EDUCATION

MFA (Creative Writing), University of B.C., Vancouver, B.C. (1995)

Department of English (graduate course work) U.B.C., Vancouver, B.C. (1981-1986)

B.Ed. University of B.C. (Permanent Teaching Certificate), Vancouver, B.C. (1978 – 1981)

Professional Development Program (Standard Teaching Certificate), SFU, Burnaby, B.C. (1973)

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Martha’s Vineyard Writer’s Residency
   Writer in Residence, Sept 16-30, 2011, Martha’s Vineyard, MA.

Red Cinder Artist Studio
   Writer in Residence, May 22- June 5, 2010, Hawaii, USA.

New Pacific Studio
   Writer in Residence, (Dates TBA), Mt. Bruce, Masterton, New Zealand.

The Wallace Stegner House
   Writer in Residence, September 2006, Eastend, SK, Canada.

The Writing Studio, Banff Centre
   Individual work on novel manuscript (May 2 – June 6, 2004), Banff, AB, Canada.

St Peter’s Artist Colony
   Individual work on fiction manuscript (June 27-July 4, 2003), Muenster, SK, Canada.

Iowa Writers’ Workshop
   Short fiction (May 21-June 7, 2002); Iowa City, Iowa, USA.

Editors Association of Canada
   Techniques for Editing Fiction (April 28, 2001); Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Banff Center for the Arts
   Writing With Style (Mar-April 2001); Banff, AB, Canada.

Editors Association of Canada
   Proofreading Techniques (October 19, 1998); Vancouver, BC, Canada.

Sage Hill Writing Experience Inc.
   Fiction Workshop (July-August 1998); Saskatoon, SK, Canada.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Editor (2010-2011)
   Halfmoon Rising (TwinEagles, 2011): an anthology of work from the Halfmoon Bay Writers Workshop;

What is Creative Nonfiction?  (October 4, 2009)
   Workshop on the elements of creative nonfiction for Write on the Sound, Edmonds, WA, USA:

Written in the Body (June 13/14, 2009)
   Creative writing workshop using visceral stimuli for Recreation for the Mind, Roberts Creek, BC: 

Halfmoon Bay Writers Workshop (2003-present)
   Adult writing workshop (ongoing), Halfmoon Bay, BC, Canada .

Editor (2007)
   Free Rice: Writing from room 105, Printorium, Victoria, 2007 (115 pages). 

Instructor (2004-2006)
   Capilano College, Continuing Education (various courses), Sechelt, BC

Instructor/Facilitator (1998-2008)
   Festival of the Written Arts: Youth Writes creative writing workshops, Sechelt, B.C.

Adult Literacy Instructor  (1999-2002)
   Community Access to Literacy and Learning, Capilano College, Sechelt, B.C.  

Instructor/Tutor  (Ongoing)
   English Literature/Writing/Literature in translation to university and senior secondary students.

Instructor   (1994 - 1995).
   New Shoots (creative writing workshops), Vancouver School Board, Vancouver, B.C.

Editor  (1993 - 1994)
   New Shoots Ten, Vancouver School Board, Vancouver, B.C. ;
   Alternative Fare, Windsor House High School, North Vancouver, B.C.

Instructor  (1993 - 1994)
   New Shoots (creative writing workshops), Vancouver School Board, Vancouver, B.C.

Freelance publicist  (1993 - 1994)
   Stanton McDougall Publicity Agents, Vancouver.

Board of Editors  (1992 - 1993)
   Prism International, Dept. of Creative Writing, U.B.C., Vancouver, B.C.

Freelance journalist and copywriter  (1981 - 1990)
   Vancouver, BC

Teacher
   Grades 4/5 and French language (for whole school), Mamquam Elementary School, Squamish, BC.

PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS

Readings from the Coast: Cariboo and District Public Libraries, BC, August 13-21, 2010.

Voiceprint Canada (recording) for the National Broadcasting Service Inc. (August 23, 2009).

Reckoning reading: Cornerstone Café, Victoria, BC (October 18, 2008).

Reckoning reading:  McNally Robinson, Saskatoon (October 1, 2008).

“Imagining BC:  Land, Memory and Place,” Listel Hotel, Vancouver, BC; May 9, 2008

“What’s Important?” Chatelech Secondary School, Sechelt, BC: April 4 & 12, 2007:  presentation and readings      from creative nonfiction and fiction publications

Eastend Arts Council Reading, Redcoat Booksellers, Eastend, SK, September 13, 2006:  excerpts from Old      Stones and Reckoning (short fiction).

Shuswap Lake International Writers Festival, Salmon Arm, BC, June 24, 2006:  Creative Nonfiction      (workshop presentation); Readings from Reckoning (short fiction).
 
Readings from The Writing Studio, Rolston Recital Hall, The Banff Centre, June 1, 2004:  excerpts from Old      Stones and When (novel in progress).

The Storytelling Show, CFRO, Vancouver, BC, Dec. 28, 2003:  interview and reading from Old Stones

Old Stones reading, Vancouver Public Library, October 9, 2003.

Old Stones reading, Word on the Street (Vancouver), September 28, 2003.

BC Federation of Writers AGM, New Westminster, June 7, 2003:  reading from The Forest, The Trees.

Old Stones reading, Society for the Performing Arts, The Heritage Playhouse, Gibsons, July 13, 2003.

Old Stones reading, The Maritime Museum, Victoria, BC, November 9, 2002.

Old Stones reading, Sechelt Public Library, Sechelt, BC, November 21, 2002

AWARDS

2011:
Access Copywright Professional Development Grant: playwriting mentorship.

2010:
Finalist, Moondance International Film Festival, Boulder, Colorado (The Possibility of Jack)

2008:
BC Arts Council, Project assistance for travel to New Pacific Studio, Masterton, New Zealand

2004:
Canada Council for the Arts (for Banff Writing Studio).

2003:
Winner, BC Federation of Writers, Writers’ Retreat, Horsefly Manor, Quesnel Lake, BC.

2001:
Winner, BC Federation of Writers’ Writing Slam, May 12, 2001, Victoria, BC (for “Once City”)

2000:
Finalist, Western Magazine Awards, “Dark Journey” (Prairie Fire, Vol 20. No. 3, Winnipeg, 1999).
Winner, Iceberg Short Fiction Competition, Quarry Hill Publishing, Cheshire, UK, July 2000.

1999:
Creative Nonfiction Contest Winner, Prairie Fire (Vol. 20, No. 3) Winnipeg, 1999. 

1996:
Winner, Ian St. James Awards (Kent, UK) for “Homing Instinct” (Angela Royal Pub., London, 1997).

1994:
Winner, Ian St. James Awards (Kent, UK) for “The Possibility of Jack” (Harper-Collins, London, 1994).
Winner, Writer's Digest (Cincinnati, Ohio) 1994 Writing Competition for “How to Take a Lover.”

1993:
Honourable Mention, 1993 Norma Epstein Creative Writing Competition (University College, Toronto). Helen Badenoch Scholarship for journalism, UBC.

1992:
Winner, Canadian Writers' Journal (Victoria, B.C.) for “What's A Mother To Do?”