J.L. Fizzell

Facilitation & Workshops
crafted and delivered by J.L. Fizzell

Facilitation & Workshops crafted and delivered by J.L. Fizzell

J.L. Fizzell offers writing workshops and facilitation services for schools, libraries, festivals, community organizations, and wellness-adjacent spaces across Northern Ontario. Workshops are available in person throughout Northern Ontario and online across Ontario and Canada.

Each session is thoughtfully structured and responsive to the people in the room — balancing creative skill-building with reflection, play, and connection.
Who These Workshops Are For
These workshops are a strong fit for:
* Public libraries and library systems in Northern Ontario
* Elementary, middle years, secondary, and post-secondary classrooms
* Festivals, cultural events, and community organizations
* Adult writing groups and creative or wellness-adjacent spaces
* Health, social service, and community wellbeing organizations
* Indigenous educational institutes and community organizations
* Employment and skills development programs
* Programming is adapted to suit participant age, group size, and setting.

Workshop Styles

Writing Workshops
Creative writing sessions that explore poetry, imagery, voice, and language through accessible prompts and guided exploration. Workshops may include sensory writing, place-based writing, and playful approaches to craft.

Youth & Student Workshops
Age-appropriate writing labs for children, pre-teens, and college students. These sessions support literacy, self-expression, and creative confidence in supportive, low-pressure environments.

Voice, Story & Self-Expression
Writing as a tool for finding your voice and telling your story. These sessions invite participants to explore their own narratives through guided writing, reflection, and community. Designed for diverse groups including post-secondary students, community members, and anyone who has a story worth telling — which is everyone.

Expressive Writing & Wellbeing Programming

Writing has long been recognized as a meaningful tool for reflection, processing, and personal growth. J.L. Fizzell offers expressive and reflective writing programming for individuals and groups navigating the full range of human experience — from life transitions and chronic illness to grief, aging, and the everyday work of finding one’s voice.

This programming is informed by a background in psychology with a focus on children and families, and a facilitation approach rooted in safety, inclusivity, and respect for each participant’s lived experience.
These sessions are well suited for:
* Community health centres and family health teams
* Social service and family support agencies
* Hospice, palliative, and grief  support programs
* Mental health and wellness organizations
* Chronic illness support communities
* Seniors programming and elder care settings
* Youth and family services

Sessions are designed to be accessible and low-pressure — the goal is not polished writing but meaningful reflection and genuine connection to one’s own story.

Professional Development & Educator Training

Drawing on a background in psychology with a focus on children and families, J.L. Fizzell offers professional development programming for educators working with young people across a range of settings.

Current programming includes:
Nature and Literacy in the Early Years
A workshop for pre-K to Grade 3 educators exploring how nature-based experiences can support and enrich early literacy development. This session offers practical, place-responsive approaches that bring language, story, and the outdoor environment together in accessible and meaningful ways.

This programming is well suited for:
* Educator conferences and professional development days
* School boards and early years teams
* Early childhood education programs and colleges
* Family literacy organizations

Additional educator programming is available and can be developed in conversation with your organization’s specific goals and context.

Introduction to Self-Publishing

Coming Soon.

J.L. Fizzell will be offering an introductory workshop on self-publishing for writers who are ready to bring their work into the world. Drawing on experience self-publishing four poetry collections, this session will cover the practical essentials of getting your writing from manuscript to published book.

Details and dates to be announced. Reach out if you’d like to be notified when this workshop becomes available.

Community & Public Programming

Workshops designed for libraries, festivals, and community initiatives, including one-time sessions or short series. Programming can be customized around seasonal themes, community goals, or special events such as Ontario Culture Days.

Formats & Logistics

In-person facilitation available throughout Northern Ontario
Virtual workshops available across Ontario and Canada.

* One-time workshops, multi-session series, or short residencies
* Sessions typically range from 60–90 minutes but are negotiable based on needs
* Workshops tailored to group age, size, and context
* Regional travel within Northern Ontario is considered on a case-by-case basis.

Investment

Workshop fees are based on session length and scope:
* One-hour sessions: $150
* Two-and-a-half-hour sessions: $350
* Multi-session series and residencies are priced based on scope and duration

These rates apply to community, library, and public programming. Institutional and organizational engagements such as school board professional development, health organizations, and conferences are quoted individually based on scope, preparation, and travel requirements.

To discuss fees for your specific context, reach out to begin the conversation.

Facilitation Approach

J.L.’s facilitation style is warm, inclusive, and intentionally structured. With a background in psychology focused on children and families, and extensive experience working with diverse age groups and communities across Northern Ontario, workshops are designed to feel grounded, welcoming, and flexible.

Core principles include:
* Accessibility and inclusivity
* Clear structure paired with creative freedom
* Responsiveness to participant needs and energy
* A belief that voice develops through trust, not performance
* Deep respect for the lived experiences participants bring into the room

The focus is not on producing perfect work, but on creating meaningful creative and reflective experiences.

Facilitation Experience

J.L. Fizzell is a poet, author, and experienced facilitator who has led workshops both online and in person through:
* Ontario Culture Days
* Fringe North
* Timmins Public Library
* Espanola Public Library
* Indigenous post-secondary institutions
* Educational institutions ranging from elementary to post-secondary

J.L. is the founder and ongoing facilitator of the Paper Town Writers Collective, a free regional writing community drawing participants from across Northern Ontario including Espanola, Sudbury, Manitoulin Island, and Serpent River. The collective meets monthly and exists to create space for writers at every stage of their journey.

J.L. has facilitated workshops for elementary students, pre-teens, college learners, adult community groups, and Indigenous post-secondary students.

Author Talks & Readings

In addition to workshops, J.L. is available for author talks, readings, and facilitated conversations focused on writing, creativity, and place. These offerings may stand alone or complement workshop programming.

Inquiries & Booking

If you’re interested in booking a workshop or exploring a collaboration — particularly within Northern Ontario — you’re invited to get in touch.

Email: j.l.fizzell@outlook.com

There’s no obligation — just a conversation to explore what might fit your group, community, or event.