I’m a passionate writer, and reader, and deeply enjoy editing as well. The turn of a perfect phrase, the deep satisfaction of an idea emerging in text, the telling of stories, these are physical sensations as tangible as turning a bowl on a lathe, or weaving a complex design into textile. In addition to my own writing, I also delight in engaging with students and non-academic writers to develop article and book ideas and bring them to fruition.
I’m excited to be a mentor in Vancouver Manuscript Intensive, an in-depth mentorship program that pairs writers with a professional author to develop their manuscripts to their fullest potential.
Workshops
Writing for the Public:
Writing for the Public workshops are suitable for anyone interested in effectively communicating to a broad public audience.
As a workshop participant you’ll have the opportunity to communicate your own work through effective, compelling and engaging writing. We’ll work on developing brevity, clarity and impact, gaining confidence and skill in using your unique voice and style to tell your story with greater proficiency. Target publications will include opinion pieces in major newspapers and magazines, blog posts, press releases, websites, trade books and newsletters, among others.
Each all-day workshop will be limited to eight participants, who will work on their own distinctive, potentially publishable projects. Format will be hands-on and participatory, focused on clear thinking, succinctness, simplicity, storytelling and bringing key messages front and center, using intensive group feedback, editing and revisions. We’ll also discuss audiences, outlets and the nuts and bolts of publishing a public piece. Participants will leave the workshop with a draft of at least part of a piece suitable for submission.
Personalizing the Impersonal:
At its core, non-fiction writing is about telling a true story that entertains and informs. It is about personal experience, real people and events told in a compelling and creative way.
This workshop will explore how to bring deeper reflections into your writing, engaging your audiences through story and personal anecdote linked to broad issues of public interest. We’ll work on brevity, clarity and focus.
You’ll gain confidence in using your unique voice and style with greater proficiency through clear thinking, succinctness, simplicity and bringing key messages front and center. You’ll work on whatever writing is on your plate at the moment, with possible outlets including newspapers, magazines, books, blogs, press releases, web sites, pitches or whatever is currently occupying your writing space.
The workshop will be interactive and participatory, using writing exercises, intensive group feedback, editing and revisions. Be prepared to write; bring whatever you like to write in or on.
Writing a Memoir: Finding Your Footing
This one-day workshop, limited to eight participants, is designed for those in the early stages of memoir writing who want a strong start developing their idea with an emphasis on content, style and voice.
Perhaps you have an idea that has been clamoring to be told but you are unsure where to begin? Perhaps you have begun writing and are partway through a memoir but have questions about what to include and what to leave out? This interactive and participatory workshop uses writing exercises and group feedback to provide a supportive space for discussion, drafting, and revising to get you on your way.
Participants are asked to arrive with an idea they are ready to explore. We’ll begin by discussing tactics and strategies that make for strong memoir writing. Then, you will draft a short piece and receive feedback from the group and the workshop leader. After a lunch break, you’ll write a longer piece based in a story you hope to include in your memoir, followed by another feedback session. The workshop will conclude with a discussion of practical next steps towards completing and submitting your memoir, whether as a short newspaper/magazine piece to an editor, or a book-length manuscript submitted to agents or publishers.
This workshop is open to writers with all levels of experience, from beginners to those who have written extensively in other genres.
Manuscript development
I can assist writers at all stages of manuscript development, including idea conception and honing, structure, finding your voice, feedback/editing on writing, and advice on proposal submission and markets. My focus is non-fiction, specializing in science and environmental writing for public audiences. I’m open to any length manuscript from blog posts or short newspaper commentary through longer magazine pieces up to book length projects.
Personal Coaching
Feel the need for ongoing work on your writing, with intensive periods of work punctuated by touch-ups? I can tailor a program to work with you at a comfortable pace to address long-term improvement in your writing skills. We’ll use your own projects as templates to explore becoming an effective and high-impact communicator, whatever the written substrate: magazine article or academic journal submission, newspaper opinion piece or a book, grant or blog.
Book Reviewing
I’m particularly interested in reviewing books with science, nature, environmental and education themes, for newspapers and literary magazines as well as specialized journals. I also work with publishers to review, comment and advise on proposed or submitted manuscripts.
Examples/Awards (Writing/Editing)
- My work has appeared in numerous books, commentary columns for the Vancouver Sun, New York Times, The Sciences, Orion and book reviews for a wide range outlets including the Globe and Mail, Nature, Science and the Literary Review of Canada.
- Major awards include Canada’s Governor-General’s Literary Award for Nonfiction, 2015 (Bee Time: Lessons From the Hive) and an IPPY 2019 Gold Medal Independent Publishers Book Award, Environment/Ecology (Listening to the Bees)
- I was a founding faculty member and taught for five years in the Banff Centre Science Communication program, during which I developed a number of unique teaching tools for nonfiction writing.
- My teaching in Simon Fraser University’s Semester in Dialogue included extensive writing and communication teaching. Of particular note were our op-ed projects, in which over 800 students wrote, revised and submitted commentary pieces to major Canadian newspapers, with about 100 published in outlets including the Globe and Mail, Vancouver Sun, Toronto Star and many others.
- I have often offered workshops in writing to public and interest groups, such as Hollyhock Retreat Centre, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Science Writers Association, and leadership development programs such as Action Canada.
- I also have considerable experience working with authors to develop and edit their non-fiction writing, from newspaper commentary to magazine articles to books
- Frequent book manuscript reviewer for a number of publishing houses
- Magic School bus consultant, “Inside a Beehive”
- Taught Nonfiction Writing for the Weekend Student, Spring 2017 – 2021 Simon Fraser University
Testimonials (Writing/Editing)
Highly experienced communicator, experienced writer and teacher
I appreciated the care, thoughtfulness and attention he gave to me when I shared drafts of my writing. He didn’t try and suppress my voice, but helped me articulate it in an accessible and authentic way. I know that I’m a better writer when Mark reviews my work.
Mark sets an incredible tone of respect, support, wisdom and confidence in our writing abilities
Mark went above and beyond by offering to read my book proposal. He gave me a thorough evaluation, advised me at length and took it upon himself to provide me the help he could offer
Mark is very clear with his comments and advice, so it is easy to understand what he is getting at
Mark has an amazing skill; I’ve learned a lot about writing from him
The greatest value was through the creative aspects and sharing. I was able to learn more about the others in the class
Great to be mentored by a professional.
Mark kept us focused and working in a creative and productive way. His comments and edits were always insightful
All writers need good editors: editors who can identify a story’s weaknesses and appreciate its strengths, and possess the clarity and insight to help you make those strengths shine. Mark Winston—SFU’s 2019/20 Writer in Residence—was that person for me. He guided me in shaping up a piece I’d been struggling with for months, giving me the advice I needed to turn my half-formed ideas into a polished story that I was proud to pitch and, eventually, see published. But beyond simply providing editorial feedback, Mark was also a mentor and a sounding board during a challenging time, providing the guidance I needed to build confidence, develop my skills, and rekindle my passion for writing in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.