Enjoy a Welcome Address for all registrants from author Aubrey Davis. Attend three workshops chosen from your interests, and network over lunch. Re-join all registrants for an inspirational Keynote Address to wrap up the day from author Linda Bailey.

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

Lunch: A lunch of salad and sandwiches is included with registration. We regret that no dietary requests can be accommodated.

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

Optional Pitch Perfect: ONLY 1 SPOT LEFT IN Illustration Critique! Manuscript sessions SOLD OUT. Our optional Pitch Perfect manuscript/portfolio critiquing sessions are back by popular demand. 

Optional PYI Illustration Exhibition: 

SUBMISSION DEADLINE OCTOBER 18. Submit your illustrations for a juried CANSCAIP PYI exhibition at Humber's L Space Gallery. 

Refund Policy: Cancellation fee is $45.00 before October 18. No refund after October 18.

Registration is now closed.

PYI Schedule at a Glance: Schedule for Saturday, November 16

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How do I get there? To view Humber's site page that details all the ways you can get there, including all TTC options and driving and parking lot details, click here.

For more information, please email office@canscaip.org or call (416) 515-1559. Please note: Unless you hear from CANSCAIP post-registration, please consider your first choice of workshops secured.

REGISTRATION   8:15 a.m.

WELCOME ADDRESS   9 a.m.

Aubrey Davis  The Basket Weaver: Containers and Contents

WORKSHOPS   9:30 a.m. – 2:45 p.m.

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

1. Evan Munday
Let's Get It Started: Overcome Your Publishing Humps

Beginner Session for All Interests

Looking to break into children's publishing in Canada? We've got some handy tips and dandy ideas to make your manuscript stand out in the slush pile. Kick in the door of children's book publishing (okay, maybe not so violent) with the help of someone who's worked on both sides of the publisher/author fence.

2. Jennifer Maruno
Turning Real Facts into Real Fiction

Historical fiction is just an imaginative re-creation of the past...or is it? Shouldn't the author involve the reader in a bygone era with more than just real facts? What are the creative keys that turn back time as the story moves forward? Jennifer will help you discover them.

3. Kady MacDonald Denton
The Lightbulb Syndrome

Master Class for Illustrators

A Governor General Award winning illustrator will guide you through some exercises and suggestions to help illuminate common problems and capture the ah-ha moments of picture book illustration.

4. Lizann Flatt
Nonsense and Non-Fiction: The Intersection of Fact, Fun and Fascination

Think you can't write non-fiction? Nonsense! Think non-fiction won't allow you to use your creative talents? Nonsense! In this workshop we'll explore today's no-nonsense non-fiction market and learn how to give your ideas or manuscripts that mix of fact and fun (or fascination) to appeal to today's trade publishers.

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

5. Aubrey Davis
Pigs Wallow, People Write: Picture Books

Aubrey Davis uses oral storytelling to write picture books. After all, humans are storytelling creatures. But what else are we? Combining traditional tales with modern research and exercises, Aubrey identifies accessible yet underused human faculties to help us write our stories.

6. Barbara Greenwood
ReVisioning: That All Important Second Look

Master Class for Writers

You've finally written the last word of a short story or novel. What now? Smart writers know how to look at their manuscripts with an editor's eye. This workshop will take you through the steps needed to put a professional polish on that rough first draft.

7. Ty Templeton
The Language of Comics

Comics are only the visual art form meant to be read and, as such, have a language and syntax all their own. Through composition, body language and flow of imagery, this workshop will teach you everything you need to know to speak this complex visual language.

8. Sylvia McNicoll
Teen Talk: Voicing Your YA Novel

Sylvia McNicoll speaks teen in ten countries with over 30 books. Join her to explore the effects of different viewpoints and tenses. Try on some voices to find one that suits your story best. Take home tips to create authentic dialogue that reaches your audience yet passes the censors.

Session C  1:25 – 2:45  Choose one of 9, 10, 11, 12

9. Lorna Nicholson
The Super Series: Writing Middle Grade Fiction

Children love it when their favourite characters are Series Stars. For a writer, churning out a series can be rewarding but also challenging. Lorna has written her fair share of series, including middle grade fiction. Come learn some of the tricks she uses to write her Super Series.

10. R. J. Anderson
Get (Un)Real: Writing Authentic Fantasy and Science Fiction

How do you write fantasy or SF that will stand out and grab readers' attention? What cliches or outdated ideas can drag your plot and characters down, and what can you do to help them soar? Rebecca shares her tips for success, with time and questions for discussion.

11. Karen Reczuch
Illustrating Facts Is Fun – Or Is That Fiction?

Does illustrating non-fiction rein you in? Veteran illustrator Karen argues that sticking to the facts may actually set your creativity loose! Using examples from her work in both fiction and non-fiction, Karen will discuss the challenges and pleasures of both genres, and perhaps help you discover which area best suits you.

12. INDUSTRY INSIDER'S PANEL with Hadley Dyer, editor, Yvette Ghione, editor, Monica Pacheco, agent, and Wendy Mason, bookseller (Moderated by Evan Munday)

Join us for a discussion to solve the mysteries behind:

• submission crimes and misdeameanors. How to deliver a standout manuscript.
• presenting the right evidence. Is your online profile innocent or guilty?
• forecasting from forensics. Analyzing future market trends.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER  3:00 p.m.

Linda Bailey
Going To Sea in a Sieve: The Writer's Journey

For complete speakers' bios, click here.

How do I get there? To view Humber's site page that details all the ways you can get there, including all TTC options and driving and parking lot details, click here.

A Deal You Shouldn’t Miss...

New to CANSCAIP? Want to find out what being CANSCAIP Friend is all about? Join the community and keep growing as a writer or illustrator. Expand on what you learn from our exciting lineup of workshops and grow your network of children's culture creators as well.

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.

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 special PYI fee of $35 (regularly $45) when you send your application with your registration form.

CANSCAIP PYI Partners

CANSCAIP acknowledges the generous support of the City of Toronto through the Toronto Arts Council and conference partner Humber College School of Creative and Performing Arts.