AUTHOR VISITS

I am available for author presentations for schools and other interested organizations, both in person and via the magic of the Internet. If you’re interested in a subject I’ve discussed in past presentations, or if you’d like a custom presentation, feel free to contact me to discuss.

I'm always developing new programs and I enjoy working with educators to tailor presentations and workshops just for you. I find that 30 to 45 minutes is a good length of time, depending on the age range of attendees.

For 2021-2022, my rates are $750 for a half day and $1200 for a full day of visits, plus expenses. I'm happy to chat about fundraising possibilities. 

Thanks, I’ll look forward to meeting you!
 
Topics I have covered in past talks include:

• Poetry: How a poet creates a poem (for an elementary school audience). I have also run poetry workshops in which a class cooperatively creates poems.
• Picture Books: How a picture book is made (from idea to writing and revising to sketches through to the whole book) for elementary school students.
• Hey, Hey, Hay!: Using my picture book as a starting point, we discuss the haymaking process (including how I began thinking of it as "storing summer in a bale"); writing a how-to book; how art and pictures work together; and using rhyme in writing.
• WATER: In this science-themed program, students are engaged in thinking deeply about water and its role in our world. See this link for possible activities. 
• The First Amendment: Using my book, Free for You and Me, we explore the meaning and significance of freedom of speech and the other rights protected by the First Amendment. This civics program can be tailored to the background and interests of the class.
• How I Got Help from Fourth-Graders: Sharing the behind-the-scenes process by which I worked with a class as I was drafting a book, and incorporated their feedback and criticism to make the book better. Discussion of constructive criticism.
• Writing workshop: Helpful tips and pointers for writers who want to get their work published (for adult writers).

CLASSROOM PRESENTATION
WAS A HIT!

"What a wonderful opportunity for my students to meet a real live author! They were just thrilled! Many parents emailed me last night and told me how excited their child was to have met you.  You did an excellent job speaking to the students. We talked about that as a class. Your PPT was a perfect tie into what we are learning in class. Thank you again for presenting to us. You certainly created a class of new fans!"       ​    
                                    ~ fourth-grade teacher

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