Glen Huser
Encyclopedia
Glen Huser is a Canadian fiction
writer
.
Vancouver School of Art, second year qualification, 1965; University of Alberta
, B.Ed. (with distinction), 1970, M.A., 1988.
and taught at Rosslyn and Highlands Schools for three years.
In 1962-1965, as he took on a part-time job reviewing films for The Edmontonian, a weekly community and entertainment
magazine.
After his work at the entertainment magazine, he went back to teaching and taught at McArthur School from 1967-1969.
For the next twenty years, he began a career as a teacher-librarian
in Holyrood, Lendrum, Homesteader, Kirkness, and Overlanders Schools before moving to Edmonton
and teaching in the public schools until 1996. At this time, he began developing Magpie, a quarterly magazine that showcases student writing and graphics and took on the job of managing editor of the publication for a year. Also, during those years, he was a learning resources consultant, working not only with Magpie, but selecting media and assisting libraries throughout the district.
From 1997 to 1998, he worked as a student teaching advisor at Concordia College, and then he worked as a sessional instructor at University of Alberta from 1997–98, 1999–2000, and 2003-2004. From 2000-2001, he worked as a language arts resource writer at Oz New Media/Education-on-line.
Glen then worked as a writer-in-residence at Mee-Yah-Noh Elementary School in 2001-2002, and Virginia Park Elementary School in 2003-04 before going on to do sessional work for UBC
’s Education faculty for two years. Currently, he has be teaching a Writing for Children and Young Adults component of UBC’s online MFA in the Creative Writing program, where he has been working since 2006.
. In 1958, the family moved to Edmonton in order to explore greater job opportunities for his brother. At this time, Glen finished grade twelve and began university. After two years of University, Glen discovered his love for movies, and obtained a part-time job reviewing films for a popular Edmonton magazine, The Edmontonian, while also teaching at a junior high school. After three years of teaching, Glen realized he wanted to be an artist and began at the Vancouver School of Art. After a year of art school, Glen realized he would rather live in Edmonton, and he went back to teach for another year.It was his love for reading and writing that pushed him to be a teacher-librarian in elementary school
s. When Glen was thirty three, he adopted a seven-year old boy named Casey and from 1969–1970, Huser took part in creative writing seminars, at which time he began working on creative writing during his spare time. When he retired from teaching in 1996, he continued working on a young adult novel, Touch of the Clown and he was hired back by the school board to make novel study packages for grades 3 to 7 students. In 2008, Huser moved to Vancouver
, where he works for UBC’s Education faculty. Glen lives alone in his Vancouver home and teaches online courses and works with students on individual projects.
Literary Award and was also nominated for the W.H Smith/Books in Canada First Novel Award. His second novel, Touch of Clown, published by Groundwood in 1998, was nominated and achieved the Mr.Christie Silver Medal. Huser's third novel, Jeremy's Christmas Wish, was published in 2001 by Hodgepog. In 2003, Huser wrote the novel Stitches, which in the same year won the Governor General’s award presented by Adrienne Clarkson
. The book also achieved the Alberta’s R.Ross Annett Award. In 2006, Groundwood published more of Huser's books called Skinnybones and The Wrinkle Queen, which was awarded with the Governor General’s silver medal. Aside from his novels, Glen Huser has made an impact as the founder and developer of Magpie, which is a quarterly publication magazine that showcases writing and graphics by students.
Most of Huser's books are written for youth, as he was so interested in children’s and young adult literature. Huser's book, Touch of the Clown, is influenced by his own experiences and from old movies he watched.
. Glen Huser has also been involved with writers of all ages in writing and reading workshops. Splitting his time between Alberta and British Columbia, Glen has worked as an instructor in language learning for the University of Alberta and is currently teaching online courses at University of British Columbia for Children’s Literature.
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
.
Vancouver School of Art, second year qualification, 1965; University of Alberta
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a public research university located in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Founded in 1908 by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president, it is widely recognized as one of the best universities in Canada...
, B.Ed. (with distinction), 1970, M.A., 1988.
Career
After finishing university, he started his first career as a teacherTeacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
and taught at Rosslyn and Highlands Schools for three years.
In 1962-1965, as he took on a part-time job reviewing films for The Edmontonian, a weekly community and entertainment
Entertainment
Entertainment consists of any activity which provides a diversion or permits people to amuse themselves in their leisure time. Entertainment is generally passive, such as watching opera or a movie. Active forms of amusement, such as sports, are more often considered to be recreation...
magazine.
After his work at the entertainment magazine, he went back to teaching and taught at McArthur School from 1967-1969.
For the next twenty years, he began a career as a teacher-librarian
Librarian
A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
in Holyrood, Lendrum, Homesteader, Kirkness, and Overlanders Schools before moving to Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
and teaching in the public schools until 1996. At this time, he began developing Magpie, a quarterly magazine that showcases student writing and graphics and took on the job of managing editor of the publication for a year. Also, during those years, he was a learning resources consultant, working not only with Magpie, but selecting media and assisting libraries throughout the district.
From 1997 to 1998, he worked as a student teaching advisor at Concordia College, and then he worked as a sessional instructor at University of Alberta from 1997–98, 1999–2000, and 2003-2004. From 2000-2001, he worked as a language arts resource writer at Oz New Media/Education-on-line.
Glen then worked as a writer-in-residence at Mee-Yah-Noh Elementary School in 2001-2002, and Virginia Park Elementary School in 2003-04 before going on to do sessional work for UBC
UBC
- Universities :* University of British Columbia, a major Canadian university with its main campus in Greater Vancouver* UBC Okanagan, the campus in Kelowna, British Columbia* UBC Thunderbirds, the athletic program of the main campus- Athletics :...
’s Education faculty for two years. Currently, he has be teaching a Writing for Children and Young Adults component of UBC’s online MFA in the Creative Writing program, where he has been working since 2006.
Personal life
Glen Huser has two sisters, Karen and Sharon, and a brother, Dale. His father, Harry Huser, was an artist, but also worked as a logger, carpenter, garage mechanic, and a school bus driver. His mother, Beatrice Daily Huser, was a teacher in AshmontAshmont, Alberta
Ashmont, Alberta is a hamlet in northern Alberta, Canada within the County of St. Paul No. 19. It is located near the intersection of Highway 28 and Highway 36, approximately northwest of the Town of St. Paul. It has an elevation is ....
. In 1958, the family moved to Edmonton in order to explore greater job opportunities for his brother. At this time, Glen finished grade twelve and began university. After two years of University, Glen discovered his love for movies, and obtained a part-time job reviewing films for a popular Edmonton magazine, The Edmontonian, while also teaching at a junior high school. After three years of teaching, Glen realized he wanted to be an artist and began at the Vancouver School of Art. After a year of art school, Glen realized he would rather live in Edmonton, and he went back to teach for another year.It was his love for reading and writing that pushed him to be a teacher-librarian in elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
s. When Glen was thirty three, he adopted a seven-year old boy named Casey and from 1969–1970, Huser took part in creative writing seminars, at which time he began working on creative writing during his spare time. When he retired from teaching in 1996, he continued working on a young adult novel, Touch of the Clown and he was hired back by the school board to make novel study packages for grades 3 to 7 students. In 2008, Huser moved to Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, where he works for UBC’s Education faculty. Glen lives alone in his Vancouver home and teaches online courses and works with students on individual projects.
Notable Works
Glen Huser is a library-consultant-turned-author whose books have gained recognition and awards. His first novel Grace Lake was published in 1989 by NeWest Press, and was the winner of an Edmonton JournalEdmonton Journal
The Edmonton Journal is a daily newspaper in Edmonton, Alberta. It is part of the Postmedia Network.-History:The Journal was founded in 1903 by three local businessmen — John Macpherson, Arthur Moore and J.W. Cunningham — as a rival to Alberta's first newspaper, the 23-year-old...
Literary Award and was also nominated for the W.H Smith/Books in Canada First Novel Award. His second novel, Touch of Clown, published by Groundwood in 1998, was nominated and achieved the Mr.Christie Silver Medal. Huser's third novel, Jeremy's Christmas Wish, was published in 2001 by Hodgepog. In 2003, Huser wrote the novel Stitches, which in the same year won the Governor General’s award presented by Adrienne Clarkson
Adrienne Clarkson
Adrienne Louise Clarkson is a Canadian journalist and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 26th since Canadian Confederation....
. The book also achieved the Alberta’s R.Ross Annett Award. In 2006, Groundwood published more of Huser's books called Skinnybones and The Wrinkle Queen, which was awarded with the Governor General’s silver medal. Aside from his novels, Glen Huser has made an impact as the founder and developer of Magpie, which is a quarterly publication magazine that showcases writing and graphics by students.
Influences
Huser is influenced by books that he reads, as he states, “books that are powerful and moving, that I find moving I find myself thinking, ‘Oh, wouldn’t it be great to write something like that.’”Most of Huser's books are written for youth, as he was so interested in children’s and young adult literature. Huser's book, Touch of the Clown, is influenced by his own experiences and from old movies he watched.
Cultural Impact
Glen Huser's literature resources have been used by teachers everywhere. Huser has given presentations to many different age groups across the cost and the lower mainland of British ColumbiaBritish Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. Glen Huser has also been involved with writers of all ages in writing and reading workshops. Splitting his time between Alberta and British Columbia, Glen has worked as an instructor in language learning for the University of Alberta and is currently teaching online courses at University of British Columbia for Children’s Literature.