To arrange an author visit.
It is easy to arrange for a visit. I am in Orange County, California and am willing to travel for appearances. My schedule fills fast, so please
contact me as soon as possible.
Please give possible dates and the school location in your message. A fee schedule is available upon request.
A little more detail about what I do:
Audiences
I meet and present to elementary students, literacy events, parent groups, book fairs, and special groups/organizations.
Program Titles
Programs can be tailored to a 1st through 6th grade audience in assembly or small group settings.
Fact vs Fiction - 40-50 minutes. What is real and what is not in an historic fiction book? How can you tell? Where are there clues? Specific examples from my books will be used. Humorous, and almost unbelievable, stories about each book's main character will be told (Abraham Lincoln, Walt Disney, Alexander Graham Bell). This presentation is interactive and student involvement is encouraged. Q&A session at the end.
How a Book is Made - 40-50 minutes. Ever wonder how a book is made? I will look at the process of creating a book from rough drafts, to copy edits, to illustration, more drafts, to the galleys, and finally to the completed product. Using an overhead projector or power point presentation, this presentation will look at real examples of the drafting, editing and re-writing process from the BLAST TO THE PAST series.
Fiction Writing Workshop - 30 minute presentation with small group or classroom writing activities. We will look at how is a book written. What is the process. How to come up with ideas, how to organize them, write fluently and find your writing voice. Additionally we will explore character, plot, setting, conflict, and how to bring it all together in a satisfying conclusion. For older students, the talk will continue into the process of publishing.
Materials
- One large table
- A screen
- A microphone (for groups over 100)
- An overhead projector or computer with power point capabilities.
I look forward to working with you and your students.