ALVIN ABRAM
Occupation:
Graphic Designer, Typographer, Printer, Entrepreneur, Author
SELF-EMPLOYED:
2004-present AMA Graphics Incorporated (Publishing)
855 Alness Street, Unit 21
Toronto, Ontario M3J 2X3
C.A.T. Graphics & Print Limited
(Graphic Studio)
855 Alness Street, Unit 21
Toronto, Ontario M3J 2X3
SALES:
2000-2004 The Incredible Printing Co. Inc.
SELF-EMPLOYED:
1963-2000 AMA Graphics Incorporated
Commercial printer/publisher of graphic art
Retired after 37 years: August 15, 2000
WORK EXPERIENCE:
1954-1963 Rapid Typesetting Limited
Service Typesetting Limited
McCorquodale & Blades Limited
Paramount Typesetting Limited
(Linotype operator/typographer/
graphic designer)
EDUCATION:
2001 On-Line Creative Writing Course: Frances Coppola Website
1997 Writers Digest Correspondence Course
1996 Humber College Creative Writing Summer Course
1995 University of Toronto Story Outline Course
1994 York University Creative Writing Fourth Year Class (Day)
1960 Graduate: Toronto Typographic Union Apprentice Course
(highest mark in the history of the course: 93%)
1954 Central Technical High School (4th Year)
ASSOCIATIONS:
1999-present The Writers Union of Canada
1998-present Crime Writers of Canada
1978-present Jewish National Fund (Toronto)
1997-2002 Toronto Branch: Canadian Authors Ass.
1989-1994 Baycrest Home for the Aged
1963-1994 B’nai Brith Canada
1973-1986 International Typographical Composite Ass.
Toronto Typographical Ass.
1960-1970 Muscular Dystrophy Ass.
TRADE PUBLICATIONS: International
Sales Promotions vs Minimizing Overhead Expenses
Kansas City 1977
Mis-Management: A Contest No One Wants To Win
Toronto: 1977
Don’t Die, Diversify
Toronto: 1976
Why It Pays To Diversify
Toronto: 1976
Overhead Minimizers
Hartford: 1976
Its Time To Get Out Of The Typesetting Business
Los Angeles: 1975
The Need To Diversify To Stay In Business
New Orleans: 1975
How To Increase Profits By Minimizing Sales Overhead
Washington, D.C.: 1975
WHITE PAPER:
Workmans Compensation:
Computers Are Not Printing Equipment Toronto: 1974
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
2003-present Canadian Friends of Boys Town Jerusalem
2003-present Canadian Society for Yad Vashem
1989-1994 Baycrest Home for the Aged (Volunteer)
1963-1991 Community Volunteer (100 hours/year)
1978-present Jewish National Fund (Toronto)
1978-1979 President: L.M.O.L. Lodge, B’nai Brith
1960-1970 Founder/President: Myasthenia Gravis
Foundation of Ontario
AWARDS:
2005 Winner: International BookAdz Award for An Eye For An Eye
2004 Meritorious Award Community Involvement
(Jewish National Fund Toronto)
2002 Nominated: Arthur Ellis Award by Crime Writers of Canada
Best First Novel: The Unlikely Victims
1989 Best Bulletin Contest (Canada): B’nai Brith
1985 Best Bulletin Contest (Canada): B’nai Brith
1980 Man of the Year: L.M.O.L. B’nai Brith
1978 Dare to be Profitable Contest
(International Typographic Association)
1977 Dare to be Profitable Contest
(International Typographic Association)
1976 Dare to be Profitable Contest
(International Typographic Association)
First Canadian to win the Award/
First person to win three years in a row
1975 Award of Merit: B’nai Brith
1973 Best Bulletin Contest: International B’nai Brith
1967 Man of the Year: Grand Order of Israel
1958 Designed books that won awards when a linotype operator
AUTHOR OF:
The Light After the Dark I (non-fiction) 1997
Why, Zaida? (childrens book) 2000
The Light After the Dark II (non-fiction) 2001
The Unlikely Victims (fiction) 2002
Stories I Wrote (non-fiction and fiction) 2003
An Eye For An Eye (fiction) 2004
The Minyan (fiction) 2006
Published Short Stories:
Ta-Ta-T-A-Ta Memories
Stitch in Time Forbidden
A Story in Two Words Jealous Bullet
Jonas: The Baker Late Again Harry
The Coat That Wouldnt Die Growing Old
The Credit Card Caper Religious Persuasion
Remember: Come Home The Photograph Album
Kugler Touched by Love
Forgive Me Midnight Madness
Its Never Too Late to Dream Road Rage
Flight Under Suspicion
PUBLISHED BOOKS:
40 Years of Poetry
by Jack Gelman
My Grandpa Plays With Trains
by Myrna Neuringer Levy
Rhythms in Panic
by Matthew Cohen
My Shtetl Drobin
by Rabbi Abraham D. Feffer
Yiddish: A Two Way Street
by Jack Gelman
One Year At A Time Plus
by Jack Gelman
The Memories I Live With
by Eugene Joseph
The Son of an Extraordinary Woman
by Andy Reti
My New School
by Sylvia Baker and Rochelle Rabinovicz
Lexi Writes Stories: My New School
by Sylvia Baker and Rochelle Rabinovicz
Lexi Learns Math: My New School
by Sylvia Baker and Rochelle Rabinovicz
Winners Circle
Edited by Alvin Abram
SPEAKING SUBJECTS:
1998-present
Stories from the Holocaust
The Writing Craft
Yiddishkite in Fiction
1991-1997
Lectures:
Alzheimers Disease Can Be Painful
Coping With Your Aging Parent
How Long Can You Live Alone?
Homes for the Aged
Endowment Story
1981-1989
Frauds and Forgeries in the Art World
1976-1978
Lectures:
Dont Die . . . Diversify
Recycle Your Garbage for Profi
Educate Your Clients
One Stop Shop: It Can Be Done