Simon Rose's Blog, page 226

Reviews from Teachers - Author Visits, Presentations, Workshops and Residency Programs at Schools and Libraries

Throughout the school year, I am available for author visits, presentations, workshops and residency programs and its always nice to have such great comments from teachers and librarians after a visit. Here's just a selection of the great reviews I have had from teachers over the last few years regarding author visits at schools and libraries in Canada, the USA and the UK. "Thanks again for your visit - I have had fantastic feed back and your books are flying off the shelves!"
"The students were very, very excited to share about the visit and all your books are on a waiting list. Again, thanks for a great job."
"It was a pleasure meeting and working with you. Thanks for touching the lives of so many children."
"Simon - thank you. Our students loved your presentation - than manner in which you present, and the information you provided them with. Thank you so much for reinforcing the work we do in schools. Hearing from a real 'live' author is one of the best experiences our students can have. I found you to be so friendly, so easy to get along with; I loved your sense of humour and really appreciated your classroom management skills."
"I'm glad you came. I can assure you that, not only the children but the teachers as well, had a wonderful time listening to you!"
"Thank you for coming to the school. We enjoyed your visit and hearing about how books are written and edited and put together. At least a few of the kids here are already very interested in writing a book!"
"Thanks for the positive presence you provided and for helping the students focus on the power of writing."
"I have heard so many wonderful comments from the staff about your presentation. We certainly enjoyed having you here." 
"Great! Thanks for coming in - it was really great to have you and we were very happy to see that you're such a great speaker, too!"
"We really enjoyed having you, and the kids have been reading your books ever since."
"The children had a great time listening to you. I don't think they wanted to leave!"
"We thank you for coming to our school. The students and teachers are still talking about your visit! Be sure to let us know when we can expect another great novel from you."
"The children came in this morning looking for your books to take out to read. Great Stuff!! I love seeing their enthusiasm." 
"Thanks Simon! The kids loved your visit and snapped up your books this week at book exchange time. We've ordered the book about the tower and the princes as we have had requests for it too!"
"Your contribution to children's literacy is most enjoyable! Keep inspiring those young minds … priceless!"
"Thank you so much for coming to our school and helping our students to desire to learn more. Our class are enjoying our journey through your first book. There are days when some almost beg me to keep reading instead of all going out to play. That's impressive!"
"Thank you for the superb job you did of storytelling and speaking to students. I enjoyed very much the time you spent with us and your amazing approach to the world of storytelling. I have received glowing comments from the students."
"The librarian was impressed at how quiet and attentive the children were, always a good indication of the quality of the presentation"
"Thank you for the great presentations. Feedback from the teachers is very positive. The students really enjoyed the presentation and were very interested in your work."
[image error] "Thank you so much for the effort you put into making the morning special for the kids."
"I would not hesitate in recommending Simon Rose for a visit to your school or library. He was a pleasure to spend the morning with in our school"
"It was a pleasure to have you and the students really enjoyed your visit."
"Thanks again for coming out to our school to share your book. The feedback from teachers and students was very positive, and all were amazed to see your manuscript." 
You can learn more about my programs for schools and libraries here on my website plus about my author in residence program and types of presentations and workshops available.

Writing Historical Fiction - Classes for Writers with Chinook Learning Services in Calgary, October/November

[image error] The Calgary Board of Education provides adult and continuing education through Chinook Learning Services. This fall, I am pleased to be offering the following classes in Calgary.
Writing Historical Fiction - Tuesdays, October 19 to November 9 Do you want to bring history to life? Then you need to know what history to put in and what to leave out. In this course you will examine the writing of historical fiction and the need to fully immerse yourself in a particular time period to make your storytelling more believable. You will learn how to write effective, authentic and appealing historical fiction, how to turn your ideas into compelling stories, understand what exactly defines historical fiction and different historical time periods, how to create believable settings and plausible characters and how research plays a crucial role in the creation of your novel. Historical fiction, when it is done right, when its facts are compellingly used, will take the reader into the story of real people from long ago.
Register now at Chinook Learning Services.

Get the Write Stuff with Storybook Parties

[image error] Create a truly unique story, with your original illustrations and have it printed in your very own book. 

Employing inspiration, imagination and invention, children invent a one of a kind action packed story during a fast paced session where laughter is compulsory. Children will also learn about the writing process, where ideas come from and how authors turn them into stories.

Personally inscribed and autographed books are also available for prize draws and all party guests will also have the...

Creative Writing Programs for Home School Students at Southwood United Church - November and December 2010

Join me this fall for classes in creative writing especially for home school children at Southwood United Church in SW Calgary. Classes take place every Monday from November 1 to December 13, 2010. The cost is $99 per student for seven classes and registration details are available by e mailing me at sorcerersletterbox@gmail.com.

Ages 7 to 10 - Inspiration, Imagination and Invention: Story Creation 
In this series of interactive, fun and lively creative writing sessions, turn your own ideas into incredible stories, find out where writers get their inspiration, learn about descriptive words, use story starters to get your imagination moving, create brilliant beginnings, marvelous middles, exciting endings and more. 

November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, December 6, 13 - 1.00 pm to 2.15 pm 
$99 plus GST per student

Ages 11 to 15 - Inspiration, Imagination and Invention: Amazing Artifacts 
In these creative writing classes, craft your own adventure story featuring a unique mysterious artifact with wondrous powers, a curse or a deadly secret. Perhaps it's a coin or medallion from an ancient civilization? Or a ceremonial mask discovered in a ruined temple? Perhaps a gemstone unearthed in a long lost tomb? Create an exciting, fast-paced tale featuring adventurers, explorers, scientists, secret societies, perhaps even a race against time to save the world.

November 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, December 6, 13 - 2.15 pm to 3.30 pm 
$99 plus GST per student
All classes take place at Southwood United Church, 10690 Elbow Drive SW Calgary AB T2W 1G4. Contact me directly at sorcerersletterbox@gmail.com or through my website at www.simon-rose.com for details on registration and on all my programs for home school children, including online writing workshops, which you can also check out on my website at http://www.simon-rose.com/online_wkshp_yngadults.htm

Writing Children's Books - Classes for Writers with Chinook Learning Services in Calgary, October/November

[image error] The Calgary Board of Education provides adult and continuing education through Chinook Learning Services. This fall, I am pleased to be offering the following classes in Calgary.
Writing Children's Books - Mondays, October 18 to November 22 Examine the writing process from initial concept through to the finished manuscript, including how to turn ideas into stories, the creation of outlines, story structure, character development, the role of research and the importance of editing and revision, as well as examine ways to research and submit to publishing houses.
Register now at Chinook Learning Services.

Reviews from Children - Author Visits, Presentations, Workshops and Residency Programs at Schools and Libraries

Throughout the school year, I am available for author visits, presentations, workshops and residency programs and its always nice to have such great comments from children after I have visited their school. Here's just a selection of the great reviews I have had from students over the last few years regarding author visits at schools and libraries in Canada, the USA and the UK.

"Thank you for coming to our school. I really enjoyed your presentation and your books are FANTASTIC! You're the...

Writing and Publishing Your Children's Novel - University of Calgary, October 2, 2010

[image error] Each year, the Continuing Education department at the University of Calgary serves over 20,000 lifelong learners and offers thousands of courses taught by more than 1,000 instructors – all experts in their fields.
Writing and Publishing Your Children's Novel - Saturday, October 2 This workshop deals with getting started as a writer for young readers and the subsequent path to publication. You will examine the writing process from initial concept through to the finished manuscript, including how to turn ideas into stories, story structure, developing characters, the creation of outlines and the importance of editing and revision. You will also examine ways to research publishing houses where you can submit your work, cover letters, synopses and sample chapters.
Learn more about the Writing and Publishing Your Children's Novel workshop and how to register here

Creative Writing Classes for Home Schoolers @ Cardel Place, Calgary - November 2010 to June 2011

Join me for classes in creative writing especially for home school children from the northern part of the city of Calgary and in the surrounding area at Cardel Place, located at 11950 Country Village Link NE, Calgary, AB T3K 6E3. Classes take place every Thursday, from November 18, 2010 to June 23, 2011. Registration details are available here. 
Thursdays - November 18 to December 23, 2010: People Plotting: Creating Memorable Characters


10.45 am to Noon, Ages 8 to 10 * 12.15 pm to 1.30...

Classes with Chinook Learning Services in Calgary, Saturday November 20

[image error] The Calgary Board of Education provides adult and continuing education through  Chinook Learning Services . This fall, I am pleased to be offering the following courses.Classes with Chinook Learning Services in Calgary, Saturday November 20Writing Children's Books: Intro - 9.30 am to Noon November 20In this workshop you will discover how to balance youthful imagination with adult professionalism, and gain awareness of writing for various age ranges. This workshop explores the do's and don'ts...

The 2010 Children's Fiction Writing Award

[image error] The Calgary Children's Book Fair and Conference, set to take place in November 2010, is proud to present the Children's Fiction Writing Award. Children in the following age categories, eight/nine, ten/eleven, twelve/thirteen and fourteen/fifteen, will unleash their own incredible imaginations to create a truly unique story, which will then be published in an anthology.The winning entries for the fiction writing award will be announced at the Calgary Children's Book Fair and Conference on...