Authors and Sponsors Announced for Writing Workshop

Boca Raton, FL – Canon Solutions America, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Canon U.S.A., today announced that the Canon Solutions America Future Authors Project, formerly known as the Océ Future Authors Project, is sporting a new name with the recent acquisition of Océ North America by Canon U.S.A. Entering its eighth year, Future Authors remains a unique private-public partnership offering middle and high school students the opportunity to experience the thrill of becoming published authors.

For the class of 2013, 35 students who will study at Don Estridge Middle School in Boca Raton, and another 10-15 students from the Glades area, are being selected from more than 100 applications submitted by Palm Beach County students who love to write. Selected students will be notified by the end of May. A free eight-day writing workshop begins on June 10 and runs through June 20. Published authors who have agreed to donate their time to share experiences and writing tips include Robert Forbes, a children’s author and publisher of Forbes Lifestyle; Nicole Barker, the author of the young adult novel, Dancing with Ana; and poet Dwight Stewart.

Sponsors, whose support allows three licensed language arts teachers to be hired to teach the workshop, include AutoNation, the Lawrence Sanders Foundation, and Xplor, an educational and networking association serving users and suppliers of document technologies.

The program is a partnership between Canon Solutions America and the School District of Palm Beach County. Since its founding, more than 300 students have participated in the Future Authors Project, which was created to help students learn about the processes of writing, editing, and digitally publishing books. Throughout the workshop, students spend time with teachers, authors, and previous participants to practice creating pieces in various genres. Their writings are then compiled, professionally published and digitally printed in final book form by Canon Solutions America.

According to Eric Hawkins, Director, Marketing Production Print Solutions, Canon remains solidly behind the Future Authors Project. “The program has been a source of great pride and inspiration for our company and the community,” he said. “We are honored to be able to offer students who have a passion for writing a fun and educational experience that culminates with the real-life opportunity to be published.”

He added that the printed book remains a popular medium, especially with digital printing technologies revolutionizing the book publishing business. “Publishers can now cost-effectively print books in run lengths anywhere from one to 10,000, creating exciting opportunities for anyone who dreams of becoming an author, especially our own future authors.”

Secondary Literacy Program Planner for the School District of Palm Beach County, Diana Fedderman, who manages this public-private partnership for the District, says that programs like this are essential for the enrichment of students who love to write. “Our teachers don’t have as much time as they would like to work with the students on creative writing projects,” she said. “This program, which is open to students of all backgrounds and academic levels, offers students the chance to hone their skills and explore their love of writing.”

An official book signing to unveil the 2013 book will be held this fall at the City of Boca Raton Spanish River Library. For more information about how to support the Canon Solutions America Future Authors Project, contact the Executive Director of the Education Foundation of Palm Beach County, Mary Kay Murray, at [email protected].