A Wolf Called Fire by Roasanne Parry represented by Transatlantic Agency

Writing for Children
      and for Young Adults

With Andrea Cascardi 
        ~ Senior Literary Agent
            at Transatlantic Literary Agency

Sunday, March 1, 2026
 1:15 – 5:00 p.m.
Online via Zoom and accessible wherever there’s Internet

If you want to write the next best-selling children’s books or just want to create stories for your own kids, this workshop is for you. Learn how to write stories kids and young adults will love and find out what you need to know to sell your book.

This is your chance to speak with someone within the publishing industry in a small group setting and to pull back the curtain and see how it all works. Be sure to bring your questions – we'll have lots of time for interaction.

Special option: Participants are invited to submit the opening couple pages (first 500 words) of your children’s book or young adult novel (or up to 800 words if that gets you to the end of your picture book or to the end of your first chapter). Email your pages to me prior to our workshop.

Andrea and I will publicly critique about half a dozen submissions so everyone can see what works, what doesn’t, and how to improve your story-telling. Get your pages in early if you want to be part of this. If you’re not currently working on a children’s story, don’t worry, we’ll get you started! ~Brian

Guest speaker Andrea Cascardi is a senior literary agent with the Transatlantic Agency, a leading literary management company with a team of 22 experienced agents based in New York, Los Angeles, Denver, Portland, Oregon, Boston, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. Andrea herself is based in New York.

Transatlantic offers a full spectrum of career representation to authors (Adult, Children’s & YA, and illustrators) and storytellers (Speakers, Industry leaders & Influencers) across all genres and formats for book, content development, speaking, and TV & Film.

Andrea has held senior editorial positions at Random House, Disney/Hyperion, and Egmont USA. As an editor she acquired and edited Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King winner Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold, the Raffi Songs to Read series, and Pura Belpre winner Before We Were Free by Julia Alvarez, among many other award-winning books.

As an agent she has represented many bestselling and award-winning titles including Clare Vanderpool’s Newbery winner Moon Over Manifest and Printz Honor winner Navigating Early;  e.E. Charlton-Truillo’s Stonewall winner Fat Angie, New York Times Bestseller Nubs: A Mutt, A Marine, and a Miracle, and Texas Bluebonnet winner Ten Rules You Absolutely Must Not Break if You Want to Survive the School Bus.

Workshop leader Brian Henry has been a book editor, author, and creative writing instructor for more than 25 years. He publishes Quick Brown Fox, Canada’s most popular blog for writers and is the author of a children’s version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Tribute Publishing Inc). But his proudest boast is that he’s has helped many of his students get published.

Read reviews and reflections on Brian’s retreats, classes and workshops here.

Fee: $45.13 + 13% hst = $51 paid in advance by mail or Interac

To reserve a spot now, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

See all of Brian’s upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and four-day retreats here.

Fall 2024

My boots have always loved the feel of dirt beneath them. I sat down on the edge of the trail on a large and level rock, balancing myself precariously so I could get just the right angle to take a picture of my hiking boots, with my legs stretched out far in front of me, the brilliant turquoise waters and Rocky Mountains behind them.

My boots are tan suede with red laces like the ones Cheryl Strayed wore in Wild, only I had them before they were famous.

Just a few years prior, Tavi and I were married in an afternoon wedding in Elora, Ontario, overlooking waterfalls and cocooned amidst the trees. Opting for a first hike instead of a first dance, we went for a stroll through the woods after the guests departed. These same boots were laced up on my feet under my white wedding dress.

Oh, if boots could talk, they would boast about what they have seen. They climbed their way through the Lares Trek in Peru, summited coastal mountains in British Columbia, and scaled the red rocks of Arizona. 

Yet their biggest challenge came when they were stuck in the closet throughout my cancer treatment. I was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive sinus cancer and was plunged into a world of scans, surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatments that left me rather broken.

During this time, I kept a list in my journal called Live Life All The Way. It was a collection of things that I would do if I made it to the other side. If, not when, was my mentality at the time. It ranged from simple things like go for long and luxurious brunch, to more ambitious pursuits like hike mountains again. Writing this list gave me something positive to look forward to and hope in all the darkness.

I made it! My boots were now laced up tight, covered in dirt, miles high in the Rocky Mountains. I was through treatment, alive at the top of a mountain, over seven kilometers away from the trailhead with 500 meters of elevation gain. It wasn’t lost on me for a second that six months prior, I could hardly make it up the stairs.

When we got the all-clear to go away, I picked the Canadian Rockies. I had travelled to Banff as a young girl and remembered the awe and amazement that I experienced then. I needed to lace up my boots in these memorable mountains again.

Sitting atop the Highline Trail viewpoint tucked high above Lake Louise, I was pleased we were climbing these steps, on this day, in these mountains. The skies were blue, with clouds occasionally sweeping their way through, providing a break from the intense sun. There was a crispness to the air that only autumn could bring. The weather was perfect for a climb.

As we hiked higher and higher, stopping to take deep breaths because of the altitude, Tavi remarked that it smelled like the pine scented candles we burned throughout the winter, but so much better, crisper.

“It’s not only the pine I smell,” Tavi said.

I looked around. We were surrounded by Mountain Thyme and Juniper Berries - an impressive bouquet.

“I can smell it all,” I said, and that simple fact made me giddy; the giant tumour in my nasal passages had blocked my olfactory senses. But now my nose was clear, and I could smell all the wonderful aromas of the landscape around me.

Near the top, we took a break to fuel ourselves with a protein bar and some water. We had now hiked along the Lake Louise shoreline to the very end of the turquoise waters and up the mountain along the moraine to the Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House.

We could see Lake Louise in the distance and she shone like an emerald gemstone. When the sun caught the yellow leaves of the Aspens dispersed between the lush hues of evergreens, they glowed like nuggets of gold.

Lake Louise shoreline bustled with tourists, all maneuvering to get the best angle for an iconic photograph. Most visitors never venture farther than the paved sidewalk. They miss so much by just seeing the lake from one perspective. How true this is of life.

When we are rushed and busy, and our quest is just to take that famous snapshot, we miss seeing all the other vantage points. We miss the well-earned pride from ascending difficult terrain and then miss being overcome with emotion at the top. We miss the joy in the journey.

Maybe I’d been like that before cancer. Maybe I was too consumed with all the shoulds to make time for the want to’s. I’m not happy I got cancer, but I’m happy with what I can now see because of it.

When I laced up my boots on our wedding day, little did we know that “in sickness and in health” was closer than we could have imagined. But love and partnership and joy were also at hand, and maybe that’s the point. The hills that we climb together, the battles we face, the sorrows we feel, all enable us to appreciate the abundance around us.

My boots have always appreciated the rugged terrain that leads to impeccable views and I thank them for getting me past this bump in the road.

Jessica Weber lives in Kitchener, Ontario with her husband Octavian and Bernedoodle Daisy. She explores the quiet beauty of personal non-fiction, capturing moments of growth, reflection, and the joy of the journey. Jessica can often be found with her hands in the dirt tending to her gardens, taking a stroll down the quiet streets of her neighbourhood, or joining a class to learn something new.

For more essays, short stories, and poetry by you fellow writers see here (and scroll down).

See Brian Henry's upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and four-day retreats here.

Auld Lang Syne

by Robbie Burns

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne.

Chorus:

For auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne,

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp!
And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

Chorus

We twa hae run about the braes
And pu'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary foot
Sin auld lang syne.

Chorus

We twa hae paidl'd i' the burn,
Frae mornin' sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.

Chorus

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right guid willy waught,
For auld lang syne.

Chorus

Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And long, long ago.

Chorus

And for long, long ago, my dear
For long, long ago,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet,
For long, long ago

And surely youll buy your pint-jug!
And surely I'll buy mine!
And we'll take a cup of kindness yet,
For long, long ago.

Chorus

We two have run about the hills
And pulled the daisies fine;
But we've wandered manys the weary foot
Since long, long ago.

Chorus

We two have paddled in the stream,
From morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
Since long, long ago.

Chorus

And there's a hand, my trusty friend!
And give us a hand of yours!
And we'll take a deep draught of good-will
For long, long ago.

Chorus

To My Children:

When I’d dead and gone you’ll find front and centre among my odd keepsakes two small rocks with holes right through the centre. Before you toss them out, I want you to know their story.

Here’s the Short version:

I found these two stones in a riverbed in Smoo Scotland, on the very north coast, in 2013. One is igneous I think and the other sedimentary. They are about 1.5 inches each.

As for the longer version:

I get yearnings. There are forces all around me leading me, pulling me pushing me in various directions. Invisible of course. Do I hear a Banshee wailing to me across the ocean that divides us? Is there a witch beckoning with wings of a black swan? Is there an ancestor’s lonely song calling from beneath rarely travelled sod?

I had to go to Northern Scotland. Where that pull came from, I don’t know but I’ll tell you what I do know. The moment the plane landed in Edinburgh I felt at home. More intense than feeling at home, what I felt was cellular. I belonged here. Though I’d traveled alone, I felt accompanied.

Edinburgh is wonderful. Centuries old, ornate, cobblestoned, hilly, snaked with dark alleys and spooked up with ghost tours. But the north called. I found a tour, which edged into and around the highlands, to Inverness (a good base for going elsewhere), then to the tip of the country, and then a ferry across the cold ocean to Orkney.

We toured the ruins of Pictish houses, Norse structures, and most important for me, the prehistoric standing stones that comprise the Ring of Brodgar. No one knows why they are there. No humans that is. They stand as giant shadows against the evening sun, and in the daytime stalwart sentinels. 

I leaned into the one that called me and placed my hand on it, wanting a response. It stood there stoically but I was convinced there was a little warmth of response under my hand. Really.

Back on the little tour bus, and loaded on the ferry, we left Orkney, heading for the mainland. The next day at a very Scottish breakfast I sat with the bus driver, who was focussed on the small stone in his hand. It had a remarkable hole straight though the middle.

He looked up. “It’s a prophecy stone,” he said.

My spidey sense perked up. “Do tell,” I said.

And he told me if the bearer peers through it she may see spirits or fairies or see through a witch's disguise. It will protect her from witches and ne'er-do-wells, those things that go bump in the night. Whether she sees fairies or not, no bother, the stone will bring good luck.

I wanted one. “Where did it come from?” I asked.

He was coy at first. “Oh, a wee cave not far from here.” He took a drink of coffee, teasing.

“Around here?” I was already mentally lacing up my boots to get going to wherever that was.

He nodded. “Smoo. The stones are in the river there just outside the cave. You may find one or two. Some do, some don’t. What I think is, if you’re blessed or need blessing, you find them.”

“Are we going?” I had to go but I was a prisoner of the bus route.

“Oh, that I canna tell,” he bit into a piece of black sausage. “Up to the tour guide.”

But of course, he knew. We did stop at the famous Smoo Cave (I know of its fame now). My anticipation could have combusted everyone within five feet of me. A prophecy stone!! My very own!!

The driver winked at me on my way out of the bus. We stumbled in a touristy line down a steep hill to a riverbed that opened on one side to the ocean, on the other to a wide-mouthed cave.

It was a nice enough cave. I wandered in there a bit, admired the waterfall within it, appreciated the Durness limestone, (my, isn’t that nice rock) came out again to examine the riverbed. I was looking for my stones. He said they’d be in the river.

It was a sunny day in Scotland. (True!) The river teased me. Stones of every colour glimmered in the sunlight beneath the shallow water. All I could see was a jumble of lovely stones with no holes.

My technique was primitive. I kicked stones over, getting my toes wet, plunged my hands into the freezing water. Finally, the stream revealed a small grey treasure with a perfect hole. Of course, I was thrilled and zipped it into my jacket pocket.

But the river wasn’t done with blessing me. I stole time for one more look. The bus was leaving and I had to catch up to the others stumbling up the slippery hill to the road. And there it was! A white triangular stone with a slightly skewed hole, yes! Right through the centre.

I scrambled up the hill, and boarded the bus with a smile at the driver.

It’s been some years now since I packed my little treasures in my homebound bags. So far the stones are silent. But perhaps quietly, invisibly they do bring me blessings and luck. But so far no fairies.

They do bring memories of a wonderful trip, and a call to the north coast of Scotland that I’m glad I answered. You may wonder why I felt so at home there when my ancestors are Irish. More to be revealed.

Geology:

Google Pics tells me both stones are also called hag stones, having a naturally occurring hole that runs completely through, caused by wave action or the burrowing of bivalve mollusks. That does sound dull. If they were Irish stones I’d picture leprechauns with tiny drills working away all night on the job.

The lighter stone is probably pumice, volcanic, porous, light coloured, ejected from a volcano. Dissolved gases escape as the rock cools, creating the foamy texture. I picture it flying through the atmosphere with the eruption wondering where to land.

The grey stone’s beginning is more elusive. I see various small rocks embedded within it. Perhaps it’s a conglomerate. Undoubtedly it had a quieter birth, settling in slowly as it gathered other smaller stones in one unit.

Do they relate to me? One stone is light in both weight and colour, but had a violent beginning. Perhaps the dichotomy applies. I have what you consider a goofy sense of humour, yet I’ve been through some deep and distressing times. The darker stone is a mystery, comprised of various smaller rocks and smoothed eons by time.

Both reflect the concept of impermanence. Everything changes no matter how slowly, reminding me to stay flexible and to try to accept the sometimes-unsettling fluidity of life.

And so my children, my grandchildren, this is the story of the two stones that spend hours of every day with me at my computer. So far they are withholding visions of fairies. But they continually remind me I am blessed. When I am gone, do toss out whatever you like, but at least you’ll know there is meaning and story behind the things that surround me.

Sheila Eastman is a musician living in Mississauga. She plays and teaches piano and performs in local concert bands in the percussion section – hitting things. Her writing reflects detailed observations of human behavior and her bizarre sense of humour. 

She is a past winner in the Mississauga Library writing contest, poetry division, and was runner up in the Alice Munro short story contest.

Publications include obscure articles on medieval music, an equally obscure monograph on a Canadian composer and totally relevant and exciting articles on wildflowers. Because of her short attention span she writes mainly short stories.

For more essays, short stories, and poetry by you fellow writers see here (and scroll down).

See Brian Henry's upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and four-day retreats here.

And good will to all

This writing competition celebrates eight categories of unpublished writing in the genres of novel, short story, single poem, poetry manuscript, books for young people, and stories by teens, as well as unpublished short film script, and narrative non-fiction. The only requirement: You must be a New Brunswick resident to participate in our provincial competition. Or if you live outside of the province, you must be a member of the Writers Federation of New Brunswick.

Categories:

Short stories or poems written by adults for Children, Middle Grade or Young Adult Readers

• New Brunswick resident author or WFNB member
• Up to 4,500 words
• First Prize $200, Second Prize $100, Third Prize 1 year WFNB membership

2026 Judge: Brian Henry

Fiction Manuscript

• Story collection, novella, or novel extract by a NB resident author or WFNB member
• 15,000 to 30,000 words
• Individual stories can be previously published, but a novella or novel extract must be unpublished
• First Prize $400, Second Prize $200, Third Prize 1 year WFNB membership

2026 Judge: Don Aker

Short Fiction

• Single story by a New Brunswick resident author or WFNB member
• 2,000 to 4,000 words
• Prose only, please. Narrative poems are not admissible
• First Prize $250, Second Prize $150, Third Prize 1 year WFNB membership

2026 Judge: Rona Altrows

Poetry Manuscript 

• 48 to 96 pages by a New Brunswick resident author or WFNB member
• Individual poems can be previously published, but the manuscript
  must be unpublished
• First Prize $350, Second Prize $200, Third Prize 1 year WFNB membership

2026 Judge: Neil Aitken

Single Poem

• Single poem by a New Brunswick resident author or WFNB member
• Up to 100 lines
• First Prize $200, Second Prize $100, Third Prize 1 year WFNB membership

2026 Judge: Sharon Berg

Short story or poem written by New Brunswick teens, age 13 to 18

·         Entry is now free! New Brunswick resident students only

·         Email entries to info@wfnb.ca

·         Use the subject: "Sheree Fitch Prize"

·         Short story or poem written by teens age 13 to 18

·         Short story–up to 4,000 words; or poem–up to 100 lines

·         Only two submissions per person

·         First Prize $100, Second Prize $50, Third Prize 1 year WFNB membership

2026 Judge: Ann Birch

• New Brunswick resident author or WFNB member
• 1,500 to 3,000 words
• First Prize $200, Second Prize $100, Third Prize 1 year WFNB membership

2026 Judge: Bill Arnott

Short film scripts up to 15 minutes in length

PLEASE NOTE: By request of our major sponsors, this competition is now open only to New Brunswick resident authors. WFNB members living outside the province cannot participate.

• Unproduced or produced accepted. 
• First Prize $500 (sponsored by the Jane LeBlanc Legacy Fund and the NB Film Cooperative), Second prize $250 (Sponsored by the WFNB), third prize, 1 year WFNB membership (Sponsored by the WFNB)

2026 Judge: John Mundle

Full contest details here: https://wfnb.ca/Writing-Competition    

See more writing contests and other places to send your short work here (and scroll down).

See all of Brian’s upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and weekend retreats here.

 Algonquin Park Writing Retreat

Friday, June 5 – Monday, June 8, 2026
Arowhon Pines Resort
Arowhon Pines Road
Little Joe Lake, Algonquin Park
Ontario, Canada

Note: We also have a retreat coming up in April at Elm Hurst Inn (see here).

Give yourself a long weekend of writing time – a weekend of instruction, inspiration and creativity. Award yourself with time away from distractions, with no dishes to do and wonderful food at every meal, as you sit with your feet up and write in the most beautiful wilderness setting in Ontario. This is where the Group of Seven got its inspiration (Tom Thompson is buried just a couple of lakes over); it’s a wonderful place for you to find your inspiration, too.

The retreat will feature both instruction and guided writing exercises, plus one-on-one critiquing and coaching from Brian.  You’ll also have lots of time to relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect with your creativity.

All writing levels welcome. Whether you are just beginning or have a novel in progress, please join us. 

This year, the retreat will be limited to ten or eleven participants. This will mean plenty of one-on-one time with the instructor.

The setting: Arowhon Pines is a peaceful, quiet resort nestled in the woods on Little Joe Lake inside Algonquin Park. There are no motorboats on the lake, except for the resort’s own pontoon boat which takes guests on occasional wildlife tours.

The resort is without TV and is far from the roar of traffic. The cry of a loon is the loudest noise you’re likely to hear all day.

Rates include charming accommodation (rooms have a mix of queen beds for one person or couples or twin beds for two people rooming together, and a private bathroom of course, and each cabin has a lounge with fireplace to share with your fellow writers). 

Three all-you-can-eat gourmet meals per day are provided, featuring an abundance of fresh food prepared by master chefs and an inspired kitchen staff. (Bring your own wine or beer!)

All activities included. When you’re not writing or for spouses who accompany you, there is plenty to do: canoe or kayak a series of lakes or hike trails to see wildlife (moose, loons, beaver, turtles, fox, deer), swim in the lake, sail, stand up paddleboard, play tennis or pickleball, enjoy a sauna. and simply relax.

For indoor activities there is a games room with table tennis, shuffleboard, books, and board games. Your stay also includes access to all Algonquin Park programs and activities including a car pass for you to fully enjoy the park.

Check-in isn’t until 3 p.m., but guests can arrive in the morning to fully take advantage of the facilities (though the meals included in your package don’t begin until after check-in time, so lunch on Friday is extra if you arrive early). Each guest will have a day pass for Algonquin Park.

The formal retreat will begin late Friday afternoon. On Monday morning, we'll have our last formal get-together going to 11:30 a.m. Check out time is at 12 noon.  Most guests have lunch while the bellhops load the car. But once you’ve had lunch, don’t feel you have to rush off!

Participants are welcome to bring spouses, partners or friends, as there will be plenty to do while you’re writing – canoeing, kayaking or sailing, swimming if warm enough, tennis, pickleball, reading and just plain resting and unwinding, enjoying the wilderness.

Read about a stay at Arowhon Pines here, and scroll down for more pieces about or inspired by retreats at Arowhon.

Instructor Brian Henry has been a book editor and creative writing instructor for more than 25 years. He publishes Quick Brown Fox, Canada’s most popular blog for writers, taught creative writing at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University),  and has led workshops everywhere from Boston to Buffalo and from Sarnia to Saint John.

But his proudest boast is that he has helped many of his students get their first book published and launch their careers as authors.

For more pieces about, or inspired by,  Brian’s writing retreats, weekly courses and Saturday workshops, see here (and scroll down).

Seminar fee: For the full 4-day, 3-night retreat: $243.36 plus HST

Accommodation fee (including accommodation and food, plus use of all the resort’s facilities):
$478 per night single occupancy, $382 per person per night double occupancy ($764 per couple) plus 15% service charge (in lieu of tipping), then plus 13% HST. 

Book early – space is strictly limited! Full receipts issued.

For more information or to register, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca

If you have questions or need more information about the accommodations,
phone the resort: 1-866-633-5661

Who can attend the retreat?

Everyone interested in developing their writing skills is welcome to attend, whether you're aspiring writer or an accomplished author or simply enjoy writing as a hobby. There is no requirement for you to have been previously published or even to have an intention to publish.

I'm a poet / playwright / other writer. Is this retreat for me?

The retreat is open to anyone who enjoys writing. Instruction will focus on narrative writing; i.e., stories, whether fiction or memoir. But if you’re an essayist or poet or whatever, you’re entirely welcome.  

Should I bring my work in progress?

Yes! If you have an on-going writing project, bring it with you. Bring more than you expect to get to; you'll have lots of time for writing. Besides, you may want to switch projects or share a project that’s just started or one that’s all done, except for reading it to a small, appreciative audience. If you’re not currently working on anything, don’t worry, we’ll get you writing.

Should I bring my laptop?

Yes, if you prefer to work on your laptop. If you prefer to work on paper bring that. Or go crazy and bring both your laptop and your notebook. Bring everything you might want.

Can you cater to specific dietary requirements?

Yes, just let the staff at Arowhon Pines know beforehand about your needs.

I want to stay longer or arrive early. Is that possible?

Yes, absolutely. There is plenty to see and do in the park, and Arowhon Pines is a lovely base from which to explore. Arowhon will keep the same rate throughout your stay.

Is there cell phone reception and WIFI

Arowhon Pines is an island of luxury, but in the midst of wilderness, so spotty cell phone at best and no WIFI, though there are landlines and there’s access to the resort’s Internet connection. (Contact the resort for details.) But be sure to have your writing projects on your laptop or on paper when you come, not stored in the Cloud.

How about alcohol?

Arowhon does not serve alcohol, but guests are welcome to bring their own wine, beer or whatever to have with meals or back at your cabin or wherever. (Though do note that Hemingway’s advice to write drunk, mostly produces drivel.)

Can I bring my spouse?

Certainly. Just let them know you’ll be spending most of your time writing, (though you will have some free time every day), and make sure they enjoy superb food, beautiful wilderness, and relaxing on the deck or the dock or out on a canoe as they glide past a moose munching on water lilies.

For more information about the resort, visit their website here.

For more information or to register, email: brianhenry@sympatico.ca 

To book your accommodation at Arowhon Pines, phone toll free: 1-866-633-5661
And be sure to tell them you're with the writing retreat!

Or you can book on-line here. ~ But be sure to also phone and tell them you're with Brian’s writing retreat!

See all of Brian’s upcoming weekly writing classes, one-day workshops, and weekend retreats here.