Someone once started a write up about me like this:

"Valerie Coulman won her first writing award at age 11 but did not consider a career in writing until many years later. "The beauty of writing is that I can be working on a story wherever, whenever … although as the mother of a growing family, actually getting it on paper can be challenging." … "

Well, "wherever, whenever" proved itself true when a bedtime story became my first published picture book, the award-winning When Pigs Fly. Since then, I have gone on to write more award-winning picture books as well as adult and children’s magazine articles, poetry and more. When I'm not writing my own words, I work with others through business and technical writing, editing and other services I offer. And in 2005, I ventured into the world of art and illustration, learning to communicate by "a picture or a thousand words" as my artwork has exhibited both locally and internationally.

I love to create, whether through weaving a good story or stitching an heirloom quilt, capturing an image with my camera or producing a piece of art. My hobbies include quilting, sewing, gardening, knitting, cross-stitch, photography, bargain hunting and reading. I also enjoy cycling and hiking ... especially when I have my camera along.

Before writing, I earned two bachelors degrees (Linguistics and Theology) and a CERTESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) certificate from the University of Saskatchewan. My other job choices have included bridal consultant, seamstress, small business owner, retail fabric sales, homemaker and mother. I am a member of a variety of professional organizations and volunteer regularly.

Born and raised on the Canadian prairies, I now write from my home in southern Oregon … or wherever.

Want to know more?

My Picture Books

Writing and Editing Services

Complete Publishing Credits

Resources for Writers

Check out my page on Jacketflap.com, find me on Facebook, visit my blog, " It's My Day Job" or find me on Twitter!

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Professional memberships:

SCBWI — Society of Children's Book Writers & Illustrators
CPSA — Colored Pencil Society of America

Past memberships:

CANSCAIP — Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators and Performers —2002 - 2010
CCBC — Canadian Children's Book Centre —2002 - 2009
OCW — Oregon Christian Writers —2004 - 2009
ICWF — InScribe Christian Writers Fellowship —2005 - 2011
SOSA — Southern Oregon Society of Artists —2009 - 2012

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Friends & Mentors:

Karen Cain-Smith, artist
Janet Rawlings, artist
Kim Ragsdale, artist
Christine Tripp, artist. Christine also has a blog called The Children's Illustrator Studio
Margriet Ruurs, writer
Sandy Cathcart, writer, artist, photographer
Irelock Imaging— Olivia (Livvy) Schemanski, artist.
Carol S. Fitzpatrick, reading specialist, writer