Courses & Speaking Engagements

Workshops

The following lecture-style workshops are suitable for libraries, classrooms, and writing festivals. Click to learn more!

  • So, you want to write a book… where do you start?

    Let’s build the skeleton of your work, learn how to organize your thoughts, and what you should consider in the earliest stages of your novel.

    Audience: Adults, teenagers

    Length: 90 minutes

    Tags: #Fiction #Poetry #Writing

  • Let’s make up stories!

    Welcome to the wonderful world of fiction where possibilities are endless. Let’s explore character, plot, dialogue, conflict, and setting, and try out some fun writing exercises!

    Audience: Adults, teenagers

    Length: 90 minutes

    Tags: #Fiction #Storytelling #Publishing #CultureOfReading

  • Roses are red, violets are blue, you’ve heard of ‘the poet’, but what do they do?

    Dive headfirst into the world of poetry! Learn about different kinds of poems, the anatomy of the poem, and how to get your work published.

    Audience: Adults, teenagers

    Length: 90 minutes

    Tags: #Poetry #Publishing

  • I’ve written the greatest first draft ever… now what?

    Revisit your work with the skills and techniques you’ll learn in this workshop to polish your work so it’s ready for publishing! We’ll talk about what to cut, what to add, and what to keep, all to ensure you’re presenting your best work possible.

    Audience: Adults, teenagers

    Length: 90 minutes

    Tags: #Editing #SmallBusiness #FinancialLiteracy #Fiction #Poetry

  • Looking to publish? Why not do it yourself!

    Turn your manuscript into a product ready to sell by learning the tips and tricks outlined in this workshop. From formatting, to printing, to marketing, this workshop explores the most important roles you’ll undertake as a self-published writer.

    Audience: Adults, teenagers

    Length: 90 minutes

    Tags: #Publishing #SmallBusiness #FinancialLiteracy #Fiction #Poetry

  • Stop procrastinating—it’s time to get your work out there!

    This workshop will demystify the traditional publishing route and lay out the steps required to put your work in as many hands as possible. Don’t wait… it’s your time to shine!

    Audience: Adults, teenagers

    Length: 90 minutes

    Tags: #Publishing #FinancialLiteracy #Poetry #Fiction

Note that the workshops can be purchased as a bundle of two or more at a discounted rate.

A man standing behind a podium with a Pickering Public Library banner, in a room with wooden parquet flooring and a white wall.

Teaching a creative writing workshop at the Pickering Public Library.

Other Available Appearances

Explore other opportunities for me to join your event. Let’s hang out!

  • Are you ready to step up to the mic? Share your writing with your community and let’s celebrate the power of words together!

    I’ve got tons of hosting experience and lead my open mics with empathy and joy. I’d love to lead your community in an open mic that is healing, powerful, and of course, fun.

    Audience: Adults, teenagers

    Length: 60 - 90 minutes

    Tags: #Poetry #Fiction #Community #Collaboration #PublicSpeaking #CivicEngagement

  • Try out some fun writing exercises, discuss your work with other writers, and participate in your local writing community!

    With over two years of experience leading a creative writing group, I possess the tools to create a warm, welcoming space in which writers feel empowered to share their ideas.

    Audience: Adults, teenagers, children

    Length: 60 - 90 minutes

    Tags: #Fiction #Poetry #Publishing #Community #Collaboration #CivicEngagement

  • As a writer and publisher, I would love to facilitate / join a panel discussion to share my experiences as part of the writing world!

    I have both participated in and hosted several writing panels in the past and approach these engagements with a focus on what I can offer the audience, in terms of advice and opportunity.

    Audience: Adults, teenagers, children

    Length: Any

    Tags: #Panel #PublicSpeaking #Advice #Facilitation #Interview

  • I’d love to speak with your community about my experience navigating the writing world, including the publishing landscape, managing evolving technologies, and surviving academia.

    I hope to share my journey in the hopes of inspiring writers to take a leap of faith and dive headfirst into the scary yet exhilarating world of writing!

    Audience: Adults, teenagers, children

    Length: 60 minutes

    Tags: #AuthorTalk #Writer #KeynoteAddress #Speech #PublicSpeaking

Four people sitting at a long table in front of a blank white screen, posing for a photo, with one man on the right gesturing and smiling.

Hosting a Local Author Panel with Bee Quammie, Felix I.D. Dimaro, and Furqan Mohamed.

I’m qualified, I swear!

  • Creative Writing MFA candidate

  • 4+ years creative writing teaching experience

  • Extensive publication history

  • 4+ years publishing and editing experience

Writing is vulnerable. I approach every event with empathy and understanding, and hope to leave participants feeling empowered as they revisit their work.

A diverse group of 13 people posing indoors, some holding 'Writers' Anthology '23' books, smiling.

Creative writing students at the Pickering Public Library with their collaborative anthology.

Testimonials

(I promise I didn’t write these myself)

  • “Joseph - thank you for being prepared, honest and engaging. Your workshop inspired me to pick up my writer’s pen again.”

    —Workshop Participant

  • “Joseph is so educated and so amazing, and he takes the time to connect with all his students! Best teacher anyone can ask for.”

    — Creative Writing Student

  • “Joseph was very kind, approachable, patient, and he rocked.”

    — Writing Panel Audience Member

  • “Joseph is always encouraging and fun to spend time with. Thanks for everything.”

    — Writing Group Member

  • “Joseph is one of a kind! He's stepped up to it with a commitment like no other as I felt his positive energy all the time.”

    — Workshop Participant

  • “Joseph did an incredible job! He created a fun and inviting experience and his questions were thought-provoking and well thought out.”

    — Writing Panel Audience Member

Let’s chat about ordering a workshop or speaking engagement!

Let’s learn, let’s party , let’s write.

Rates to be discussed via email, as they depend on date, time, and audience size!

Joseph sitting at the front of a classroom with professor Andrew Westoll.

Writer’s talk at the University of Toronto with Professor Andrew Westoll.

A man with curly hair, sunglasses, and a beard, standing on a stage, speaking into a microphone with his hands raised. In the background, people are watching, and there are trees and greenery.
A man taking a selfie from above in a room with a wooden floor, holding a red notebook that says, 'Self-Publishing RED!', standing in front of a large screen displaying a PowerPoint.

Hosting Poetry in the Park: An Open Mic Night in Pickering.

Teaching ‘Self-Publishing 101’.