About Doreen Pendgracs … AKA “Wizard of Words”

Welcome to the blog. This is basically a writer’s lifestyle blog where my intent is to educate, entertain and inspire writers and anyone interested in creative endeavours.

I write non-fiction books (you’ll see the covers of my 1st three projects in the banner at the top of this blog) plus a teaser for Chocolatour, my upcoming book that will guide you to the finest chocolate of the world.

If you are a chocolate lover and love to travel, you will enjoy my chocolate travel blog at http://diversionswithdoreen.com/.

If you’re interested in Chocolatour, I’d like to suggest that you subscribe to my brand new site  http://chocolatour.net/ which will have updates about publication of the book, provide you with the opportunity to pre-order it, and keep you abreast of launches, events and chocolate tours and tastings that we’ll be arranging.

I also write magazine , newspaper and online articles and blog posts about travel, lifestyle, entrepreneurship and other topics for various publications. You can read some of my published articles on the “Samples” page of my website at http://www.wizardofwords.net.

My freelance articles and photography have appeared in WEST, Canadian Geographic, Highways, RV Lifestyle, CAA/Going Places, DreamScapes, Winnipeg Life, ComFree Homes, Aquascape Landscapes, Hotelier, Harbors, The Costco Connection, Your Office, My Winnipeg Business, Canadian Insurance, Your Convenience Manager, Your Foodservice Manager, Meetings & Incentive Travel, 55 Plus, German Life, The Cottager, The Manitoba Cooperator, Farmers’ Almanac, Travel & Escape, Next Avenue,  Vantage Magazine, GoNomad, Travel With a Challenge, Profit, and over the airwaves on CBC radio.

In March, 2010, “Before You Say Yes” was released by Dundurn Press  and has been renowned as the “volunteer’s bible” as it was written to serve as the ultimate guide for anyone sitting on a board of directors in the non-profit sector. You can read the foreword for the book here: http://www.wizardofwords.net/BeforeYouSayYes.html.

I present and facilitate customized workshops for non-profit groups who need help with board development or dealing with issues impeding the effectiveness of their boards.

On the lighter side of life, I’ve also co-authored two travel books: a guidebook on Canada’s most easterly province: Frommer’s Newfoundland & Labrador (1st edition, published April, 2004 by Wiley), and more recently, the bestselling Manitoba Book of Everything, published by MacIntyre Purcell, October, 2008.

In addition to books and a wide variety of periodical assignments, I’ve also done writing/editing projects for various corporate clients including the Canadian Tourism Commission and Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company, and conducted writing and copyright workshops for the Travel Media Association of Canada, the Manitoba Writers’ Guild, the Manitoba Magazine Publishers Association and Grant McEwan College.

As a seasoned Toastmaster, my speaking abilities have dazzled audiences on Celebrity Cruise Lines and in other forums. I am a member of the Lord Selkirk Toastmasters Club in Selkirk, Manitoba and am near to achieving my Distinguished Toastmaster Award. (I currently hold the Advanced Communicator Gold and Competent Leader Awards.) I am also starting up the new “Toastmasters in the Arts” club in the Interlake for Manitoba’s creatives.

For a look at some of my recommendations on travel, chocolate, fine cuisine, favourite sayings and other things that strike my fancy, please visit me on Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/chocolatour/.

I enjoy sharing the knowledge I’ve acquired as a professional freelance writer over the past 19 years and have formally and informally mentored many new and emerging writers and many new Toastmasters.

But this blog isn’t about me. It’s about the writing community that I love. And it’s about your thoughts as much as it is mine. Please peruse the posts you will find here, and join the conversation. We have a very warm and welcoming group that is anxious to hear your thoughts.

And from time to time, we have a guest blogger join us with a unique perspective on a topic that I think you will find of interest. If you think you have a topic that would interest us here at doreenpendgracs.com, please get in touch via the “contact me” page and let me know what topic you have in mind.

We have new posts on the 1st and 3rd weeks of every month. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a post.

And if you’re on facebook, please take a moment to “like” my author’s page at http://www.facebook.com/Doreen.Pendgracs.author. I’d love to connect with you there.

Please know that everything you read on this blog and any of my sites is copyrighted by me, and if you wish to quote or repost anything you read or see, please request permission or terms via the contact page.

Thanks for visiting, and ciao for now!