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Erin Silver

Photo: Renata Kaveh

I’m a children’s author and have two middle-grade books coming out in 2020. Proud to Play, is a non-fiction book about the experience of Canadian LGBTQ athletes in professional sports (Lorimer, March 2020). My middle grade novel, Just Watch Me, is a laugh-out-loud book about social media and video games (Common Deer Press, October 2020). Orca recently acquired a picture book and a nonfiction book for kids, both of which will be published in 2020.

 

I have been writing professionally for nearly 20 years. My work has appeared in everything from The Washington Post and Globe and Mail to Harper’s Bazaar and Good Housekeeping. I have a postgraduate journalism degree and an MFA in Creative Nonfiction. I’m a member of CANSCAIP, SCBWI, IBBY and TWUC. Visit me online at erinsilver.ca.

 
E-mail: erinlsilver@gmail.com
Phone number:
4163023301

Publications

Proud to Play. Lorimer, 2020
Just Watch Me. Common Deer Press, 2020
Links:
Erin Silver's website
http://www.erinsilver.ca
Eligible for National Public Readings Program :
Yes

WITS

Presentation Description

The 2018 Winter Olympics marked a milestone for LGBTQ+ athletes. Thirteen athletes out of 3,000 competitors were out and proud — nearly double the number who felt comfortable sharing their sexuality four years earlier at the Sochi Games. Many athletes stay closeted for their entire sports careers, often unable to compete at their highest ability because of the shame and self-doubt they feel in not being true to their orientation or identity. But coming out still means facing harassment from fans, teammates, opponents, and the media, and a lack of sponsorship opportunities. While organizations like You Can Play, the Canadian Olympic Committee and EGALE Canada have made progress in recent years in promoting inclusivity at the grassroots and elite sporting levels, there is still much work to be done to ensure all athletes feel safe being their authentic selves.

I would be pleased to talk about my book, the athletes I interviewed, progress in LGBTQ rights, diversity, inclusion and social justice. This ties in with health and physical education curriculum, language arts and social studies.

In addition to talking about social justice, I can also talk to kids about the process of writing nonfiction for kids. My book, Just Watch Me, is a funny middle grade novel, being published in October 2020. I can talk about creative writing as well: elements of creating a story, developing character and writing dialogue, where to get ideas, how to get published.

Presentation Length:
1 hour or more depending on needs
Genre:
LGBTQ topics, nonfiction for kids, fiction writing for kids
Grades:
5+
Audience size:
any
Workshop Description:

I have developed a helpful teaching guide that includes a variety of exercises that involve reading, writing, public speaking, class discussion and analyzing media coverage to accompany Proud to Play. I can also offer a creative writing workshop that is fun, informative and engaging.

Northern OAC WITS:
Yes
One session:
$$300 for a half-day visit
Two sessions:
$$400 for a full-day visit
One session:
$For a half-day visit, we pay the first $150 of the author’s fee.
Two sessions:
$For a full-day visit, we pay the first $200 of the author’s fee.
GST:
GST not applicable