Author Hacks and Apps

Kern Carter is a prolific writer, educator, and mentor based in Toronto. With a passion for storytelling, Kern has authored three books (with two more coming in 2024), which have received critical acclaim and garnered a dedicated following. In addition to his impressive body of work, Kern is committed to supporting emerging writers and helping them find their voice. He has created several online platforms that provide a safe and welcoming space for new writers to share their stories and connect with others in the community. These platforms have been made possible through Kern's partnerships with various organizations and institutions and have helped to elevate the voices of countless writers who may not have had the opportunity otherwise. Kern's commitment to mentorship extends beyond his online platforms, as he also teaches at Humber College as a professor and runs workshops on the craft of writing and how to make money as a writer. For those looking for more personalized guidance, Kern also offers one-on-one mentorship to emerging writers, helping them to develop their skills, refine their craft, and navigate the often-challenging world of publishing.

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Sarah Castille has written over 20 books under two pen names. As Sarah Castille, she writes sizzling contemporary romance and romantic suspense. As Sara Desai, she writes romantic comedy and cozy mystery. Sarah's books have appeared in People, Oprah Magazine, Marie Claire, Pop Sugar, Bustle, Buzzfeed, Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, Woman's World, Hello! Canada, and more. Sarah lives on Vancouver Island with her family and assorted forest creatures. When not laughing at her own jokes, she can be found eating nachos.

Guyanese-Canadian Natasha Deen is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal. Her works include In the Key of Nira Ghani (Amy Mather Teen Book Award), Spooky Sleuths: The Ghost Tree (School Library Journal Best Books of 2022), and The Signs and Wonders of Tuna Rashad, Globe & Mail's Top 100 Books for 2022. When she’s not writing, she teaches Introduction to Children’s Writing with the University of Toronto’s SCS and spends an inordinate amount of time trying to convince her pets that she’s the boss of the house.

Heather Grace Stewart is a bestselling Amazon author, speaker, and poet. Her first poem was published in her school newsletter when she was five, and she's been hooked on writing ever since. She trained and worked as a journalist, started her own freelance magazine writing and editing business in 1999, and her first book, a nonfiction book for youth on Sir Wilfrid Laurier, was traditionally published in 2003. As a poet and novelist, she’s inspired by family, nature, and how digital technology both enhances and hinders relationships. She wrote and published four poetry collections before discovering her love of romantic comedy and screenplay writing. Her novels have been published as audiobooks and translated into Polish ebooks and audiobooks, and The Ticket was translated to French. Born in Ottawa, she lives with her family near Montreal, where she enjoys inline skating by the St. Lawrence River in summer and dancing while cooking to keep warm in winter.

Sahar Golshan is the author of the picture book So Loud! (Annick Press, spring 2024). So Loud! is illustrated by Shiva Delsooz. Sahar is a writer, a language learner, and the director of the short documentary KAR (2019). She is a winner of the Marina Nemat Award for Creative Writing in Non-Fiction and the Air Canada Short Film Award. Her writing has appeared in Room, Taclanese, Shameless, The Ex-Puritan, and Tongues: On Longing and Belonging through Language. She enjoys teaching and facilitating workshops in academic and community spaces like the University of Guelph and the Toronto Public Library.