Holland College and Humber College have partnered to offer local and regional aspiring writers one of Humber’s nationally respected writers’ workshops July 10 and 11 on Holland College’s Prince of Wales Campus in Charlottetown.

Full of practical suggestions and writing inspiration, The Insider’s Guide to Writing and Publishing for Young Readers will be led by Cynthia Good, former president and publisher of Penguin Books, and Rick Wilks, co-founder of Annick Press, two of the most experienced professionals in the business.

Maria Driscoll, coordinating director for the workshop for Holland College, emphasizes that although the title of the workshop focuses on children and youth, writers of all genres would benefit from attending.

“Humber College has a long and distinguished reputation for providing writers at all stages of their craft with the opportunity to hone their skills. This workshop, while having a focus on literature for children and youth, will give all writers, regardless of their genre, insider information about the publishing industry,” she said.

The interactive workshop has attracted writers at all stages of the writing process, Good said.

“Even if they have long wanted to write for children or youth and haven’t yet composed a word, these two days will act as inspiration and direction. Those who are further along in the process will offer part of their manuscript, and Rick Wilks will lead the group in a discussion about their writing, with practical suggestions. Some are coming for help with the structure of their work, and they will leave with a working outline,” she said. “The group at the moment represents five provinces, many writing stages, and a variety of forms and genres. There’s room for more – join us!”