CANSCAIP Members

Shirlee Smith Matheson

Author

1627 Bowness Road NW
Calgary, AB
T2N 3K1
Phone: (403) 283-0843
Email: shirlee@telusplanet.net
Web: www.ssmatheson.ca

Born: October 16. Winnipeg, Manitoba
Husband William; 2 married daughters, 5 grandchildren

Biography

Shirlee Smith Matheson is the author of 13 published books, as well as award-winning short stories and articles. Her publications include middle-reader and young-adult fiction. Prairie Pictures, City Pictures and Fastback Beach are set in Alberta, and Flying Ghosts, The Gambler's Daughter and Keeper of the Mountains take place in BC. Her latest novel, Fastback Beach is a fast-action story about hot cars.

Shirlee’s seven adult nonfiction books chronicle events that take place in Canada’s North, and include many aviation adventures. Her latest book released in the fall of 2005, is titled Lost: True Stories of Canadian Aviation Tragedies. A new book of aviation stories will be published in 2006, titled Strange Flights and Flyers.

Shirlee is an administrator for the Aero Space Museum of Calgary. She has taught writing courses and workshops for both young people and adults, has won a number of writing awards, and travels widely to do research, and give readings from her books.

Published Works

Non-fiction (suitable for junior-senior high students & adults)

Danger is Sweet – the Aerial Adventures of World War I Ace, Captain Freddie McCall, Altitude Publishing "Amazing Stories" series, 2007;
Strange Flights and Flyers, Altitude Publishing "Amazing Stories" series, 2007.
Lost - True Stories of Canadian Aviation Tragedies, Fifth House/Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2005 (ISBN 1-8948561-18-X);
Flying the Frontiers Vol. III, "Aviation Adventures Around the World", Detselig/Temeron Books, 1999, (ISBN 1-55059-176-2);
Flying the Frontiers Vol. II, "More Hours of Aviation Adventures", Detselig/Temeron Books, 1996, 2nd printing 1998 (ISBN 1-55059-131-2);
Flying the Frontiers Vol. I, "Aviation Adventures Around the World", Detselig/Temeron Books, 1999, (ISBN 1-55059-176-2);
This Was Our Valley, (co-authored with Earl K. Pollon), Detselig/Temeron Books, 1989; 2nd printing 1991; 2nd edition 2003 (ISBN 1-55059-244-0);
Youngblood of the Peace, (originally Lone Pine, 1987), 2nd edition Detselig/Temeron Books 1991 (ISBN 1-55059-033-2)
A Western Welcome to the World, The History of Calgary International Airport, Cherbo Publishers, USA, 1996 (sold out – no longer in print)

Juvenile: Young Adult:

Fastback Beach, Orca "Soundings", 2003 (ISBN 1-55143-267-6);3rd printing 2006; also available in hardcover;
Keeper of the Mountains, Thistledown Press, 2000 (ISBN 1-894345-13-4);
The Gambler's Daughter,sequel to Flying Ghosts – (originally Beach Holme, now Dundurn), 1997 (ISBN 0-88878-380-9); teacher’s guide available;
Flying Ghosts, (originally Stoddart, now Fitzhenry/Whiteside), 1993 (ISBN 0-7736-7400-4); 2nd printing 2005;
City Pictures, sequel to Prairie Pictures -- McClelland & Stewart, 1994 (ISBN 0-7710-5860-8); also published in Sweden (currently out of print – available only from author).
Prairie Pictures, McClelland & Stewart, 1989 (ISBN 0-7710-5857-8); 2nd printing 1994 (currently out of print – available only from author);

Short stories published in anthologies, e.g., Alberta Bound (1986), Alberta Rebound (1990), NeWest Press; Treeline I (1981) and II (1983), Northern Lights College, BC; Writers of the Okanagan Mainline (1985) Kelowna BC; Canadian Children’s Annual (1988), Grolier; Choices (1994) Canadian Christian Education Foundation, and others.

Short stories & articles published in numerous periodicals and on-line (e.g., www.celebrateteachers.com, August 8-14, 2005 entry; see author’s website (www.ssmatheson.ca) under short stories for other examples.

Awards

Canadian Children’s Book Centre “Choice” for all young adult novels;
Manitoba Young Readers’ Selection – twice nominated;
Alberta Culture winner in non-fiction category, and BC Book prize finalist (Roderick-Haig Brown Award) for This Was Our Valley 1991.

Personal Awards

Athabasca University Distinguished Alumni 2001-2
Northern Lights College, BC, Honorary Associate of Arts, 2001
Emerald Award for Environmental Excellence (Arts), 2001.
99s Organization of Women Pilots literary award, 1999
Others

Other Memberships

Writers Union of Canada
Writers Guild of Alberta
Young Alberta Book Society
Canadian Children's Book Centre
Women in Aviation International (Rocky Mountain High Chapter)
Aero Space Museum Association of Calgary
Nanton Museum & Historical Society
Royal Canadian Legion, #264 Kensington Branch

Available For

Presentations

Readings (45-60 minutes) include oral interaction with students re: creating characters, plotting a storyline and nailing the setting. Lots of fun, with short readings and stories, adjusted to ages and interest areas/levels of audiences. I can do two in a half-day, or four in a full day. Two readings can be combined with a workshop to make a full day. See fee structure below.

Writing workshops (90-120 minutes), e.g., “Creating Peculiar People, Places and Plots”, combine examples and exercises with lively discussions. Details will be provided upon request (email or phone the author). Maximum 25 students for best results. Past venues/presentations: Calgary Young Writers Conference, Foothills Young Writers Conference (Okotoks), Red Deer Young Writers Conference (Oriole Park School); Campus Calgary (Aero Space Museum, Calgary).

Artist Type: Author
Full Day Rate: $500.00 (plus travel/accommodation if out of Calgary)
Half Day Rate: $250.00 (plus travel/accommodation if out of Calgary)
Maximum presentations per day: four readings, two workshops, or combo to equal four hours.
Maximum audience size: 100 for readings; 25 for workshops


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