Catherine Austen
Creative Writing
About Me
I’m an author of books for children and teens, short stories for adults, and reports for corporate clients. I’ve taught creative writing to aspiring authors of all ages, and I’m an occasional editor and mentor. I’m also an avid reader, an animal-lover, a quilter, a flat-water…
My Books
I’ve written two literary novels for children and young adults, Walking Backward and All Good Children, two middle-grade comedies, 26 Tips for Surviving Grade 6 and 28 Tricks for a Fearless Grade 6, and one unfortunately titled picture-book, My Cat Isis. I have a…
Workshops
Update: I won’t be doing any in-person school or library visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. But you can listen to my creative writing podcast, Cabin Tales: Spooky Stories for Young Writers, and it’s almost as good. With original stories, creative writing excerpts and exercises,…
Just Get it Over With (Episode 7: Endings)
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-qcniz-f369ca A “telling tales” format with guest authors Marty Chan, Jeff Szpirglas, and Frieda Wishinsky. Featuring an original story with an ambiguous ending; a famous twist from Ambrose Bierce; gorgeous last lines and satisfying summations; and a story prompt about a deus ex machina….
Author Interviews about Beginnings (Episode 6.5)
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-pbz8g-f2cc13 A “talking tales” episode — all interviews – about how to begin a story. With guest authors Frieda Wishinsky; Sarah Raughley; Don Cummer; David McArthur; and Wendy McLeod MacKnight, speaking about their favourite first lines, their advice to young writers on how to…
Begin in the Darkness (Episode 6)
https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-jxnge-f21d70 An episode about how to begin a story, with guest authors Karen Bass, Kate Inglis, and Chris Jones. Featuring an original story, great first lines from classic fiction, and suggested writing exercises. PG. A full transcript is available at CabinTales.ca. Show Notes [0:00]…
