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School Visits & Speaking Engagements
I love traveling and speaking to teens who’ve read my books. Lately, I’ve been a lot of places, including Indiana, Arkansas, Maryland, Missouri, Texas, and all over Florida, New York, and Connecticut. I’ve been a featured speaker at State Library Associations in Missouri, Maryland, Florida, and Washington. I have a lot of visits planned this year too.
I can tailor a visit to fit your needs. Usually, I speak to readers in middle and high school about my books and the writing process. I also offer writing workshops to a smaller group and love speaking to adult groups at teacher conferences. To arrange a visit, please contact me directly. If you are contacting me directly, please do not also contact a booking service to book a visit with me. Thank you!
Need a grant to fund a school visit? Check out this site for some suggestions.
Click on the Calendar for some of my planned appearances. If I’m near your town, visiting someone else, perhaps you can arrange to share travel cost with them for the same time period.
Middle or High School
I have spoken about my books to students in grades 6-12, from gifted “magnet” students to “at-risk” schools and everything in between. I will be happy to provide references.
Book Talk Program:
Suitable for all size groups. Focuses on my books, the publication process, and how I get my ideas. Dating violence, the focus of Breathing Underwater, is a topic unfortunately faced by many middle and high school students. School violence, and peer taunting, the focus of Breaking Point, is on many students’ minds. I can lead a discussion of these topics in the context of the book and will answer questions. I will share my experiences writing my books and being published.
Reading group guides for my books can also be utilized and are available on this site.
Young-adult Writing Program:
Suitable for smaller groups (30 or fewer). A “ten-minute fiction” workshop, featuring writing exercises on Plot, Characters, and Setting, combined with a general talk on writing and what makes a good book.
For Adults
I can speak to large or small groups about “The Safe World of a Book: Why Teens Need Realistic Fiction,” "Reaching Reluctant Readers" or “Fairy Tales and Teens.” Upon sufficient notice, I can also tailor a talk to your group. The writing workshop format is good for adults also, either as a teacher presentation (to share exercise ideas for your students) or for aspiring writers.
Honorarium/Planning:
(Includes up to three presentations per day)
Local School Visits (Miami-Dade and Broward Counties): Negotiable. Please contact me. I am in Miami-Dade County. However, I do not do free school visits. Vero Beach schools — I have accommodations in the area in the fall and late spring months, but not the peak winter tourism season.
Other Florida: $1,250.00 per day plus expenses. If your school is more than three hours from South Miami-Dade County, airfare is required.
Out-of-state: $1,500.00 plus expenses.
Conferences/Workshops: Negotiable. Please contact me.
Looking for middle grade or picture book authors? Try www.bookvisits.org
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