Biography
Lois Donovan is a former teacher and the author of two Canadian, time-travel novels. Winds of L’Acadie was shortlisted for the Hackmatack Award in Atlantic Canada and was a Best Book for Kids and Teens and The Journal, was a Calgary Herald #1 Best Seller. Both are published with Ronsdale Press. Represented by Stacey Kondla at The Rights Factory, her current projects feature teen issues, uniquely Canadian settings and yes, a little bit of romance.
Having experienced many places in Canada throughout her life, Lois is inspired to write its stories, both past and present. Whether in book clubs, classrooms, teachers’ conventions, or young writers’ conferences, Lois enjoys meeting readers and writers of all ages, sharing her passion for stories and the writing process. She also loves mentoring emerging writers as they strive to reach their dreams.
Born in Montreal and growing up mostly on Canada’s east coast, Lois currently lives in Calgary with her family where she writes with the help of her assistants, two furry, opinionated Shelties.
Lois Donovan is available for in-person sessions in the Calgary area and online sessions anywhere in Alberta in 2023-24.
Presentations
Caution: Writers At Work – In this session students learn where to find ideas, how to recognize when an idea is story worthy, and how to turn this idea into a compelling story.
Making the Ordinary, Extraordinary – Students discover the magic ingredients to transform everyday, ordinary situations into extraordinary scenes for their stories.
Online sessions include behind the scenes look at the writing of Winds of L’Acadie and/or The Journal including writing process and my time-travelling experience (research) as I wrote the books. Historical presentations that fit in with the deportations of the Acadians or the history of the Women As Persons Case are also possibilities.
These sessions are also available in video format with a Q & A virtual follow-up session.
Q & A meet-and-greet virtual sessions are available for classes that have read one of her novels in class.
Fees
In-person half day (up to 2 hours): $225
In-person full day (up to 4 hours): $350
Virtual session: $75 for up to 60 minutes
Bibliography
Winds of L’Acadie, Ronsdale Press 2007. Golden Eagle Book Award, runner-up, Hackmatack Reader’s Choice Award, chosen as a Canadian Childrens Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens, 2008. Middle grade novel for ages 9-15.
Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Sarah travels back in time via her grandfather’s special Mi’kmaq quill box only to discover it is 1755 and the Acadian deportation is imminent. Can she help her Acadian friends escape, or will she be stuck there as well when the transport ships arrive? Themes of family, friends, and identity are woven into this accurately portrayed story from Canada’s past.
The Journal, Ronsdale Press 2015 #1 on The Calgary Herald bestsellers list. Middle grade novel for ages 9-12
Synopsis: Thirteen-year-old Kami discovers a journal in her grandparents’ old house and is transported via newspaper clippings to 1929, where she meets the famous Emily Murphy just as she is fighting the Persons Case. Themes of family, betrayal, friendship, racism and identity, and women’s rights are woven into this story from Canada’s past.