Member Profile

Elizabeth Glenn-Copeland

Photo: Faith Chaput 2018

am an artist/activist who writes poetry, plays, short stories and longer works of fiction. My novella, JAZZ, won the 2014 Ken Klonksy Novella Prize and was shortlisted for the 2015 ReLit Award.  JAZZ is available through Quattro Books (Toronto, ON). My short stories, poems and personal essays have been published in Forge Journal, The Furious Gazelle, Circa - A Journal of Historical Fiction and What Rough Beast, to name a few. An excerpt from my novel, "Traeh Gnul - Miranda's Journey from the Great Forest" won the 2014 Writers Federation of New Brunswick Young Adult Fiction Award. In 2017, with the support of Mount Allison University, I wrote, directed and produced the spoken-word play, "Bearing Witness". I served as the 2018 Writer-in-Residence at Joggins Fossil Cliffs (N.S.) and as part of this residency, I am completing  a book of poems entitled, "Pangaea's Dream" which will be published by Chapel Street Editions (Woodstock, N.B.) with a planned launch in April 2019.

One of my great joys comes from facilitating creative process. In 2016, I presented at the Knowlton Literary Festival (Knowlton, QC) and at the San Miguel Writers Conference (San Miguel de Allende, Mexico). In 2017, I facilitated the Earth Warriors Theatre Project, working collaboratively with a group of middle school students to write and mount a play called "Don't sit this one out" (title based on a quote by Carl Sagan). I have worked as an arts educator in school and community settings for the past thirty years and since 2013 have toured N.B. as part of the Writers in the Schools program (Writers Federation of New Brunswick).

I currently live in Sackville, N.B. with my composer husband, Beverly Glenn-Copeland and two cats. In my spare time, I love to garden, read, walk in the woods and drink earl grey tea, not necessarily in that order.

To read some of my work, please visit my (not up to date) website!

E-mail: emglenncopeland@mta.ca
Phone number:
c/o Writers' Union of Canada

Publications

JAZZ. Quattro Books, 2014
PANGAEA'S DREAM. Chapel Street Editions, 2019 (April)

Awards

Ken Klonsky Novella Prize for Quattro Books, 2014
ReLit Award - Shortlist for Quill and Quire, 2015
Links:
To find out more about Elizabeth
http://www.elizabethcopeland.ca
,
Writers in the Schools
http://wfnb.ca/wisp_profile/elizabeth-copeland-sackville/
,
JAZZ - A coming of age story of an East Indian trans male
http://quattrobooks.ca/books/jazz/
Eligible for National Public Readings Program :
Yes

WITS

Presentation Description

Whether we are focusing on writing poetry, fiction, plays, speech writing or personal essays, the program is designed in concert with the lead teacher to make sure we meet school/community needs. My goal is always to encourage young writers and kick-start the creative process. Themes discussed include accessing the creative brain, writing from the senses, editing basics with the majority of the learning happening through in-class writing.

I have worked as an artist facilitator for over 30 years with such organizations as Learning through the Arts, the Storytellers School of Toronto and the New Brunswick Writers in the Schools Program. I have extensive experience working with students with learning disabilities. I also offer Professional Development workshops for teachers.

"Elizabeth facilitated a very hands on style workshop...Students got to write and explore ideas and then receive feedback from peers and Elizabeth after sharing their writing piece. This was a great enrichment opportunity for our students...Truly a great experience for our students!"
JoAnn Boone / Anglophone West School District

Presentation Length:
Varies according to program goals
Genre:
Fiction / Poetry / Playwriting / Personal Essays / Speech Writing
Grades:
4 - 12
Audience size:
Minimum 6 / Maximum 20 per class
Workshop Description:

Sample Workshop

Round robin introductions

Group discussion - Who likes stories? Who thinks they are a good writer? Why?

Free write exercise: What do you enjoy about writing? What do you find frustrating?

Group debrief

The Creative Mind vs. the Editorial Mind - writing exercise

Writing from the Senses - 2 free fall writing exercises

Rhythm and Rhyme - wrtiting exercise

Group sharing with feedback

Group discussion

Analysis - here I read a selection of poetry or prose and ask the students to listen for some of the elements we have discussed

Free write time

Group feedback/discussion

Action plan - How do we create a personal writing practice?

 

Northern OAC WITS:
Yes
One session:
$same as above
One session:
$$ 350.00 per day with time broken down into sessions as decided by artist and school
GST:
GST not applicable