Claire Eamer

Readings

1. Super Crocs and Monster Wings: an illustrated presentation of up to one hour on selected animals from my science book, Super Crocs and Monster Wings, touching on the process of researching and writing as well as the content. This can be adapted to the appropriate grade level from Grade 1 through 6.

2. Traitors' Gate: an illustrated presentation of up to an hour on aspects of my history book, Traitors' Gate and Other Doorways to the Past, along with discussion about how to research and write about history. This can be adapted to the appropriate grade level from Grade 3 to 8.

Special Equipment:

Computer and projector desirable, but not necessary.

Book Sales:

Claire will bring copies of her books to the readings for students to purchase and have autographed.

Workshops

1. Research and what to do with it: A half-day workshop on how to research a topic and write about it. The workshop can be adapted to the appropriate grade level and to the appropriate kind of presentation (e.g., essay, newsletter, web page, public display, etc.). Most suitable for Grade 5 upward.

2. Freelance writing: A half-day or one-day workshop for senior students or adults on aspects of freelance writing, including tailoring your writing for the medium, approaching editors, research, markets and clients.

Special Equipment:

Computer and projector.

Book Sales:

Claire will bring copies of her books to the workshops for students to purchase and have autographed.

Biography

Claire Eamer grew up in Saskatoon and attended the University of Saskatchewan, earning a Master’s degree in English. She has tried living in England, Germany, Saskatoon, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Edmonton, but the Yukon has been home—mostly—since 1984. She lives in Whitehorse with her husband and, from time to time, her student-aged son.

Since the early 1970s, Claire has been a professional writer, editor, and journalist, working both as a staff reporter for CBC Radio and The Western Producer newspaper and as a freelancer. She also spent three years coordinating the northern section of a research network related to climate change science.

Much of Claire’s professional writing is related to popular science and history. She writes Your Yukon, a science column in the Yukon News. She also writes frequently for the kids’ science magazine, YesMag. Along with co-author, Thirza Jones, Claire wrote The Canadian Rodeo Book (Western Producer Prairie Books, 1982), and she has written about Yukon history for newspapers and digital media.

Recently, Claire branched into writing non-fiction books for children, still with a focus on science and history. Her first kids’ book — Super Crocs and Monster Wings (Annick Press, 2008) — is about fascinating ancient animals and their modern relatives. A second book, this time on history, called Traitors’ Gate, and Other Doorways to the Past, was published by Annick Press in the fall of 2008. A third book, Spiked Scorpions and Walking Whales, is scheduled for publication in 2009.

In addition, Claire has published several short stories—including a science fiction story for young adults, “The Lost Land”, which was published in the award-winning anthology Polaris: A Celebration of Polar Science (Star Ink Books, 2007). She currently has a number of short stories and some children’s novels in the works.