Zach Hapeman

Background

Zach Hapeman is a writer and illustrator working in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He has a master’s degree in English from Acadia University and works full-time as a certified Project Manager for the Government of New Brunswick. He has worked with children and youth on a volunteer basis for over two decades, running weekly kids programs, planning and directing summer camps, and speaking at youth retreats. Zach loves the experience of teaching and encouraging people of all ages to pursue a spirit of creativity. He has visited student groups throughout New Brunswick to read poetry, conduct workshops and discuss the creative process. In 2017, Zach served as the Director of Children’s Programming for the Word Feast Literary Festival in Fredericton, which saw authors engage with more than 1050 students from the community.

Publications

Object Talks that Teach the Gospels, Standard Publishing, 1999
Object Talks that Teach the Psalms, Standard Publishing, 1999
A Crack in the Door: Poems & Drawings, self-published, 2016

What I Offer

Zach loves to engage children and youth with energetic, interactive readings and discussion about the elements of poetry (structure, form, rhythm, expressive devices). He favours poems that are silly, weird and fun, with special focus on those that employ inventive language and structure. Zach tailors readings and discussions according to his audiences and environment (classroom or assembly-style) and he incorporates material from his own body of work, as well as the work of other authors and illustrators.
(All ages, 30-45 minutes)

Zach offers writing workshops that inspire students to engage with their creativity in a safe, sensitive and encouraging environment. Zach employs a variety of individual and group writing activities, tending to rely on more structured exercises for younger age groups. Sessions focus on one or two topics, drawing from the principles of good writing (grammatical convention, clarity, word selection, revision, revision, revision!!!) and effective use of the writer’s toolbox (ideation, figurative devices). Zach’s workshops offer students the opportunity to practice the use of writing conventions and tools, emphasizing the importance of pursuing high-quality outcomes through revision and sharing. Zach believes everyone has a story to tell and that good writing is available to anyone (at any age) with the desire and discipline to make it happen.
(Grades 3-8, 45-60 minutes)