Karen Krossing » Presentation News

WordPlay Games and Ideas

Karen — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 22:50:24 +0000

I’ve posted a new section on my website of writing activities based on my WordPlayer writing program. I first developed the program as a lunch-time drop-in writing club at Presteign Heights Public School in Toronto during 2005 to 2006. Since then, I’ve conducted WordPlayer workshops throughout Ontario and Quebec with kids, teens, and adults, further developing the program. Click here to explore new ways to start writing, how to share your writing, and how to revise.

Book Talk at Barbara Frum Library

Karen — Fri, 07 May 2010 10:40:25 +0000

On May 5, I did a book talk for 98 grade eight students at the Barbara Frum Library in Toronto. The students were attentive and responsive, and they were particularly involved with an oral writing exercise. Youth Services Specialist Claire Argyropoulos had this to say about the presentation: “Karen really inspired the students, and it was a pleasure having her here. She did a great job, and I would highly recommend her.” Thanks to Claire and the Toronto Public Library for arranging the event.

Writing in the Reading Room

Karen — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:31:12 +0000

On March 2, I conducted writing workshops at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. The Reading Room there is a vibrant place with volunteers and staff dedicated to putting books into the hands of children and teens. The teens I wrote with were enthusiastic writers and positive critics of each others’ work. Librarian Patrick Gracey had this to say about the workshops: “Karen’s writing program was well received, and both teachers also gave me positive feedback. She really got the kids writing well. I was amazed to see the quiet fury and the amount of writing they got done in a comparatively short time. They also really liked the exercises.” Thanks to Patrick and the Toronto Public Library for arranging the event.

Upcoming Appearances

Karen — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:22:12 +0000

I’m looking forward to conducting a writing workshop at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto on March 2. It’s exclusively for patients of the hospital, but if you’re looking for an event that is open to the public, please join me for a reading at the Barbara Frum Branch of the Toronto Public Library at 1 p.m. on May 5.

Ask the Pros

Karen — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:04:26 +0000

If you’re an aspiring author, you may want to check out this conference on November 7, 2009. Packaging Your Imagination, organized by CANSCAIP, offers a day of inspirational workshops with professional authors, illustrators and performers. This year, I’ll be there as a moderator for an “Ask the Pros” panel, where experts Marie Campbell (agent, editor), Peter Carver (editor, writing teacher) and Sharon Jennings (author, writing teacher) will answer FAQs on writing and publishing.

WordPlayer Summer Camp

Karen — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 17:50:31 +0000

I just finished a week of WordPlayer writing workshops at Pegasus Studios summer arts camp. It was my third year teaching 9 to 13 year-olds at the camp. This year, I used an otherworldly theme, and we wrote stories based on the photography of Gregory Crewdson, created our own fantastic characters (everything from our version of vampires to animals with a human spirit residing within), and wrote using masks to springboard into our characters. I’m always amazed at the wonderful spontaneous writing that these creative kids can produce. One teen greeted me with the news that a story she started in last year’s camp is now 30 chapters long (about 30,000 words)! I felt privileged to read her story, which is well-written and engaging. Thanks to all for sharing your writing with me.

Online Author Interview

Karen — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:08:36 +0000

Check out this new online interview of me at Cheryl Rainfield’s informative site. Cheryl is a avid reader, reviewer and author of fiction for teens. Her first novel Dragon Speaker: The Last Dragon will be published by HIP Books in September 2009.

Visit to Vaughan Secondary School

Karen — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 17:10:39 +0000

Last week, I visited a grade 12 English class at Vaughan Secondary School in Thornhill, near where I grew up and went to high school. Every school visit is unique, but what makes this one stand out for me is the interesting activities the class had done with my novel Take the Stairs. It’s the second time this year that a high school teacher has contacted me with innovative teaching ideas for this book. I’m thrilled to observe how people use the book, and how they react to it. I hope to post these activities on my website soon, including ideas about exploring the etymology of characters’ names, linking song lyrics to stories in the book, and illustrating the setting. (Below you can see the Vaughan students’ illustrations of The Building from Take the Stairs.) In the meantime, thanks to Diane Tursman and her students for sharing their insights.

Young Voices 2009 Workshop

Karen — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 10:00:59 +0000

Writers between the ages of 12 and 19 are invited to join me for a free writing workshop at the Toronto Public Library Brookbanks Branch (210 Brookbanks Drive) on January 31, 2009, from 1 to 3 pm. Come play with words, find inspiration for new stories, and polish your prose for submission to the 2009 Young Voices magazine, the library’s magazine for teen writing and art. The contest closes April 4, 2009, with contributors notified in June and the annual magazine released next October.

Young Voices 2008 Launch

Karen — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:08:11 +0000

On October 16 at 7 pm, I’ll join the staff of the Toronto Public Library to celebrate the launch of Young Voices 2008, the library’s annual magazine for teen writing and art. As a guest editor of the magazine, I’m looking forward to congratulating the wonderful teen artists and writers whose work will appear in the magazine. Watch for the magazine to appear at your local TPL branch, or join us for the launch at the North York Central Library (5120 Yonge St.).