Junior Storytellers
Every storyteller starts somewhere—and we believe there’s something powerful about giving young voices a place to be heard.
Junior Emerald Coast Storytellers is a space for young writers and creatives (ages 8–13) to explore storytelling in all its forms—through writing, sharing, and connecting with others their age who are learning to find their voice, too.
Whether they’re picking up a pen for the first time or already filling notebooks at home, this chapter is designed to nurture a love for story, imagination, and self-expression.
How it works
Our Junior Storytellers meet twice a month on the first and third Tuesdays:
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Writing Night: A guided, low-pressure space to brainstorm, write, and develop ideas inspired by the month’s theme
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Storytelling Night: A live event where participants can share their work aloud—building confidence, creativity, and community
Each month centers around a new theme, offering inspiration while leaving plenty of room for individuality and imagination.
At the end of each cycle, our Junior Storytellers will vote on a piece that best reflects the theme, and the selected work will be published online and featured in Stroll Magazine—a special opportunity to celebrate and spotlight their voices.
Get published
Our
Chapter Leader
Meet Mary Louise Gillis
Mary Louise Gillis is a writer, educator, and the founder of Canopy | An Acton Academy, a learner-led microschool on Florida's Gulf Coast, where young people are trusted to direct their own learning and their own lives. She grew up in theatre, studied English and Public Speaking, and has spent more than two decades creating spaces where young people are trusted to find their voices. For the last year and a half she has been writing and sharing with Emerald Coast Storytellers — and Junior Emerald Coast Storytellers is her way of bringing that same community to young writers.
About Canopy 30A
Canopy | An Acton Academy is a learner-driven microschool on Florida's Emerald Coast, where young people ages 4–18 are trusted to lead their own learning & discover who they're becoming.
We believe every young person is on a Hero's Journey & that the right environment, the right questions, & the right community can change everything.
Junior Storytellers is one small window into what we do every day.
Come peek in the window of who we are.
Our
Venue
