Career Exploration Video &amp; Audio

Panelist Introductions

Kathy Buckworth
Writer (personal website)
York Alumna: BA Political Science, York University, 1986
Kathy Buckworth is an award winning writer, television personality and public speaker, with numerous publishing credits in both national and local magazines and newspapers. Some of her publications include: The Secret Life of SuperMom, The BlackBerry Diaries: Adventures in Modern Motherhood, and her new book, Shut Up & Eat: Tales of Chicken, Children & Chardonnay was released in March 2010. She is the only two-time winner of the Excellence in Humour Writing Award, (2006, 2008) presented by the Professional Writers Association of Canada. She won the Established Literary Arts Award at the 2010 Mississauga Arts Awards. She is a feature writer for Sympatico.ca and writes regular columns for ParentsCanada, The Women's Post, Post City Magazines, Ottawa Families, Blush Magazine, Oh Baby! and Health & Harmony. Her monthly column, "Funny Mummy" appears on over 25 websites across Canada, the U.S. and New Zealand, as well as in print.

Writing & Publishing Panel: Kathy Buckworth Introduction

Christine Estima
Playwright, Novelist, Actress, and Arts Journalist (personal website)
York Alumna: BA Theatre and Creative Writing, York University, 2004 & MA Interdisciplinary Studies, York University, 2006
I am a playwright, novelist, actress, and arts journalist and I have solo-backpacked across the Middle East, Europe, Asia, South America, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and Ireland. I hold a Master of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from York. My writing has appeared in Bitch Magazine, CBC, The National Post, NOW Magazine, Descant Literary Journal, The Encyclopedia of Modern Drama, Canadian Theatre Review, the travel anthology Navigating Customs: A Tendril Anthology (Cumulus Press), and the literary anthology ToK: Writing the New Toronto. Playwrighting credits include, Vignettes In The Dark (2004, Toronto Fringe Festival), The Spadina Monologues (2005, The New Ideas Festival, Alumnae Theatre; 2007, Theatre Passe Muraille backspace, 2010 Foundry Theatre), and The Central Line (2009, International Women Playwrights Conference, Mumbai).

Writing & Publishing Panel: Christine Estima Introduction

Edward Fenner
Web Communications & Publications Assistant, York University, Office of the Associate Vice-President International & Freelance Writer/Editor (Personal Website)
York Alumnus: BA Professional Writing, York University, 2010
Most of my 25-plus years in the business has been in technical communications. Gradually, I explored corporate communications, marketing writing, corporate journalism, and public speaking. Recently, I have re-discovered my creative writing side through writing plays and poetry and acting as an advocate for mature students and adult learning issues. Returning to school in 2004 as a mature student and studying writing has helped my writing skills but opened up new opportunities. I am now exploring science writing while I pursue a MA in Science and Technology Studies here at York.

Writing & Publishing Panel: Edward Fenner Introduction

Christina Vecchiato
Publishers' Representative, Kate Walker & Co
York Alumna: BA English, York University, 2008
I have always loved reading - billboards, novels, magazines, the ingredients lists on packages. I have also always loved talking to and meeting new people. I have found the perfect career path that encompasses both of these things. I had a teacher that once said to me " Do what you love and the money will come" She was right. And even though I know I will never be a millionaire, I can honestly say that I am doing what I love, and that is worth more than box of books' weight in gold!

Writing & Publishing Panel: Christina Vecchiato Introduction

Catherine Pike
Ex-Art Director Editorial, Toronto Star
York Alumna: BA Fine Arts, York University, 1976
It was only after seeing one of my roommate's assignments that I discovered 'design'. After taking several courses at York I needed to create a portfolio and did that by going to graduate school in England. I have worked in magazines and have been at the Toronto Star for 28 years, having applied to a classified ad for a junior graphic designer. While at York I was on the fencing team and was the Excalibur correspondent. It was my first introduction to newspapers. I started my career as an assistant to typographer Carl Brett and then had my own freelance business for 3 years before working for Maclean-Hunter then the Star. I am the recipient of a Gold Award from the Advertising & Design Club of Canada and am currently teaching part time in the Department of Media Studies at Humber College.

Writing & Publishing Panel: Catherine Pike Introduction