Robert Rayner

Background

Robert is a former elementary school principal, school district consultant, teacher and journalist, in England, Newfoundland, and New Brunswick. He now divides his time between writing, teaching music, and playing in a band. He lives in St. George, New Brunswick. He is the author of three adult novels, nine young adult novels, four teen novels, and one teen/crossover novel. His stories have been shortlisted for the Ann Connor Brimer Children’s Literature Prize and (four times) for the Hackmatack Children’s Choice Book Award. Five have been included in the Canadian Children’s Book Centre annual ‘Best Books’ list and one in the U.S. Young Adult Library Services Association annual ‘Best 100 Books to Get Teens Reading’ list.

Email or call (506) 755-6547 or 754-6433.

Publications

Teen/crossover fiction:
Black Water Rising (Nimbus, 2016)
Colorland (Speaking Volumes Press 2015)

Teen fiction:
Riot School (Lorimer, 2016)
Walking Away (Fierce Ink Press 2013)
Off Limits (Lorimer 2012)
Scab (Lorimer, 2010)
Footprints (Breakwater, 2008)

Young adult fiction:
Total Offence (Lorimer, 2011)
Falling Star (Lorimer, 2007)
Out of Sight (Lorimer, 2006)
Suspended (Lorimer, 2004)
Just for Kicks (Lorimer, 2004)
Miss Little’s Losers (Lorimer, 2003)
Walker’s Runners (Lorimer, 2002)

Junior Fiction:
Libby’s Got the Beat (Lorimer, 2010)
Libby on Strike (Lorimer, 2008)

What I Offer

I usually talk to students about different aspects of writing, illustrating my talk with readings from my books. Topics include where stories & writing ideas ‘come from’; creating & shaping character and plot; taking criticism; writing ‘the truth’; the writing triangle; writing as a (never ending) process; rewriting & editing. Sometimes I bring my guitar and sing my own songs to introduce characters. I build writing workshops around the ‘story essentials’ of character, plot and conflict.