Congratulations to Chang, Susan, Catherine, and Dianne, plus Writer to Writer

If you’ve had a story (or a book!) published, if you’ve won or placed in a writing contest, if you’ve gotten yourself an agent, or if you have any other news, send me an email so I can share your success. As writers, we’re all in this together, and your good news gives us all a boost. 

Email me at: brianhenry@sympatico.ca 

 

Hello, Brian.I hope you're keeping well!

I'm so excited to share that my debut picture book, Greetings, Floof! won the 2026 Magnolia Book Award — the Children's Choice Award for the state of Mississippi! I’m so honoured that children in grades Pre-K – 2 chose the book as their favourite.  

You were instrumental in helping me to get published. Thank you so much for all your help and support over the years!

Warmly,
Chang
C.J. Hong
Children's Book Author
Greetings, Floof! (Kids Can Press, 2024)
cjhong.com

***

Note: If you’re interested in writing books for children or teens, don’t miss our Kid Lit workshop coming up Aug 23 with guest speaker, Patricia Ocampo, senior editor, at Scholastic Books. See here.

*** 

Hi, Brian.

I'm looking forward to the Oct 18 – 22 writing retreat at Sherwood and will start fasting now. 

I signed with Three Seas Literary in February and my agent is Kara G.   We are currently getting one of my interactive stories ready so she can start submitting. 

Also, within two weeks of this, inbetween books offered me a contract to publish my picture book A Monsters Guide to Children. (You helped me a lot with this).  Hoping for a release in late 2027.   I still don't think I've really even processed this yet but definitely want to thank you for all of your support and feedback to help A Monsters Guide to Children come to life.

Can't wait for the fall retreat.

Susan Wollison

For information about submitting to 3 Seas Literary Agency, see here. 

inbetween books is a new children’s publisher, and they’re looking for manuscripts. See more about them here and, for submitting, see here.

For information about our fall writing retreat (at Sherwood Inn on Lake Joseph in Muskoka), see here.

 

Hi, Brian.

I wanted to share that I submitted one of the short stories I wrote during one of your Creative Writing courses to All Your Stories and Poems, and it was published in their June 2026 issue of All Your Stories.  

It's a convoluted website (I think it is) but the webpage with my story in it is this edition here.

It's a simple story and one of my first ever efforts but pleased to see it in a collection with other authors!

All the Best,

Catherine de Korte

 

Hi, Brian.

I'm having a wonderful spring and summer for news. As always, thank you for cheering us on and sharing your knowledge and expertise. Here's my little update.

Two exciting writing gifts found me in the last couple of weeks while I have been recovering from surgery.

I received copies of the French version of My Amazing Race Car Brain. I am super proud of Mon incroyable cerveau -voiture de course. Thank you, DC Canada Education Publishing, for believing in this project and message.

My TV Pilot, Moosekeg County FM, was #44 in the Capital Fund Screenplay Competition Hot 100.

I don’t know much about this list, but it says, “This well-respected list is published and provided to film industry financiers around the world and includes the top 100 Scripts of the year.”

No one has called and waved wads of cash in my face for the script, but I did receive an email this morning informing me that I earned a ten-cent royalty from Draft to Digital for a collaborative novel, which brings my total to $1.67. Don’t worry, they already took off $0.26 for tax.

I'm looking forward to your fall classes.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Dianne Koebel-Pede

To see what kind of books a publisher publishes, always check out their recent catalogue(s). For DC Educational Publishing, see here. 

See their submission page here.

See where else your fellow writers are winning accolades or getting short pieces published here (and scroll down).

See all of my upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and four-day retreats here. ~Brian

 

Writer to Writer

Hi, Brian.

It was nice to see you at the Muskoka Authors’ Association Publishing Summit (here)! At the time you asked what everyone was working on and I'll admit, I held back. Besides the Middle Grade Novel that I'm doing a final edit on, I had an inspired idea to create a journal in February and was able to bring my vision to life! I'm self-publishing and had the prototype completed in June.

A Creative's Journal is unique in that it provides a highlighted section at the bottom of each page to store inspired ideas until you're ready to work on them. I journal almost every day and often writing ideas come through and I would have to stop to look for my "ideas" notebook, or if I didn't, it was often hard to find those ideas later when I was ready to work on them. One of the key ideas that came through was to create such a journal.

 Here are some key highlights:

- Hard Cover, Black leatherette

- 365 lined pages and several blank pages for sketching

- Quotes about creativity included throughout.

It's now available for pre-order on my website: www.catherineleighmccallum.com

This is meant for all types of creatives – from writers to artists and other professionals.  I thank you in advance for sharing with your readership!

All the best,

Catherine McCallum

https://clmccallum.substack.com/

Scholastic wants books kids will spend their own money to buy

Scholastic Canada

604 King St W
Suite 100
Toronto, Ontario

https://www.scholastic.ca/

Note: You can now get new postings on Quick Brown Fox delivered straight to your Inbox as they go up. Subscribe to the new Quick Brown Fox page on Substack here: https://brian999.substack.com/

Scholastic Canada’s priority is publishing “kid picks” – books that children would spend their own money to read. Stories featuring Canadian culture, settings, and history are also a priority.

M.R. (Robbie) Robinson founded the original Scholastic company in 1920 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Incorporated in 1957, Scholastic Canada Ltd. was the first of an international family of companies that now includes members in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, India and Asia.

SScholastic Canada has its own editorial and acquisitions office. They do not usually accept un-agented manuscripts, but on August 23, 2027, we'll be have Patricia Ocampo, senior editor at Scholastic Books, as the guest speaker for our online “Writing for Children & for Young Adults” and afterwards, she'll be accepting queries from attendees (see here). 

Don’t miss it!

Also, Scholastic Canada welcomes submissions from professional illustrators (especially from underrepresented communities) interested in working with Scholastic. Illustrators are invited to email sample art and links to an online portfolio to Andrea Casault, Art Director, at acasault@scholastic.ca

Full submission guidelines here.

See all of Brian Henry’s upcoming weekly writing classes, afternoon workshops, and writing retreats here.

Navigation tips: Always check out the Labels underneath a post; they’ll lead you to various distinct collections of postings. For more children’s and young adult publishers looking for manuscripts, see here {and scroll down}. For book publishers in general, see here {and scroll down}.

“The Lost Art of Writing Letters” by Leslie Steves

Imagine you have received a letter – not a bill or an invite to increase your credit limit – but an actual letter. A letter from a loved one, a friend, or a distant relative.

The excitement builds as you break the seal on the envelope and pull out the finely decorated stationery. The flow of the elegant handwriting draws your attention and time stands still as you read all the gentle messages. Upon reading the closing statement. “hope to hear from you,” you smile – you now have an entry into a letter writing sequence.

At this point some would be thrilled for the opportunity to write and mail a letter, whereas others who have lost, or abandoned, the true art of letter writing would simply send an email.

We’ve become so accustomed to the fast world of “type, correct, click” that many of us would see the effort of physically writing a letter, finding an envelope, and sticking a stamp on it as an unpleasant burden.

But I am willing to face this more disciplined journey.

I saw how, in the past, letter writing helped my family keep in touch. We often received letters from far away relatives. Unlike a short phone call, letters could be passed around and reread for days after. They often included photos or postcards, and some relatives even took to including small side-sketches as part of their letters.

Some would argue that emails serve the same purpose and are a more efficient way of communicating. True. But in my mind, nothing compares to that moment when you hold a letter in your hand – especially one you didn’t expect!

I had many of these moments in my university days.

My mother would always, send a “do your best, we love you” letter. Whereas my dad’s would have more of a “you’re smart, don’t quit” theme.

Either way I was tickled and always wrote back to them – not to just to reassure them that I was still taking classes and studying hard, also to keep our relationship flowing.

During this time, I also wrote to my grandmother and great aunt. That was a challenge! Not only did my handwriting need to be legible, but there was no room for any error in my grammar or spelling, or their next letter would include a lesson!

They enjoyed hearing of the goings-on in my young life, so I was happy to describe my university adventures – sticking mainly to academics and only cautiously mentioning “social outings” (a.k.a. pub crawls).

Their letters gave me insight into in their lives. Like when “a young rascal” took grandma’s favorite seat on a bus and when the priest in Aunt Charlotte’s church mispronounced a word during a sermon. I always got a chuckle out of their descriptions of these “serious” moments.

Set in a conversation these stories may have been forgotten, but with a handwritten letter, they can be revisited numerous times. And for that reason, many people keep the letters, as my grandmother did. After her passing, we found all the letters I had sent her neatly organized in a drawer.

I am also reluctant to part with the ones I’ve kept. I don’t want to lose the chance to reread them and to hold something that was written just for me. My father’s pointed handwriting and my mom’s gardening instructions still speak to me.

Once when I expressed my dismay at the lost art of letter writing, someone called me an old-school boomer and said I needed to get with the times and just send emails.

And I do. The boring simplicity and trivial effort of sending emails is my usual form of communication.

But on occasion I still rise to the challenge of getting my thoughts in order and executing flawless handwriting on some finely decorated stationery.

Perhaps others will join my crusade and revive this lost art so people can have an “I got a letter!” moment. So much better than “another email to open” task.

***

Leslie Steves is a retired teacher. She enjoys having the time to continue the tradition of hand writing letters to loved ones. Her other writing endeavors include short stories, children’s stories and the occasional poem – often inspired during quiet time in the garden or daily walks with her dog.

For more short stories, poetry, and essays by you fellow writers see here (and scroll down).

See Brian Henry's upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and four-day retreats here.

Two views of Brian’s “Welcome to Creative Writing Class” by Paul Dias and Vera Ninos

“An abundance of raw talent”
                by Paul Dias

Every Tuesday for nine weeks, fifteen or more aspiring writers gather at the feet of Brian Henry, with the hope of becoming more proficient in writing stories. To this end, Le Chef D’Orchestre – a man with tremendous experience in the science and the art of skillfully delivering a compelling story in a captivating manner, holds court.

There is an abundance of raw talent in the group. To unleash their creativity, Brian has deliberately maintained a playful yet informative atmosphere. This has disarmed the participants and put them at ease. With their inhibitions suppressed, the participants allow themselves to write stories from the depths of their souls. It is a thing of beauty and truly magical to behold.

Over the weeks of class, common errors and practices that ruin a good story are discussed. Various technical aspects of styles of writing and the dos and don’ts of creating a good story are also showcased. Brian’s natural aptitude for teaching and motivating his pupils quickly results in their writing skills improving dramatically. His protégés begin to regularly deliver praiseworthy pieces.   

This gathering of minds and their cumulative wealth of experience soon reveals the presence of several good writers. More importantly, the classes have served to help each participant discover their own unique ability to write a good story.

Paul Dias is a Jamaican by birth, who now calls Canada home. He’s a gifted painter and a natural story-teller who dreams of writing his first best-seller. Check out Paul’s Instagram page here.

***

Note: This fall, I’ll be offering an online “Welcome to Creative Writing” class on Monday evenings. Details here.

***  

“This class is a treasure” by Vera Ninos

The first time I came across Brian Henry's name I was at a writing workshop sponsored by the Hamilton Public Library. Two women were discussing an upcoming one-day workshop of his which they would be attending. I wrote down his name and promptly tucked it in a drawer with my writing journal where it was forgotten.

Months later, still dabbling and skirting the edges of my desire, I attended another library workshop, where I was again intrigued by conversation about this Brian Henry. Who was he and why was he so popular?

Though I googled him when I returned home and my level of intrigue spiked, I still did nothing until weeks later when I sat at my computer registering my kids for fall activities. What the heck, I decided, and registered myself for an activity, too, one of Brian’s weekly courses: “Welcome to Creative Writing.”

That's how I came to find myself spending two hours every Tuesday morning with other aspiring writers.

Each week, while humorously dispensing his vast knowledge of writing and writing culture, Brian is encouraging, inspiring and supportive.

Class begins with a harmonizing review of everyone's weekly writing challenges and accomplishments, then proceeds with a couple of students presenting a show and share piece. As in the primary years of school, a tangible article is shown. Unlike kindergarten, the article is accompanied by a short written piece.

In the safety of this warm and intimate setting, the writers often delve deep within their psyche to share personal stories of sorrow and victory, which are often both revealing and deeply moving.

From there, a weekly lesson or focus is introduced such as Showing versus Telling what your characters are thinking, First Person Narratives and how to write a book review – or other kinds of reviews (hence this piece).

As class continues, students are given an opportunity to apply the lesson by beginning a written piece in class which they then share with a small group of other students.

Each week, a handful of writers bring in longer written pieces, and Brian critiques them and gives helpful suggestions.

As each week rolls into the next, I find my body of writing expanding, my ability to access the writer in me easing, and my desire to share what I have written increasing.

I would highly recommend this class to anyone interested in tapping into their creative potential or even if you're just wondering if you have creative potential. Regardless, this class is a treasure.

***

Vera Ninos is Hamilton-based mother of four. You can read more of her writing here. 

***

See more pieces about or inspired by Brian’s retreats, workshops and classes here (and scroll down).

For more essays, short stories, and poetry by you fellow writers see here (and scroll down).

See Brian’s upcoming weekly writing classes (including a “Welcome to Creative Writing” class), afternoon workshops, and writing retreats here.

Join us this fall for “Writing Personal Stories”

Writing Personal Stories

 ~ A weekly class dedicated to the pleasures of getting down your stories & thoughts

Online: Tuesday afternoons, 1 – 3 p.m.
Sept 29 – Nov 17 (or to Nov 24 if the class fills up). No class Oct 20
Offered on Zoom and accessible from anywhere there's internet 

Note:  We also have a in-person “Intensive Creative Writing” class on Thursday afternoons in Burlington, online Intensive classes on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday afternoons, “Welcome to Creative Writing” on Monday evenings. See everything coming up here.

If you've ever considered writing your personal stories, this course is for you. We’ll look at memoirs, travel writing, personal essays – personal stories of all kinds. Plus, of course, we’ll work on creativity and writing technique and have fun doing it. 

Whether you want to write a book or just get your thoughts down on paper, this weekly course will get you going. We'll reveal the tricks and conventions of telling true stories, and we’ll show you how to use the techniques of the novel to recount actual events. Weekly writing exercises and friendly feedback from the instructor will help you move forward on this writing adventure. Whether you want to write for your family and friends or for a wider public, don't miss this course.

We’ll also have a published author as a guest speaker.

Instructor Brian Henry has been a book editor and creative writing instructor for more than 25 years. He publishes Quick Brown Fox, Canada's most popular blog for writers, taught creative writing at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) and has led workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Saskatoon to Toronto to Saint John.  But his proudest boast is that he has helped many of his students get published.  

Read reviews and other pieces about or inspired by Brian's writing courses, workshops, and retreats here (and scroll down).

Fee: $257.52 plus 13% hst = $291

To reserve your spot, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

See all of Brian’s upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and weekend retreats here.