Beginning in winter, 2025, Shaena is thrilled to be collaborating with award-winning and critically acclaimed authors Caroline Adderson and Paul Headrick, in STORY HOUSE, providing narrative services to fiction and creative non-fiction writers.
We will offer deep substantive reads, critiques and feedback, one-on-one coaching, and in-depth craft conversations and advice about works in progress, working both directly with authors and through referrals from publishers and agents.
Caroline Adderson has been nominated for the Giller Prize, the Governor General’s Award, and the Rogers’ Writers Trust Award, and has won the BC Book Prize three times. Past director of the Writing Studio at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, she offers support for novels, short fiction, memoir, and writing for children. See carolineadderson.com and carolineaddersonkids.com.
Acclaimed author and mentor Paul Headrick is a past professor of creative writing at Langara College and with SFU’s Writers’ Studio. He has an MA in Creative Writing and a PhD in Literature. He offers support for novels, short story collections, and academic crossover work in the humanities.
Shaena Lambert will offer support for novelists, memoirists and short story writers.
Please watch this space for more to come. For more information, please contact Shaena at hello@shaenalambert.com.
Shaena Lambert has taught fiction and memoir with The Writers’ Studio at Simon Fraser University, The Humber School for Writers, The Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts (MISSA), the Hollyhock Lifelong Learning Centre, and the Vancouver Manuscript Intensive, as well as providing manuscript consultations and mentoring on a freelance basis.
Writers Shaena has mentored have gone on to publish their books to critical acclaim in Canada and internationally, and won or been nominated for major literary awards including the Governor General’s Award, the BC Book Prize, the George Ryga Award, and been chosen for Best Canadian Stories.
For inquiries regarding manuscript consultation and mentoring, please contact Shaena at hello@shaenalambert.com.
“I had such an amazing experience with Shaena Lambert working on my first novel, “Sea of Clouds.” After two sessions with Shaena, I landed one of the top agents in the country at Westwood Creative Artists. Shaena brought an experienced and practiced perspective to critiquing my work and opened my eyes to avenues I never would have considered without her input. She’s my secret weapon for whipping a literary project into shape, and I’m looking forward to working with her on my next novel. I can’t recommend Shaena enough!”
—G. S. Arnold, two-time finalist for AWP’s Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction, winner of the 2024 Letter Review Prize for unpublished fiction, and grand prize winner of the Eyelands Award for best unpublished work of fiction
“One week working with Shaena was as valuable as an MFA. Her ability to dive quickly and deeply into the heart of my novel-in-progress was remarkable. My nagging sense that something wasn’t quite right proved to be true. Shaena it pinned down as a problem with the central conflict, and in a follow-up video call, brainstormed solutions. My tendency to rush was no surprise, but her hands-on approach to teaching me how to solve it was uniquely helpful. Shaena is direct in a way most editors and writing workshops are not, and that can be difficult, but as a result I’m now on my way to a drastically better manuscript. Her willingness to speak the truth also means that when she highlighted strong elements of story, character, and craft, I believe her, and can get back to work with renewed energy and clarity.”
—Kathryn Barclay, fiction writer
“Shaena Lambert has a wonderful way of asking writers to explore beneath the text so that they can more fully understand their characters, themes and narratives. I was privileged to receive mentorship from her at a critical time in my career when I needed to shift away from performing as a full-time musician due to an overuse injury, and alternatively chose to deepen my practice as a writer. Shaena’s generous reading and incisive guidance provided me a much needed balance of constructive criticism, encouragement and humor. But most significantly, she did so with a compassionate ear, given that I was facing the loss of my livelihood. And she extended not only her vast expertise but also valued friendship.”
—Laura Barron is a musician, writer, facilitator and community artist. Her diverse 30-year career as a flutist includes solo appearances with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and several performances in Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.
“No words can possibly express my gratitude and admiration for Shaena Lambert, my writing mentor for the three years it took to write the manuscript. Although I wanted to be an author when I was in my teens, at the age of eighteen an activist bug bit me and I spent the next fifty-five years in the women’s movement, union movement and politics, where writing and delivering speeches became my art form. It was Shaena who taught me how to write a book—how to create setting, use all five senses, build tension and dig far deeper emotionally than I ever intended! Her brilliant and gentle coaching, her belief in this project and her friendship nurtured me as I rewrote the manuscript umpteen times. Without her, this book would not be a reality.”
—Judy Darcy, author of Leading from the Heart: The Battles of a Feminist, Union Leader and Politician. Douglas and McIntyre, September, 2025. “Trade unionism, feminism, and progressive politics indelibly intertwined – written with such ease, such rollicking humour.” —Stephen Lewis
“Shaena’s mentoring was instrumental in developing my understanding of how to set a scene, ground a story in a place and time, and bring complex characters alive. I am grateful to have been able to draw on her knowledge, experience, and empathy — our conversations continue to guide my writing, and I expect they always will.”
—Patchen Barss, author of The Impossible Man: Roger Penrose and the Cost of Genius… A New Yorker Best Book of 2024; A Globe and Mail Best Book of 2024; A Financial Times Best Book of 2024; A Kirkus Best Book of 2024; A Daily Telegraph Best Book of 2024
“As a writing mentor, Shaena possesses that rare combination of empathy, intuition, and craft that lets her zero in on the strengths and weaknesses in a manuscript. Her advice improved the structure and storytelling impact of my first novel, which went on to become a published work in Canada and internationally. I can’t say enough wonderful things about her influence, which stays with me even now.”
—Janie Chang, bestselling author of Three Souls, Dragon Springs Road and The Library of Legends.
“Shaena shares a deep knowledge of process and craft, broad intellectual reach, and unswervingly cleaves to what is important and true. Her manner is generous and full of charm. She gave my book just the exact touch it needed.”
—Carrie Saxifrage, author of The Big Swim: Coming Ashore in a World Adrift, finalist for the George Ryga Award for Social Awareness.
“I had to wait six months for time to become available on Shaena’s mentoring calendar, but having seen her at work in an intensive week long course, during which I experienced the phenomenal transformation of my writing under her coaching and guidance, I knew it would be worth the wait. Shaena takes the role mentor incredibly seriously and shows a rare devotion and commitment to the writers she chooses to work with – to their projects. She becomes deeply involved in the project, yet maintains sufficient distance to remain objective and gently guide and inspire, freely sharing her profound mastery of the craft of writing. The project I worked on with Shaena, my memoir Mamaskatch, went on to win the Governor General’s Award and was a finalist for several other prestigious awards. I credit Shaena for this amazing quantum leap in my writing career and I dream of working with her again to see what can be accomplished now.”
—Darrel J. McLeod, author of Mamaskatch: A Cree Coming of Age. Winner of the Governor General’s Award for non-fiction 2018. Finalist for the Charles Taylor Prize and the BC Book Prize.
Dates have been set for Tapping the Stream, 2026. It will take place July 4-10th, at Hollyhock Retreat Centre on Cortes Island. Join Shaena and acclaimed author Betsy Warland for a deep dive into writing and/or revising a work-in-progress. Register early for an early-bird discount!
More to come… or reach out to Shaena at hello@shaenalambert.com
“Tapping the Stream is the most wonderful workshop I have ever attended. The facilitators helped me get back to writing after a concussion and encouraged and inspired me to break through an inability to write, after 6 published books. Hollyhock is a magical and healing place for a brilliant and supportive workshop. It’s more than worth the investment.” —Judy Rebick, author and feminist
Beginning in winter, 2025, Shaena is thrilled to be collaborating with award-winning and critically acclaimed authors Caroline Adderson and Paul Headrick, in STORY HOUSE, providing narrative services to fiction and creative non-fiction writers.
We will offer deep substantive reads, critiques and feedback, one-on-one coaching, and in-depth craft conversations and advice about works in progress, working both directly with authors and through referrals from publishers and agents.
Caroline Adderson has been nominated for the Giller Prize, the Governor General’s Award, and the Rogers’ Writers Trust Award, and has won the BC Book Prize three times. Past director of the Writing Studio at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, she offers support for novels, short fiction, memoir, and writing for children. See carolineadderson.com and carolineaddersonkids.com.
Acclaimed author and mentor Paul Headrick is a past professor of creative writing at Langara College and with SFU’s Writers’ Studio. He has an MA in Creative Writing and a PhD in Literature. He offers support for novels, short story collections, and academic crossover work in the humanities.
Shaena Lambert will offer support for novelists, memoirists and short story writers.
Please watch this space for more to come. For more information, please contact Shaena at hello@shaenalambert.com.
Shaena Lambert has taught fiction and memoir with The Writers’ Studio at Simon Fraser University, The Humber School for Writers, The Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts (MISSA), the Hollyhock Lifelong Learning Centre, and the Vancouver Manuscript Intensive, as well as providing manuscript consultations and mentoring on a freelance basis.
Writers Shaena has mentored have gone on to publish their books to critical acclaim in Canada and internationally, and won or been nominated for major literary awards including the Governor General’s Award, the BC Book Prize, the George Ryga Award, and been chosen for Best Canadian Stories.
For inquiries regarding manuscript consultation and mentoring, please contact Shaena at hello@shaenalambert.com.
“No words can possibly express my gratitude and admiration for Shaena Lambert, my writing mentor for the three years it took to write the manuscript. Although I wanted to be an author when I was in my teens, at the age of eighteen an activist bug bit me and I spent the next fifty-five years in the women’s movement, union movement and politics, where writing and delivering speeches became my art form. It was Shaena who taught me how to write a book—how to create setting, use all five senses, build tension and dig far deeper emotionally than I ever intended! Her brilliant and gentle coaching, her belief in this project and her friendship nurtured me as I rewrote the manuscript umpteen times. Without her, this book would not be a reality.”
—Judy Darcy, author of Leading from the Heart: The Battles of a Feminist, Union Leader and Politician. Douglas and McIntyre, September, 2025. “Trade unionism, feminism, and progressive politics indelibly intertwined – written with such ease, such rollicking humour.” —Stephen Lewis
“Shaena’s mentoring was instrumental in developing my understanding of how to set a scene, ground a story in a place and time, and bring complex characters alive. I am grateful to have been able to draw on her knowledge, experience, and empathy — our conversations continue to guide my writing, and I expect they always will.”
—Patchen Barss, author of The Impossible Man: Roger Penrose and the Cost of Genius… A New Yorker Best Book of 2024; A Globe and Mail Best Book of 2024; A Financial Times Best Book of 2024; A Kirkus Best Book of 2024; A Daily Telegraph Best Book of 2024
“I had such an amazing experience with Shaena Lambert working on my first novel, “Sea of Clouds.” After two sessions with Shaena, I landed one of the top agents in the country at Westwood Creative Artists. Shaena brought an experienced and practiced perspective to critiquing my work and opened my eyes to avenues I never would have considered without her input. She’s my secret weapon for whipping a literary project into shape, and I’m looking forward to working with her on my next novel. I can’t recommend Shaena enough!”
—G. S. Arnold, two-time finalist for AWP’s Grace Paley Prize for Short Fiction, winner of the 2024 Letter Review Prize for unpublished fiction, and grand prize winner of the Eyelands Award for best unpublished work of fiction
“One week working with Shaena was as valuable as an MFA. Her ability to dive quickly and deeply into the heart of my novel-in-progress was remarkable. My nagging sense that something wasn’t quite right proved to be true. Shaena it pinned down as a problem with the central conflict, and in a follow-up video call, brainstormed solutions. My tendency to rush was no surprise, but her hands-on approach to teaching me how to solve it was uniquely helpful. Shaena is direct in a way most editors and writing workshops are not, and that can be difficult, but as a result I’m now on my way to a drastically better manuscript. Her willingness to speak the truth also means that when she highlighted strong elements of story, character, and craft, I believe her, and can get back to work with renewed energy and clarity.”
—Kathryn Barclay, fiction writer
“Shaena Lambert has a wonderful way of asking writers to explore beneath the text so that they can more fully understand their characters, themes and narratives. I was privileged to receive mentorship from her at a critical time in my career when I needed to shift away from performing as a full-time musician due to an overuse injury, and alternatively chose to deepen my practice as a writer. Shaena’s generous reading and incisive guidance provided me a much needed balance of constructive criticism, encouragement and humor. But most significantly, she did so with a compassionate ear, given that I was facing the loss of my livelihood. And she extended not only her vast expertise but also valued friendship.”
—Laura Barron is a musician, writer, facilitator and community artist. Her diverse 30-year career as a flutist includes solo appearances with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and several performances in Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.
“As a writing mentor, Shaena possesses that rare combination of empathy, intuition, and craft that lets her zero in on the strengths and weaknesses in a manuscript. Her advice improved the structure and storytelling impact of my first novel, which went on to become a published work in Canada and internationally. I can’t say enough wonderful things about her influence, which stays with me even now.”
—Janie Chang, bestselling author of Three Souls, Dragon Springs Road and The Library of Legends.
“Shaena shares a deep knowledge of process and craft, broad intellectual reach, and unswervingly cleaves to what is important and true. Her manner is generous and full of charm. She gave my book just the exact touch it needed.”
—Carrie Saxifrage, author of The Big Swim: Coming Ashore in a World Adrift, finalist for the George Ryga Award for Social Awareness.
“I had to wait six months for time to become available on Shaena’s mentoring calendar, but having seen her at work in an intensive week long course, during which I experienced the phenomenal transformation of my writing under her coaching and guidance, I knew it would be worth the wait. Shaena takes the role mentor incredibly seriously and shows a rare devotion and commitment to the writers she chooses to work with – to their projects. She becomes deeply involved in the project, yet maintains sufficient distance to remain objective and gently guide and inspire, freely sharing her profound mastery of the craft of writing. The project I worked on with Shaena, my memoir Mamaskatch, went on to win the Governor General’s Award and was a finalist for several other prestigious awards. I credit Shaena for this amazing quantum leap in my writing career and I dream of working with her again to see what can be accomplished now.”
—Darrel J. McLeod, author of Mamaskatch: A Cree Coming of Age. Winner of the Governor General’s Award for non-fiction 2018. Finalist for the Charles Taylor Prize and the BC Book Prize.
Dates have been set for Tapping the Stream, 2026. It will take place July 4-10th, at Hollyhock Retreat Centre on Cortes Island. Join Shaena and acclaimed author Betsy Warland for a deep dive into writing and/or revising a work-in-progress. Register early for an early-bird discount!
More to come… or reach out to Shaena at hello@shaenalambert.com
“Tapping the Stream is the most wonderful workshop I have ever attended. The facilitators helped me get back to writing after a concussion and encouraged and inspired me to break through an inability to write, after 6 published books. Hollyhock is a magical and healing place for a brilliant and supportive workshop. It’s more than worth the investment.” —Judy Rebick, author and feminist