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Photo of Valerie Coulman

Valerie Coulman

Author

Medford, Oregon
Email: coulman-web@charter.net

Born: 1969. Melfort, SK, Canada
Married to Randy, three children and a fish named Tails

Biography

Valerie Coulman won her first writing award at age 11 but did not consider a career in writing until many years later. "The beauty of writing is that I can be working on a story wherever, whenever although as the mother of young children, actually getting it on paper can be challenging."

"Wherever, whenever" proved itself true when a bedtime story told to her son became her first published picture book, the award-winning When Pigs Fly (Lobster Press, 2001). Its sequel, Sink or Swim, was released in November 2003.

Before writing, Valerie Coulman earned two bachelors degrees (Linguistics and Theology) and a CERTESL certificate. Her other job choices have included bridal consultant, seamstress, small business owner, retail fabric sales, homemaker and mother. Valerie Coulman is a member of several writing organizations and also volunteers regularly, working mostly with mothers and children, who both challenge and inspire her.

Born and raised on the Canadian prairies, Valerie Coulman now writes from her home in southern Oregon...or wherever.

Published Works

Books

When Pigs Fly, Lobster Press, 2001. In French: Rafi et les Cochons Volants, Les Editions Homard Ltée, 2001. Also translated to Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese and Spanish (Latin America).
Sink or Swim, Lobster Press, 2003. In French: Tu nages ou tu coules! Also translated into Taiwanese, Korean and Spanish (Latin America)
I Am A Ballerina, Lobster Press, 2004. In French, Je suis Ballerine.
Sink or Swim, Lobster Press, 2003
When Pigs Fly, Lobster Press, 2001. In French: Rafi et les Cochons Volants, Les Editions Homard Ltée, 2001 Also translated to Korean and Chinese.

Other

"Farmer Brown's Choir" CHIRP magazine, April 2006
"Ode to my Mother-in-law" In Chicken Soup for the Bride's Soul, HCI, 2004
Freelance for Joy Magazine, Homelife Magazine
Reviews of family material for Christian Week

Awards

When Pigs Fly, Platinum Award Recipient, Just for Mom Foundation 2005 Mom's Choice Awards
I Am A Ballerina, "Mom's Choice" Official Selection, Just for Mom Foundation (2005)
Nominated title Blue Spruce Reading Award, 2004, Sink or Swim
Nominated for the 2004 SYRCA (Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice) Willow Awards, Sink or Swim
Honorable Mention - 72nd Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition, children's category (2003) for Sometimes I Have a Porcupine Mom
Gold Medal Book of the Year (Foreword Magazine), 2001 for When Pigs Fly
Winner, Blue Spruce Reading Program, 2002, for When Pigs Fly
IBBY Canada Outstanding Canadian Picture Books 2000-2003 (national tour Spring 2004), for When Pigs Fly

Other Memberships

Canadian Children's Book Centre
SCBWI
OCW - Oregon Christian Writers
ICWF - InScribe Christian Writers Fellowship

Available For

School or library presentations, readings, conferences or seminars