Tag Archives: workshop

Writers Circle Workshop on Self-Publishing: Recap

Thank you so much to the Richmond Hill Public Library (RHPL) for hosting my talk this week on Self-Publishing for new authors. The Writers Circle group at the RHPL are always an amazing audience, and I appreciate their attendance and interest. A special thanks to Angie, who was a very gracious host and had the room open, ready, and waiting for me.

Here is a recap of what I said at the meeting on Wednesday, 5 February 2025.

Exploring Publishing Options: Ways to publish, traditional vs. self-publishing

We began our talk with a review of the current publishing landscape and discussed the difference between traditional, vanity, hybrid, and self-publishing, as well as the pros and cons of each path to publishing.

The Self-Publishing Path: How to self-publish your work

Next up was a discussion of the ins and outs of self-publishing, where and how to publish, ISBNs, EIN/TINs, costs, distribution platforms, formatting, and cover creation.

Building Buzz For Your Book: Your Author Platform and Marketing

We finished with a discussion of when and how to begin building your author platform and some concrete ideas for things you can do to help sell your book once it is published.

Keep checking back on my events page for future, upcoming talks and workshops at the RHPL and elsewhere.

I am also available to give this talk to other groups, schools, and organizations in the Greater Toronto Area. Please see the contact information on my About page if you are interested.

Writers’ Corner at the Richmond Hill Public Library

Writers' Corner Workshop announcement

Put Your Readers in the Scene: What it Means to Show and Not Tell – a two-part workshop.

What is meant by “showing” versus “telling” and  how can you tell the difference?   Is it ever okay to “tell?” Is there such a thing as showing too much? Explore  these important questions by looking at dialogue, description, pacing and transitions, and learn how to invite your readers into the scenes you write. 

Part 1

What is showing and not telling? When is it okay to tell? When should you show? Using imagery to paint a word picture. Active vs. passive voice.

When: Wednesday, March 6, 2024 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Where: Richmond Hill Public Library, 1 Atkinson Street, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4C 0H5

Sign up here: https://www.rhpl.ca/whats-on/calendar-of-events/writers-corner-0

Part 2

Adding sensory detail. Using dialogue to show your characters’ emotions. When is it too much showing. What is information dump? Body language.

When: Wednesday, April 3, 2024 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Where: Richmond Hill Public Library, 1 Atkinson Street, Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4C 0H5

Sign up here: https://www.rhpl.ca/whats-on/calendar-of-events/writers-corner-0