Professional History

Contact Information

Email: me@davidgane.com
Website: www.davidgane.com
Location: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Career Summary

Versatile professional with extensive experience in writing, education, and film production. Award-winning author, co-creator of the Shepherd & Wolfe mystery series, and experienced writing coach. Skilled in screenwriting, storytelling, curriculum development, and project management. Proven track record in teaching, public speaking, and creative collaborations.

Education

  • Masters of Fine Arts, Media Production and Studies, University of Regina (2010-2013)
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts, Film and Video, University of Regina (1992-2001)

Professional Experience

Writing Coach (2020–present)

  • Provide one-on-one coaching to writers, both online and in-person
  • Help clients develop their writing skills, overcome challenges, and achieve their writing goals
  • Offer guidance on various aspects of writing, including storytelling, character development, and editing
  • Manage client relationships and bookings through personal website (davidgane.com)

For more information on my coaching services, visit my Work with David page.

Counios and Gane Writing Partnership (2015–present)

Co-owner/Co-writer

  • Co-creator and writer of the internationally award-winning Shepherd & Wolfe mystery series
  • Manage online presence, website, and online store
  • Develop marketing campaigns and promotions for book releases
  • Edit and post-process video and images for book promotions

University of Regina (2011–present)

Sessional Instructor

  • Teach fundamentals of screenplays and storytelling
  • Expanded program from one class to three (Film 210/310/486)
  • Developed online course and transitioned to hybrid model during COVID-19

Detailed Chronology of Teaching and Speaking Engagements

2024

  • Sessional Instructor: Film 210: Introduction to Screenwriting (online), University of Regina, Fall
  • Speaker/Presenter: Individual Writer Groups, April and June
  • Facilitator: Screenwriters Workshop for YFAIR program, Saskatchewan Filmpool, August
  • Speaker/Interviewer: Introduction and Interview of new Writer in Residence, Regina Public Library, September

2023

  • Sessional Instructor: Film 210: Introduction to Screenwriting (online), University of Regina, Fall

2022

  • Sessional Instructor: Film 210: Introduction to Screenwriting (online), University of Regina, Fall
  • Sessional Instructor: Film 310: Writing for Film, University of Regina, Winter

2021

  • Sessional Instructor: Film 210: Introduction to Screenwriting (online), University of Regina, Fall
  • Sessional Instructor: Film 310: Writing for Film, University of Regina, Winter

2020

  • Writer in Residence: Regina Public Library, 2019–2020
  • Guest Writer/Speaker: Regina Schools, 2019–2020
  • Sessional Instructor: Film 310: Writing for Film, University of Regina, Winter
  • Speaker/Presenter: Multiple workshops at Regina Public Library (Writing a Feature Film, Creating Memorable Characters, The DNA of Story, From Script to Scene, Writing the Heart of the Screenplay)
  • Speaker: Ask a Writer in Residence, Talking Fresh, Saskatchewan Writer's Guild, March
  • Sessional Instructor: Film 210: Introduction to Screenwriting (online), University of Regina, Fall

2019

  • Guest Speaker: SaskBooks, September
  • Speaker/Presenter: Screenwriting Essentials I & II, Regina Public Library, October-November

2018

  • Sessional Instructor: Film 210: Writing for Film (online), University of Regina, Fall
  • Moderator: Saskatchewan Writer's Guild Talking Fresh Panel, March
  • Guest Writer/Speaker: École Connaught Community School, Regina; February, April

2017

  • Sessional Instructor: Film 310: Writing for Film (online), University of Regina, Fall
  • Guest Writer/Speaker: F.W. Johnson Collegiate, Regina; April

2016

  • Sessional Instructor: Film 486: Advanced Screenwriting, University of Regina, Winter

2015

  • Sessional Instructor: Film 310: Writing for Film (online), University of Regina, Winter

2014

  • Sessional Instructor: Film 310: Writing for Film (online), University of Regina, Winter

2012

  • Sessional Instructor: Film 310: Writing for Film (online), University of Regina, Fall

2011

  • Sessional Instructor: Film 310: Writing for Film (online), University of Regina, Fall
  • Sessional Instructor: Film 486: Advanced Screenwriting, University of Regina, Winter

2010

  • Screenwriting Instructor: Saskatchewan Filmpool
  • Guest Writer/Speaker: Scott Storyteller's Project, Regina; February, November

2009-2010

  • Screenwriting Instructor: Saskatchewan Filmpool

2008-2010

  • Organizer/Mediator: Saskatchewan Filmpool Screenwriter's Group; January 2008–October 2010

SaskFilm (2004-2010)

Locations Officer

  • Photographed locations and built a visual database to respond to inquiries
  • Provided script breakdowns and locations options to producers and directors
  • Conducted multi-day location scouts with producers, directors, and talent around the province

University of Regina (Summer 2015)

Researcher/Casual Employee

  • Researched and wrote critical reviews of African cinema for Dr. Sheila Petty

University of Regina (September 2010)

Conference Assistant

  • Assisted in coordinating the University of Regina SonImage Jean-Luc Godard conference

Writing and Publications

Novels

  • Shepherd's Call (2022)
    • Gold - Young Adult Fiction - General - 2022 Moonbeam Winner
  • A Wolfe in Shepherd's Clothing (2018)
    • Finalist - Young Adult Book - 2019 High Plains Book Awards
    • Finalist - Young Adult - 2019 Sask Book Awards
    • Finalist - Young New Adult - 2019 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
    • Bronze for Young Adult Fiction - Horror/Mystery, 2019 Moonbeam Awards
  • Shepherd's Watch (2017)
    • Finalist - Second Novel - 2019 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
    • Silver - Young Adult Fiction - Horror/Mystery - 2017 Moonbeam Winner
  • Along Comes a Wolfe (2016)
    • Winner - First Book Award - 2017 Sask Book Awards
    • Gold - Best First Book - Chapter Book - 2017 Moonbeam Winner
    • Finalist - Young Adult - 2017 High Plains Book Awards

For more details on these books and other writing awards, visit my Writing and Awards page.

Short Stories

  • But We Do It Anyway (2012) - Briarpatch Creative Writing Contest Hometown Winner
  • Mammoth (2014) - A part of the Swift, Flowing Collection

Screenplays

  • Darkness (2014) - Feature Script, In Development
  • Black Bear (2013) - Masters of Fine Arts Thesis Project
  • The Drowned (2010) - Quarter-Finalist in the Blue Cat Screenplay Competition
  • The Wakeless (2009) - Previously Optioned

Film Reviews

Contributed to Directory of World Cinema: Africa (2015):

  • "Allah Tantou: God's Will Be Done" (David Achkar, 1991)
  • "Aristotle's Plot" (Jean-Pierre Bekolo, 1996)
  • "A Time There Was: Stories From the Last Days of Kenya Colony" (Karen Feiertag and Donald McWilliams, 2009)
  • "The Journey of Cape Verde" (Guenny K. Pires, 2004)
  • "Zahra's Mother Tongue" (Fatimi Sissani, 2011)

Other Writing

  • "Five Library Resources to Help Write Your Feature Film", Regina Public Library Blog, January 20, 2020
  • "Three Great Writing Books to Consider Character", Regina Public Library Blog, January 29, 2020
  • "Four Lessons I Learned Becoming a Writer", Regina Public Library Blog, September 17, 2019

Film Industry Experience

  • Corner Gas, Television series (2003) - Production Assistant
  • I Accuse, Feature (2003) - Assistant Production Coordinator
  • Falling Angels, Feature (2002) - Production Assistant, Personal Assistant to Lead Actor
  • The Risen, Feature (2002) - Assistant Production Coordinator
  • The Wisher, Feature (2002) - Production Assistant
  • Mythquest, Television series (2000) - Production Assistant
  • Incredible Stories Studio IV, Television series (2000) - Production Assistant

Awards and Nominations

  • Governor General's Academic Gold Medal, Nomination (2014)
  • Briarpatch, Hometown Winner (2012)
  • University Teaching Fellowship, University of Regina (January 2011, September 2011, September 2012)
  • Centennial Scholarship, Nomination (2011)

Skills and Areas of Expertise

  • Creative Writing (novels, short stories, screenplays)
  • Screenwriting and Story Structure
  • Writing Coaching and Mentorship
  • Curriculum Development
  • Public Speaking and Presentations
  • Project Management
  • Online and Hybrid Teaching Methods
  • Location Scouting and Management
  • Film Production Coordination
  • Website management and online marketing

Professional Memberships

  • Member, Saskatchewan Writers' Guild
  • Member, The Writers' Union of Canada