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Children's author Eric Walters is happy living in "epicentre of children’s writers"

Proud to dedicate much of his time to philanthropy and speaking engagements held at schools across Canada
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Eric and Anita Walters with one of the orphans that they met with while in Kenya. Photo provided by Eric and Anita Walters.

Guelph is the home of some amazing writers.

Last year, award-winning children’s author Eric Walters decided to make this city his home.

Walters began his career as a writer accidentally when he was still a teacher at Vista Heights Public School in Mississauga. 

“I started writing books for my class, based on curriculum,” said Walters, who noted that his first 25 books were written while he was still teaching.

It was only nine years ago that he decided to focus on writing full-time.

Since his first book Stand Your Ground was published in 1994, Walters has become recognized as a writer who engages his young readers with powerful stories full of high excitement. 

Walters is currently working on his 105th book, which is set in the summer of 1964 in Mississippi during the Civil Rights Movement. As often the case, he said that his personal favourite of his own books is the one that he is working on now.

In addition to his work as an author, Walters has also become known as a powerful verbal communicator. For years, he has been a regular presenter at schools across Canada. He has 500 presentations throughout Canada and the United States this year alone.

“I refer to myself as a literary evangelist,” said Walters, who hopes these talks provide students inspiration.

As a youth, Walters himself was an avid reader. His favourite authors growing up were Farley Mowat, John Steinbeck, and Mordecai Richler.

“In Grade 5, my teacher told me I could be a writer,” said Walters. “But I wanted to be in the NBA...and I still do.” 

Walters’ easy manner and positive personality comes through in both his speaking and his books. Despite never making the NBA, he did go on to write an entire series of books about basketball.

Eric Walters also dedicates much of his time to philanthropy.

In 2007, he travelled to the Mbooni district in Kenya with his son and realized there were virtually no services in the area for orphans or children who needed sponsorship and support.

DSC04805-2Eric and Anita Walters while in Kenya. Photo provided by Eric and Anita Walters.

After that trip, Walters and his wife co-founded Creation of Hope, an organization that acts as a support system to provide care for orphans, funds for families, and necessities that many people often take for granted, such as education, food, water, medicine, clothing, bedding and a children's residence to help some 500 orphans in and around the area. 

Walters noted that each dollar donated is accounted for, and put towards funding the many Creation of Hope programs.

“We show them exactly how we spent their money,” he said, referring to a monthly update on the Creation of Hope website. It also outlines who is donating to the charity.

Despite his busy schedule, Walters always finds time to get to know his new city better. After living in Mississauga for 27 years, the move to Guelph was exciting. His wife Anita was once a University of Guelph student, as were two of his three children. One of his children still lives here. 

“Guelph is a friendly place,” laughed Walters. “Everybody has a dog.” 

Walters and his wife Anita recently adopted a two-year-old standard poodle named Beyonce. They decided to keep the name, even if he does feel silly calling it out at the dog park. “[Beyonce] is bouncy, sassy and wonderful,” said Anita Walters of the family pet.

The Walters live in St. George’s Park, a community close to the Downtown core which the author describes as "vital."

His routine includes walking to the Farmers’ Market on Saturdays, occasionally attending church at Lakeside Downtown [where Anita is member of the Cork Street Choir], and picking up books at The Bookshelf or Chapters.

Walters is in regular communication with many other Guelph children’s authors, who are working together to create an event to welcome Syrian refugee children to the community.

“Guelph is the epicentre of children’s writers in Canada,” said Walters.

He gives some sage advice to people interested in becoming a writer: dedicate yourself to the craft and find stories you are passionate about.

“Don’t be afraid of failure, it’s not a game for the weak of heart,” said Walters.

To find out more about Eric Walters, click here.

To find out more about Creation of Hope, click here.


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Brianna Bell

About the Author: Brianna Bell

Brianna Bell is a Guelph-based writer who focuses on events, small businesses, and community stories. In addition to GuelphToday, she has written for The Guelph Mercury and The Globe & Mail.
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