SCHOOL VISITS
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WHAT DOES A SCHOOL VISIT LOOK LIKE?
Please check out my school visit program and fees below. I can customize my visit to fit your class' needs and curriculum. Email me with any questions, and to arrange a time and date. I'm also available for virtual visits.
Here are some program options for the following grade levels:
Kindergarten to 2nd grade
Recommended books: Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas; The Rock Maiden; Luna's Yum Yum Dim Sum; Like Mother, Like Daughter (based on the movie, "Turning Red")
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Book reading
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How does a book become a book? (A visual presentation of the transformation from author's manuscript to black and white sketches to final published book)
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Book reading with arts and crafts (chinese lanterns, red envelopes, panda/Goldy Luck puppets, origami sampans [boats])
3rd grade to 6th grade
Recommended books: Luna's Yum Yum Dim Sum, Goldy Luck & the Three Pandas, The Rock Maiden, Mulan's Lunar New Year, Cixi, The Dragon Empress, Sacajawea of the Shoshone.
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Book reading
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How does a book become a book? (A visual presentation of the transformation from author's manuscript to black and white sketches to final published book)
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Book reading with arts and crafts (chinese lanterns, red envelopes, panda/Goldy Luck puppets, origami sampans [boats]) for the younger grades, writing activities for the older grades (re-writing your own fairy tales, brainstorming ideas with mind-mapping, creating characters, plot structure using the 5 W's)
6th grade to 8th grade
Recommended books: Cixi, The Dragon Empress, Sacajawea of the Shoshone.
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Presenting the story of Cixi, the last empress of China and/or Sacajawea, the Native American princess who traveled the West with Lewis and Clark through visual power points.
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Writing and research process
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Presentation of Cixi and/or Sacajawea with activities (Creating bio cubes, partner interviewing, Jeopardy!, writing exercises)
Upon the conclusion of the visit, I will donate a book of the teacher's or students' choice to the school library or the classroom.
AUTHOR FEES
Ukiah, CA., area schools — $150 for up to two 30 - 45 min. sessions. This can be configured as a 45-min. auditorium visit, 45-min. classroom visit, or two 30 - 45 min. classroom/auditorium visits. Extra 30 - 45 min. sessions can be added for $75 each.
Outside of Ukiah, CA., within Mendocino County — $250 (includes transportation costs) for up to two 30 - 45 min. sessions. This can be configured as a 45-min. auditorium visit, 45-min. classroom visit, or two 30 - 45 min. classroom/auditorium visits. Extra 30 - 45 min. sessions can be added for $125 each.
Outside of Mendocino, CA. — $500 (includes transportation costs within 150 miles from Ukiah) for up to two 30 - 45 min. sessions., plus accommodations if needed. This can be configured as 30 - 45 min. auditorium sessions, 30 - 45 min. classroom visits, or a combination. Extra 30 - 45 min. sessions can be added for $250 each. If you live beyond 150 miles, and would still like a visit, please contact me to discuss how I can best connect with your school/classroom and students.
Outside of California — $1200 plus travel expenses (food, lodging, and transportation costs where appropriate) for a full day (up to 6 hours).
Virtual visits — $100 for up to an hour.
HOW TO FUND AUTHOR VISITS
Author visits can be very rewarding for the students. It can tie in a writing project they're doing, inspire reading and literacy skills, show them how authors come up with some of their favorite stories. And they get to meet a real-life author!
Most authors put a lot of time and thought into their presentations, make arrangements for their kids, pets, other work responsibilities in order to travel to school visits. It is a job, albeit a pleasurable one, as authors LOVE connecting with the true readers of their books - kids! This is why authors charge a visit fee. You wouldn't go to your job and not expect to get paid, right? Please read Donna Janell Bowman's educational post on The Truth about Author Incomes.
But if it is a hardship for your school to fund an author visit, here's a great resource for ideas to get funding:
Or you can apply for the Amber Brown Grant through the Society of Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) to help fund an all-day author visit.
HOW TO SCHEDULE AN AUTHOR VISIT
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Click the CONTACT ME button at the bottom of the page.
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Email me your request and several dates/times that would work for your school and students.
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After confirming dates & times with you, I will send you or your school a Letter of Agreement and an
Invoice detailing my visit and author fee.
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I will stay in communication with you regarding the author visit program you want and any AV needs.
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Prior to the visit, I'll send you the Book Order form to pass out to your students and families should they wish to purchase a signed copy of one of my books which I will bring with me and deliver to the student during my visit. You can also download the Book Order form below.
MAKING THE MOST OF OF AN AUTHOR VISIT
The secret to a successful school or author visit is PREPARATION! Here are some fun ways to help your students get ready for an author visit.
BEFORE THE VISIT
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Read or have your students read the author's book(s).
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Do a research project on the author (where is the author from? What kind of books does he/she write? How did he/she become an author?) This information is usually available on the author's website or through a Google search. To find out more about me, visit my Bio page.
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Do a class project around the author or his/her work (a collage, book jacket, poster etc.)
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Prepare a list of questions to ask the author. Here are some examples of questions you might ask: https://www.teachervision.com/suggested-author-interview-questions.
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Create something fun to welcome the author to your school/class (a welcome sign, assign a welcome committee or student ambassador). It helps the students connect with the author on a personal level.
THE DAY OF THE VISIT
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Welcome the author to your school. Every author loves a warm welcome!
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Listen respectfully.
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Ask questions.
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Have fun!
AFTER THE VISIT
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Authors love receiving letters and cards from students!
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Make a group thank you or create individual ones.
My goal as an author is to make sure your students have fun, learn something about the writing, editing and research process, encourage the love of stories and reading, and for me to connect with my readers. I welcome all feedback, so please let me know what you think of my visit and what you might like to see on future visits.