by Karen Krossing | May 24, 2017 | Book News, Mentoring
It’s a wonderful day when an author gets an email that reads “My student loved your book!” Thanks to Bonnie, a Library Media Specialist in New Jersey, for letting me know that Punch Like a Girl has made a huge difference for one reluctant reader. Thanks also for posting the email as a Goodreads review. It’s a great reminder of why I write.
Dear Ms. Krossing,
I’m a high school librarian in New Jersey. I have a student who who is a reluctant reader and was unhappy that she had to pick a book for her sustained silent reading. I recommended Punch Like a Girl, which she renewed twice before starting. A few weeks later her teacher returned it and told me that the student loved the book so much she asked for more by the same author. This is a huge victory, and I thought you should know. We have only Punch Like a Girl in our collection, but I look forward to populating our reluctant reader collection with more of your books. Thank you – you deserve the credit for getting a reluctant reader to love a book!
Bonnie
Library Media Specialist in NJ
by Karen Krossing | Mar 17, 2017 | Mentoring, On Writing, Presentation News
An East End Arts Initiative
Saturday, April 8, 2017, 1 to 4 pm
Danforth/Coxwell Library, 1675 Danforth Avenue, Toronto
Ages 16 +
FREE
Register here
Our lives are the fuel for our writing. The everyday places where we spend time, the people we meet, the events that still haunt us or inspire us — all of these infuse our stories, poems, memoirs, and rants.
Please join me for Art MEETS: Writing in Place — a writing workshop for ages 16 and up. Using fun and inspiring prompts, like six-word stories and writing based on photos, you’ll learn writing techniques and explore how your everyday experiences can enrich your writing. You can also bring a story, poem, memoir, or rant that you’d like feedback on, as well as your questions about writing techniques or how to get published. Designed for emerging writers and diverse voices, this inclusive workshop will also help you prepare your writing for two East End Arts writing opportunities.
My City My Six is a public art project in partnership with the City of Toronto, where individuals are encouraged to submit six-word stories to be included in a local east end and City-wide exhibition in September and October. What’s Your Story, in partnership with the Ontario Book Publishers Organization and Toronto Arts Council, is a writing competition for both established and emerging writers.
by Karen Krossing | Jan 16, 2017 | Mentoring, On Writing
Here are more writing tips for young writers. For my first five tips, click here. For a PDF of all my tips, click here.
by Karen Krossing | Jan 11, 2017 | Mentoring, Presentation News
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Girls Are, 145B Main Street, Toronto
Ages 10 plus
Cost: $20 per person
To register, call Angela at 416-624-3006 or email angela@girls-are.com
Join me for a WordPlay writing workshop on the theme of beauty and body image. Using inspiring writing prompts, like masks and photos, you’ll write poems, stories and/or rants. Spark your imagination and enjoyment of creative writing in this hands-on workshop.
March 13 to 15, 2017
StoryPlay (ages 4 plus): Join me for fun word games and shared story writing. Using inspiring starters like story dice, you’ll spark your imagination and enjoyment of story-building in this interactive workshop.
Tuesday, March 14, Dowling Branch, 6 to 7 pm
Wednesday, March 15, Main Branch, 10:30 to 11:30 am
How to Create a Believable OtherWorld (ages 8 plus): Whether you write about unicorns or alien planets, an imaginary world needs rules and structure in order to be believable. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to create a fully imagined fantasy or science-fiction world and the characters who live there.
Monday, March 13, Consiton Branch, 6 to 7:30 pm
Tuesday, March 14, New Sudbury Branch, 10:30 am to 12 pm
Wednesday, March 15, Lively Branch, 1 to 2:30 pm
Wednesdays on April 5, 12, 19, 26
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Toronto Public Library, Evelyn Gregory
Ages 8 to 12
Registration begins March 1 at the branch or by calling 416-394-1006
In this four-week workshop, you’ll build your own characters and write scenes and stories. You’ll also create villains, write based on real-life events, and create fantastical worlds for your characters to live in. Have fun with creative writing in this free hands-on workshop.
by Karen Krossing | Nov 10, 2016 | Mentoring, On Writing
Want to be a better writer? Here’s my first five tips. For more tips, click here.
by Karen Krossing | Sep 28, 2016 | Mentoring, On Writing, Presentation News
Hey, teachers and librarians!
Book me for a writing workshop this Fall to help get your students writing. With great writing prompts and plenty of advice for overcoming writer’s block, my workshops inspire kids and teens to create. Popular workshops include Stories Inspired by Real-Life and How to Create a Believable OtherWorld. You can check out more of my workshop ideas here. Customized workshops are also available.
Bonus: Book before November 1 and get a FREE copy of Punch Like a Girl or Bog for your school library.
For current rates and availability, please contact Karen, or Authors’ Booking Service at abs@authorsbooking.com. Funding assistance is available through The Writers’ Union of Canada Readings Subsidy Programs.
“After Karen’s writing workshops, my students were so motivated that they set their goals high and began producing the beginnings of novels for their fantasy stories. Some of their best work this year came from Karen’s workshops.”
Kris Madill, Grade 5/6 Teacher, Beaches Alternative School
“The workshop in my opinion was freaking awesome. I enjoyed it a lot. I love to write. It is one of my favourite pastimes. It helps you figure yourself out as well as clear your head. The only thing about the workshop that I did not like was the fact that it was rather short, and in my opinion, it would have been more effective and entertaining if we were able to have you come back for a full day! The one aspect of the workshop that I really enjoyed is that the creativity level of each participant was phenomenal. Everyone was really creative, motivated, and descriptive in their short stories.”
Workshop participant at Covenant House
