In 35 years of writing, I’ve made just about all the mistakes a writer can make, and I’ve learned how to fix them by working with some of the best editors in Canadian publishing. I find it exciting to share what I’ve learned with other writers, to coach them as they work towards publication.
For the past 15 years, I have mentored a limited number of writers. Most of the writers I’ve worked with have had their work published. Here’s what some of them have to say about my process. Working with an editor is intimate, intensive, and expensive, so it is important to choose wisely. This Blog can help you make the best choice for you.
Although I no longer accept new writers for mentoring, I continue to do manuscript evaluations. This does not entail any hands-on editing. Rather, I read your manuscript closely and send you an evaluation of about 10 pages that details every aspect of how to improve your fiction/nonfiction writing, including narrative arc, pacing, character development, setting development, and grammar/syntax issues. The fee varies depending on the length, complexity, and state of the manuscript.
I also offer coaching on the submission process: how to prepare a submission, how to choose who to submit to, and, in the case of Canadian writers, suggestions for appropriate editors and agents. For this, I charge a fee for the information package and instructions, and an hourly rate for working through revisions to the final perfect submission.
Occasionally I lead workshops at festivals in Canada and Mexico. Check here for past and future topics.
February 12-16, 2020
San Miguel de Allende Writers Conference
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
sanmiguelwritersconference.org
Thursday, February 13, 9:30 am-11:00 am
The Writer's Toolbox
Workshop for all genres
February 13-17, 2019
San Miguel de Allende Writers Conference
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
sanmiguelwritersconference.org
Saturday, February 16, 2:30-5:30 pm
Dialogue is Action
Advanced Fiction Intensive Workshop
Thursday, February 14, 11:00 am-12:30 pm
Weaving the Character Web
Advanced Fiction Intensive Workshop
Saturday, April 13, 9:30-11:00 am
GritLit Literary Festival, Hamilton
Ask an Expert Workshop
February 14-18, 2018
San Miguel de Allende Writers Conference
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
sanmiguelwritersconference.org
Wednesday, February 14 3:45-5:15 pm
Escape from the Slavery of WORD
Introduction to Scrivener Software for Serious Writers
Intensive Workshop for all prose genres
Saturday, February 17, 2:30-5:30 pm
Playing in the Sandbox of the Sentence: Grammar for Writers
Intensive Workshop for all prose genres
Tuesday-Saturday, February 20-24, 1:00 pm-4:30 pm
Post-Conference Weeklong Workshop
Good, Better, Best: The Simonds Approach to Deep Mechanics
Saturday, October 13, 2:30 pm-4:30 pm
The First Page: Workshop
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
whistlerwritersfest.com
View the complete program for Whistler Writers Festival (PDF) »
February 18-20, 2017
San Miguel de Allende Writers Conference
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
sanmiguelwritersconference.org
September 28, 2017
Writing the First Page
www.kingstonwritersfest.ca/event/21-writing-the-first-page/
October 15, 2017, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
How to Write a Killer (Nonfiction) Book Proposal
litfestalberta.org/2017-schedule
November 4, 2017
www.wordstocksudbury.ca
June 2-5, 2016
Excuse me, Your Research is Showing
Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story
Wingham, Ontario
alicemunrofestival.ca
July 18-28, 2016
Daredevil Draft Emerging Writers Workshop
Sage Hill Writing Experience
sagehillwriting.ca
February 11-12, 2015
Writing by Ear
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
sanmiguelwritersconference.org
June 5-7, 2015
“Writing VERY short (Flash Fiction)”
Alice Munro Festival of the Short Story
Wingham, Ontario
alicemunrofestival.ca
July 20-30, 2015
Daredevil Draft Emerging Writers Workshop
Sage Hill Writing Experience
sagehillwriting.ca
October 16-18, 2015
How to Write & Pitch the Killer Proposal
Writing by Ear: Developing Voice
Writing What You Know: Cruising the Fact-Fiction Continuum
Whistler Readers & Writers Festival
Whistler, BC
whistlerwritersfest.com
July 21-31, 2014
Daredevil Draft Emerging Writers Workshop
Sage Hill Writing Experience
sagehillwriting.ca
September 27-28, 2014
Writing a Killer Book Proposal
Kingston WritersFest
Kingston, ON
kingstonwritersfest.ca
Saturday, October 18, 2014
Writing the Past–Yours & the World’s
StoryFest
Hudson, Quebec
greenwood-centre-hudson.org/storyfest.html
April 14-22, 2012
Writing With Style: Creative Nonfiction
Banff Centre for the Arts
Banff, Alberta
October 27, 2012
Grammar for Writers: All-day Workshop
Canadian Authors Association
Edmonton, Alberta
October 29-31, 2012
Visiting Fellow
University of Saskatchewan, Creative Writing Dept.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
November 3, 2012
Workshop: Writing from Life
Wild Writers Festival
Waterloo, ON
