I love to talk with readers about writing, research, revision, and the importance of following your curiosity!
Educators often tell me that my visits motivate students and reinforce important skills taught in the classroom. I’m able to give students writing tips and tools from the perspective of a professional author. That can be the extra push they need to jump into their next school project with newfound enthusiasm, a determination to dive deep, and a willingness to approach sometimes dreaded tasks (like revision!) with a spirit of curiosity and discovery.
Each year, I offer a limited number of school, library, and book club author visits.
- In-person visits are extremely limited. Please reach out if you’d like to explore pricing and scheduling.
- To book a virtual visit please read through the program options and use the scheduling form below.
VIRTUAL VISIT OPTIONS & PRICING
I occasionally run giveaways for FREE virtual visits! Stay posted via my newsletter, Twitter, and BlueSky (want a BlueSky invite code? Reach out!)
Virtual visits are unique portal into an author’s universe. In our special “Discussion” sessions, students can get a close-up view of things I could never bring to an in-person visit: my workspace, research materials, stacks of revision notes, and organizational tools. Please take a moment to look through the program options below, and when you’re ready, I’m happy to invite you to my writing room in Maine!
20 min.
Cost: $150
$75 for classrooms and groups who have read one of my books together
Our time will be spent as follows:
- 5 min. Introduction and first-chapter read aloud
- 10 min. Q&A
- 5 min. I’ll recommend recent favorite books (that I didn’t write)
Each year, I offer a full day of free Q&A visits on World Read Aloud Day. Available first-come first-served slots will be posted in December.
40 min.
Cost: $250
$200 for classrooms and groups who have read one of my books together
Do your students struggle with coming up with ideas for assignments? This PowerPoint presentation is especially useful for classrooms about to BEGIN a writing project. Our time will be spent as follows:
- Learn how I became an author by following my CURIOSITY
- Discover how I find the SPARK of story ideas hidden in real life
- See examples of how I DEVELOP those real-life sparks into 100% fictional characters, plots, and settings
- Brief GROUP PRACTICE developing idea sparks
- 10-15 minute Q&A
FOLLOW YOUR CURIOSITY TRILOGY: Each FYC program is an individual, stand-alone session, but they also work well together as a trilogy. Sign up for all 3 FYC visits (Ideas, Research, & Revision), and I will apply an additional $200 package discount.
40 min.
Cost: $350
$300 for classrooms and groups who have read my book together
Whether you’re writing fiction or non-fiction, research can make your writing stronger! Ready to follow your curiosity? Let’s talk about the ins and outs of research rabbit holes! In this guided, interactive discussion, we’ll explore the following topics:
- Research is MORE than reading and googling (during our chat, I’ll show some of the books, media, hands-on exploration, and real-life experts involved in each of my books)
- Research can INFORM and CHANGE the direction of fictional stories—a great resource when you’re stuck or need inspiration (I’ll give examples of this in my own work)
- MATERIALS and ORGANIZATION (I’ll give you a tour of my writing room and show you how I organize ideas, and I’ll ask for your tips and tools as well!)
- How much is ENOUGH? How do you know when to STOP researching?
- General Q&A
- Please come prepared to talk about your own projects. I value your questions, thoughts, and ideas, and your classmates will, too!
FOLLOW YOUR CURIOSITY TRILOGY: Each FYC program is an individual, stand-alone session, but they also work well together as a trilogy. Sign up for all 3 FYC visits (Ideas, Research, & Revision), and I will apply an additional $200 package discount.
40 min.
Cost: $350
$300 for classrooms and groups who have read one of my books together
Revision is a chance to explore new ideas, deepen old ones, and discover brand new possibilities in your work! Ready to follow your curiosity? Let’s talk about the ins and outs of revising and editing! In this guided, interactive discussion, we’ll explore the following topics:
- Revision is MORE than spelling and grammar (I’ll show examples of 4 stages of revision: developmental character and plot edits, line edits, copyedits, and proofreading)
- How to give and receive CRITIQUE with kindness and grace (I’ll give examples of this in my own work and I’ll ask for your tips and tools as well)
- MATERIALS and ORGANIZATION (I’ll show you various drafts of my manuscripts, letters from my editor, and examples of how I map out my revisions and break them into manageable chunks)
- How much is ENOUGH? How do you know when to STOP revising?
- General Q&A
- Please come prepared to talk about your own projects. I value your questions, thoughts, and ideas, and your classmates will, too!
FOLLOW YOUR CURIOSITY TRILOGY: Each FYC program is an individual, stand-alone session, but they also work well together as a trilogy. Sign up for all 3 FYC visits (Ideas, Research, & Revision), and I will apply an additional $200 package discount.
40 min.
Cost: $450
$400 for classrooms and groups who have read one of my books together
This interactive, custom program is for groups who have a specific project or topic they’d like me to facilitate or talk about. For fiction, poetry, or songwriting workshops, I’ll bring writing prompts and we’ll write, share, and celebrate our work together.
RESOURCES FOR ORGANIZERS
PRINTABLES/SHARABLES
