Member Profile

Please note: All profiles are member-generated.

Catherine Austen

2018

Catherine Austen writes books for children and teens, short stories for adults, and reports for corporate clients. Her novels have won the CLA Young Adult Book Award, the Sunburst Award, the QWF Prize for Children’s Literature, and the Hackmatack Children’s Choice Award. Her short stories have appeared in The Fiddlehead, The New Quarterly, and Write. You can listen to her creative writing podcast, "Cabin Tales: Spooky Stories for Young Writers" at https://CabinTales.ca. Catherine lives in Gatineau, Quebec. 

E-mail: c_a_austen@hotmail.com
Phone number:
c/o Writers' Union of Canada

Publications

Walking Backward. Orca Book Publishers, 2009
My Cat Isis, illustrated by Virginie Egger. Kids Can Press, 2011
26 Tips for Surviving Grade 6. Lorimer, 2011
All Good Children. Orca Book Publishers, 2011
28 Tricks for a Fearless Grade 6. Lorimer, 2014

Awards

Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book Award for All Good Children, 2012
Sunburst Award (YA Category) for All Good Children, 2012
Hackmatack Children's Choice Award (English Fiction) for 26 Tips for Surviving Grade 6, 2012-13
QWF Prize for Children's and Young Adult Literature for 26 Tips for Surviving Grade 6, 2012
Links:
Website
http://www.catherineausten.com
,
Blog
http://www.catherineausten.wordpress.com
,
Cabin Tales Podcast
https://CabinTales.ca
Eligible for National Public Readings Program :
Yes

WITS

Presentation Description

For Fall 2020, check out my creative writing podcast, "Cabin Tales: Spooky Stories for Young Writers." I will be offering virtual school visits in Winter and Spring 2021, including writing workshops based on elements of the podcast.

I should also be translating my face-to-face presentations into virtual formats, with three basic presentations for different ages: 

"Making Up Stories" for JK-grade 4. About how a book is made, from the first idea to the first review. Includes fun facts about ancient Egypt and squirrels, tips on finding ideas for stories in everyday life, and suggestions for making your own books. 

"10 Tips for a Fearless Writing Life" for grades 3-8. Everything I've learned about becoming an author summed up in one hour and accompanied by cartoons, memes and fun facts about phobias. With a reading from the middle-grade comedy, 28 Tricks for a Fearless Grade 6 (performed in a devil voice).

"Writing Aint all That" for grades 7+. About dystopias in life and literature and what writing can and cannot do to help you get through. With a reading from the teen novel, All Good Children.

I also offer a presentation about reading as a subversive activity suitable for grades 7+. 

Presentation Length:
1 hour
Genre:
Children's and Teen Fiction
Grades:
K-3; 3-7; 7-12
Audience size:
up to 100 (presentations); 30 students (workshop)
Workshop Description:

For Fall 2020, check out my creative writing podcast, "Cabin Tales: Spooky Stories for Young Writers." I will be offering virtual school visits in Winter and Spring 2021, including writing workshops based on elements of the podcast. Topics include "5 ways to start a story"; "character development"; "settings"; "plotting"; and "revision". 

Northern OAC WITS:
Yes
One session:
$250
Two sessions:
$400
Three sessions:
$500 full day
GST:
GST applicable