APPLY TO HOST ANDY TOLSON (IN PERSON)
BIOGRAPHY
Andy Tolson was born and raised in Victoria, BC, but when he was 18, he moved to London, England to be a drummer. He spent most of the 1980s there, had big 80s hair, played in many bands in countless UK pubs, concert halls and a few stadiums. He toured Europe in a van that smelled like motor oil and gym socks. After returning to Canada, he worked as a photojournalist and photography director at Maclean’s Magazine and the National Post. In the morning before work, he drank very strong tea and wrote adventure stories for children. He now lives in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia in a big old house with his family and two cats named Olive and Ottoline. He works as a freelance photographer and filmmaker, writes children’s books, and still drinksvery strong tea. How to Kidnap a Mermaid is his debut fantasy for young readers. Book 2 in the series, How to Rescue a Unicorn, waspublished in the fall of 2025. He's a member of CANSCAIP and SCBWI. Hisbig 80s hair is long gone.
Home Location: Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia
Creator Type: Author
Genres: Middle-grade fiction
Website: www.andytolson.com
Tour Region: Nova Scotia
Target Audience: Grades 4 - 6
Cost: For one 60-minute presentation: $300 plus 14% HST
NOTE: The fee of $300 (plus tax) will be paid to The Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC) upon receipt of an invoice from the CCBC. After Book Week, the CCBC will pay the author their presentation fee of $250 (plus taxes, if applicable).
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTIONS
A Beginner's Guide to The Hero's Journey
Target Audience: Grades 4-6
Preferred group size: 25 - 30 students
Maximum group size: 50 students
In this fun and engaging workshop, Andy will take students through the basics of the Hero’s Journey as a template for storytelling. He’ll break down the structure into key components with a focus on the elements students will recognize such as The Call to Adventure, The Refusal of the Call to Adventure, Gathering of the Allies, Crossing the Threshold, and The Road Back. Andy will explore the reasons why this powerful framework continues to be used in books and movies despite originating thousands of years ago. Students will participate in the workshop by inventing their own Hero’s Journey components using writing prompts, visualization, and verbal characteristics.
Required equipment: LCD projector or smart screen
Required materials: paper and pencil for each student
Heroes and Villains
Target Audience: Grades 4 - 6
Preferred group size: 25 - 30 students
Maximum group size: 50 students
This workshop offers an entertaining look into writing fantasy and specifically, heroes and villains. Andy will guide students through the elements that create these key characters, and how they intersect throughout a story. After a lively discussion on favourite characters in books and movies, the students will create their own unique heroes and villains, using writing prompts, visualization, and verbal characteristics.
Required equipment: LCD projector or smart screen
Required materials: paper and pencil for each student
BIBLIOGRAPHY
How to Kidnap a Mermaid. Nimbus Publishing, 2024
How to Rescue a Unicorn. Nimbus Publishing, 2025
How to Wrestle an Octopus. Nimbus Publishing, 2025