Writing for Children and Young Adults - Classes at Mount Royal University January/February

Writing for Children and Young Adults. New evening classes at Mount Royal University in Calgary from January 16 to February 20, 7 pm to 9 pm. 

Explore the process of writing books for children and young adults aged 8 to 12. Focus on structure, character development and research, and their importance in your stories. Examine how to turn a creative story idea into a marketable, finished manuscript.

Register is available after November 13 here at the Mount Royal University website.

Writing and Publishing Your Children's Novel, University of Calgary, Saturday February 9

Writing and Publishing Your Children's Novel - Saturday, February 9

This workshop deals with getting started as a writer for young readers and the subsequent path to publication. You will examine the writing process from initial concept through to the finished manuscript, including how to turn ideas into stories, story structure, developing characters, the creation of outlines and the importance of editing and revision. You will also examine ways to research publishing houses where you can submit your work, cover letters, synopses and sample chapters.

Learn more about the Writing and Publishing Your Children's Novel workshop and how to register here

Writers Weekend 2013 at Calgary Public Library - Saturday, February 2

Join me at the Writers Weekend 2013 at the downtown Calgary Public Library on Saturday, February 2. 

The event takes place on the second floor in the John Dutton Theatre and features a variety of presentations by local writers and editors, all designed to inspire you in your own writing. 

At 2 pm, I'll be taking about writing and publishing your children's novel. Learn how to turn ideas into stories, get started as a writer and get on the path to publication. You can register here for Writers' Weekend 2013: Writing and Publishing your Children's and YA Novel.

Pipe Dreams - The Art of the Hookah at Dark Roasted Blend

Check out the latest article at Dark Roasted Blend, entitled Pipe Dreams - The Art of the Hookah.

A hookah, or water pipe, is typically made of glass. The hookah originated in India and Iran in the sixteenth century and soon spread into Pakistan and the Middle East. Today, hookahs are created in a wide variety of designs, some of which are showcased at Dark Roasted Blend. The hookah has become popular in many parts of the world and hookahs can be found in North and South America, Europe, Australia and parts of Africa.

Dark Roasted Blend is among the finest locations online to find the weird, the wonderful and the fantastic, crammed with great articles, stunning photography, plus fabulous new content appears daily.

Coaching Program for Writers

My coaching program is designed to help you progress as a writer. You decide what you want to work on during a personalized, one on one relationship. For example, I can be your coach for just one month or we can establish a month-to-month arrangement, depending on your schedule and expectations. 

Just a few examples of topics we can cover during the coaching period are point of view, creating characters, developing dialogue, story structure, editing and revision, marketing and promotion and submissions to publishers. However, I am very flexible and happy to discuss your own unique requirements and areas where you feel that you may need the most help. 

In addition to coaching, on my website you can learn more about my other services for writers, such as online workshops for adults, manuscript evaluation and online workshops for children and young adults.

Writing for Children and Young Adults - Classes at Mount Royal University January/February

Writing for Children and Young Adults. New evening classes at Mount Royal University in Calgary from January 16 to February 20, 7 pm to 9 pm. 

Explore the process of writing books for children and young adults aged 8 to 12. Focus on structure, character development and research, and their importance in your stories. Examine how to turn a creative story idea into a marketable, finished manuscript.

Register is available here at the Mount Royal University website.

Giant Robots at Dark Roasted Blend

Check out the latest article at Dark Roasted Blend entitled Giant Robots. 

While Transformers may remain in the realm of science fiction, there’s no shortage of giant robots in the world. Here’s a look at a few from all around the globe. 

Dark Roasted Blend is among the finest locations online to find the weird, the wonderful and the fantastic, crammed with great articles, stunning photography, plus fabulous new content appears daily.

Business Writing for Manuals, Plans and Reports

I have extensive experience in many different types of writing and offer a variety of services for large and small businesses, government, corporations and associations. 

Articles for Businesses or Associations	Business/Grant Proposals
Business Plans	Reports
Company Handbooks	Rules and Regulations
Company Histories	Scripts
Educational Materials	Speeches
Manuals	Technical Writing
Marketing Plans	Training Materials

I offer both hourly rates and flat fees for this kind of business writing, based on the requirements of the project. Please contact me directly for rates and fees for any of the above projects.

Writing Classes in North Calgary - January and February

The Future is Now - Classes with Northern Hills Community Association at Cardel Place - January 5, 12, 19, 26, February 2, 10.00 am to 11.30 am 

These classes examine how the pace of technological change has rapidly accelerated in recent years, how research could benefit mankind and explore what kind of scientific breakthroughs may occur in the coming decades. Participants will imagine future developments that could transform our way of life, before designing a magazine or newspaper advertisement, plus the scripts for a TV and radio commercial, for their products. They will also imagine themselves living in this incredible environment and create a journal describing a typical day in the future. 

Classes run on January 5, 12, 19, 26, February 2, from 10.00 am to 11.30 am and are held at Cardel Place, 11950 Country Village Link NE, Calgary AB.

Call 403 226 6422 for further details. Costs are $50 for Northern Hills Community Association members and $75 for non members. Payment is due at the time of registration.

Writing and Publishing Your Children's Novel, University of Calgary, Saturday February 9

Writing and Publishing Your Children's Novel - Saturday, February 9

This workshop deals with getting started as a writer for young readers and the subsequent path to publication. You will examine the writing process from initial concept through to the finished manuscript, including how to turn ideas into stories, story structure, developing characters, the creation of outlines and the importance of editing and revision. You will also examine ways to research publishing houses where you can submit your work, cover letters, synopses and sample chapters.

Learn more about the Writing and Publishing Your Children's Novel workshop and how to register here

Business Writing Services

The way in which you communicate with your customers is a vital component  of your business and well written content can be the difference between success and failure.

I have extensive experience in composing content for a wide range of industries and market segments and offer a variety of writing services.

• Brochures 
• Direct Mail
• Sales Letters
• Newsletters
• Press Releases
• Newspaper and Magazine Advertising 

I offer both hourly rates and flat fees for business writing, based on the requirements of the project. Please contact me for details.

Online Workshops for Children and Young Adults

With my Online Workshops for Children and Young Adults, through a series of e mail assignments, details of which are available here, we explore where ideas come from and how to turn them into stories, basic story structure, plot development, creating characters, developing dialogue and more to help develop writing ability. A set of workshops can be started at any time. Following registration, all assignments are sent by e mail and are completed at your own pace, to be sent to me by return e mail. There is no time limit and participants may take as long as they wish to complete their full set of workshops.

Check out Online Workshops for Children and Young Adults today.

What's it all about? - The background to The Emerald Curse

The Emerald Curse - "Page turning tension with a resourceful and intrepid hero ... and sure to please any child who likes fantasy, science fiction and comics."

'Charles Kelly was the world's greatest comic book artist, until he disappeared without a trace. Two years later, his grandson Sam discovers a mysterious pen in Kelly's attic studio. Sam is soon propelled into a bizarre dimension, where super villains are all powerful and disturbingly real, and finds himself in a deadly confrontation with an evil entity, imprisoned inside a mystical gemstone since the dawn of time.'

On my website, you can learn more about the superhero comics that served as an inspiration for The Emerald Curse at Comics and Superheroes page. The Emerald Curse is available at most online bookstores which you can link to here. Autographed copies are also always available directly from the author.  

Writing Services for Website Content

The Importance of First Impressions

A good first impression is still very important and your website is often the first place people will encounter your company and it’s products and services.

Your on line copy reflects your professionalism or lack of it. You need to take pride in what you have on the web. If it appears you don’t really care what your site looks like, the customer will assume your products may be similarly slipshod. 

I offer both hourly rates and flat fees for website content writing, based on the requirements of the project. Please contact me directly for rates and fees for copywriting for website content.

Copywriting Services

The way in which you communicate with your customers is a vital component  of your business and well written content can be the difference between success and failure. 

I have extensive experience in writing for a wide range of industries and market segments and offer a variety of copywriting services including website content, blogs and newsletters, social media including Facebook and Twitter, brochures, direct mail, sales letters, press releases, newspaper and magazine advertising and more. 

Contact me for details regarding copywriting services and my portfolio of completed projects.