Prep boys learn from author Shane Peacock

10/30/2018

Upper Canada College Prep students learned more about the writing process when they received a visit from author Shane Peacock on Oct. 17.

Peacock has authored several books geared toward young people, including The Boy Sherlock Holmes and the “The Dylan Maples Adventures” and “The Dark Missions of Edgar Brim” series’. He’s also written plays, books, screenplays and articles for adults.

This broad range of experience has made Peacock a popular presenter for schools, events, conferences, festivals, radio and television programs across North America.

Peacock spoke about the writing process and his novels while he was at UCC, and also worked with two students who allowed their work to be analyzed in front of the group. The award-winning writer also told a story about The Great Farini's high-wire walk over Niagara Falls in 1860 and, as he told it, showed the students how effective stories are put together.

“The students seemed to react very positively to the presentation,” says Peacock.

“They were attentive and asked many excellent questions at the end, which indicated that they were engaged and learning. They appeared to have learned both about my work and better ways to tell even better stories.”

Peacock was born in Port Arthur, Ont. (which is now known as Thunder Bay) in 1957 and grew up in Kapuskasing, Ont. After earning an honours bachelor’s degree in English and history from Trent University, he received a master’s degree in literature from the University of Toronto. While there, he was taught by a well-known Old Boy.

“I was aware that one of my professors at the University of Toronto was once a student at UCC,” says Peacock.

“I was honoured to be taught by Robertson Davies. He was one of the great men of letters in Canadian history.”

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