Upcoming Events!

Want to kick-start your students’ reading habits? Need to motivate a reluctant writer? Looking for a keynote or professional development session for your colleagues? Marty offers a variety of engaging sessions that will have you laughing and learning. Currently, Marty is only doing virtual presentations. For his speaking rates, please send a query through his contact page. Book your event with Marty Chan!

Are you located outside of Alberta? Check out Marty’s Virtual Field Trips through the Center for Interactive Learning!

Subscribe to Marty’s YouTube Channel for more writing tips! Also, search #PromptMyStory on Facebook, Bluesky, Threads, and Instagram for Marty’s weekly writing prompts. He puts out a new one every Tuesday.

Marty’s Visits

Aug. 31: Virtual PD session for Librarians, Lamar CISD, Texas

Sept. 28 – Oct. 2: Virtual sci-fi writing residency, Athlone School, Edmonton
Sept. 28 – Oct. 2: Virtual folktale writing residency, Athlone School, Edmonton

Oct. 5 – 7: Virtual sci-fi writing residency, Sturgeon Heights School, St. Albert
Oct. 6: Virtual writing workshop, Lois Hole Elementary, St. Albert
Oct. 8: In-person author visits, McLeod Elementary, Edmonton
Oct. 8: In-person author visits, A. Blair McPherson School, Edmonton
Oct. 13 – 16: Virtual writing residency, University School, Calgary
Oct. 20 – 23: In-person writing residency, Stratford School, Edmonton
Oct. 24: In-person writing workshop, Strathearn Community League, Edmonton
Oct. 26 – 27: In-person writing residency, Stratford School, Edmonton
Oct. 28: Virtual panel, StoryScapes, Hamilton
Oct. 29: Virtual writing workshop, Arapahoe Libraries, Colorado

Nov. 3 – 6: Remote producer, FOLD KIDS, Toronto
Nov. 10: In-person writing workshops, Sifton School, Edmonton
Nov. 12: Virtual panel, StoryScapes, Hamilton
Nov. 16 – 20: In-person/virtual writing residency, St. Augustine, Edmonton
Nov. 23: Virtual writing workshops, Steinhauer School, Edmonton
Nov. 25: Virtual panel, StoryScapes, Hamilton
Nov. 30: Virtual writing workshops, Steinhauer School, Edmonton
Dec. 7: Virtual writing workshops, Steinhauer School, Edmonton
Dec. 9 – 11: Remote producer, Celebrating Graphic Novels, Hamilton

Jan. 6: Virtual writing residency, Ignite School, Alberta
Jan. 11 – 15: In-person residency, St. John XXIII School, Edmonton
Jan. 18 – 22: Virtual writing residency, Windsor Park School, Edmonton
Jan. 25: Virtual writing residency, Ignite School, Alberta
Jan. 25: Virtual STEM session, Lois Hole Elementary, St. Albert
Jan. 28: Virtual writing residency, Ignite School, Alberta

Feb. 1 – 5: In-person writing residency, Rutherford School, Edmonton
Feb. 8 – 12: Virtual writing residency, Weinlos School, Edmonton
Feb. 16: Virtual writing residency, Ignite School, Alberta
Feb. 18: Virtual writing residency, Ignite School, Alberta
Feb. 22 – 26: Virtual writing residency, St. Boniface/St. William Schools, Calgary

March 2: Virtual writing residency, Ignite School, Alberta
March 4: Virtual writing residency, Ignite School, Alberta
March 8 – 12: In-person writing residency, St. Dominic School, Edmonton

Book Marty Chan

Marty shares the personal stories behind his novels to show students how their own lives can be springboards into great stories. He disguises writing concepts as interactive games that teach kids while they’re having fun. With over a quarter of a century of experience as a full-time writer, Marty breaks down the mystique of creative writing into practical ideas you can adopt and apply immediately.

Marty reveals the real-life inspirations behind his works, demonstrating to students that their own lives can be springboards into great stories. With humorous anecdotes, he ramps up the students’ excitement for reading his books.

Marty inspires kids to write with his fun-filled workshops. His writing games illustrate key concepts in a way that will engage even reluctant students. Using personal anecdotes and interactive demonstrations, he shows how to structure a story, flesh out a character or bring a setting to life. Please get in touch with Marty for a list of the solo workshops he is offering this school year (he offers new ones every season).

Marty works with Division 2 and 3 students to write suspense stories to scare their friends. Throughout five 45-minute virtual workshops, Marty reveals the core elements of thrillers. Students will learn to write short suspense stories based on their experiences. Multiple classrooms can participate (up to 3 at a time). Marty has also developed residencies for mystery writing and a residency on tackling story prompts.

*** Note: Marty can also offer a residency for Division 1 students. In four 40-minute sessions, Marty will walk the students through the basics of putting a story together. Using their toys as the main characters, students will build a story from beginning to end.

Marty offers a peek at the creative process and how to translate writing concepts for beginning writers. He reveals how he connects with kids and gets reluctant writers to move past the blank page. His cheat code session illustrates a simple technique to help kids outline a story without getting bogged down in the planning. His suspense-writing workshop breaks down the elements of a thriller. His theatre workshops reveal how stage plays and dialogue can help shape students’ understanding of voice.