School Author Visits
The information below is provided solely for the purpose of assisting parents and teachers in contacting local authors in order to plan school and classroom visits that promote a love for writing and literature. Please contact authors directly with any questions using the contact information provided below. Feel free to check back in the future as the list will be updated whenever new author information is received.
The Room to Write is not an agent or director of the following services. TRtW is simply providing the information as a service to connect local authors and illustrators with their surrounding communities.
(Book level: BB=Board Book, PB=Picture Book, CB=Chapter Book, MG=Middle Grade, GN=Graphic Novel, YA=Young Adult Novel)
**If you are a local author and would like your contact and school visit information included on this page, please fill out our form by clicking the following link: School Author Visit Google Form**
Asselin, Kristine
krisasselin@gmail.com
The Art of the Swap, Any Way You Slice It, Falling for Wonder Boy (YA)
https://www.kristineasselin.com/author-visits.html
All my workshops are designed to be about forty-five minutes, but can be expanded by adding writing exercises. I bring a power point presentation for each, but do a lot of interactive discussion with the kids. I prefer smaller groups, but I'm able to do large groups as well. I typically come to a school for a full day, and deliver four workshops in different classrooms or groups in the library or media center. See my website for a menu of workshop titles and fee range. All workshops align with Common Core Standards and state curriculum frameworks for English Language Arts and Literacy.
Bates, Janet Costa
jcostabates@gmail.com
Rica Baptista: A Week of Shenanigans (2024, CB); Rica Baptista: Llamas, Iguanas, and My Very Best Friend (2022, CB); Time for Bed, Old House (2021, PB); Seaside Dream (2010, PB)
My school visit offerings include options such as 'Creating Characters!' in which students (often loudly) create their very own characters; 'Cabo Verde!' in which students learn about the African island nation; and story time sessions (Time for Bed, Old House is perfect for school pajama days!) Happy to tailor programs for specific needs. I even did 'Creating Characters!' using Time For Bed, Old House (a bedtime story) for 5th graders. It was a blast! More info available at janetcostabates.com
Carey, Kelly
kellycarey508@gmail.com
How Long Is Forever? (PB)
http://www.kcareywrites.com/events-visits-and-workshops.html
I offer visits and workshop for students from K-8 and presentations for adults on how to get their own writing journey started. My school visits programs include helping kids create their own characters, and story adventures or giving kids an inside peek at the world of books by letting become their own publishing company. After April, my visits will include a book reading and activity of How Long Is Forever?. Please visit my website for more details on my programs.
Ekster, Carol Gordon
cekster@aol.com
Trucker Kid, 2023, Some Daddies, 2022, (PB) and for older titles and updates, you can check out my website
https://carolgordonekster.com/
I am a retired fourth grade teacher with 35 years experience. I have my Masters’ degree in reading and language, and have been a published author since 2008. I do an interactive presentation for one classroom or an assembly, talking about writing and tips for improving a student’s writing, the writing process, revision, being an author, etc., including many points I know are important for elementary students to hear. Writing, reading, and language standards will be touched on during this program.
Esenwine, Matt Forrest
matt@mattforrest.com
Flashlight Night (2017), PB; Don’t Ask a Dinosaur (2018), PB; Elliot, the Heart-Shaped Frog (2021), BB; Once Upon Another Time (2021); (co-authored w/Charles "Father Goose®” Ghigna), PB; I Am Today (2022), PB; A Beginner’s Guide to Being Human (2022), PB; Everybody Counts! (2023), PB; The Thing to Remember about Stargazing (2023), PB
I love chatting with elementary and middle school classes about writing: how to make reading & writing poetry fun, the importance of revision, and why imagination and creativity are so important. "How did this book come to be?" "Why did the illustrator take a 2-week trip to the UK?" "Does anyone care about syllables in haiku anymore?" "Why do grownups need to apologize more often?" "And what's the deal with the iguanadon's thumb, anyway??" These questions and more will be answered, in a lively, engaging way!
I tailor my presentations to fit the needs of the classroom/grade. One day I might be discussing the single-most important thing about writing poetry the next day, I’ll be talking about dinosaurs, tree ferns, or origami sea turtles! I'm also available for virtual visits via platforms like Zoom, Skype, and Google Meets. More info at http://mattforrest.com/author-visits.html
Hacket, Andrew
AuthorAndrewHacket@gmail.com
Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea (2024), PB; Curlilocks & the Three Hares (2024), PB; Hope and the Sea (2024), PB
https://www.andrewhacket.com/author-visits
An expert at curriculum design, Andrew’s programs meet Common Core Curriculum Frameworks and are differentiated to meet the needs of each unique set of learners. The journey of a story, character development, brainstorming activities, poetry, and fractured fairy tales are just some of the options available for classroom workshops. Available programs range from 30 to 60 minutes depending on topic and age level and are best suited for grades K-5.
Ho, Jannie
jannie@chickengirldesign.com
The Lost Mitten (GN), Fry Guys (GN), Happy Chinese New Year (BB), Bear and Chicken (PB)
https://www.chickengirldesign.com/school-visits
In my visit, I show the creative stages of making a graphic novel— from brainstorming story ideas to designing compelling characters. Students will learn how a manuscript goes from the initial sketches to final art. We will explore comics vocabulary such as panels and word balloons. I end the presentation with a step by step activity where students can draw along with me. My hope is to inspire students to write and draw in a fun and engaging way through visual storytelling and sequential art. My Books are geared towards K-2, and my comics presentation is for all elementary grade levels.
LaRocca, Rajani
rajani@rajanilarocca.com
MIDSUMMER’S MAYHEM (MG), SEVEN GOLDEN RINGS (PB)
https://www.rajanilarocca.com/author-visits/
I love doing school visits! My school visits are best for grades 3-7. I have lots more info on my website.
Mezikofsky, Gloria (Author) & Merrill (Illustrator)
glomez@verizon.net or (617) 347-7097
A PERFECTLY SNOWY DAY (PB) and GOGGLES FOR A GLOOP (PB)
Merrill and I are available to do author/illustratIon shows with both children's books; A PERFECTLY SNOWY DAY and GOGGLES FOR A GLOOP. Children in preschool, kindergarten and grades 1-3 are just the right age.
Reul, Sarah Lynne
thereul@gmail.com
THE BREAKING NEWS (PB), ALLIE ALL ALONG (PB), PET THE PETS (BB)
https://reuler.com/author-visits/
Thanks for your interest in having me present at your school! I love sharing my picture book-making process and getting students excited about writing and illustration, with a focus on growth mindset. My visits are full of behind-the-scenes images, detailing my process of writing & illustration, and my work with hand-drawn animation as well as my experiences teaching at the Museum of Science’s Overnight program lend a unique perspective and approach. . I talk about my connections to animation and how I gather ideas, draft stories, sketch, revise, and create final art. Most presentations run about 45 minutes, tailored for grades K-2 or 3-5. There’s time for Q&A, and often we can fit in a sneak peek into future projects or a quick drawing demo. However, if you have a specific part of the process where you would like some extra emphasis, please let me know!
Sanchez, Dianna
events@diannasanchez.com
A Witch's Kitchen (2016, MG), A Pixie's Promise (2018, MG), An Elf's Equations (MG)
http://diannasanchez.com/events/schedule-a-school-visit/
Dianna Sanchez discusses how to use imaginative and fantastic fiction to address real world problems.
Scott, Sandra Elaine
sandra@visionyourdreams.com
Home/Casa: A Bilingual Story & The Magical Day (PB)
http://www.sandraelainescott.com/chalktalk/
I love to visit schools and share with students the joys of reading and writing. My children’s books complement the Common Core Social Studies Curriculum, as well as touching on important skills and ideas students and teachers can carry back to the classroom.
Stringfellow, Lisa
author@lisastringfellow.com
Kingdom of Dust (2024, MG), A Comb of Wishes (2022, MG)
https://www.lisastringfellow.com/speaking.html
I offer a limited number of virtual and in-person visits each school year (I am a classroom teacher myself), but I'd love to find a time to visit your school or library group. My suggested audience for presentations is 3rd through 8th grade and I have a variety of program options available.
Tiede, Dirk I.
dirk@dirktiede.com or (773) 344-7125
Paradigm Shift 1: Equilibrium - Paradigm Shift 2: Agitation - Paradigm Shift 3: Emergence - Paradigm Shift 4: Flight (GN - YA) (upcoming) - STRANGER
I love teaching about art and comics almost as much as I enjoy drawing them. I speak as a guest lecturer and lead workshops at schools, universities, libraries, comic shows, and summer programs. I work well with teens and pre-teens, as well as adults and college students. My comic workshops can cover a wide range of topics including: • “How to Draw Comics”—an interactive overview of how I create my comics from character creation, writing, roughs, pencils, inks to finished pages. I work with the students to create a character and short scenario and demonstrate how I quickly draw a three-panel comic with them. • “How to Draw Characters”—focuses on creating characters and drawing people • “Figure Drawing for Cartoonists”—focuses on drawing people and how to draw poses from observation • “How to Draw Action Scenes” —focuses on drawing characters in motion and exciting parts of a story • “Comics Storytelling”—focuses on how to tell a story image by image, page by page, and scene by scene • “Drawing Digital Comics”—how to use digital tools and techniques to quickly create comics and illustrations • “How to Draw Backgrounds”—covers setting, putting characters into a background, using reference photography effectively and ethically, and basic perspective drawing.
Vlock, Rob
rob@robvlock.com
Sven Carter & The Trashmouth Effect (MG); Sven Carter & The Android Army (MG)
https://robvlock.com/for-educators/
I’d love to come to your school! I offer a combination of school-wide assemblies, hands-on activities, classroom visits and fundraising to help make sure that spending a day with Rob Vlock will be fun, funny, educational and great for your students and your school. Sessions can be tailored for grades 3-8.
Wish, Katia
katia.wish.studio@gmail.com
RACCOON’S PERFECT SNOWMAN (2020, PB); SOPHIE’S ANIMAL PARADE, written by Amy Dixon and illustrated by Katia Wish (2015, PB)
https://www.katiawish.com/school-visits
Program # 1: (AUTHOR-ILLUSTRATOR) Katia shares the process of writing and illustrating the book RACCOON’S PERFECT SNOWMAN, Sleeping Bear Press, 2020. This book is about friendship, forgiveness and redefining what perfect means. Grade level: K, 1, 2 and 3. Duration: 40 minutes.