I had a great time at this year's MASC Young Authors and Illustrators Festival in Ottawa. The 3-day event was held at the Canadian Aviation Museum, where over 450 children aged 9-12 came from around the region -- some of them getting up at 5:00 a.m. to arrive in time! -- to enjoy a day… Continue reading MASC Festival 2019
I'm ready for the MASC Young Authors and Illustrators Festival taking place in Ottawa April 9-11. I'll be leading workshops with keen young writers coming to town from elementary schools across eastern Ontario and western Quebec. This annual event draws hosting authors and illustrators from across the country. This year's festival will feature authors Cary Fagan, Karen Krossing, David… Continue reading MASC Young Authors and Illustrators Festival 2019
I’ll be giving a writing workshop tomorrow at the Carlingwood Library to help kids aged 9-12 prepare their stories for the Ottawa Public Library’s Awesome Authors Contest. We’ll do two story-building exercises: one on Character, and one on Setting. For those who can’t be there, here is my Setting handout, with a short version of… Continue reading Young Writers Workshop: Setting Exercise
It's time for all the young writers in Ottawa to get their awesome on! The Ottawa Public Library wants you to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) and write a poem, short story, or comic (or all three!) to enter into the OPL's 2019 Awesome Authors youth writing contest. The contest is open to Ottawa… Continue reading Awesome Authors 2019 – Submission Call
If you are a young writer of fiction or poetry, here are some excellent places to submit your work The updated lists are divided into teen markets and children's markets (with a bit of overlap). Online and Print Magazines for Teen Writers: The Blue Marble publishes poetry, prose and art from writers aged 13-20. Submission… Continue reading Young Writers’ Markets
Catherine Austen 