Marjorie Simmins is well-known for her lively readings and energy-packed motivational talks and speeches. She is as comfortable speaking to small groups of young writers in junior or senior high schools, as she is at large women’s health or other professional conferences. She believes in the power of laughter to entertain, educate and motivate. She has spoken at conferences, festivals, universities and schools. Her areas of expertise include:
- freelance magazine and newspaper writing
- memoir writing (as an author and a teacher)
- journal and letter writing
- humour writing
- writing and mental health
- English and Western horseback riding; dogs, and dog sports
- coastal perspectives
- urban and rural perspectives
Recent Speeches, Readings & Presentations
Finding Your Story, An Online Memoir Workshop with Marjorie Simmins
For the Cabot Trail Writers’ Festival, September 2020
Reading from Year of the Horse, Word on the Street, Halifax, September 2016
Cross-Canada reading and media tour for Year of the Horse, 2016-2017
Roast & Toast Reading for writer Budge Wilson, May 2015.
Tribute Reading for writer Alistair MacLeod, January 2015.
Fiction & Memoir: What’s the Difference? Five Bridges Junior High, Hubley, Nova Scotia, January 2015.
Let’s Talk About Shakespeare: Movies, Plays & Sonnets. Five Bridges Junior High, Hubley, Nova Scotia, March 2015.
Writing a Journal for Healing & Fun. Auburn High School, Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia, October 2014.
Writing the Blues Away – Four Tips for a Healthier Life. “It’s About You,” Women’s Health Expo, St. Peters, Nova Scotia, October 3 & 4, 2014.
Reading from Coastal Lives, at the national book festival, Word on the Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, September 2014.
The Editor and the Memoirist; Creating Your Best Working Relationship, the Editors’ Association of Canada: Between the Lines, May 2013
Testimonials
“As our Keynote Speaker, Marjorie Simmins did a fantastic job of bringing to life how therapeutic writing in journals can be. The audience was completely engaged, inspired and motivated by Marjorie and she left each and every one of us feeling reflective and energized.” Sheri Bowen, organizer, 2014 It’s About You Women’s Health Expo, St. Peters, Nova Scotia.