Member Review
The Union was begun because, in the early '70s, writers had no way of comparing experiences. But the results have been much greater than expected: Public Lending Right, benefits for the institutional copying of our work through Access Copyright, informed contract advice, a network to draw upon, and a collective voice. All writers in Canada have benefited — not only those who have joined the Union and pay their dues.
Member Profile
Frank B. Edwards
Frank B. Edwards has written 23 children's books (for children from pre-school to grade six). To date there are over one million of his books in print across North America with Spanish and French translations of several titles. His latest book is "Robert Munsch, Larger than Life," a juvenile biography (Fitzhenry & Whiteside) which has been nominated for the 2010 Silver Birch Award. He has also published a number of illustrated non-fiction books (The Smiling Wilderness, Cultivating the Wilderness, and A House Worthy of God.)
Before devoting himself full time to children's books during the 1990s with creative partner John Bianchi, Frank worked as a magazine editor with Harrowsmith and Equinox, and served as editor/publisher of Camden House Books.
In 1986, he and Bianchi created their own publishing house, Bungalo Books (later Pokeweed Press), producing 38 books together. Novelist/reviewer Sarah Ellis once called him "the most can-do figure in Canadian children's publishing."
An active promoter of early years literacy, his author tours have taken him to schools and educational conferences across Canada, the U.S. and the Middle East. The Canadian Toy Testing Council has included his books for New Readers on its past recommended lists.
Frank's work as an editorial/educational consultant has taken him to the new Canadian War Museum (designing part of its student orientation program), the Archives of Ontario (creating online exhibits and educational material) and the documentary film community (curriculum based education plans). He has also written a number of non-fiction, illustrated histories for a variety of clients.
After a 6-year hiatus, Bungalo has been resurrected as a publisher of "multi-touch books" for kids and adults — illustrated ebooks meant to be read rather than played on the iPad — and has stopped printing its books. The backlist of Frank's children's books is being converted to the iBook format.
Frank lives on the edge of Frontenac Provincial Park near Westport, Ontario where he paddles and hikes regularly.
