Writing Classes: Behind the Scenes
Just in time for your New Year's Resolutions--a panel discussion on writing courses, featuring well-known writing teachers Anne Laurel Carter, Peter Carver, Sharon Jennings and Cathy Rondina. Our panelists will discuss their teaching experiences and what goes into creating a good writing course, as well as how teaching writing has influenced their own work. Seasoned creators will learn more about teaching their craft, and newer CANSCAIPers will get advice on choosing the right course for them.
Speakers: Peter Carver, Anne Laurel Carter, Cathy Rondina, Sharon Jennings Moderator: Jennifer Maruno
Peter Carver has worked in the Canadian publishing industry for 37 years, and currently is editor of children’s and young adult
literature for Red Deer Press, a position he has held since 1996. For 25 years he was a teacher of Writing for Children courses at George Brown College, and has given many other writers’ workshops, from St. John’s to Nanaimo. In 2007, Peter was honoured with the Claude Aubry Award for his distinguished contribution to children’s literature in Canada. He is a three-time winner of the Vicky Metcalf editor’s award, and the Lois Hole Award for editing.
Anne Laurel Carter was born and raised in Don Mills Ontario. She has lived in Israel and California, and has taught in Cree communities in northern Quebec. She has a Master’s Degree in Education, and has written children’s books for all ages, from
picture books to YA. Her YA novel The Shepherd’s Granddaughter won numerous awards including the 2009 CLA Book of the Year Award for children and was an honor book for the Jane Addams Book Award for Peace. Last Chance Bay was the 2005 CLA Book of the Year for Children. Anne has been an ESL teacher and a librarian in Toronto schools, and, in her own words, has “taught creative writing in Ramallah and all across Canada, from Riverport Nova Scotia to the Haida Gawii. There’s nothing like hearing a good story in a beautiful new setting.”
Sharon Jennings has been writing since she was five. She has written about 30 books of her own (not counting the ones from when she was in elementary school), as well as taking over the much-loved Franklin the Turtle series from Paulette Bourgeois. She
has worked in editing and publishing, holds a Master’s Degree in English, and studied Speech Arts (drama) at the Royal Conservatory of Music, which she says comes in handy for doing public readings. Sharon teaches creative writing through Ryerson, and is a very popular guest speaker. She is also a Past President of CANSCAIP.
Cathy Rondina loves to find out how things work, which could explain how she came to be a Library Technician and a non-fiction writer. She has written over 2,000 columns and articles for periodicals
such as Canadian Living, The Toronto Star, The Toronto Sun, Cottage Life, City Parent, Good Times, Now Magazine, and published 10 books, translated into 5 languages, at last count. Her books have won awards including the Silver Birch award, the Hackmatack award, the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, Best Books for Kids and Teens selection and the Teacher’s Choice Award in the United States. In addition to her work at the Toronto Public Library, she keeps up a busy school visit schedule and teaches the Creating Non-Fiction for Children course at George Brown College. Cathy is current (and past) Vice President of CANSCAIP, as well as heading up the Programming Committee. Her website also says that in her spare time, she likes to shovel snow. This must be a good winter for her!
WE HAVE MOVED! ATTEND MEETINGS AT:
Centre for Social Innovation, Annex.
720 Bathurst St. (just south of Bloor on Bathurst)
Second Wednesday of the month at 7:00 pm.
Meetings are held in the
ING Presentation Room, Ground Floor of 720 Bathurst St.
Parking: There are two
Green P's within walking distance. Street parking is also available, both paid and one-hour free zones.
Transit: CSI Annex is one block south of the Bathurst subway stop on the Bloor line.
