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Author Visits
I have been an early childhood educator since 2003, running classes and camps for pre-K and elementary students. And I have been scribbling stories since I was a kid! One of my absolute favorite things to do is to share my love of reading, writing, and books with both students and educators!
Like the philosophy for my Reading Giraffe literacy program, I believe author visits should highlight how these magical things called picture books can be interactive, fun, and ACTIVE adventures! And Alphie, our 5-foot-tall Reading Giraffe mascot, insists on coming on each visit!
Like the philosophy for my Reading Giraffe literacy program, I believe author visits should highlight how these magical things called picture books can be interactive, fun, and ACTIVE adventures! And Alphie, our 5-foot-tall Reading Giraffe mascot, insists on coming on each visit!
From Inspiration to Creation: A Book’s Journey: In this presentation, I’ll share my journey as a picture book author, from the strange and quirky ways ideas find their way into my head to the long, and sometimes bumpy and winding, road that an idea takes on its way to becoming an honest-to-goodness book. This is culminated by a read-along (interactive read-aloud) of one of my books. And my books run the gamut, from a circle-of-life tale that a dog tells about his final day on Earth with his best friend, a little girl, to rhyming stories about butts and underpants! So we’ll also touch on the variety of emotions that picture books can evoke.
And I believe author visits should mirror the qualities of a great picture book, so I strive to make each:
Ways to Pay for an Author Visit
Now this may seem like putting the cart before the horse, but I know school budgets can be limited, so it may take some creativity to fund an author visit. Luckily, educators are some of the most creative people in the world! And since I truly love speaking with teachers and students, and free unfortunately isn’t an option (as most authors and illustrators have other jobs to cover bills), here are a few wonderful resources that include funding options:
Virtual Author Visits
While not quite as interactive of an in-person visit, as I can't really bring students into my home, we've found that virtual visits can also be a blast!
Virtual Author Visit Cost: $100 per session.
To inquire about a Virtual Author Visit, contact me HERE.
In-Person Author Visits
I am SO excited to have the opportunity to get back to hosting in-person visits, where I can really be a part of the children’s and teachers’ reactions and excitement. There are a variety of standard packages available, all of which can be tailored for Pre-K through 5th grade, and I am always happy to work with a school to tailor the visit to the needs of your students.
Full-Day Visit
This consists of (a) three 45-minute presentations, (b) lunch with me, and (c) a book signing.
Full-Day Visit Cost in the Carolinas: $750 (plus travel expenses)
Full-Day Visit Cost for Out-of-State Visits: $1000 (plus travel expenses)
To inquire about a Full-Day Author Visit, contact me HERE.
Half-Day Visit
This consists of (a) one 45-minute presentation, (b) lunch with me, (c) a book signing.
Half-Day Visit Cost: $400
Note: A half-day visit is only available within 50 miles of Fort Mill, NC.
To inquire about a Half-Day Author Visit, contact me HERE.
Book Trek
A Book Trek is a one-of-a-kind, full-day reading adventure that allows all the students to experience the book in a unique way! This consists of (a) a full-day Book Trek for the students, (b) lunch with me, (c) a book signing. Read more about a Book Trek HERE.
Cost: $1000
Note: A Book Trek is only available within 50 miles of Fort Mill, NC.
To inquire about a Book Trek, contact me HERE.
And I believe author visits should mirror the qualities of a great picture book, so I strive to make each:
- Interactive, with plenty of chances for back and forth with the audience, including a Q & A session
- Fun, including personal humorous anecdotes I’ve gathered while working with children for that past two decades.
- Active, with the audience getting a chance to dance along and act out parts of my books, and even play a game based on a book’s theme or characters.
Ways to Pay for an Author Visit
Now this may seem like putting the cart before the horse, but I know school budgets can be limited, so it may take some creativity to fund an author visit. Luckily, educators are some of the most creative people in the world! And since I truly love speaking with teachers and students, and free unfortunately isn’t an option (as most authors and illustrators have other jobs to cover bills), here are a few wonderful resources that include funding options:
- How to Pay for An Author Visit
- 35 Ways to Fund Author Visits
- Funding an Author Visit: There's Money Available
- Ideas for Raising Funds for Author Visits
Virtual Author Visits
While not quite as interactive of an in-person visit, as I can't really bring students into my home, we've found that virtual visits can also be a blast!
- Each virtual session lasts between 30 and 45 minutes, depending on the age group, and can be customized to the grade level(s) attending.
Virtual Author Visit Cost: $100 per session.
To inquire about a Virtual Author Visit, contact me HERE.
In-Person Author Visits
I am SO excited to have the opportunity to get back to hosting in-person visits, where I can really be a part of the children’s and teachers’ reactions and excitement. There are a variety of standard packages available, all of which can be tailored for Pre-K through 5th grade, and I am always happy to work with a school to tailor the visit to the needs of your students.
Full-Day Visit
This consists of (a) three 45-minute presentations, (b) lunch with me, and (c) a book signing.
- Each presentation is tailored to the grade level attending.
- My interactive presentation work in an auditorium, media center, or classroom.
- Kids love getting signed books. A pre-sale arranged through your local bookstore works best.
Full-Day Visit Cost in the Carolinas: $750 (plus travel expenses)
Full-Day Visit Cost for Out-of-State Visits: $1000 (plus travel expenses)
To inquire about a Full-Day Author Visit, contact me HERE.
Half-Day Visit
This consists of (a) one 45-minute presentation, (b) lunch with me, (c) a book signing.
- Each presentation is tailored to the grade level attending.
- My interactive presentation work in an auditorium, media center, or classroom.
- Kids love getting signed books. A pre-sale arranged through your local bookstore works best.
Half-Day Visit Cost: $400
Note: A half-day visit is only available within 50 miles of Fort Mill, NC.
To inquire about a Half-Day Author Visit, contact me HERE.
Book Trek
A Book Trek is a one-of-a-kind, full-day reading adventure that allows all the students to experience the book in a unique way! This consists of (a) a full-day Book Trek for the students, (b) lunch with me, (c) a book signing. Read more about a Book Trek HERE.
Cost: $1000
Note: A Book Trek is only available within 50 miles of Fort Mill, NC.
To inquire about a Book Trek, contact me HERE.
