CANSCAIP Events Calendar

May Monthly Meeting (Wednesday, May 16, 2012)

Wed, 16 May 2012 23:30:00 GMT

Forest of Reading Awards Celebration and readings!

Three ‘Forest of Reading’ nominated authors from western Canada will be ‘special-guest-starring’ at CANSCAIP this month. Come hear Linda Bailey, Susin Nielsen, and Gail Sobat discuss their books, the Festival of Trees ceremony, and the pros and cons of living outside the Ontario-centric publishing hub. The evening’s panel discussion will be moderated by former BC-based author, Kari-Lynn Winters.

Linda Bailey is the award-winning author of over twenty books. Her books have been published in places such as Greece, Latvia, Korea, China, Australia, Denmark, U.K., France and Poland. Linda lives and writes in Vancouver, a short walk from the sea. Her latest picture book, Stanley’s Little Sister, is nominated for the Blue Spruce Award.

Susin Nielsen is an award-winning author from Vancouver, B.C. She's written for many Canadian TV shows, and got her start on the popular teen series, Degrassi Junior High. Her first young adult novel, Word Nerd, won the Red Maple Award in 2010. Her second YA novel, Dear George Clooney: Please Marry My Mom, is on this year's shortlist.

Gail Sidonie Sobat is the award-winning author of eight books for children, YA, and adult audiences. She describes herself as a witch at heart, a pirate in her dreams, and a gypsy in practice. Her most recent novel, Chance to Dance For You, won a Moonbeam Award (bronze) and is nominated for a 2012 White Pine Fiction Award. Gail lives in Edmonton, Alberta.

EDMONTON CANSCAIP meeting (Tuesday, June 05, 2012)

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 22:30:00 GMT

Join us for guest speaker Luanne Armstrong.

A writer and teacher of many talents, Luanne is a poet, journalist, fiction writer, children’s author, PHd in Creative Writing, teacher, editor, and farmer from the Kootenays.

Luanne is teaching at Women’s Words at the U of A the first week of June.

She has taught or mentored many CANSCAIP members; come out and see what new tips and tricks she has to share!

June Monthly Meeting (Wednesday, June 13, 2012)

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 23:30:00 GMT

Performers' Night

Our June CANSCAIP guest is internationally-renown storyteller, author and successful Canadian bookstore co-owner (A Different Booklist—an internationally recognized resource for black and Caribbean literature), ITAH SADU. In addition to writing bestsellers, such as Christopher Please Clean Up Your Room, Christopher Changes His Name, Name Calling, and the award-winning A Touch of The Zebras, Itah has released a calypso tempo CD called Mathieu Da Costa: First to Arrive—the story of the first African to arrive in Canada—has had her books adapted into film and curriculum documents, and has performed across North America, Africa, the Caribbean and Europe.

An adored storyteller, Itah remains deeply involved in community development in her hometown of Toronto and has a solid background working with children, young adults and educators. Come to the June CANSCAIP meeting to learn more about the art of storytelling and to experience Itah's “Stories of Our Time.”

September Monthly Meeting (Wednesday, September 12, 2012)

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 23:30:00 GMT

Networking is Anything but Boring—A Writer/Illustrator's Guide
Debbie Ohi, an illustrator and writer, talks about how she got her first contract with Simon and Schuster US for the picture book I'm Bored. Debbie will discuss the advantages of networking, attending conferences (PYI and SCBWI) and share a few tips on how to make the most of these intense sessions.

October Monthly Meeting: Illustrators Night (Wednesday, October 10, 2012)

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 23:30:00 GMT

Kevin Sylvester is an award winning illustrator, writer and broadcaster.

His series The Neil Flambé Capers is already a bestseller and critical success. Neil Flambé and the Marco Polo Murders was released in spring 2010. Students across Ontario picked the book as the Silver Birch winner for fiction in 2011! Book #2 Neil Flambé and the Aztec Abduction was released in fall 2010. Book #3 Neil Flambé and the Crusader Curse is due in Spring 2012.

Super-chef Gordon Ramsay calls the series “Good Fun”.

Kevin’s first picture book Splinters was published in fall 2010 by Tundra. It’s about a young girl who only wants to play hockey, but the mean coach and her daughters won’t let her. Can her fairy goaltender come to the rescue?

Kevin now splits his time between his attic studio in Toronto and the radio. He was named a Massey Journalism Scholar in 2007 and used the time to study theology at the University of Toronto. Kevin will talk about his experience drawing everything from pen and ink to full watercolours - drawing for yourself and for others and the challenges and rewards of digital editing.

And he'll probably crack a few jokes along the way.

Packaging Your Imagination 2012 (Saturday, November 10, 2012)

Sat, 10 Nov 2012 13:00:00 GMT

Packaging Your Imagination, now in its 28th year, is a day of workshops conducted by professionals in writing, illustrating and performing. Returning after an enthusiastic response last year are our Master-level sessions—intended for established writers and illustrators—as well as a session for Beginners. All other sessions are at the Intermediate level. See also our optional Pitch Perfect manuscript/portfolio critiquing sessions. The entire day, including lunch, costs just $155.00.

Enjoy a Welcome Address from author Tim Wynne-Jones. Choose three workshops in your special area of interest. Join with the whole group for an inspirational talk from author Richard Scrimger.

Speakers' Bios: For complete speakers' bios, click here.

Lunch: A lunch of salad and sandwiches will be provided for all. We regret that no other dietary request can be accommodated.

Books: Books will be available for sale throughout the day. Join us at 4:00 for book signings by the presenters.

Refund Policy: Cancellation fee is $35.00 before Oct. 20th. No refund after Oct. 20th.

Registration: Online registration will open on May 17. To register by mail, complete the registration form on the brochure:

2012 PYI Brochure and Registration Form (PDF) (Get Adobe Reader)

For more information, please email office@canscaip.org or call (416) 515-1559.

REGISTRATION

8:15 a.m.

WELCOME ADDRESS

Tim Wynne-Jones 9 a.m.

WORKSHOPS

Group A: 9:30 – 10:50 Choose one of 1, 2, 3, 4

1. Lisa Dalrymple
Breaking In (Without Breaking Down)

From developing your craft to submitting your manuscripts, learning from rejection to celebrating sweet victory, this workshop will offer strategies to help build your writing career. Lisa will share tools and tips based on her own experiences “breaking in.”

2. Lena Coakley
Believing in Magic: Writing Fantasy and Urban Fantasy

Lena will examine the craft of fantasy writing, from general writing and plotting techniques to creating believable characters and compelling alternate worlds. Participants should expect to do a few writing exercises.

3. Vladyana Krykorka
Balancing Act: Successfully Integrating Illustration and Text

Master Class For Illustrators

Vladyana will discuss art techniques, colour, cover design, balance of positive and negative space, type and its readability, and use her published books and future projects to share design ideas.

4. Helaine Becker
Yes, You CAN Make a Living as A Writer in Canada!

ROI. B2B. Profit Centre. Supply Chain. Qualifying the Customer. If these business-related phrases strike fear in your heart, this workshop is for you. Learn the business basics of writing you really need to make your writing career pay.

Group B: 11:05 – 12:25 Choose one of 5, 6, 7, 8

5. Norma Charles
The Golden Age of Mid-Grade Readers is Here

Now that Bella and Edward are old news, and YA is saturated, where are the great books for 9- to 13-year-olds? It’s a huge audience. And they’re hungry. Hear how Norma wrote and sold 16 novels for her favourite age group.

6. Tim Wynne-Jones
Dialogue: The Mechanics of

Master Class For Writers

A novel has two kinds of narrative: summary and scene. Scene represents the “real time”—the show, the reveal—and dialogue is usually at its heart. How do we get the most out of it? What makes dialogue pop?

7. Willow Dawson
Little Lies: Facts, Fictions and Scene Transitions

Willow will guide you through a series of illustration exercises, while explaining some key concepts of sequential art. She’ll share her experiences breaking into the business, and encourage discussion on fiction and non-fiction in graphic novels.

8. Christopher Moore
Writing for Kids Who Love History

“I’m lucky,” Chris says. “I don’t write for kids who don’t love history. Fortunately there are lots who do.” This workshop is about rewarding and challenging readers already sold on historical nonfiction.

Group C: 1:25 – 2:45 p.m Choose one of 9, 10, 11, 12

9. Carolyn Beck
Playing With Words: Confessions of a Picture Book Junkie

Let’s dive into the rumbly, tumbly, joyfully jumbly world of picture book texts. We’ll explore the topic in general, then focus on poetry, sound and rhythm, rhyme and meaning, do a couple of short exercises and gurgle with merriment.

10. Allan Stratton
Writing Characters From The Inside Out

Allan will lead you through visualization and roleplay exercises that will help you with your most difficult characters. You’ll learn how to build characters from their point-of-view—the inside-out approach. Bring your writing questions and he will offer solutions.

11. Clayton Hanmer (CTON)
Using Comics to Communicate with Kids

Clayton uses comics as a tool to get the point across to anyone and everyone, from children to pharmaceutical marketing agency reps. Find out how and why comics are the perfect visual aide for any application or age group.

12. Sheila Barry and Patricia Ocampo
Are You There, Publishers? It’s Me, Author

Publisher/Editor Sheila Barry and agent Patricia Ocampo give tips on how to stand out from the slush-pile crowd—from brainstorming unique ideas to pitching perfectly. They’ll outline what to expect once you’ve signed the contract.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER: 3:00 p.m.

Richard Scrimger
What Are You Doing Here?

For complete speakers' bios, click here.

A Bargain You Shouldn’t Miss

Keep growing as a writer or illustrator. Expand on what you learn from our exciting lineup of workshops.

How? By joining CANSCAIP as a Friend.

As a Friend you receive our quarterly newsletter, The CANSCAIP News, featuring profiles of our professional members explaining how they practice their craft, up-to-date marketing information and cross-country news about what’s happening in the children's literature community.

Also—On our website, you have access by password to a Members/Friends-only section that includes useful and informative articles plus a Critique Exchange.

As a first-time Friend, join at the one-time bargain fee of $35 (ordinarily $45) when you send your application with your registration form.

November Monthly Meeting (Wednesday, November 14, 2012)

Thu, 15 Nov 2012 00:30:00 GMT

Meredith Tutching, Program Co-ordinator for the
Ontario Library Association speaks with colleague Helen Kubiw.

December Monthly Meeting (Wednesday, December 12, 2012)

Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:30:00 GMT

Program details to come.