Photo Credit:
Photo credit
Heather Douglas
Sharon Frayne
BIO
Biography

After a career as an intrepid high school reporter with the Beamsville Express and St. Catharines Standard, Frayne acquired an Honours BA in Visual Art and English Literature, a B.Ed. with specialization in Intermediate/Senior Visual Art and English, and an M.Ed. in Curriculum Writing. Her adventure as a High School teacher and Elementary administrator lasted more than 3 decades. The vanished former Niagara Courthouse and Jail was the setting for her debut novel, 'Caught Between the Walls.' Her YA novel, 'The Sound of a Rainbow' won the 2020 Muskoka Novel Marathon Contest, and was published by Latitude 46 Publishing in Spring 2023. As a board member of the NOTL Writers' Circle, and the Niagara Branch of the Canadian Authors' Association, she actively connects with other writers and presents workshops for writers. She's the past Editor of the CAA annual Anthology (15 Stories High), and has appeared as guest speaker at numerous arts festivals. As a reader for the CBC, she was featured in a televised production of 'A Christmas Carol.'

Her award winning short stories were recognized by: DarkWinter Literary Press, the Canadian Authors Association (TO), Simcoe Arts Council, NOWW, Stratford Rotary Club, and NOTL WC. She's published by DarkWinter Literary Magazine, CommuterLit, Uproar, Agnes and True, the Ekphrastic Review and local media. For more information, go to http://www.sharonfrayne.com

ADDRESS
City: Niagara on the Lake, Province/Territory: Ontario
EMAIL
GENRE
Short Stories, Young Adult Fiction, Adult Speculative Fiction
LANGUAGES
English
PUBLICATIONS
Publications
Title
The Sound of a Rainbow
Publisher
Latitude 46 Publishing
Year
2023
Title
Caught Between the Walls
Publisher
Bygones Publishing
Year
2016
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS
Presentation details
Audience Size
Audience size
up to 200
Presentation Genre
short stories, young adult fiction, adult speculative fiction
Presentation Length
30 minutes, followed by Q & A of 30 minutes (can be flexible)
Presentation Description
Presentation description

1. Discussion/talk about the writing life. What personal qualities does an author need? 

or

2. Open presentation on YA novel 'The Sound of a Rainbow'. This novel is set in an inclusive Performing Arts Summer Camp in Northern Ontario. The protagonist is a 16-year-old former 'pop star' who has been destroyed by social media. How she learns to rebuilt her self confidence, and develop empathy for other special needs campers is an uplifting story of hope.

or

3. Open presentation on YA hybrid non-fiction/fiction novel 'Caught Between the Walls'. This novel shares the perspective of 10 people, between 1820 - 1920, who spent time in the former NOTL Courthouse and Jail. It includes tales of Indigenous people, early colonialists, an escaped American slave, and 'Home Children' who were sold into indentured servitude. Thoroughly researched, engaging stories of the people whose lives affected current Canadian laws and attitudes.

Presentation Fee(s)
$300
Workshop details
Audience Size
up to 30
Intended Audience
Middle School - Secondary School (grades 6-8)
Workshop Length
up to 60 minutes (flexible) - can be 2 hours with personal writing time
Workshop Description
Workshop description

Seven Steps to Successful Short Stories

A highly interactive Powerpoint Presentation on writing Short Stories. Students will review the essential elements of a Short Story, and seven steps to better writing. This is an engaging, fun and focused presentation. We'll also explore how to generate ideas, and create characters. Following the presentation and discussion, there will be time for guided personal writing. 

Workshop Fee(s)
$150 per hour
School presentation details
Audience Size
Classrooms, or small assemblies (up to 100 students)
Intended Audience
Grades 6 - 12
Presentation Length
up to 60 minutes (flexible)
Presentation Description
Presentation description

1. Discussion/talk about the writing life. What personal qualities does an author need? 

or

2. Open presentation on YA novel 'The Sound of a Rainbow'. This novel is set in an inclusive Performing Arts Summer Camp in Northern Ontario. The protagonist is a 16-year-old former 'pop star' who has been destroyed by social media. How she learns to rebuilt her self confidence, and develop empathy for other special needs campers is an uplifting story of hope.

or

3. Open presentation on YA hybrid non-fiction/fiction novel 'Caught Between the Walls'. This novel shares the perspective of 10 people, between 1820 - 1920, who spent time in the former NOTL Courthouse and Jail. It includes tales of Indigenous people, early colonialists, an escaped American slave, and 'Home Children' who were sold into indentured servitude. Thoroughly researched, engaging stories of the people whose lives affected current Canadian laws and attitudes.

OR

Seven Steps to Successful Short Stories

A highly interactive Powerpoint Presentation on writing Short Stories. Students will review the essential elements of a Short Story, and seven steps to better writing. This is an engaging, fun and focused presentation. We'll also explore how to generate ideas, and create characters. Following the presentation and discussion, there will be time for guided personal writing. 

 

Presentation Fee(s)
$300
Programs & Interests
Interested in participating Union’s Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program:
All members are eligible for the Union’s Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program. Are you interested in participating in this pro
Yes
Interested in participating in the Northern Ontario WITS program:
The Union’s Northern Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program funds in-person visits to northern Ontario schools when possible. Ar
Yes