CANSCAIP Members

Karen Krossing

Author

Toronto, ON
Phone: (416) 750-3030
Email: krossing@ca.inter.net
Web: www.karenkrossing.com

Born: November 28, 1965. Richmond Hill, ON
Partnered with Kevin Krossing. Two daughters.

Biography

Karen Krossing grew up in Thornhill, Ontario, with a family who loved to read. What could she do but read too? Karen began to create stories and comic books when she was eight, and she continued this habit by writing poetry in high school. By then she was hooked on books, so she studied English at university then became a book editor and a technical writer. After Karen had kids, she began writing fiction for children and teens. Karen believes that writers' groups and workshops are an excellent way to nurture creative growth and innovation. She regularly conducts writing workshops for adults and children. Karen lives in Toronto with her husband and two daughters.

Published Works

Novels

Pure, Second Story Press, 2005
Take the Stairs, Second Story Press, 2003
The Castle Key, Napoleon Publishing, 2000

Short Stories

"Profanity" Cleavage: Breakaway Fiction for Real Girls, Deb Loughead and Jocelyn Shipley (eds.), Sumach Press, 2008
"Dragon's Breath,"Opening Tricks", Peter Carver (ed.), Thistledown Press, 1998

Performances

Workshop Leader, Toronto Public Library Young Voices Magazine
Workshop Leader, Centennial College
Workshop Leader, Pegasus Studios
Writer-in-Residence, Presteign Heights PS
Presenter, TD Canadian Children's Book Week
Presenter, Canadian Children's Book Camp

Awards

Cleavage, selected as a Best Book for Teens by the Canadian Children's Book Centre
Cleavage, selected by Resource Links as Best of the Year 2008
Pure, selected by Resource Links as Best of the Year 2006
Take the Stairs, nominated for the Ontario Library Association White Pine Award 2005
The Castle Key, selected by Resource Links as Best of the Year 2000
Dragon's Breath, a finalist in Thistledown's third national competition for young adult short stories

Other Memberships

The Canadian Children's Book Centre
The Writers' Union of Canada

Available For

Book Talks

The purpose of Karen's book talks is to promote literacy. Her talks usually include how she evolved as a writer, the writing life, an introduction to the work, a short reading, a discussion of issues raised by the reading, an oral storywriting exercise involving the audience, and questions and answers. The audience should be a maximum of three classes, with not more than 100 students. This session is suitable for grades 6 through 12.

Writing Workshops

Customized writing workshops are available for all ages - children, teens, and adults. The maximum audience size is 30 participants. Workshop themes can include:
- word play: using intuitive writing to generate story ideas and learn writing techniques;
- how to bring new life to a work in progress;
- developing character, plot, and setting;
- how to create stories from real-life experiences;
- how to create a believable fantasy or science-fiction world.


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