Author Visits
As a former educator and now a full-time author, I am delighted to come to schools, libraries, and community centers and events for readings, presentations, crafts, and workshops.
The following proposals will benefit you, your students, and enhance your curriculum. And, we can always discuss and plan specific topics on which to focus. Just let me know!
To schedule a visit for the 2022-23 school year, you may contact me here.
Programs
Large Group/Assembly
Pre-K to Elementary Grades
half to full-day $500-$800
Includes: an introduction (personal background and writing journey and inspiration), reading of Teddy Let's Go!,
and conclusion (What is a "happy dream?").
15 minutes in each classroom when students can share their happy dreams with me and ask any questions they
have about the story or about being an author.
Virtual Visits
FREE: 15 minutes — Skype/Zoom visit with a minimum of 3 books purchased per class. Includes a brief intro,
reading, and Q&A.
Any of the above programs can be adapted as a virtual visit for a reduced fee.
All programs include a book signing. I can send signed bookplates in the case of a virtual visit.
You may arrange book sales with your local book seller, preferred retailer, or my publisher:
*Travel Expenses
Free within a 30-minute drive from my home in Matthews, NC.
up to a 1-hour drive: $50
up to a 2-hour drive: $100
over a 2-hour drive requires travel and possibly accommodation.
Please do not let funding get in the way of an opportunity for your students:
Talk to your PTA about how to work together to earn funds.
Talk to local businesses who may like to sponsor the event.
Look into grants for hosting authors.
Partner with a nearby school to share travel expenses.
Are you a Title I school? I offer a limited number of "pay what you can" visits each year.
Preschool to Elementary Story Time
25-30 min. story time $75 in person* or $50 virtual
Includes: an introduction and reading of Teddy Let’s Go! followed by a Q & A session.
Pre-K to 1st grade
30 min/$175 or 3 classes in one school for $500 total*
Includes: an introduction and reading of Teddy Let’s Go! followed by a craft and interactive activity.
This program addresses small muscle skills, language arts, and social emotional learning.
2nd to 3rd grade
45 min/$200 or 3 classes in one school for $575 total *
Includes: an introduction plus a reading of Teddy Let’s Go! followed by a craft and interactive activities in small
and large groups.
This program addresses small muscle skills, language arts, and social emotional learning.
4th to 5th grade
45 - 60 min/$250 or 3 classes in one school for $725 total *
Includes: an introduction and reading of Teddy Let’s Go!
We will discuss character, point of view, and voice.
Divided into small groups, students will re-create a scene by either written word, role play, or illustration.
This program addresses language arts (vocabulary, grammar, setting, character,) and social emotional learning.
6th grade and up
One or more class periods (approx. 40-60 minutes)/ $300* each. Max. of 3 per day
Workshops:
Option 1 — From Idea to Final Draft
Students will understand the process from brainstorming an idea to structuring a tradition story arc
while focusing on what makes a strong protagonist, conflict, tension, and resolution through examples,
their own writing, and peer critiques.
Option 2 — Journey to Publication
Students will understand through explanation, role play, and writing what it takes for a finished manuscript
to become a book.
Reviews
Jessica Sobel
2nd grade teacher
Rivera Elementary School
Arizona
"Thank you so much for coming and I hope you are working on another book so you can come back!! The teachers and kids LOVED your visit. The teachers said they were touched by the story and are so glad they purchased it! The students were so in awe..."
Lynn Fitz-Harris,
Primary Teacher
Le Verseau International School
Belgium
"On behalf of L’Ecole International Le Verseau; both teachers and children - THANKS A MILLION! Your visit was not only fun but interesting and educational at every level."
Carole Hayes,
1st grade teacher
Walter Hall Elementary School
Texas
"The length of the presentation was on point [...] You did an excellent job keeping the students focused [...]they were definitely engaged [...] Moreover they were excited to learn that you were not only an author, but a former teacher who at one time taught first grade.
Thank you for your very enjoyable
presentation."
