Shields is a poet and the owner of Gertrude's Writing Room, a small office and creative school that offers workshops and classes, and editing and mentoring services. Shields has been reading and writing her whole life, and is passionate about sharing her love of writing and literacy. She teaches workshops to students in all levels of education, and has organized/participated in hundreds of literary events in Canada, Ontario and beyond. She has three published poetry books, one memoir, and hopes to have her fiction and childrens' books published soon! She lives and loves and writes in Windsor, ON. Visit Gertrude's Writing Room: www.gertrudeswritingroom.com Visit her personal website: www.vanessashields.com