Photo Credit:
Photo credit
Trina Koster
Jean Mills
BIO
Biography

Jean Mills is the author of the YA novels BLISS ADAIR AND THE FIRST RULE OF KNITTING (Red Deer Press, March 2023) WINGMAN (Orca Books/Orca Soundings, April 2023) THE LEGEND (Red Deer Press, November 2021), LARKIN ON THE SHORE (Red Deer Press, October 2019), SKATING OVER THIN ICE (Red Deer Press, May 2018), THE TOYMAKER'S SON (Pugwash Publishers, 2007), ABBY AND THE CURLING CHICKS (Pugwash Publishers, 2003), as well as WILD DOG SUMMER and THE LEGACY (Nelson Canada, 1991, 1993). She's also written three books for younger ESL readers (Caramel Tree) as well as short stories for younger readers. Jean's essays, features, short stories and reviews have appeared in various publications across Canada, including The Globe and Mail, Quill & Quire, Canadian Geographic and Kayak: Canada’s History Magazine for Kids.

Two new kidlit novels are on the way: AFTER THE WALLPAPER MUSIC (Pajama Press, October 2024) and BUSTED (Orca Books/Orca Anchor, January 2026).

Jean also has a teaching résumé: she developed and taught writing and communications courses at three Ontario community colleges for 15 years. She also taught Middle School Language Arts for one year at St. John's-Kilmarnock School, and she used that classroom experience in her position as Writer-In-Residence at both SJK and Hillfield-Strathallan College, and as a writing workshop presenter at the prestigious Eden Mills Writers Festival.

For ten years, Jean was on the Media & Communications team at Curling Canada where she commissioned, wrote and edited content for the NSO's website, as well as travelling across Canada to report from the media bench on national and international curling championships. 

Website: Jean Mills, Writer Twitter: @jeanmillswriter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeanmills/  

ADDRESS
City: Guelph, Province/Territory: Ontario
EMAIL
GENRE
Young Adult/Middle Grade
LANGUAGES
English
PUBLICATIONS
Publications
Title
After the Wallpaper Mudic
Publisher
Pajama Press
Year
2024
Title
Wingman
Publisher
Orca Books (Orca Soundings)
Year
2023
Title
Bliss Adair and the First Rule of Knitting
Publisher
Red Deer Press
Year
2023
Title
The Legend
Publisher
Red Deer Press
Year
2021
Title
Larkin on the Shore
Publisher
Red Deer Press
Year
2019
Title
Skating Over Thin Ice
Publisher
Red Deer Press
Year
2018
AWARDS
Awards
Name
Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
Publication
After the Wallpaper Music
Year
2024
Name
Junior Library Guild Gold Selection
Publication
Wingman
Year
2023
Name
Whippoorwill Award
Publication
Larkin on the Shore
Year
2020
Name
USBBY Outstanding International Books List
Publication
Skating Over Thin Ice
Year
2019
Name
Forest of Reading Red Maple Fiction Award Nominee
Publication
Skating Over Thin Ice
Year
2019
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS
Presentation details
Audience Size
Audience size
Flexible
Presentation Genre
Young Adult/Middle Grade/Children's Fiction and Writing Skills
Presentation Length
Flexible
Presentation Description
Presentation description

Presentation may include

  • a reading
  • discussion of how book was written, inspirations, process, challenges
  • Q&A

 

    Presentation Fee(s)
    $400-$600, depending on number of presentations at venue
    Workshop details
    Audience Size
    Maximum 30 (class size)
    Intended Audience
    Grades 3-12
    Workshop Length
    1-2 hours
    Workshop Description
    Workshop description

    Workshops may include

    • hands-on writing activities
    • interactive activities 
    • feedback
    • lots of encouragement
    Workshop Fee(s)
    $400-$600, depending on number of presentations at venue
    School presentation details
    Audience Size
    Flexible
    Intended Audience
    Grades 7-12
    Presentation Length
    1-2 hours
    Presentation Description
    Presentation description

    Presentation may include

    • a reading
    • discussion of how book was written, inspirations, process, challenges
    • Q&A

    NOTE: School visits are prepared after consultation with the teacher. I tailor my presentation to the needs and wishes of the teacher and students involved.

    Presentation Fee(s)
    $400-$600, depending on number of presentations at venue
    Programs & Interests
    Interested in participating Union’s Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program:
    All members are eligible for the Union’s Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program. Are you interested in participating in this pro
    Yes
    Interested in participating in the Northern Ontario WITS program:
    The Union’s Northern Ontario Writers-in-the-Schools program funds in-person visits to northern Ontario schools when possible. Ar
    No