Virtual Presentations

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I offer a free 20-minute Skype (or similar format) author visit to classrooms who’ve read one of my books.  I am happy to read, talk a little about writing, and answer kids' questions. 

I also offer 45-minute  programs for classrooms or groups of up to 50 kids. (If you’d like a presentation for a larger group, please contact me or see below for information on full day visits.) All presentations include time for Q & A and an opportunity for getting books signed.

Presentations I offer are listed below.

Best suited for: Grades 3-5

Highlighting ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A BIG FAT QUITTER and its sequel, ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A STAR, I share what inspires my work and how kids can become "black belts" in whatever passion they pursue.

Best suited for: Grade K-2

Do you have any aspiring space travelers in your class? Sharing photos of Kathy Sullivan’s historic mission, this presentation gives younger readers insight to space travel - like astronauts season their food, and how heavy space suits are. We’ll talk about the future of space travel as well. 

Best suited for: All ages

What does every fictional book need? A main character of course! In this virtual workshop we'll have fun using some wacky (and some tried-true) strategies for getting to know and developing your story’s main character. 

Best suited for: Grades 3 and up
 

In this virtual workshop, students will learn some tips on how to find a subject to write about, locate and recognize good resources, organize ideas, notes, and think about "voice." (Yes, non-fiction has "voice" too!) A great way to reinforce skills learned in the classroom. 

Best suited for: All ages 

Writing a book is more than just telling a story. And there are many people who work behind the scenes to bring books into libraries and bookstores. In this interactive presentation, I'll introduce kids to how a book is made – from idea to publication.

Join me for some STEM-based fun as we build or experiment together! Instructions will be sent ahead of time so teachers and students can follow along in real time. All projects use easy-to-find and inexpensive materials. 

Become a Shrewbot - exploring how robots use touch-sensitive sensors (all ages)

Robots and  emotions: an experiment (all ages) 

Create a simple circuit (best for grades 2nd and up)

Make your own ocean wave bottle (all ages)

Put together an ancient Egyptian papyrus boat (all ages) 

Best suited for: All ages

In this workshop, we’ll talk about how Ben Franklin - scientist, inventor, writer, printer – helped shaped America. We’ll explore some fun, lesser-known facts about Ben, too! 

Best suited for: Grades 3-5

Highlighting ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A BIG FAT QUITTER and its sequel, ELIZA BING IS (NOT) A STAR, I share what inspires my work and how kids can become "black belts" in whatever passion they pursue. This program includes time to ask questions about the publishing process and what it’s like to be a writer. In addition, a Lunch With The Author program for a small group of students is available. 

Best suited for: Grade K-2

Sharing photos of Kathy Sullivan’s historic mission, this presentation gives younger readers insight to space travel.  (Like astronauts season their food! And how heavy space suits are.) This program includes time to for students to ask questions about the publishing process and what’s it’s like to be a writer. 

(The presentation does not include Dr. Sullivan.)

Best suited for: All ages 

Writing a book is more than just telling a story. And there are many people who work behind the scenes to bring books into libraries and bookstores. In this interactive presentation, I introduce kids to how a book is made – from idea to publication. This program includes time to ask questions. In addition, a Lunch With The Author program for a small group of students is available.

Best suited for: All ages

I’ve teamed up with fellow Junior Library Guild and Choose to Read Ohio author Nancy Roe Pimm to offer schools a special opportunity that supports Core Curriculum standards in writing, science, math, and fine arts. Nancy is the author of numerous non-fiction books as well as the new release THE JERRIE MOCK STORY -The First Woman to Fly Solo Around the World. In addition to large presentations, Nancy and I offer fiction and non-fiction workshops for smaller groups. Our Soar Into Books programs and presentations are hands-on and interactive, and will ignite your students' interest is reading and writing and history. With fiction and non-fiction titles geared toward grades K-8, we feel we really do have something for everyone.  Honorarium for the program is $1,500 ($750 per author) for a full day visit, plus travel expenses when applicable.

Best suited for: Grades 3 and up

In this workshop, students will learn some tips on how to find a subject to write about, locate and recognize good resources, organize ideas, notes, and think about "voice." (Yes, non-fiction has "voice" too!) A great way to reinforce skills learned in the classroom. 

If you're putting together a literary event or SCBWI conference, I'm available to do a variety of workshops.  Contact me to discuss details. 

VIRTUAL VISITS  

The honorarium for each 45-minute virtual visit is $200. (If things run long for some reason, I’m happy to visit up to another 10 minutes at no extra charge.) I find that visits work best when there are no more than 50 kids at a time, but I'm flexible with this. Please contact me so we can discuss it. 

If you’d like me to reach more students, please consider a full day virtual visit. For full days, I will do up to four 45-minute sessions. The honorarium for a full day is $600.

I prefer to use Zoom or Skype but I’m open to other meeting platforms. 

Honorariums are due the day of presentation/s. They may be sent via PayPal. If you’d prefer, you can send a hand-written check through the mail. 

Book signing is available for virtual visits. What seems to work best is to have parents order books from a local, independent bookstore or to order books online. Then I can send autographed bookplates  to teachers/librarians to hand out. 

IN-PERSON VISITS

I will do up to four 45-minute presentations or combination of presentations/writing workshops a day. I prefer speaking to groups divided by grades as opposed to speaking to the whole school, but I'm flexible. 

I'm happy to sign books before or after the program and will do my very best to sign all books before leaving so that children can get their books returned by the end of the school day. I try to provide bookmarks for students unable to purchase book but who would still like a signature. 

I am open to doing a Lunch With The Author workshop for a group of 12-15 students. This is an opportunity for especially interested students to share their work and ask more direct questions about the writing life or process. There is no extra fee for this and it up to schools to decide which students attend (for example, by contest or random drawing).   

Please note: for all school visits, I request that children read at least one of my books. Visits are more meaningful for students when they are familiar with an author's work beforehand. 

For schools within a 2 hour drive from Columbus, Ohio:

$500 for half-day (Includes two 45 minute presentations and Lunch With The Author if desired.)

$900 for full-day (Includes up to four 45 minutes presentations or combination of presentations/workshops and Lunch With The Author if desired.)

For schools more than a 2 hour drive from Columbus, Ohio or out of state:

Full-day only: $1350  (This includes all travel expenses.)

Local Schools (For this purpose, local means any school or library within a 40-minute drive of Columbus, Ohio.) 

For a 1 hour visit or workshop (for example, for a Literary Night, Enrichment Day, or other school or library event) cost is $150.
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