Barbara Nickel
BIO
Biography

Barbara Nickel writes for adults and young people. Her third collection of poetry, Essential Tremor, was released in April 2021. Her first collection, The Gladys Elegies, won the Pat Lowther Award and her second, Domain, was a Quill & Quire Best Book of the Year. Her poetry has appeared in many publications including The Walrus, Poetry Ireland Review, and Best Canadian Poetry 2021. Nickel is also an award-winning author of books for young people; her children’s novel, Hannah Waters and the Daughter of Johann Sebastian Bach, won the BC/Yukon Book Prize Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize and was shortlisted for the Governor General’s Award. A picture book, A Boy Asked the Wind, was shortlisted for the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award. Dear Peter, Dear Ulla, a middle-grade novel, was released in the fall of 2021. Barbara grew up in Saskatchewan and now lives in Yarrow, BC, on the Stó:lo territory of the Pilalt and Ts’elxwéyeqw.

ADDRESS
City: Yarrow, Province/Territory: British Columbia
EMAIL
GENRE
Poetry/Children's Literature/Creative Nonfiction
LANGUAGES
English
PUBLICATIONS
Publications
Title
The Gladys Elegies (poetry)
Publisher
Coteau Books
Year
1997
Title
From the Top of a Grain Elevator
Publisher
Dundurn Press
Year
1999
Title
Hannah Waters and the Daughter of Johann Sebastian Bach
Publisher
Penguin Canada
Year
2005
Title
Domain (poetry)
Publisher
House of Anansi
Year
2007
Title
A Boy Asked the Wind
Publisher
Red Deer Press
Year
2015
Title
The Mozart Girl
Publisher
Second Story Press
Year
2019
Title
Essential Tremor (poetry)
Publisher
Caitlin Press
Year
2021
Title
Dear Peter
Title
Dear Ulla
Publisher
Thistledown Press
Year
2021
AWARDS
Awards
Name
Malahat Long Poem Prize
Year
1995
Name
Pat Lowther Award
Publication
The Gladys Elegies
Year
1995
Name
BC/Yukon Book Prizes Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize
Publication
Hannah Waters and the Daughter of Johann Sebastian Bach
Year
2006
Name
Governor General's Literary Award -- Shortlist
Publication
Hannah Waters and the Daughter of Johann Sebastian Bach
Year
2005
Name
CLA Honour Book of the Year
Publication
Hannah Waters and the Daughter of Johann Sebastian Bach
Year
2006
Name
Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Literature Award
Publication
A Boy Asked the Wind
Year
2016
Name
The Malahat Review Constance Rooke Creative Nonfiction Prize -- Shortlist
Year
2020
LINKS
PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS
Presentation details
Audience Size
Audience size
up to 200
Presentation Genre
Poetry
Presentation Length
45-60 minutes
Presentation Description
Presentation description

Reading of poems from collections and new work followed by Q & A if applicable.

Presentation Fee(s)
$300/full reading; $150/half reading
Workshop details
Audience Size
up to 30
Intended Audience
Adapted for K-12, adults
Workshop Length
45-60 minute session; half-day; whole day; 1-2 week residency
Workshop Description
Workshop description

Poetry workshops with hands-on writing activities adapted to appropriate levels and age-groups.

Workshop Fee(s)
$250/session and fees adjusted according to session length
School presentation details
Audience Size
up to 200
Intended Audience
Adapted to K-12
Presentation Length
45-60 minutes
Presentation Description
Presentation description

Readings and interactive activities from children's novels, poetry and picture book, as well as Q & A on the writing and editing process adapted to appropriate levels and age groups. Poetry workshops for classroom-size groups also available.

Presentation Fee(s)
$250/session and fees adjusted according to length
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
Yes