lions and tigers and ladies and knights, the best story-teller. Colourful peeps at most marvellous sights, I’ll close with a poem by Blanche Jennings Witches and goblins and fairies and fays, Thompson. Who?You probably don’t recognize Heroes who lived in the far-away days— her name, but she was once the much-known More wonderful things than you ever could author of the “Silver Pennies” poetry collections think, for children. The books were constantly reprinted All bottled up in a bottle of ink! from 1925 until the 1960s. People hoard old copies now. And if you don’t know what a “fay” is—well, to Blanche was also Dr. Thompson, an education quote Claire Mackay, “Look it up!” professor in Rochester, New York. In 1938 she Thank you.

CANSCAIP NEWS 32 SUMMER 2018 CELEBRATING JANET IS HEART MOVING. She gave A CELEBRATION OF us and so many generations of children so much, such a gift. How can we possibly give as much back JANET LUNN to her? There was—and still is—not a smidgeon of doubt that Janet was one of Canada’s best loved By Louise Dennys writers for young people and she breaks the shackles of time because she still is. Today’s young On May 22, 2018 much of the literary world readers may live in a different world from that gathered at the Northern District Branch of the which existed when I and others published her Toronto Public Library to celebrate the life and books in the eighties and nineties. But the power work of author Janet Lunn. Toronto writer and of her storytelling, the emotional truth of it, her historian Christopher Moore says: “Janet Lunn was understanding of our fears, the burden of loss, our a friend and mentor to many among Canadian desire to belong, the courage required to find the writers and particularly children’s writers.” strength against seemingly impossible odds to When she died in June 2017, she had a beautiful know yourself and recognize love—that resonates and moving funeral in Ottawa. But friends and unchangingly. Editor Amy Black noted that The admirers in Toronto who were unable to go to Root Cellar especially reprints with such Ottawa for the funeral wanted a chance to get heartening frequency that we know there are now together to remember Janet and to honour her several generations of devoted Janet Lunn fans. It profound influence on Canadian children’s writing is a classic, and joins the ranks of those writers over the past half century. Janet so loved herself: E. Nesbitt, Eleanor Farjeon, Initially I agreed to organize the Toronto Phillipa Pearce, Mary Norton... to name only a few. gathering with Janet’s long-time friend, the writer I had the joy—that’s the best word, as well as and storyteller Jan Andrews. Jan herself died soon privilege—of working with Janet from 1980. That after Janet did, but with the help of the Canadian year my beloved friend Malcolm Lester and I Children’s Book Centre, the Northern District launched Lester & Orpen Dennys and she became Library, and several of Janet’s publishers, the event one of our very first authors. When L&OD, as we we had anticipated came together. Many of Janet’s called it, was acquired by Key Porter Books, The friends, colleagues and family gathered on May 22, Story of Canada, that glorious book of Canadian 2018, for a joyful reunion of the children’s book history which Janet and Chris Moore created, community and a fond remembering of Janet Lunn. illustrated by Alan Daniels, moved under their It was an unforgettable evening. I asked three umbrella. It has since been chosen one of the 10 people to speak about Janet. The writer Kathy best children’s books published in Canada in the Stinson and librarian and kid’s book advocate Ken 20th century (Quill & Quire). But it was always Setterington spoke warmly and movingly. Publisher dear to me—I’d commissioned it, bringing the two Louise Dennys, who had been Janet’s friend, of them together over breakfast, before that colleague, editor, and publisher over many years, happened, so I feel parentally, if altogether un- wrapped up the event with the following memoir righteously, proud of it. and tribute. But I admit it was The Root Cellar, Shadow in Hawthorn Bay, and The Hollow Tree, that were and are nearest to my heart because Janet and I worked closely together through that time as she

CANSCAIP NEWS 33 SUMMER 2018 developed the spellbinding stories that wove Bay in honour of her novels), the point of land together the Morrisays and the Larkins, the edging out into the lake thick with hawthorn Andersons and the Collivers in Prince Edward trees. It had no furnace, no plumbing, a leaking County across two centuries. And we had such roof, but it had a bake oven, a fireplace—and a fun—she was such fun to be with—and we worked ghost. So of course they all upped and moved with passion, and laughter—and sometimes with there. And that farmhouse became a place of tears pouring down our faces (I confess, we pilgrimage over the years for busloads of eager actually cried together every time we reread the children who would drive out to visit it. I was scene where Rose and Susan find staying there one such time— Will is wounded but alive in Civil amazed at how admirably Janet War America). coped with thirty excited kids, Janet’s life was wound around keeping them all spellbound as she her love of story, her five beloved ushered them through the house children, and her husband, and pointed out the old door Richard. And she loved libraries, through which the ghost of Susan and the Children’s Book Centre, so Morrissay had walked, startling this is a very good place in which to Rose. celebrate her. In 1994, she gave the Mary She loved Prince Edward Donaldson Lecture at the County, and the Murray Hills north Saskatchewan Library Association of the farmhouse. She said to me soon after The Story of Canada was once that that place, in which she, published—and asked me to look it a young American-German over for her. She titled it “Once immigrant woman, found herself, There Was and Once There Was was very different from but Not.” I reread her typed, inked-over curiously like to the world she still copy this week. She speaks there with acute remembered from her earliest childhood living in understanding of story—story as the magic that an 18th century farmhouse in Vermont. She saw takes place in that world between worlds, where behind the veil of differences. In Vermont, she had nothing is as it first seems. How we, a story- played in the woods and streams and meadows making species, read the world through story, with her older sister Martha, aware of “the elves responding physiologically in our very depths to and brownies and trolls and gnomes, the creatures the form of a story—the beginning/middle and of clear, northern light. They lurked behind the end-shape articulated by Aristotle more than two high rocks, they scurried down the hills and slid thousand years ago, a conflict rising to a climax along the shadows made by winter snow drifts. leading to a denouement—and the comfort and They were as real to me as our two horses, our cow, healing that that brings. But especially she loved our pig and our duck and chickens. “In Prince the escape into other worlds. Edward County, the history, the trees and rocks [When she was] researching a history of Prince and ghosts of her new landscape had a similar Edward County, she and her husband Dick had hold on her, becoming the house and the place of come across an abandoned Loyalist farmhouse on The Root Cellar and Shadow in Hawthorn Bay and Pleasant Bay (which should be renamed Hawthorn The Hollow Tree. She understood well how she

CANSCAIP NEWS 34 SUMMER 2018 belonged in two countries—as so many of us here house. And so, when Malcolm and I launched do—and that that pull between places is also a Lester & Orpen Dennys she was, I think, the first sharp pull on the heart which marks all of us who writer I sought out. She had published a couple of struggle to understand the world we live in and books by then, some stories, and her reputation seek some ground beneath our feet. The realities was growing. And she was still and always down to of belonging, of family and friendship were a earth, her own courage as a writer, her constant for her. There are always two lands in her outspokenness, finding its way into the lives of her books—two lands and two worlds—which Rose most engaging characters. and Mary and Phoebe try to When, as time went on, I would tell navigate, as every immigrant “We, a story-making her (often) that she was as good a does—young women who belong species, read the world writer as she was because she was in two countries equally as she did, through story, responding not only an enthralling storyteller living the history of both. physiologically in our very but used language beautifully when Janet and I met in 1972 when I depths to the form of a she chose, most especially in arrived in Canada aged 23 and went story—the beginning/ writing about the landscape that hopefully looking for a job in book middle and end-shape, a inspired her, she would genuinely publishing. There was little choice bat it away as nonsense—she was conflict rising to a climax back then, but the teetotaling just a talented storyteller. (Janet: I leading to a denouement— house of Clarke Irwin offered a can say it again: not true!). and the comfort and home and Janet was already There was something radiant about there—renowned as the first healing that that brings.” her. She said once: “I’m an 8 year Children’s Book Reviewer in old with a grown-up’s vocabulary. I Canada until she became at Clarke Irwin the first am still amazed by life.” And she said too: Children’s Book Editor in the country. Those two “Teachers have thanked me for writing historical historical accomplishments would have been novels to teach history in an interesting way. I enough for most people—she helped to drive the don’t. I don’t write historical novels to teach creation of a really great children’s book industry anything. I write because some small, stubborn in Canada. part of me still feels that, if I am quick enough, or I listened to her talk about editing and learned wily enough, one day I will find my way through from her. We were twenty years apart in age but we that time barrier.” became friends there. We loved the same I really do hope she has managed that now. children’s books, loved to laugh irreverently Somehow, I think she has. But we can only be together. And I treasured her sense of a golden thankful she has left her books behind with us. mean of good values and kindness, and right Her beloved characters. Her storytelling. actions in the world —politically and personally. Louise Dennys, Executive Publisher at Penguin She was brave about changing the world to make Random House Canada, was Janet’s Editor and good books available to young readers, and I Publisher through seventeen years—first with admired that fierce spirit. But she wanted to write Malcolm Lester at Lester & Orpen Dennys, then at and (though terrifying to her at first) that was Knopf Canada. irresistible. We stayed friends when she upped and left, as I did too not long after to start my own publishing

CANSCAIP NEWS 35 SUMMER 2018 the program, I immediately noticed the benefits. I Ways to Grow as a Writer wrote about how Caroline Pignat establishes the distinct voices of her five point-of-view characters Part 1: Critical Writing in her brilliant young-adult novel Shooter, in by Karen Krossing which a school lockdown forces five students from different social spheres into an unlocked boys’ I’m finishing my first semester of a two-year washroom. At the time, I was drafting a novel with Masters in Writing for Children and Young Adults three point-of-view characters, so my analysis was at the fabulous Vermont College of Fine Arts directly applicable. Before I wrote the essay, I was (VCFA). My big-picture goal is to discover new having trouble making my characters’ voices ways to grow as a writer distinct, but this essay gave me tools to help and share that through resolve that problem. mentorships and workshops. In this I entered my first article, I’ll chat about one semester already of my many mind- committed to feeding my blowing take-aways from creative writing through this semester: how a critical writing. As the process of detailed and semester progressed, individualized critical what surprised me is analysis of children’s how much I enjoy books has given me writing critically, even insights into my creative looking forward to it, writing. In a second and I’ve come up with article in a later issue, I’ll more possible topics explore how critical than I have time to write. discussion has done the Let me explain how this same. process works at VCFA. First of all, I want to Of course, it begins with say that you don’t need to reading books—in take an MFA to use particular, ones that critical analysis to improve your creative writing. address a challenge I’ve been struggling with. In fact, we all analyze the kids’ books we read all Critical writing then has two components: the time. Before my MFA, I thought I was doing annotations of books read and plenty of critical that effectively. But this program has taken that essays. process deeper. Annotations include a brief summary of the I wasn’t a fan of critical writing when I first book as well as what writing craft element I applied to the program. Why did I need to return observed. It’s not literary analysis. My current to my undergrad days of writing English essays? faculty advisor, Liz Garton Scanlon, who is a What I didn’t recognize at the time was that those talented writer as well as an insightful and essays were about literary theory, not writing craft. inspirational advisor, says the craft takeaway is the After I wrote my first writing-craft essay to apply to “so what” of the annotation. She suggested I

CANSCAIP NEWS 36 SUMMER 2018 answer questions like: “What have I learned as a targeted reading (aiming high, seeking out the writer that I could apply to my own work or avoid? very best models and analyzing them from a What specific strategy or technique could be writer’s point of view), alongside creative writing universalized or at least applied to some other that is responded to by an experienced mentor can writing projects? What element of craft is well- result in the perfect storm of creative demonstrated here that I could try?” Interestingly, engagement.” we can learn from poorly written pieces by Of course, not every writer has the time, money analyzing why they don’t work. or inclination to devote to an MFA program. As for critical essays, the program starts with Completing an MFA is just one way to grow as a students writing many short essays (about 4 to 6 writer. And after my program is done, I’m going to pages), leading to a critical thesis of about 30 need to find a way to continue this process of pages in third semester. Shelley Tanaka, who is a discovery. much-loved VCFA faculty advisor as well as So, here’s how I think anyone can use critical Groundwood editor and acclaimed author says, analysis to feed their creative writing: “You might wonder how this critical component • Ask yourself: What writing craft has anything to do with your creative work, but it’s element is challenging you these days? all about holding the reader’s attention, seeding • Then consider: What mentor texts and building a narrative. Truth is, if you can’t write could you read to explore how others a logical 4-page critical essay, chances are you can’t have handled it well, poorly or write a novel. It forces you to ask key narrative somewhere in between? questions right at the beginning. Who is your audience? What do you want to say? How can you • I suggest you write your analysis. I’ve say it concisely, with voice and conviction?” found that more insights emerge when I My first semester is a Picture Book Intensive, so write, rather than just think. You could my essay topics relate to my exploration of this keep a list of mentor texts with new-to-me genre. For example, I explored how to annotations. (Bookpedia is one tool you write dark or difficult topics in picture books. can use to organize books read.) You Then I applied the techniques I observed to could also write short critical essays or writing my own manuscripts. I also analyzed articles. (The bonus is that these could original drafts of celebrated picture books become blog posts.) compared to the published versions to determine • Finally, and most importantly, ask: How how the authors revised their works, coming up can you apply your new insights to your with a list of questions I can ask myself when current works-in-progress? revising and discovering common trouble-spots Good luck with it! I hope you find this process as and revision techniques. useful as I have. Imagine repeating that process over and over KAREN KROSSING’s recent titles include Punch again with handpicked topics. Let me tell you, it Like a Girl (Orca, 2015), which was runner-up for results in insight after insight. I’m stunned by all the Kaywell Books Save Lives Award, and Bog, that I’ve learned so far. In fact, this process seems (Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2014), which won the somewhat magical. Shelley Tanaka says, “I have SCBWI Crystal Kite Award. She’ll be a workshop seen how critical writing (usually about issues that leader at CANSCAIP’s Packaging Your Imagination you are trying to solve in your own creative work), 2018 in November.

CANSCAIP NEWS 37 SUMMER 2018 Copyright: The Fair Dealings a Canadian bestseller. Since then many of my novels (including that lucky first one) have been Educational Exception Clause published internationally in Scandinavia, England, Brief for Statutory Review Australia and most recently Korea and Colombia. of Copyright for CANSCAIP My colleagues consider me a successful, hard- working writer. Like most midlist novelists, I try to Presented by author Sylvia McNicoll cobble a living together through a slew of projects: writing books and articles, teaching, speaking, On June 29, 2012 Bill C11 (the Copyright grants, Public Lending Right (PLR) and Access Modernization Act) was passed and among many Copyright Payback. changes, it expanded “fair dealing” to include an When that early novel study sale occurred, a educational exemption. Under this exemption, classroom set of novels would typically include educational institutions have decided they no thirty books. As the years went by, that number longer need copyright licensing to reproduce dropped down to five as a result of different published materials and now most will pay nothing philosophies of education, cost-cutting and yes, for copying as much as 10% of the content of a photocopying and downloading. For example, a copyrighted Canadian book. few years ago I visited a correctional facility for Bill C11 also called for a review of the Copyright young adults in northern Ontario in which one of Act every five years. my novels was entirely photocopied for the Those five years are now up. The Standing students. Without my permission. Ironic because Committee on Industry, Science and Technology it was the grade 9 students who were incarcerated (INDU) has been meeting at various locations for breaking the law. This is what well-meaning, across Canada to hear briefs for their Statutory hardworking, law-abiding teachers do when the Review of Copyright. On Wednesday May 9, 2018, author is present to witness it. But we did have Sylvia McNicoll delivered the following brief on Access Copyright licenses that were respected in behalf of creators and CANSCAIP at the Courtyard those days so I knew I would receive some by Marriott Hotel, Toronto: compensation for minimal copying. My name is Sylvia McNicoll. I am here to represent Licensing fees tend to act like speed limits on CANSCAIP (Canadian Society of Children’s the 401: if the limit is 100 kilometres, most people Authors, Illustrators and Performers), because drive at least five to ten kilometres over. So while writers and illustrators for children are probably the fees were intended to compensate us for a few the most affected by the Fair Dealings Educational pages of copying and downloading, here and Exception especially in the K to 12 sector. there, mostly for the purposes of research for a We wish to have the educational exception project, we knew that schools were copying well stricken from the Copyright Act. over the 100 kilometre speed limit. Enter the Bill C11 educational exemption. In I have been writing for approximately 30 years and 2012, the fateful year before it took real effect, I have served as CANSCAIP’s president and in earned approximately $46,000. Of that total, various other executive positions. My first book $2,578.68 was from Access Copyright licensing was published in 1989 and was chosen as a novel fees. That cheque from Access Copyright paid for study for schools in Atlantic Canada, which meant two months mortgage and three weeks groceries. an instant sale of 2,000 books. This bumped it into

CANSCAIP NEWS 38 SUMMER 2018 Schools, universities and colleges decided that Last year I had two Canadian “best selling” because of the education exemption, 10% of middle grade mysteries for kids published. I copying now was entirely free. They decided worked even harder than in 2012 because I must Access Copyright licensing was unnecessary. They do social media to promote now. But I give up. Not also decided Copyright tariffs were optional and on writing or presenting to kids. That is my “opted out”. passion, my identity. But on trying to make a And they are still photocopying and living. I must tell my students the same. I am downloading well above that speed limit too! drawing my pension and cashing in my registered My grandson recently brought home a retirement funds. After that I will sell my house. photocopied story in a duo-tang folder: a What does that mean for future writers and Canadian-authored retelling of an indigenous tale, cultural workers? Your job must become a hobby. Canadian illustrated, Canadian published, You do it on your lunch break. Canadian edited, etc. The photocopied story was Can Canadian publishers survive that way? We 100% complete. Let’s be generous and say it was are already seeing their demise. 10% of an anthology. That well-intentioned What we create needs to appear in schools to teacher uses a photocopy of that folk tale year after represent Canadian values. What we create year in place of buying a text. It is not her fault provides excellent jobs. What we create deserves that her school board thinks a 10% grab of an respect and compensation. anthology is fine because of the fair dealing You need to fix fair dealing by removing the exemption. This photocopying, of course, educational exception. Otherwise we will have no negatively impacts the publishing industry and Canadian culture. the cultural workers involved. And another side Thank you. effect is that our Bachelor of Arts kids lose potential jobs. SYLVIA McNICOLL I just finished preparing my income tax for served on the Access 2017. My income is down by 90% to $12,000. My Copyright Board of Access Copyright cheque is coincidentally also Directors for five years. down by about 90% to less than $400. Down from In September her new two mortgage payments and three weeks of novel Body Swap will be grocery payments to one week of grocery money. released by Dundurn. (Groceries have also gone up.) And now Boards of Education are suing for part of my 2012 cheque back. Bill C11 Fair Dealing Exemption alone is not responsible for my income decline. But Fair Dealing is a beacon of disrespect for content. The world watches as Canadian schools download and copy curated content in a government sanctioned theft of 10%. You have turned the 401 speed limit in reproduction of materials into the Autobahn. No speed limit at all!

CANSCAIP NEWS 39 SUMMER 2018 T@ MG?H>, G DIY GBDAH by Beth Pollock

Hi there! I’ve been compiling the To Market column for the past eight years. Over that time, searching for information about agents and publishers who are open to queries has become much easier. For that reason, this is the last To Market column. But before signing off, I’ll share a few internet resources to help you do your own research. Whether you’re looking for an agent or a publisher, or hoping to develop your craft—or both—you’ll find what you’re looking for on one of these websites: If you haven’t yet discovered Query Tracker, it’s a great place to start. Scroll to the bottom of the how to query her, her response time, and much home page for a list of the newest agents in the more. The column along the left side lists all database (who are usually hoping to build their agents who have been interviewed, which you can portfolios). You’ll also find a list of the newest search by agent name, agency, or genre. Often agent updates, showing which agents have just agents offer a query critique giveaway to one opened/closed to queries or moved to a new person who leaves a comment on the blog. agency. Members can also search the website to Want to know what agents are looking for right find the agents best suited to representing their now? Check out the Manuscript Wish List, where work. There’s a wealth of information here, and it’s you can search by genre and see if anyone wants to well worth becoming a member to have access. read a manuscript just like yours. Alternatively, The Writer’s Digest Guide to Literary Agents choose a few agents you’d love to be repped by, and features posts on a number of publishing topics. follow them on Twitter. Not only will you hear One recurring item is the Literary Agent what they’re looking for, you might get some interview: you’ll learn which genres each agent additional insight into the business of getting represents, as well as suggestions for emerging published. writers and tips to make your queries shine. If you’re looking for information on publishers Literary Rambles is a wonderful resource for rather than agents, you’ll find it at Query Tracker children’s writers. In particular, check out the (see above). And don’t overlook publisher lists. Agent Spotlights section. I’m writing this in late The Association of Canadian Publishers (ACP) May, and the most recent interview was with website features a list of Canadian publishers. Natascha Morris of BookEnds Literary Agency. Search by “Children’s Books” or “Teen and YA” to Reading the interview, you’ll see that she find all the Canadian publishers looking for those represents all areas of kid lit, but is especially genres. Similarly, UK Children’s Books names eager to read PB and YA manuscripts. You’ll also British publishers of children’s books. discover what submissions she isn’t interested in,

CANSCAIP NEWS 40 SUMMER 2018 Are you a member of CANSCAIP? If so, consider reached them. It became a symbiotic relationship joining the listserv group. Other members often and often editors would phone to ask us to share information about new publishers or agents announce particular programs or themes they were who are open to submissions. interested in. Certainly CANSCAIP was an easier Not ready to send off your manuscript yet? These way to reach their targeted market than hoping the websites can help you polish your writing and right story would appear in the slush pile. But it learn about the industry: was time-consuming for everyone. Now all that information is up on the various websites—and • Kidlit (writing advice from manuscript editor thanks to Beth’s research you have links to the best Mary Kole) sites. Good luck being your own market • Quill and Quire (news about the Canadian researcher—and thank you, Beth and all the publishing industry) previous marketing editors for pointing us in the • Nathan Bransford (advice on writing kids’ right direction. – BG books from an author and former literary agent) • Harold Underdown (articles and advice on writing, illustrating and publishing, and BUSINESS BRIEFS occasional updates on staffing changes in the CONFERENCE: Packaging Your Imagination: “Who’s Moving Where” column) CANSCAIP’s Day of WORKSHOPS on Writing • Quick Brown Fox (the lowdown on writing and Illustrating for Children. Saturday, Nov. workshops, book launches, reviews, and agent 10 at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute (near interviews) Yonge and Dundas, Toronto). Keynote speakers: Ruth Ohi and Deborah Ellis. Registration opens Best of luck to you all! I hope you find the in July. See the website for complete information. publisher/agent of your dreams. WRITING WORKSHOP: Polish your MG or YA EDITOR’s NOTE: Thank you, Beth, for your years Novel with Anne Laurel Carter. Identify what of volunteering. CANSCAIP owes a huge thanks to makes good young adult fiction. Get instructor the many volunteers who make it possible to bring and peer feedback on your work-in-progress. our members the latest information about the When: Jul 9 - Jul 13 Daily 9:30 - 2:30 publishing and literary world. Where: University of Toronto School of As Beth has pointed out, the Internet has made Continuing Studies Summer School Course accessing information much easier. It wasn’t 2883—St. George Downtown Campus. always so. In CANSCAIP’s early days –the 80s and Anne Laurel Carter is a highly-regarded writing 90s—collecting current marketing information for instructor. She is the award-winning author of this column entailed cold calling editors in picture books, young adult novels and short stories. publishing houses and explaining why we needed to know what kind of manuscripts they were looking TED STAUNTON leads Writing Children’s for. Once we established a relationship, editors Fiction courses I and II, Tuesday and Thursday quickly realized that the CANSCAIP News was a evenings. Classes are held at Mabel’s Fables good way, not only of reaching the writers and bookstore in central Toronto. Writing I surveys all illustrators they needed, but also a way of making genres of kid lit. Writing II is a workshop for sure the specific types of stories they wanted experienced writers. Click the links below for the

CANSCAIP NEWS 41 SUMMER 2018 George Brown College Continuing Education honest and practical feedback, Susan Hughes can website: https://writing-children-s-fiction-i/ or help. Get in touch with her at https://writing-children-s-fiction-ii/ [email protected] or refer to her website for more information: www.susanhughes.ca. BOOK TRAILERS: Bring your stories to life for your prospective readers with a book trailer. SEMINARS Videographer Tim Clark will create a professional, For information about PWAC (Professional 1 to 3 minute trailer for a story in any genre. Watch Writers Association of Canada)’s seminars on his trailer for The Choice by Kathy Clark which was freelance writing see www.networds.ca. named video of the week on the Open Book website. Contact Tim at [email protected]. MANUSCRIPT EVALUATION and COACHING Written a first draft and need feedback? Need a line-by-line edit? Completed an outline, a first chapter and a last chapter, but don’t know where to go from there? If your manuscript is aimed at a child or teen audience and you’re looking for some

CANSCAIP NEWS 42 SUMMER 2018

CANSCAIP NEWS 43 SUMMER 2018 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: CANSCAIP, 720 Bathurst St., Unit 503, Toronto, ON M5S 2R4 416-515-1559 offi[email protected] www.canscaip.org CANSCAIP NEWS A quarterly bulletin of the Canadian Society of Authors, Illustrators and Performers La Société canadienne des auteurs, illustrateurs et artistes pour enfants Volume 40, No. 3 Summer 2018

The CANSCAIP Executive CANSCAIP Staff ELECTED EXECUTIVE MEMBERS Administrative Director Helena Aalto President SHARON JENNINGS Vice President Jennifer Maruno CANSCAIP News Past President Bill Swan Editor BARBARA GREENWOOD Treasurer Maureen McGowan Contributors Louise Dennys Member at Large Patsy MacKinnon Linda Granfield Friend at Large Holly Main Sharon Jennings APPOINTED EXECUTIVE MEMBERS Karen Krossing Elizabeth MacLeod Recording Secretary Bev Katz Rosenbaum Sylvia McNicoll Program Committee Heather Camlot Monique Polak Theo Heras Beth Pollock Catherine Rondina Bev Katz Rosenbaum Patricia Storms Front Page Logo Variation Martha Newbigging Illustrators’ Rep Michele Nidenoff Newsletter Production Rob Morphy Membership Committee Yolande Hirdaramani

Holly Main Michele Nidenoff Listserv Manager Marsha Skrypuch Social Media Coordinator Melanie Fishbane Packaging Your Imagination Heather Camlot Jillian Dobson Joyce Grant Sharon Jennings Holly Main Jennifer Maruno Publication mail agreement #40043364

CANSCAIP NEWS 44 SUMMER 2018