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First Name Joan Marie
Last Name Galat
Member Since October 3, 2007
Country Canada
Company MoonDot Media
Branch Affiliation Alberta
Website www.joangalat.com and www.moondotmedia.com
Blog http://www.sci-why.blogspot.com/
Twitter twitter.com/JoanMarieGalat @joanmariegalat
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jmgalat
Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Joan-Marie-Galat/125108027581967
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/896930.Joan_Marie_Galat
Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/jmgalat/
Bio Although she started making books at the age of nine, Joan Marie Galat wasn’t published until she was 12 years old, when she became a paid weekly newspaper columnist. Today she is the award-winning author of more than 20 books. Her most recent titles include Solve This! Wild and Wacky Challenges for the Genius Engineer in You (National Geographic Kids, 2018) and Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories in the Clouds (Whitecap Books, 2018). Recent titles include Dark Matters-Nature’s Reaction to Light Pollution (Red Deer Press, 2017), Erupt! 100 Fun Facts About Volcanoes (National Geographic Kids, 2017), and Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Aurora (Whitecap Books, 2016). Joan shares her love of the stars in the Dot to Dot in the Sky series which combines the science of the night sky with the ancient myths that give constellations and planets their names. Her first title, Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories in the Stars, became a best seller within six weeks of its release. As well as astronomy and mythology, her books for children explore light pollution, ecology, nature, volcanoes, wildlife, engineering, printmaking, cultural traditions, and history. Her titles include both fiction and non-fiction, often with a focus on one or more STEM or STEAM topics (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math). Her titles for adults include a travel guide and motivational book. A prolific writer and relentless promoter of reading, Joan loves to use storytelling to connect with audiences. Speaking engagements have taken Joan across Canada, as well as to international events such as the United Nations Environment Programme in Seoul, South Korea (2016); the International Dark-Sky Conference in Snowbird, USA (2018), and an international book fair in Seoul (2005), where she presented Korean translations of her books. Closer to home, she has been part of the Jasper Dark Sky Festival (2015) and toured at schools and libraries across Canada. She is the 2018 recipient of the Martha Weston Grant, awarded annually to one member (worldwide) of the USA based Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). Joan operates MoonDot Media, a communications business offering writing and editing solutions in broadcast, print, and multi-media. Her freelance jobs have encompassed writing radio and video scripts, a cartoon, magazine articles, exhibit text, speechwriting, annual reports, and other projects. She also provides corporate training and public workshops, as well as consults for writers on query letters, manuscripts, and the submission process.
Publications National Geographic Kids, Washington, D.C. USA • Solve This! Wild and Wacky Challenges for the Genius Engineer in You, 2018 • Erupt! 100 Fun Facts About Volcanoes, 2017 • Cats, 2017 Whitecap Books, Vancouver, British Columbia • Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories in the Clouds, 2018 • Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Aurora, 2016 • Day Trips From Edmonton, 2009, 2013 (travel guide) • Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Zodiac, 2007 • Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Moon, 2004; Korean translation • Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Planets, 2003; Korean translation • Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories in the Stars, 2001, bestseller; Korean translation Red Deer Press, Markham, Ontario Dark Matters Nature’s Reaction to Light Pollution, 2017 Crabtree Publishing Company • Cultural Traditions in Ghana, 2018 • Cultural Traditions in Turkey, 2018 • Be a Maker! Maker Projects for Kids Who Love Printmaking, 2017 Owlkids, Toronto, Ontario • Branching Out: How trees are part of your world, 2014 (juvenile nonfiction) Pelican Publishing Company, Gretna, Louisiana • Give Yourself a Pep Talk, 2013 (adult, self-improvement) • The Discovery of Longitude, 2012 (picture book, historical non-fiction) Capstone Press, North Mankato, Minnesota • Black Holes and Supernovas, 2011 (juvenile non-fiction) Nelson Education Ltd., Toronto, Ontario • Nelson Literacy Grade One Anchor Resource Project: Building a Community: Iqaluit, 2010 (non-fiction) Scholastic Canada, Markham, Ontario Literacy Place for the Early Years (educational info-fiction/fantasy) • Dr. Bufflehead Explores Energy, 2006 • Dr. Bufflehead Explores Dirt, 2006 Parkland Conservation Farm, Edmonton, Alberta • My Corner of the Globe, 2006 (educational workbook for students)
Other Memberships Access Copyright All American Speakers Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) Canadian Authors Association, Alberta Branch Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators, and Storytellers (CANSCAIP) Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) The Writers Union of Canada Writers Guild of Alberta Young Alberta Book Society (YABS)
Awards Martha Weston Grant • Awarded to one Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) member, worldwide, to an author changing genres, 2018 Dark Matters, Nature’s Reaction to Light Pollution • Bronze Moonbeam Award, Nonfiction, 2018 • Finalist, Canadian Authors Association Exporting Alberta Award, 2018 • Finalist, Crystal Kite Award for Canada, (SCBWI), 2018 Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Aurora • Winner, Crystal Kite Award for Canada, SCBWI, 2017 • Skipping Stones Award, 2017 • Second Place, National Communications Award, Outdoor Writers of Canada, 2017 • Honourable Mention, Canadian Authors Association Exporting Alberta Award, 2017 • Shortlisted for the Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award in Atlantic Canada, 2017/18 • Shortlisted for the Red Cedar Children's Choice Book Award in British Columbia, 2017/18 Branching Out – How Trees are part of Our World • Santa Monica Public Library Green Prize for Sustainable Literature Award, 2015 • Honorable Mention - Canadian Authors Association, AB Branch, Exporting AB Award, 2014 • Year’s Best Nonfiction Book List, Resource Links Magazine, 2014 The Discovery of Longitude • Writers Guild of Alberta R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature (2013) • Silver Moonbeam Award – Nonfiction Picture Book (2013) Day Trips from Edmonton • Nine weeks on Edmonton Journal bestseller list with one week as number one Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Zodiac • Gold Moonbeam Award (science/activity category) • Canadian Authors Association Exporting Alberta Award • Hackmatack Children's Choice Book Award nomination • Semi-finalist Calgary Public Library Foundation Literary Awards • Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids/Teens • Edmonton Public School Board recommended title Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Moon • Writers Guild of AB R. Ross Annett Award for Children’s Literature • Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice selection • Edmonton Public School Board recommended title Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories of the Planets • Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice selection/shortlisted for 2004 Rocky Mountain Book Award • Edmonton Public School Board recommended title Dot to Dot in the Sky, Stories in the Stars • Bestseller • Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice selection • Edmonton Public School Board recommended title
Genres Biography & Memoir, Childrens Books, e-Book, Educational, Fiction, Freelance, History, Nonfiction, Self Help, Travel, Young Adult
Available For Readings, Presentations, Workshops, Book Club Meetings, Speaking Engagements
Services Offered Copywriting, Corporate Writing, Editing, Freelance Writing, Manuscript Reading & Consultation, Promotional Copy, Research, Scriptwriting & Screenwriting, Storytelling, Web Content