Robin Stevenson is an award-winning queer Canadian author of more than thirty books for young readers. She has written non-fiction about queer history, activism, and rights; novels for teens and children; and picture books for the youngest readers. Her recent titles include Queer History A-Z; Pride: The Celebration and the Struggle; Pride Puppy; and A Hug on the Wind. Robin has a master’s degree in social work, and worked as a counselor, group facilitator and social work instructor for ten years before beginning to write while on parental leave.

Robin’s books have won the Silver Birch Award, the Sheila A. Egoff award and a Stonewall Honor, and been finalists for the Governor General’s Literary Awards, the Lambda Literary Awards, four BC Book Prizes, and many reader’s choice awards. Her work has received numerous starred reviews, and been translated and published in more than ten countries. In 2023, she was awarded the BC Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence in recognition of her body of work and her contributions to the literary community.

Robin is a vocal advocate for reader’s rights and a strong voice in opposing censorship and book bans. She was named as the 2022 Champion of Free Expression by the Book and Periodical Council of Canada. She has faced challenges to many of her books, and in 2025, her picture book Pride Puppy was at the center of a US Supreme Court case, Mahmoud v. Taylor. She regularly speaks about books and writing, about 2SLGBTQ+ inclusion in schools and libraries, and about issues related to censorship and book bans.

SPEAKING TOPICS WITH DESCRIPTION AND AUDIENCE

Robin is available for keynotes, conference sessions, festivals, writing workshops and panels, professional development, and consulting.

For Educators & Librarians

1. Who’s Afraid of Pride Puppy!? Books, Bans and Backlash

In the current landscape of anti-LGBTQ+ backlash and book challenges, both authors and educators who are committed to inclusion face new challenges — but despite the risks, many are refusing self-censorship, building networks of support, and advocate for diverse books and readers’ rights.

2. Pride, Inclusion and Belonging: The Importance of LGBTQ+ Representation in Books
   Inclusive books help students see themselves, understand others, and feel a sense of belonging. As anti-LGBTQ+ hate rises, representation is more important than ever.
3. Why Book Banners (and the US Supreme Court) Are So Afraid of Queer Joy
   LGBGTQ+ children’s books show people being themselves and being loved and celebrated for who they are. Queer joy is powerful — and we need to keep celebrating it and sharing it.
4. Readers, Leaders, Disruptors
   Knowing where we have come from helps light the way forward. Stories of resistance can be used to inspire reflection and action, to show students the power of words, and to empower young people to tell their own stories and make their voices heard.
5. Creating Inclusive Spaces
   Practical strategies for supporting 2SLGBTQ+ students and creating safer and more welcoming spaces in classrooms and libraries.
6. Talking to Young People About Challenging Topics
   How books can spark necessary conversations about identity, belonging, and social justice.

For Writing Conferences & Festivals

1. My Book Was Banned: Now What?
   Robin will share the story of what happened when her picture book Pride Puppy found itself at the US Supreme Court—and what she learned about book challenges, fighting back, staying safe, and protecting creativity and resilience.
2. Writing as Resistance
   In an era marked by rising book bans, online hostility, and backlash against diverse stories, writing can be difficult for writers whose stories — and identities — are targeted. How do we resist the urge to self-censor? And how do we stay true to our voices, tell the stories we want to tell, and write the books our readers need?
3. Writing Queer Books for All Ages
   Fiction or non-fiction, from toddlers to adults: all our readers need books that reflect their lives and the world they live in. So how can writers — regardless of their own identities — ensure their writing is inclusive of the diverse LGBTQ+ community?
4. Craft-Focused Workshops on a Range of Topics
   Co-writing a novel; character development; trouble-shooting a manuscript; dealing with writer’s block; sparking new ideas; the magic of revision; writing children’s non-fiction about challenging topics, etc.

For Organizations, Employee Events, and Lunch-and-Learns

1. Stories Can’t Be Silenced: Lessons from the Pride Puppy Case
   What happened when a picture book about a lost puppy at a Pride parade became the target of the conservative legal movement in the United States—and ended up at the US Supreme Court.
2. Books Change — and Save — Lives
   The social impact of diverse literature and why representation matters.
3. 2SLGBTQ+ Inclusion 101
   Practical ways workplaces, schools, and libraries can foster belonging for 2SLGBTQ+ people.
4. Censorship and Free Expression
   What rising book bans reveal about our culture, and how to respond with courage and integrity.
5. The Power of Stories
   How sharing our stories builds empathy and connection and leads to social change.

ONLINE INTERVIEWS

• A Canadian Picture Book at the U.S. Supreme Court | The Agenda with Steve Paikin on TVO
• Velshi Banned Book Club on MSNBC
• Pride Puppy Author Talks LGBTQ+ Book Bans and SCOTUS case, on Boom! Lawyered podcast:
• As It Happens on CBC

PRINT INTERVIEWS AND ARTICLES

• First person article in Macleans Magazine: How My LGBGQ+ Kids’ Book Ended up at the US Supreme Court
• ‘All kids deserve to see families like their own in the books they read’: Robin Stevenson writes books she wishes she had read growing up, from PEN America
• You Can’t Read That: Banning kids’ books in Canada and the United States, from PEN Canada
• Author Robin Stevenson Resists Organized Challenges to Books About Sexual Minorities, from Freedom to Read
• Interview in Vancouver Sun about Pride: The Celebration and The Struggle

PULL QUOTES FROM  REVIEWS, WITH LINKS

Reviews for Queer History A to Z: 100 Years of LGBTQ+ Activism:

“Perfect for middle school and public libraries; an essential collection of LGBTQIA+ history.” – School Library Journal

“Queer History A to Z is a must-buy title from an accomplished veteran of LGBTQ+ children’s and YA literature. Highly Recommended.” – Canadian Materials 

Reviews for Pride: The Celebration and the Struggle

“Stevenson’s joyful celebration of self, community, existence, and activism examines Pride parades, how they came to be, and what they celebrate… An indispensable and celebratory primer on the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights. An excellent resource that is as thorough as it is visually appealing.” – Starred review, School Library Journal 

Reviews for Pride Puppy

“Highly—and proudly—recommended… The book is sheer delight and will be a welcome addition to shelves everywhere.” – Starred review, Kirkus 

“This engaging introduction to Pride parades for the youngest readers successfully testifies to the warmth and power of queer community.” – Starred review, Publisher’s Weekly 

TESTIMONIALS

“Robin was the keynote speaker at the Children and Teen Services conference for library staff. She presented on the topic of young people’s right to read and the challenges to this right. The presentation was factual, educational and powerful.  In addition to presenting, Robin facilitated a group exercise for staff on how to better support 2SLGBTQ+ youth and families in our communities. Participants were able to openly share and learn from each other because Robin created a positive learning space. I definitely recommend Robin as a speaker and facilitator.”
– ASHLEY MACHUM, Head of Youth Services, Okanagan Regional Library, Kelowna, BC

“Robin was a dynamic and engaging speaker and presenter who connected so well with audiences of all ages. From a host perspective, Robin was also an absolute dream to work with – responsive, flexible and generous with her time and so much fun to be around. She is easy to recommend as an author, as a presenter and as a workshop leader!”
– DEB ISBISTER, Red Deer Library

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Robin as a keynote speaker and a program facilitator, and appreciate her understanding of our roles as educators, and navigating systems to ensure that all students see themselves and their peers reflected through literature. Robin is extremely knowledgeable about the experiences, rights, and histories of Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ humans, and always works to center lived experiences of intersectional identities in all of her work. I highly recommend her as a speaker and facilitator for both students and educators.”
– ELIZA HYNES, Resource Teacher – Indigenous Education, Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression and Community Partnership, Peel District School Board

“Robin is a dynamic and thoughtful speaker who was part of author events at my university that were engaging and deeply relevant. The events sparked meaningful conversations about writing for young adults and children, censorship issues we face today, queer representation in literature, and the power of inclusive storytelling. She brought warmth, insight, and a strong sense of purpose to our library’s events—an invaluable voice in today’s cultural landscape.”
– Joseph Hafner, Dean of Libraries, York University

“Hosting Robin at the library for an evening discussion about the censorship of LGBTQA2S+ materials was eye-opening for everyone involved. She was knowledgeable, personable, and presented her information in a manner accessible and relatable to everyone in the audience, from teens to seniors.”
– Wendy Wright, Director of Smithers Public Library, BC, senior fellow at the Canadian Center for Free Expression

Danny Ramadan is a Syrian-Canadian author and LGBTQ+ refugees’ advocate. His memoir Crooked Teeth received raving reviews and was nominated for the Governor General’s Award for Non-Fiction. His latest novel, The Foghorn Echoes, won the Lambda Literary Award for Gay Fiction and was nominated for both the BC & Yukon Book Prizes and the City of Vancouver Book Award. His debut novel, The Clothesline Swing, won the Independent Publisher Book Award, was longlisted for Canada Reads, and has been translated into multiple languages.

Ramadan is also the author of the award-winning Salma children’s series, which has received the Nautilus Book Award, the Publishing Triangle Award, the Middle East Book Award, and numerous other accolades.

Since arriving in Canada, he has raised over $300,000 to support LGBTQ+ refugees, securing safe passage for more than two dozen queer and trans individuals. He holds an MFA in Creative Writing from UBC and an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Adler University.

He lives in Vancouver with his husband and two dogs — and when he’s not writing, he’s probably playing video games.

Speaking Topics

Exploring Identity, Storytelling, and Social Justice through Lived Experience

The Immigration Journey

Ramadan speaks thoughtfully and with lived experience about the journey of immigration — from the personal realities of leaving Syria and building a new life in Canada, to the broader challenges faced by refugees and newcomers. Blending memoir-style storytelling with current research, he explores the emotional, political, and cultural impact of migration. His tone is candid, compassionate, and often humorous, offering space for honest conversations about belonging, identity, and resilience.

Intersectionality in Activism and the Writing Life

With a deep understanding of layered identities, Ramadan offers insights into how intersectionality can shape both creative work and community advocacy. Whether he’s discussing the role of intersectionality in building inclusive movements or developing fully realized characters on the page, his approach is clear, grounded, and inviting. Ramadan’s background as a writer, activist, and union leader allows him to navigate this topic with nuance, making complex ideas accessible and engaging for a wide range of audiences.

Writing Across Genres: Craft, Editing, and Storytelling Tools

As a writer of novels, memoir, and children’s literature, Ramadan brings a multi-genre perspective to conversations about writing craft. He speaks about narrative structure, editing strategies, voice, and revision, offering practical tools for writers at any stage of their career. His sessions are accessible, flexible, and often shaped by the needs of the audience — whether they’re new writers in classrooms or professionals in literary spaces. Ramadan’s style is friendly, generous, and focused on growth rather than perfection.

Queerness and Identity

Ramadan brings warmth, openness, and clarity to conversations around queerness — both as a lived experience and as a lens through which to view art, culture, and personal growth. He reflects on his own journey as a queer man from the Middle East and how it has shaped his voice, community, and storytelling. His talks offer space for vulnerability, joy, and honest reflection, making them especially resonant in educational and community-focused settings.

Karen van Kampen is an author, creative writing instructor and award-winning journalist who has built a career on writing, sharing and listening to stories. She focuses on the art and science of storytelling to educate, inspire and connect to gain new perspectives and boost well-being.

In The Brain Never Sleeps: Why We Dream and What it Means for our Health (Simon & Schuster Canada, 2026), Karen guides readers on a journey through dreamland to discover why dreams matter and how we can reclaim this alternate realm of experience. Her interest in dreams began at the age of nine when her dad opened one of the first independent sleep laboratories in Canada and she was his first lab assistant, practising electrode hook up and testing. She went on to work on the business side of sleep for more than 15 years.

Karen offers insightful and engaging talks on the power of human story in the age of AI. Karen leads interactive workshops for individuals and companies to learn the essential elements of a compelling story that connects and inspires audiences, taking their ideas from concept to podium. Karen explores how we can harness our natural superpower of sleep to improve our well-being and shares how we can use dreams as a creative brainstorming tool in business and in life. Karen has audiences create their own dreamer toolkit to reveal their concerns, reduce nightmares and benefit from the insights and self-awareness of dreams.

She is the author of The Golden Cell: The Quest for the Next Great Medical Breakthrough (HarperCollins), which garnered extensive media coverage. Her writing has appeared in various publications including The Globe and Mail, National Post, Flare magazine, FASHION magazine and Reader’s Digest. She has worked as a writer and editor at several magazines and newspapers. Karen teaches creative non-fiction and science and public health writing at the University of Toronto.

Speaking Topics

Storytelling

The Power of Human Story in the Digital Age

Discover why human stories have the power to strengthen learning, empathy and well-being. Learn how we are wired to communicate and connect through story, empathizing with characters and gaining personal insights. Discover how storytellers and listeners share similar brain activity as a story unfolds and the “narrative transport” of storytelling that connects people emotionally. Learn the art of strategic storytelling, the essential elements of a compelling story and how to package your story to make it your own. Practical tips on effective communication to build a digital presence, make big ideas resonate and find your voice to influence, inspire and make a meaningful impact.

Storytelling as a Business Tool

Learn the importance and impact of compelling stories to build brands, become a trusted voice and drive change. Hands-on instruction to develop your voice as a leader and communicator, craft your message and shape your story to connect with your target audience and achieve your strategic goals. Learn how meaningful, authentic stories create a dynamic and engaged work culture and build a loyal audience that lives your brand. Tips on creating valuable content that meets customer wants, needs and challenges. Explore the power of story-based advocacy to drive social change.

Sleep, Dreams and Well-being

Build a Work Culture that Prioritizes Sleep and Well-being

Sleep fuels the body and the mind, just like food. Learn how sleep and dreams can improve workplace productivity, job satisfaction and employee retention. Adopt healthy sleep habits and create your own sleep system to gain health and wellness benefits in your personal and professional lives.

The Dream Dimension: Why we Dream and How to Use Dreams to Improve our Waking Lives

Explore the connection between dreams and waking life to reveal your preoccupations, concerns and state of mind. Uncover possible functions and many benefits of dreaming. Investigate dream engineering to guide your dreams, reduce nightmares and harness their creative power to solve problems and gain new insights.

Night Shift: What Our Work Dreams are Trying to Tell Us

Explore common work dreams, their impact on productivity and happiness, and what happens to our sleep and dreams if we try to suppress work anxieties. Gain strategies on how to combat and manage work stress dreams. Create your own dreamer’s toolkit of high-tech and low-tech dream tools to harness the benefits of your dreams for your health and well-being.

To learn more about Karen’s business storytelling and consulting work, visit her consulting website. Through Daring and Kind, Karen partners with organizations and individuals to craft authentic narratives that connect, influence and drive meaningful change. The site offers insight into her consulting approach, client collaborations, and how story can be used as a powerful tool for leadership, innovation and impact.