by Karen Krossing | Oct 15, 2009 | Mentoring
The 2009 Young Voices Magazine is here!
This is my fourth year as an editor of this magazine of teen writing and art, published by the Toronto Public Library, and I’ve loved every minute of it. It excites me to think that the influential authors and illustrators of tomorrow may be first published within the pages of this magazine. Even more exciting is simply enjoying what teens are thinking, feeling and creating.
You can pick up your copy of the magazine at any branch of the Toronto Public Library. Check out next year’s submission guidelines at RAMP for Youth.
by Karen Krossing | Sep 17, 2009 | Book News
My novel-in-progress received a second writing grant, this time from the Toronto Arts Council. The novel is tentatively called The Yo-Yo Prophet. It’s about fifteen-year-old Calvin Layne, who becomes an overnight sensation as a yoyoing street performer. With almost three-quarters of the book written, it’s great to have the support and encouragement to finish it! I think I can … I think I can …
by Karen Krossing | Aug 28, 2009 | Book News
I’m thrilled to announce that Cleavage, an anthology about teens and body image that includes my story “Profanity,” now has a book trailer. Thanks to Air Productions for putting it together and Jamye Dawicki for the awesome music.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJnw0hVYy7s&feature=player_embedded
by Karen Krossing | Jul 26, 2009 | Presentation News
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.
by Karen Krossing | Jul 13, 2009 | Book News
Cleavage was named a Best Book for Teens by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Canadian children’s books. Here’s what they had to say about the book: “An edgy new collection of 15 stories about girls who challenge convention and those who wish they could. Hilarious, comforting and intense, these stories make us think more about taking pride in wearing our bodies just the way they are.”
