Events & Workshops

Bring your Middle Grade Book Idea from Idea to Completion

Learn the steps to turn your spark of an idea into a finished middle-grade novel in this engaging, hands-on workshop. You’ll discover why a powerful one-sentence pitch is the foundation of every great story, then practice crafting your own with guided support. Along the way, Kristy shares her insider “secrets” for developing book ideas that truly connect with young readers, and lessons she’s learned along the way. Whether you’re just starting out or stuck in the middle, this session will give you practical tools, fresh inspiration, and the confidence to move your story from concept to completion.

 Important registration notes:

Members pay less for workshops! Are you trying to register and being charged the full workshop fee even though you’re a current SWG member? To access the reduced member rate for this workshop, please make sure you are logged into this website with your member profile to access the member rate for the session. (The member login link is on the top right of this page (computer) or at the top centre (mobile/tablet).)

If this workshop is sold out, please email swgevents@skwriter.com to be placed on the waitlist.

Please note that all times listed are Saskatchewan time. Find your time zone here: https://dateful.com/time-zone-converter

This event will not be livestreamed or recorded.

Accessibility Measures in this workshop

• Live auto-captions through Zoom
• Presenter self-descriptions
• Limited Zoom technical support is provided by SWG staff to assist participants while they’re in the Zoom meeting.

To help you prepare, here are the expectations for participants in this workshop:

• Camera is optional but greatly appreciated. (Participants may have cameras on or off.)
• Participant discussion is preferred from everyone throughout the workshop when prompted. (Either through the chat box or verbally.)
• Participants are expected to share writing created during the workshop with the group.
• Participants are expected to participate in activities/prompts/exercises throughout the workshop. (In session and optional homework that will not be marked.)
• Participants will have a chance to introduce themselves and speak about where they are in their writing journey.

Workshop registration refund policy:

Please be certain you will be able to attend before you register. Registered participants must promptly email the SWG staff person responsible for the event (Cat Abenstein, Program Manager, swgevents@skwriter.com) to cancel their registration. Otherwise, no refunds will be issued.

• A full refund is available if you cancel your registration one week prior to the start of the workshop (by 11:59 p.m. on May 25, 2026)
• A 50% refund is available if you cancel your registration less than one week and more than 48 hours before the workshop. (For cancellations between May 26 and May 31 at 11:59 p.m. SK time)
• There is no refund for registrations cancelled within 48 hours of the workshop or for no-shows. (Beginning at 12:00 a.m. on June 1)
• If you would like to donate your registration fee to the SWG’s accessibility fund so others can attend events like this in the future, please let us know in your email.

Workshop Facilitator

KRISTY JACKSON is the award-winning children's author of MORTIFIED (HarperCollins 2024), which was shortlisted for a Governor General’s Literary Award, a Forest of Reading Award, a Saskatchewan Book Award, and more. TOUCHING GRASS (HarperCollins 2025) won the 2025 Northern Lights Book Awards Middle Grade Book of the Year, was chosen as the #8 Indigo Best Kids' Book of 2025, and more. Her work draws inspiration from her Cree and German background and her long list of embarrassing moments. Kristy lives in Saskatoon and is a mother of two boys, a communications professional, and an active volunteer. Her third book is scheduled to be released in 2027.

Funding provided by:

In proud partnership with: