The Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illust & Performers.

@canscaip.bsky.social

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The Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP), founded in 1977, is a national membership organization, a not-for-profit national arts service organization, and a registered charitable organization.

You know someone who would love the Packaging Your Imagination Conference. Tag them below and help us fill the room with the people who are interested in creating children's books. #PYI2026
Registration is open for #pyi2026 When you register for either PYI IN PERSON (in downtown Toronto) or for PYI LIVESTREAM (the live conference in real time on your computer), you choose 1 session in each time slot, for a total of 4 of the 12 sessions. ALL registrations also include the 2 keynote speakers. At no extra charge, attendees for both PYI options get recordings of all 12 sessions plus the 2 keynotes. The PYI recordings will be sent in November. SAVE THE DATE: Saturday, October 24 REGISTER TODAY: https://canscaip.org/PYI-Conference
REGISTRATION IS OPEN! CANSCAIP has hosted this highly regarded professional development conference for more than 40 years. Canada's community of children's writers, illustrators, performers and publishers gathers annually for PYI. We invite you to join us for this inspiring day of craft, business, and networking. https://canscaip.org/PYI-Conference
‪Caroline Fernandez‬ ‪@parentclub.bsky.social‬ · 10s Writers and illustrators - learn more about Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP) canscaip.org #kidlit
SHARE: What's your best takeaway from PYI? Packaging Your Imagination (PYI) Conference REGISTRATION for pyi 2026 OPENS in JULY. Join us at PYI IN PERSON: Saturday, October 24 2026 at Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute in Toronto . OR Can't be there in person? Be there in real time with PYI LIVESTREAM: Saturday October 24 2026
The book draw winners have been selected (and informed) and their prizes are off in the post!
CANSCAIP Monthly Membership Meeting - Wed June 10 7pm EST Topic: Query Letters David Griffin Brown founded Darling Axe Editing in 2018.
Save the date: Packaging Your Imagaination Conference is coming! Saturday October 24 PYI in-person (Toronto, ON) PYI livestream (anywhere you are connected to the internet) Registration opens in July! #CANSCAIP #kidlit
Save the date: June 10th Monthly Member Meeting for QUERY LETTERS - DARLING AXE's David G Brown.
Join CANSCAIP - become part of the Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators, and Performers. Learn more: https://canscaip.org/JoinCANSCAIP
Sports help kids learn teamwork, confidence, discipline, respect and friendship. Books that include sports provide a starting point, a backdrop, a side-plot to educate, enlighten and entertain. They can help to engage kids who might not otherwise be interested in reading or history. Join Kevin Sylvester, Heather Camlot, Eric Zweig and Jean Mills as they discuss why they use sports in their writing … and why they love sports so darn much. Books that include sports provide a starting point, a backdrop, a side-plot to educate, enlighten and entertain. They can help to engage kids who might not otherwise be interested in reading or history. Join Kevin Sylvester, Heather Camlot, Eric Zweig and Jean Mills as they discuss why they use sports in their writing … and why they love sports so darn much.
No-Homework Online Critique Groups: Middle Grade/Young Adult Edition Saturday April 11 12-2:30pm ET CANSCAIP's second No-Homework Online Critique Event will be on SATURDAY APRIL 11. If you have a Middle Grade or Young Adult work in progress and you’d like peer feedback, we invite you to join us. This a FREE event for CANSCAIP Friends and Members. Registration is limited to 35. REGISTER “No-Homework” means there is no need to send your pages in advance. Just come to the event ready to read and share your story. The event format will include arranging participants into small breakout rooms. One of the goals is to establish connections that could lead to ongoing critique groups after the initial event is over.
Join as a member or a friend - both have benefits to emerging and experienced children's book creators! https://canscaip.org/JoinCANSCAIP
CANSCAIP’s Writing for Children Competition is now open for entries! Canada’s largest competition for children’s writers welcomes submissions from unpublished and self-published writers. The deadline for entries is May 31. Four $500 cash prizes will be awarded to the winning Middle Grade and Young Adult entries, and to the top two Picture Book entries. Two finalists in each category will also be selected. The winners and finalists will be given time to revise their entries before CANSCAIP submits them to Annick Press, Kids Can Press and Scholastic Canada for evaluations. Every entry receives a written evaluation from a traditionally published CANSCAIP Member volunteer reader. Entries advancing to the second round receive another evaluation, and entries on the shortlist receive evaluations from each jury member. Entrants must be over the age of 18, Canadian citizens or permanent residents, with no traditionally published books in any genre or for any age. Previously submitted entries can be re-submitted for the 2026 Competition. Self-published writers are eligible to enter the Competition, but self-published books with an ISBN are not eligible as entries. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: https://canscaip.org/Submission-Guidelines
SAVE THE DATE. CANSCAIP Monthly Member Meeting WED MAR 11 7:00 ET Zoom MEETING TIME ZONES PT 4pm | MT 5pm | CT 6pm | ET 7pm | AT 8pm | NL 8:30pm Registration via member/friend website portal
Give the gift of a CANSCAIP membership! https://www.canscaip.org/JoinCANSCAIP #CANSCAIP
Please join us at the Spring Edition of our ONLINE WRITING RETREAT Saturday, March 14, 2026 ALL TIME ZONES: PT 8am–6pm | MT 9am–7pm CT 10am–8pm | ET 11am–9pm AT 12pm–10pm | NT 12:30pm–10:30pm Registration required via the member/friend portal on the CANSCAIP website.
CANSCAIP offers professional development, promotion, and support for the creativity, craft, and business practice of creators and performers for children and teens.
Join CANSCAIP! https://www.canscaip.org/JoinCANSCAIP' psst...pass it on ;-)
CANSCAIP Friends and Members across Canada are invited to an online Social Hour via Zoom on Thursday, March 5 @7:30 pm ET. We hope you'll join us at this online meet-and-greet, giving our membership across the country an opportunity to socialize and network. We also offer the option to share contact information with the group, which has led to members and friends connecting both online and in person. If you're interested in forming or joining a critique group, this event is a great place for making those kinds of connections! Some CANSCAIP board members will be in attendance to support the friendly and professional discussions and for tech assistance. Please REGISTER for the event via the CANSCAIP website member/friend portal.
REMINDER: Monthly Membership Meeting Tonight
REFER A FRIEND to CANSCAIP! Two levels of membership: https://canscaip.org/JoinCANSCAIP Forward and/or share this post :-)
Join us at the CANSCAIP BOOKTASTING at the OLA Superconference. Thu Jan 29 AND Fri Jan 30, from 10:30am to 11:25am on both days. CANSCAIP’s Book Tastings presentations are at the Idea Hub in the MTCC Exhibit Hall level - at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Next Monthy Membership Meeting Wednesday January 14 - 7pm ET Our New Year, New Creators panel will feature three new picture book writers: Yewande Daniel-Ayoade (The Little Regent), Dianne Koebel-Pede (My Amazing Race Car Brain), and Tamla T. Young (Ready, Set, Mango!). Our three writers will share the ups and downs of their journeys to publication, including successes, obstacles, and surprises, to be followed by Q&A. The panel will be moderated by Jane Baird-Warren (How To Be a Goldfish). Register on the website.
Join CANSCAIP or refer a friend! Membership perks include monthly Zoom meetings with expert speakers, our quarterly newsletter, discounted event fees, industry news & launch invites, a vote at our AGM, your bio in our Members Directory, access to our peer listserv, and promotion of your book launches. https://canscaip.org/MemberApplication #CANSCAIP
CANSCAIP's online self-guided writing retreat Sat Jan 10, 2026 Contact CANSCAIP office to sign up
"First Thousand Words" Editing Fundraiser 2026 When: January 2026 FOR: Young Adult novel, Middle Grade novel, Chapter Book, or Picture Book creators CANSCAIP Saskatchewan is here to help. Submit the first thousand words of your manuscript and up to two questions and our team of experienced published authors will give you editorial feedback so you can polish those pages or find out if you’re headed in the right direction. The edits will be done anonymously as Track Changes in a Word document, as professional publishers use. Your pages will be returned to you within six weeks, with comments alongside the text, and with edits done on lines that need them. The cost for CANSCAIP Members or Friends is $50, and $70 for all others. One manuscript per registration. Limit of two registrations per person. The funds raised will go towards CANSCAIP Saskatchewan's Prairie Horizons Conference in 2027. This offer will be open from January 1st until 31st or until 100 registrations are received, whichever comes first. (Historically, it sells out quickly.) REGISTER: https://canscaip.org/Events
The Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers (CANSCAIP), founded in 1977, is a national membership organization, a not-for-profit national arts service organization, and a registered charitable organization. We offer professional development, promotion, and support for the creativity, craft, and business practice of creators and performers for children and teens. As well as 400+ traditionally published Members, CANSCAIP has 600+ associate Friends that include emerging or self-published writers and illustrators, educators, librarians, publishers, and journalists.
START YOUR NEW YEAR OFF WRITE! Please join us at the Winter Edition of our ONLINE WRITING RETREAT Saturday, January 10, 2026 ALL TIME ZONES: PT 8am–6pm | MT 9am–7pm CT 10am–8pm | ET 11am–9pm AT 12pm–10pm | NT 12:30pm–10:30pm We are excited to CONNECT, CREATE & SHARE with writers and illustrators from coast to coast to coast, at the WINTER EDITION of our popular self-guided ONLINE WRITING RETREAT. Our goals for the day include providing a safe and welcoming space to meet, work, and build community. REGISTER: https://www.canscaip.org/event-6480658
START YOUR NEW YEAR OFF WRITE! Please join us at the Winter Edition of our ONLINE WRITING RETREAT Saturday, January 10, 2026 ALL TIME ZONES: PT 8am–6pm | MT 9am–7pm CT 10am–8pm | ET 11am–9pm AT 12pm–10pm | NT 12:30pm–10:30pm REGISTER: https://canscaip.org/Events
JOIN CANSCAIP! - it's a small investment in your own creativity - meet like-minded Canadian creatives - learn about Canadian children's publishing from experts - build new skills through workshops, monthly meetings, and conferences - start it as a new hobby, career shift, or making your own writing dreams come true! JOIN -> https://canscaip.org/JoinCANSCAIP
Members and friends...check your inbox because the latest CANSCAIP newsletter is out!
Register for the CANSCAIP monthly meeting: https://www.canscaip.org/Sys/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fevent-6462153 #CANSCAIP
Want to hear some brand new picture books and support Canadian creators? Then come on out and join Picture Books, Eh!—a co-promotional group of Canadian picture book authors and illustrators—as we host our fall edition of The Great Canadian Picture Book Party! The event takes place via Zoom on Monday December 8 @ 7pm ET. The Great Canadian Picture Book Party features 10 Canadian creators with picture books launched from October 1- December 31, who will read their books. Register: https://www.canscaip.org/Sys/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fevent-6450845 #CANSCAIP
Thinking about joining the CANSCAIP community? Sample one of the many membership benefits by registering for session recordings from the 2025 Packaging Your Imagination conference. But hurry, registration closes on November 30. Register: https://canscaip.org/event-6251775 #CANSCAIP
The November 20 deadline for the News Roundup in the CANSCAIP NEWS Winter 2025 edition is fast approaching. If you’ve already sent in your news, thank you! If you haven’t yet, don’t miss your opportunity to tell CANSCAIPers what you’ve been doing. Details on how to send in your news was sent in today's member's & friends emails.
CANSCAIP Monthly Membership Meeting Wed Nov 12 7pm ET Elly Barlin Daniels Olivia Daniels @lenacoakley.bsky.social #CANSCAIP
PYI RECORDED registration open until November 30! Watch your PYI recordings until January 31! $150 CANSCAIP Members & Friends | $175 non-members Select any four sessions - you also get the two keynotes. Many of the sessions had handouts, and you'll get those too. Want more than four? Order additional sessions for $10. Links to the recordings are sent a few days after registering. View the recordings as often as you like until January 31. Register today: https://www.canscaip.org/event-6251775 #PYI2025
Updated graphic for the next Monthly Membership Meeting - Join Elly Barlin-Daniels Olivia Daniels and @lenacoakley.bsky.social
Join CANSCAIP as a Member or a Friend! #CANSCAIP
Monthly Membership Meeting - register now! PANEL: Lena Coakley’s middle grade novel, Wicked Nix, was adapted into a stage play by Paula Wing, which premiered at Toronto’s Young People’s Theatre in spring 2025. Lena will discuss what has to change, and what an author needs to give up, in order to convert their work into a whole new medium. Mother-daughter duo Elly Barlin-Daniels and Olivia Daniels developed the musical Playground based on the catalogue of children’s singer-songwriter Jack Grunsky. Elly and Olivia will talk about the unique process of crafting a story around existing songs, and share their experience of its debut at the 2025 Toronto Fringe Festival.
CANSCAIP is congratulates the winners and finalists of the 2025 Writing for Children Competition. Each of the winners receives $500. The entries of the winners and finalists are sent for consideration to Annick Press, Kids Can Press, and Scholastic Canada. The next Writing for Children Competition will open in March 2026. PICTURE BOOK WINNER: A Bus for Placid Street – MJ Malleck WINNER: I Love the Pond – Jess Woolford FINALIST: Far, Far, But Near – Sambriddhi Nepal FINALIST: Waste Not, Taste Lots! How Kids Save Food Globally – Jen Schimmens MIDDLE GRADE WINNER: The Timekeeper's Apprentice – Laurie Lascos FINALIST: Carnival of Animals – Trevor Copp FINALIST: How to Classify a Ghost – Madelaine Wong YOUNG ADULT WINNER: Catch and Release – Laura-Lee Desautels FINALIST: Roadkill – Jane Parker FINALIST: Dirt Magic – Derek Wagner Thank you to the CANSCAIP Members who volunteered as readers and jurors #CANSCAIP
CANSCAIP is delighted to announce the launch of an exciting new initiative: No-Homework Online Critique Groups: Picture Books Edition. This a free event for CANSCAIP Friends and Members. For this initial event, registration is limited to 35. Saturday November 8 12–2:30pm ET Registration link in CANSCAIP email sent today
Thank you to our speakers, publishing experts, and especially our volunteers—your dedication and countless hours made PYI a meaningful and enriching experience for all. What's your fav part of #PYI2025?
The recording of CANSCAIP's October 2025 Membership meeting is now available for Members and Friends. Our October meeting speaker was illustrator Doug Savage. To access this meeting recording and the recordings of all our membership meetings, please log into the Members/Friends Section of CANSCAIPS's website. Our November membership meeting is on Wednesday, November 12, and features a Performer Talk with Elly Daniels, Olivia Daniels, and Lena Coakley.
Plan your #PYI2025 weekend! Check your email for full info on social events Schedule is available to save or print at canscaip.org Closest TTC subway stations are Dundas and/or Queen - or find paid parking nearby.
There is still time to join #PYI2025! Register for in-person or recorded sessions: https://canscaip.org/PYI-Conference #CANSCAIP
Did you know? CANSCAIP has 2 membership levels! Members: traditionally published authors/illustrators & professional performers for kids/teens Friends: unpublished, self-published & aspiring creators Join here 👉 https://canscaip.org/MemberApplication #CANSCAIP
PYI Presents: Jean E. Pendziwol If You Go Down to the Woods Today... Breathing Life into Setting It’s no surprise that the natural world has an abundance of stories to tell if we adopt a practice of observing. Let's explore how we can incorporate setting so that it becomes integral to every aspect of a story and play with practical ways to evoke place through description so it transports the reader. Register for #PYI2025 today: https://canscaip.org/PYI-Conference
Don't miss Heather Smith presenting at #PYI! No Risk, No Story: Pushing the Boundaries in Your Writing Practice To be a writer is to be brave. We often toy with the idea of moving our story in a risky direction only to find reasons to back out. In this session we'll learn how to push ourselves out of our comfort zones. Whether it's a picture book, middle grade or young adult novel, we'll explore how, where, when, and why to pack a literary punch. Register: https://www.canscaip.org/event-6247741 #CANSCAIP
Monthly Membership Meeting REMINDER WED OCT 8 MEETING TIME ZONES PT 4pm | MT 5pm | CT 6pm | ET 7pm | AT 8pm | NL 8:30pm Doug Savage Three Times that Comics Changed My Life Doug Savage talks about how he became a cartoonist, how he became a published author of graphic novels for kids, and how he continues to push himself in new artistic directions. Along the way, he’ll talk about his process, what inspires him, and the six secrets to success in creativity. #CANSCAIP
Don't Miss Kelly Collier and Naseem Hrab present "Working apart, creating together: How authors and illustrators can collaborate effectively." Attend #PYI in person or sign up for the recordings: https://canscaip.org/PYI-Conference In person: Saturday, October 25, 2025 9:00 am to 5:00 pm 209 Victoria Street, Toronto #CANSCAIP
NEXT CANSCAIP MEETING Wed Oct 8th MEETING TIME ZONES PT 4pm | MT 5pm | CT 6pm | ET 7pm | AT 8pm | NL 8:30pm Guest speaker: Doug Savage, Illustrator TOPIC: Three Times that Comics Changed My Life DOUG SAVAGE
Shortlist for 2025 Writing for Children Competition announced via email to members and friends today. Finalists and winners announced in October. Written evaluations of entries sent in November. #CANSCAIP
Please share: The last day to book One-to-Ones or hotel rooms is Friday October 3! Register today: https://www.canscaip.org/event-6247741 #PYI2025 #CANSCAIP
Have you registered for #PYI2025 yet? You are welcome to join us for this inspiring day of craft, business, and networking. Register today: https://www.canscaip.org/PYI-Conference #CANSCAIP
PYI Saturday October 25 Don't miss: Lorna Schultz Nicholson presenting Writing Action! Register today: https://canscaip.org/PYI-Conference #PYI2025
Please join us at our ONLINE WRITING RETREAT Fall Edition Saturday, September 20, 2025 PT 8am–6pm | MT 9am–7pm | CT 10am–8pm | ET 11am–9pm AT 12pm–10pm | NT 12:30pm–10:30pm Register: https://www.canscaip.org/event-6332271 #CANSCAIP #CanKidLit
Don't miss Julien Chung's presenation on From Concept to Composition: The Power of Graphic Design in Illustration PYI In Person Sat Oct 25 in Toronto or you can register for the recordings -> https://www.canscaip.org/PYI-Conference