Sylvia McNicoll

Readings

Where do I get my ideas from? The most popular question is answered by leading the student s through my writing process using an age appropriate novel. Interactive demonstrations of props such as an identicane or gorilla mask as well as oral writing exercises, overheads of settings, character and cover designs and an actual short reading are all used to give an entertaining as well as an educational presentation.

Special Equipment:

Overhead projector and screen.

Book Sales:

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

Workshops

Workshops can be designed to meet the educator’s needs. First a teaching component would involve a technique I used in a recent book, I would demonstrate it interactively. Then the students would be asked to write for a short period and a few would be called on to share. Character development, dialogue, description and structure are all topics I’ve explored in different workshops.

Special Equipment:

A board or flip chart to write on

Book Sales:

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

Biography

Born in Ajax , Ontario and raised in Montreal, Quebec, Sylvia McNicoll currently resides in Burlington, Ontario with her husband, two out of three of her adult children, a grandchild and a jackapoo. Twenty years ago Sylvia’s first YA novel Blueberries and Whipped Cream was published as a result of a project in a writing course taught by Paul Kropp at Sheridan college. Since then she has taught that writing course for nine years and has participated in eighteen writer in (school) residence programs as well as nine sessions in electronic residence. Twenty-five books and hundreds of schools and libraries later, she uses everything from snare poles to a white cane and blindfold to inspire young fans to read and write. Her guide dog trilogy has been translated into German, Norwegian and Swedish. The first, Bringing Up Beauty, won the Ontario Library Association's Silver Birch Award and the Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award. A Different Kind of Beauty, the second, was nominated for the 2005 Ontario Library Association's Red Maple Award and Manitoba Young Readers’ Choice Award. Beauty Returns was just recently released. Sylvia is presently working on the fourth book of a dog/wolf rescue series for Scandinavia. In Canada the first of this series, Last Chance for Paris will be released in November of 2007 through Fitzhenry & Whiteside. Sylvia is also the Features Editor of Today’s Parent Toronto as well as the past president of CANSCAIP (Canadian Society of Authors, Illustrators, and Performers.) Her first novel has just been re-released as I’m Just Not that into Prom in Norway and Sweden.

OTHER PRESENTATIONS:
These would be designed specifically for the event. Typically I would describe a current writing project and have the audience participate in a related activity.