Services
I offer the following writing and communications services. See my brief biography for an outline of my work experience. If you are interested in any of these services, please contact me (info@donmeredith.ca) for more information and a fee schedule.
Freelance Writing and Editing
I write a monthly column, "Rubs, Scrapes and Tangle, signs along the way", for the Alberta Outdoorsmen. I also write articles for a variety of other periodicals (see my brief bibliography). I have written two young-adult, adventure novels—The Search for Grizzly One (2005) and Dog Runner (1989, 2004)—that are available for sale on-line through my bookstore.
Reports, Pamphlets and Brochures
I am available to write and edit scientific reports, annual reports and other publications for governments, industry and non-profit organizations. I specialize in interpreting scientific concepts into terms stakeholders and the general public can understand. Perhaps I can help with your project.
Communications Planning
As the Coordinator of Information and Education for the Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division (1989-2002), I wrote and implemented many communication plans for the division. I have also helped several non-government organizations write such plans. I have a unique system to get people thinking about how they would like to promote their organization to the public and clients, depending on the budget, time and labor available. Can I help you with your communications?
Readings
I read from my novels, The Search for Grizzly One and Dog Runner, selected short stories or my non-fiction work. I often tie this into a brief, photographic slide/PowerPoint® presentation about my experiences as a biologist and outdoors person, and how those experiences have provided me with material for my writing.
My readings are suitable for children aged 8 years and up, as well as adults (The Search for Grizzly One and Dog Runner are written for young adults, 12 years of age and older). Presentations are usually about 40 minutes long, plus time for questions.
If you are a teacher who may be interested in a reading, please read my notes to teachers, "Don in the Classroom".
Writing Workshops
I present workshops on the writing process — how to turn good ideas into readable (and saleable) stories or non-fiction articles. The workshops are suitable for students aged 10 to adults. Workshops are one to three hours long, depending on age group and content.
Wildlife and the Outdoors
I make presentations to various groups on the importance of wildlife and wild places to the well being of individuals and society as a whole. Using photographic slides and other visuals, I relate experiences I have had with wildlife and the outdoors from the Canadian Arctic, Alaska, northern Alberta and the Alberta Rocky Mountains to the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mountains of the continental U.S. A presentation may run from 30 to 50 minutes, depending on the audience and the content desired.