Linda Hutsell-Manning

Readings

1. The Novel Reading Program (Grades 4 to 7) begins with some interesting biographical facts, a description of how the Wonder Horn time travel series was conceived and written, where creative ideas came from and how they were incorporated into each novel. The author shows students the WWI bugle that continues to be the inspiration for this series. As well, she has Bristol board displays for each book and interesting anecdotes regarding the countries she visited while doing research. This is followed by a short reading from Jason and the Wonder Horn, Jason and the Deadly Diamonds and, if time, Jason and the Portrait Snatchers (third in the series). Research for the fourth book is now underway. The author has follow-up handouts and copies of novel study teacher’s guides for each novel. A question period and book sales with autographs will follow. This program takes one to one and a half hours.

2. The Poetry Reading program (Kindergarten to Grade 3) begins with a few interesting biographical facts, a short explanation as to the creative ideas that sparked the writing of these poems. This is followed by a reading of Animal Hours, Dinosaur Days and, if time, a new manuscript, Hallowe’en Monsters on the Block. The author has follow-up handouts for each book. A question period and book sales with autographs will follow. This program takes three-quarters of an hour to an hour, depending on the grade level.

Special Equipment:

A place to hang Bristol board display. Book Sales: Copies of books can be brought to be sold and autographed.

Book Sales:

Copies of books can be brought to be sold and autographed.

Workshops

BEGIN-A-NOVEL WORKSHOP
Introduction: The author will talk briefly about her writing career including how and why the time travel series was conceived and written.
Reading: from Jason and the Wonder Horn, Jason and the Deadly Diamonds and, if time, Jason and the Portrait Snatchers (third in the series)
Writing: Students decide on a special item or artefact that, in their story, will turn out to have magical properties enabling their main character to time travel.
Student Handout: Getting Ready to Time Travel - Questions to Answer. The author leads students through these questions in preparation for writing. Students write story/novel opening and share with class. The author has follow-up handouts and copies of novel study teacher’s guides for each novel.
Closing: Questions, book sales and autographs.

POETRY WORKSHOP
Introduction: The author will talk briefly about her writing career including how and why the picture books were written.
Reading: of Animal Hours and Dinosaur Days with illustrations.
Writing: The author and students talk about writing new versions of these stories, what different animals, people, situations or invented creatures could be in a book about the hours of the day and the days of the week. A cooperative poem can be written on blackboard or chart paper. Students, singly or in twos, compose new poems and share with the class.
Student Handout: The author has follow-up handouts for each picture book.
Closing: Questions, book sales and autographs.

Special Equipment:

A place to hang Bristol board display.

Book Sales:

Copies of books can be brought to be sold and autographed.

Biography

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Linda Hutsell-Manning’s publications include juvenile fiction and plays, poetry, short fiction and TV scripts. She has worked as a free-lance journalist, taught creative writing at several community colleges, hosted author reading series and promoted her work internationally. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, she moved to Ontario at age nine. After Ryerson Polytechnical Institute and Toronto Teachers’ College, she taught for two years in a one room school. She has a B.A. from the University of Guelph and began writing full time in 1981. Her latest time travel book is Jason and the Wonder Horn. She has recently completed the third, Jason and the Portrait Snatchers as well as a children’s musical, Donuts in Four Four Time. Married with three adult children and four grandchildren, she has lived in many Canadian communities from Kamloops, BC to Cobourg, Ontario, where she now makes her home.

OTHER PRESENTATIONS:
WORKSHOP A: Writing as a Profession
Biographical information given by Linda Hutsell-Manning including when her writing career began, her published books, her works completed and works-in- progress. Selected readings from short fiction, poetry or plays.

Discussion of the creative process: idea to first draft, rewriting ad nauseam, final draft to acceptance (publishing process: from acceptance to the finished product.)

WORKSHOP B: Writing for Children
Biographical information given by Linda Hutsell-Manning including when her writing career began, her published books, her works completed and works-in- progress, followed by a short reading.

Discussion of the creative process: idea to first draft, researching the market for age range and suitability, rewriting and rewriting, final draft to acceptance , writing plays/TV scripts, adapting a story to dramatic form.

Business side of writing: giving readings and workshops, writing your own promotion, learning to live with rejections, surviving financially, followed by questions and general discussion.