Feature Article: Beyond the Book

 

Check out the latest issue of WRITE magazine - put out by The Writer's Union of Canada for my feature article on: BEYOND THE BOOK - Building Author Income Through Speaking Engagments.

I have a bit of experience in this field because of Authors' Booking Service but I also called on three great Canadian #kidlit speaking-engagement-experts Marty Chan, Sade Smith, and Mireille Messier for their advice to those looking to diversify their writer income.

TWUC members who have opted in to receive a print copy of the magazine will get the Spring 2026 issue by mail. Members can also access the magazine online by logging in to the TWUC Member Portal.

For some - writing books isn't enough to pay the bills. Thoughts?...

Plague Thieves Wins Diamond Willow Award

 May 2026.

AWARD NEWS: Plague thieves won the Diamond Willow Award 2025. It's a reader's choice award which makes it all the more special.

Thanks to: @willowawards volunteers, @saskenergy (feature sponsor), the MLA for the region and Mayor of Outlook, the local media, the local writer's guild, all the teacher and librarians across the province who encourage literacy for students...and the kids for reading and voting. 👏

Congratulations to all the nominees and winners:

Shining Willow Award
Do Hippos Brush Their Teeth? How Animals Care for Their Bodies, written by Etta Kaner, illustrated by Jenna Piechota (@owlkidspublishing )

💎Diamond Willow Award
Plague Thieves, written by Caroline Fernandez (DCB Young Readers @cormorantbooks)

Snow Willow Award
Simon Sort of Says, written by @erinbowbooks (@scholasticcda )

1st image credit: @kidsbookcentre
Willow Gala: @outlookhighschoolblues