Writer in Residence
Sarah Ellis
Are you interested in writing children's or young adult fiction, poetry or non-fiction? Have you already started working on a piece? Get expert feedback from the acclaimed Sarah Ellis, our Spring 2012 Writer in Residence, who will be at the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books.
About Sarah Ellis
Sarah Ellis is a contemporary Canadian children's author. Her works include Back of Beyond, The Baby Project, Out of the Blue and Next Stop.
Sarah didn't start writing stories until her thirties. She said she gets her ideas from "memories, anecdotes people tell me, radio interviews, dreams, newspaper articles, family stories, being curious, observing the world, (and) paying attention."
In 1991, Sarah won the Governor General's Literary Award for Pick Up Sticks. She is also the recipient of the Vicky Metcalf Body of Work Award. Her books have now been published in five countries.
Submit A Manuscript
The deadline to submit your manuscript is January 13, 2012. The library reserves the right to limit the number of manuscripts received.
Aspiring writers age 18+ are welcome to submit a manuscript of no more than 15 pages (entire first chapters may be sent, but Sarah will read selectively after page 10).
Authors may submit fiction, poetry or non-fiction intended for children or young adults; or up to two picture-book manuscripts for children with a maximum combined length of 15 pages.
Ms. Ellis will meet with each author for an hour-long, one-on-one session at no cost to the individual. Meetings are by appointment only.
Other criteria for submitting manuscripts:
- Typed or word-processed on one side of each page (handwritten manuscripts will not be accepted)
- Use 12 point or larger Times New Roman typeface only
- Manuscripts must be double-spaced with a minimum 1" margin, on opaque white paper, with self-addressed stamped envelope
- No email copies accepted
- Please do not send in originals
Please include: your name, address, email address and telephone number on your cover page. There is a limit of one submission per person.
Mail or bring to:
Writer in Residence Program
Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books
Lillian H. Smith Branch, 4th floor
239 College Street
Toronto, ON M5T 1R5
The Toronto Public Library is not responsible for returning manuscripts. Please submit a copy of your work.
Questions?
For further information, contact the Osborne Collection of Early Children's Books: 416-393-7753.
Apply to be Writer In Residence
Toronto Public Library typically hosts two residencies per year:
- A longer residency, usually four months, from January to June
- A shorter residency, usually two months, from September to December
Writers who have held residencies at the library include Constance Beresford-Howe, Gail Bowen, Chester Brown, June Callwood, Austin Clarke, Karen Connelly, Deborah Cooke, Carole Giangrande, Ann Ireland, M.T. Kelly, Rabindranath Maharaj, Janis Rapoport, Nino Ricci, Elizabeth Ruth, Robert J. Sawyer, Karl Schroeder, Kathy Stinson, Allan Stratton, Sugith Varughese, Tim Wynne-Jones.
Writers of literary fiction are invited to apply for the Spring 2013 residency. Applications accepted until Friday, December 16. More information.
Special Thanks:
Thanks to the Canada Council for the Arts for their support of the Writer in Residence program.
