SPOTLIGHT ON
Julia’s Studio
WHAT IS IT?
The Burnaby Public Library offers a free series of creative sessions for teens in grades 8 through 12 called Julia’s Studio: Creative Workshops for Teens. The workshops are offered in memory of the former teen librarian, Julia Nelson, who died in the fall of 2013 after being diagnosed with leukemia. Nelson was the library’s teen services librarian from 2010 to 2013.
WHAT DOES IT INVOLVE?
Julia’s Studio is focused on writing this summer, and this year’s workshops include four guest authors presenting on various aspects of writing.
The workshops all run Wednesdays from 1 to 4 p.m.
Coming up are:
Finding the Story in History, July 6: Mark David Smith, a Burnaby high school teacher and young adult author, takes a look at how to incorporate historical facts into works of fiction. His first novel, Caravaggio: Signed in Blood, was published by Tradewind Books. It includes a two-hour workshop and a one-hour write-in session.
Fabricating Fantasy Worlds, July 13: Presenter Rachel Hartman is a New York Times bestselling YA author, best known for the Seraphina series. It includes a two-hour workshop on creating convincing fantasy worlds, followed by a one-hour write-in session.
Creating Captivating Characters, July 20: Jason Chabot is the author of the trilogy Broken Sky Chronicles, a dystopian fantasy series. He’ll look at how to create captivating characters, with a two-hour workshop and a one-hour manuscript peer review session afterwards.
How to Publish Your Manuscript, July 27: Caroline Adderson is a creative writing teacher at SFU and UBC and an award-winning fiction writer of work for children and adults. She’ll look at how to get work published, and a two-hour workshop will be followed by a one-hour manuscript peer review session.
HOW DO I SIGN UP?
All the workshops are free, but space is limited and advance registration is needed. Sign up for any or all of the sessions at www.bpl.bc.ca/events
