James Dewar

Hon. BA. English and History, York University

Bachelor of Education, University of Toronto

Freelance Writer, Business Advisor, Editor, Book Publisher, Published Author,

Special Event Organizer and Accomplished Host

cell phone: 416-435-7372

email: james@piquantproductions.ca

Freelance Writer/Editor/Website Designer and Builder

  • Partner in Piquant Productions specializing in the graphic design and writing of business and personal web promotion materials. His expert application of Wordpress technology and software maximizes search engine capabilities, creates fast loading and easily accessible sites and encourages business owners to develop their own skills in performing routine text and graphic updates.
  • English language usage and presentation skills coach and teacher
  • Business communications writer and business promotion consultant
  • Experienced Freelance magazine Editor and writer

Web Design and Writing Activities:

Freelance Writer and Editor 2004 to Present

  • Clients:
    • Metroland Newspaper Group (editorial services and freelance magazine insert project management)
      • Rose Scapin, Editor
      • Dorothea Helms, Editor
      • Lisa Orpen, Editor
    • Garth Riley, popular TV Talk Show Host and Public Speaker (book design and preparation of teaching materials for his Bully Defusing Program for schools)
    • Dewar Contracting (web design and maintenance)
    • Toronto Renaissance Conspiracy (web design and maintenance)
    • Dynamic Publishing Magazines (editorial content and photography)
      • Andrea McFater, Editor
    • Moxy Femme magazine (editorial content)
    • Enviro-Clean (company brochures)
    • Play It Again Sam (company brochure and press releases)
    • Writers’ Circle of Durham Region (assist Rich Helms with website content maintenance)
    • Deer Creek Golf and Country Club (editorial content)
    • Surefit (editorial content)
    • Mackie Harley-Davidson Buell (editorial content)

Piquant Press

  • Design, edit and publish poetry and short fiction books. (This venture replaces CreativeJames Publishing.)

Creative Writing Instructor:

  • Teach workshops on advanced creative writing and the public performance of creative writing, particularly poetry and spoken word.
  • Teach ADVANCED CREATIVE WRITING at the continuing Education Department of Durham College in Uxbridge Ontario.

Promoter and Performance Instructor

Editor

Teaching Background:

Teacher

  • High School English and ESL teacher (4 years with North York Board of Education)

Instructor

  • Writers’ Circle of Durham Region workshops offered:
    • Developing Confidence in the Writing, Editing and Public Performance of Poetry
    • Writing with a Slow Hand: How to write Erotica, Part One (Writing With a Slow Hand) and Part Two (Going Deeper)
    • Advanced Creative Writing Course (co-facilitated with Susan Lynn Reynolds) at Durham College, Uxbridge Campus. Coming in Fall 2008

Writing Skills – Continuing Education:

  • Self Publishing Workshop, latest trends in on-line printing houses, Rich Helms, Jan. 2008
  • Up Close and Personal, fictional character development techniques, Ruth Walker, Jan. 2008
  • The Play’s The Thing, writing convincing dialogue, Jessica Outram, Sept. 2007
  • Vocables Workshop, combining acting and voice techniques to find an artist’s centre, Ciara Adams and Angela Rawlings, Aug. 2007
  • The Art of Sexuality, Laura Hollick, Hamilton Apr. 2007
  • The Long Haul, writing the great novel, Barry Dempster, March 2007
  • Wordpress Workshop, keys to being a great web and blog designer, Rich Helms, Durham College Feb. 2007
  • Joined the Writers Circle of Durham Region, Canada’s fastest growing writer support and training organization, Fall 2004
  • Conquering Corporate Markets, workshop on skills needed to be a succesful freelance writer, Paul Lima, 2006
  • Honours BA in English, York University, 1974
  • Creative Writing Course with Irving Layton, York University, 1972

Publishing Credits (literature):

  • Word Weaver
    • Poetry Contest – co-winner – March 2007
    • Poetry Contest – co-winner – March 2006
    • Short fiction – 2 short stories published in 2005
  • Labour of Love – 2 poems, 2007
  • Interluscious – chapbook, erotic poetry co-authored with Susan Reynolds, 2007
  • The Garden in the Machine – book of poetry published by Hidden Brook Press March 2007
  • Quills Lust issue Erotic Poetry Anthology, 2004
  • Renaissance Reloaded Poetry Anthology, 2006
  • Guys in Garages – chapbook, 2005
  • Renaissance Conspiracy Poetry Anthology, 2004
  • Anvil Blood - 4 poems. (Included a foreword and poems by Irving Layton) 1972