At the Governor General's Literary Awards Ceremony, Rideau Hall, November, 2011 - not the winner, but a finalist!
Hi!
I’m Jan Coates, and this is my website. I live in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, and I’m a children’s author, a teacher, and a mother. I grew up in Truro, NS (Janet Mingo) went to Acadia University, I love potato chips and picture books, and I’m hopeless when it comes to technology – or so my kids keep telling me…but I’m working on it…I’m employed as a substitute teacher with the AVRSB and in giving school writing visits through the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia’s wonderful Writers in the Schools program.
I’ve been writing for children since about 2000 when my picture book manuscript, “Sam’s Magic Cape”, placed second in the Atlantic Writing Competition. It was a long and winding road from that point until the publication of my first (and hopefully not last) picture book, “Rainbows in the Dark”, in 2005, by Second Story Press of Toronto. I’ve also written ten ESL chapter books for JLS, a Korean English language school. In 2009, an early draft of my young adult novel,”A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk”, received an Honorable Mention in the Atlantic Writing Competition. It has now been published as a novel by Red Deer Press. It’s just been chosen as a Finalist for the 2011 Governor General’s Literary Award (Children’s Text), and it was a finalist for the 2011 Ann Connor Brimer Award for Children’s Literature; it also received a starred Kirkus review, and it’s on the 2011 USBBY Honour List of Outstanding International Books:) Proceeds from HARE are being shared with Wadeng Wings of Hope, Jacob’s foundation through which he’s raising money to build a school in Sudan.
I’ve uploaded some photos, a list of my manuscripts, reviews and links, and I hope to get a chance to blog a bit as well about works-in-progress, writerly things, and anything that piques my interest.
Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you’ll get in touch: coatesfamily@ns.sympatico.ca, or leave a message here.
Jan
Hey, it’s just me! Wanted to say how much I love that picture of you…..boots ‘n all!
Love, your big sister
Just wanted to say hello to a fellow NS writer. I hail from East Dalhousie not so far from Wolfville. Actually my brother in law lives in Wolfville.
Haven’t heard of “Rainbows in the Dark” but I will make a point of getting a copy.
Thanks for stopping by, Laura. We have a cottage at Horseshoe Lake, near New Ross – congratulations on your upcoming novel – isn’t “the call” an amazing experience? I’m in the middle of seeking a publisher for my middle grade novel – a not-so-amazing experience!
Congratulations! Best wishes for continued success while pursuing something you love and were born to do! So very happy for you! Big Hugs! I’ll be watching BT in the morning and feeling so very proud!
I very much enjoy your talk at the library conference in new Glasgow! I bought your new book -A Hare in the Elephant’s Trunk for my daughter, it looks like a great read and very informative about the lost boys in Sudan. Rainbows in the Dark is another great book, I thought it would be a good addition to my library at Felix Marchand Educational Centre. Thanks again for signing both!
Thank you so much, Cathy. The opinions and support of people who work with kids, and books for kids, daily is really significant to me. I totally enjoyed the librarians’ conference, too; especially the adult feedback (for a change).
Hi Jan!
I was just browsing your website hoping to find a link to the teaching guide that goes along with A Hare In The Elephant’s Trunk. I checked the publisher site and there is a link but for some reason I am unable to download the PDF. I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction.
I also would like to say wonderful job on the book. I was fortunate enough to meet Jacob at Acadia. I remember going to one of his talks, and running into him often around campus. I am not sure if he remembers me but I certainly remember him and I am so pleased to see this book out there for young people to read. I am in the education program at UPEI and I have been talking it up when I can. I have a professor who teaches social studies as well as the Indigenous Education classes who has asked to borrow my copy.
All the best,
- Leila
Hi, Leila:
Thanks for getting in touch – I just went to the publisher’s site and clicked the “Educator’s Guide” link, and the guide downloaded instantly
.(http://www.fitzhenry.ca/detail.aspx?ID=10378,)
so I’m not sure what the problem might be. I’ll send you an RTF copy via email. HARE is approved for curriculum use by the NS Dept of Ed for Grade 9 ELA and Grade 12 Global Studies. We’re all pretty excited about the GG Nomination, and anxiously awaiting the announcement of the winners on November 15th. Jacob and I would very much like to be in attendance at Rideau Hall on November 24th!
Best of luck with your studies, and thanks for your support.
Jan
Hi Jan, Wonderful artical in the Truro Daily News today ! Good Luck !
Jane (Christensen) Richards
Thanks, Jane – hope you’re still playing badminton. I’m certainly not getting any faster! Cheers!