Love Letters

Hello Brian,
I have attended a workshop of yours and have never stopped writing since. I recently tied first place in my local library writing contest with my short story "The Piano Lesson". I won $350! It is going to be in the Meaford Independant online along with the other winners of the contest.
Alison Hall
You can read Alison’s story here.


Hi, Brian.
Here’s my big news: I’ve sold A Shadow in the Past. It's the manuscript I brought to your Writing for Children and Young Adults workshop back in April. (Yeah, I know, it’s not a kid’s book.)

Since then, it underwent a major update and I entered it in the Mills & Boon New Voices contest. I got a lot of feedback from there, most of which was the beginning was too long. So back to the drawing board and I completely re-wrote the first three chapters.

I heard about the Muse It Up online writing conference so signed up for it and appointments to pitch to editors and agents. So on October 4, I pitched to Vivian Zabel at 4RV Publishing and she asked me to submit. I wasn't expecting to hear back right away since their website says 3 – 6 months and only if they're interested. You can imagine my surprise when later that evening, I got an e-mail from them saying, "We're offering you a contract."

The release date is scheduled for May/June 2012.

I really enjoyed the workshop in Kingston and am looking forward to more. I think there are only three that I've not attended.

Melanie Robertson-King
www.melanierobertson-king.com

Hi, Brian.
Another of my short stories, "The Gift" has been accepted for publication for the month of December at http://howyahdoon.blogspot.com/

Two of my poems have been published as well. "Floating" in the 60th Anniversary book of Tower Poetry Society, as well as my poem "Dancing Willow" which has been exhibited at the Art Walk in Dundas, Ontario.

I look forward to another time you come to Hamilton so that I might once again take another course.
Wilma Seville.


Hi, Brian.
I took your advice from the workshop you gave at the World's Biggest Bookstore and for the first time I submitted a piece of my writing – a poem, actually – and it was accepted by a publication and will be published next February 2012 in Poetic Pinup Revue!

I always felt my written pieces were like children and hesitated putting them out there into the world, but you gave me the nudge I needed. I'm ready! Thank you! As for the story I started in your workshop, I will be expanding on it, and changing the location.

Take care and have a great day!
Donna Ortolan

Hi Brian,
I took your Writing for Children workshop several years ago in Woodstock. I am pleased to announce, my novel, Search for the Quinset Keepers, has just been published by OakTara Publishing. I read the opening chapter at the workshop and it was discussed and a few suggestions offered.

It’s a YA science fiction adventure which I used to read to my grade seven students every year. The parents pushed me to find a publisher when I retired. Thanks again for your help at the workshop.
Armand Matte
More info about the novel can be found here.

Writer to Writer:
Published author/English teacher-in-training is eager to edit manuscripts for very reasonable rates. For more information, email brandon.c.crilly@gmail.com  
Thanks,
Brandon Crilly


Hi, Brian.
Just heard from commuterlit.com and they're going to post my story, Life in Hand. Yay! This is the one I wrote during the summer class. Thank you for your helpful feedback and support!
Brenda Buchanon

Read Brenda's story here.
For information on submitting to CommuterLit, see here.

See Brian's schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Kingston, Peterborough, Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Georgetown, Oakville, Burlington, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Dundas, Kitchener, Guelph, London, Woodstock, OrangevilleGravenhurst, Sudbury, Muskoka, Peel, Halton, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.