author talks, What's New, writing, writing workshops

Online Character Workshop

Join me online on Saturday, January 14th at 1pm EST for a one-hour workshop on characterization: Nice is Not Enough, part of the SCBWI (Canada East) "Digging Deeper" workshop series. Here's the blurb: Nice is Not Enough: Developing Likeable and Unlikeable Characters: What makes us root for a character? How flawed can a protagonist be?… Continue reading Online Character Workshop

book reviews, books, What's New, writing

Discover the Best Books on Shepherd.com

I’m pleased to join the many authors making book recommendations on the new book discovery site, Shepherd.com [2026 Update: the site is now BookDNA.com -- the old links will shepherd you to the new site]. Check it out to discover the books your favourite authors recommend. You can find thousands of recommendations for books connected… Continue reading Discover the Best Books on Shepherd.com

books, picture books, What's New, writing

Launching Squirrels

November 17 Update: Thanks to everyone who attended the virtual launch of When the Squirrels Stole my Sister. I loved seeing all your faces and having your company to celebrate the book. (And I think we all drew some fabulous squirrels, thanks to Sean!) Please check out the book page: When the Squirrels Stole my… Continue reading Launching Squirrels

book covers, books, picture books, squirrels

My Latest Picture Book

It has been a long time coming! My new picture book, When the Squirrels Stole my Sister, illustrated by Sean Cassidy, will be published by Fitzhenry and Whiteside this fall. Just in time to stock up on nuts. Love squirrels? Check out all the info and activities below and on my Squirrel book page. There's… Continue reading My Latest Picture Book

author talks, public speaking, school visits

national public readings

April 2021 Update: The readings listed below have passed, but I have one more National Public Reading coming up on June 9th, hosted by the Muskoka Authors Association, about writing for children and adults. Many thanks to the Canada Council for the Arts and the Writers Union of Canada for the NPR Program. While I'm… Continue reading national public readings