I am available for both in-person and virtual school or library visits, workshops, conferences, book clubs, and other types of meetings. I love talking with students and connecting with readers. Contact me as far in advance as possible for best availability.
Programs for Schools and Libraries
- “General Author Presentation and Q & A Session” – Just want me to talk about my career, writing, and my books, and lessons for young creatives? I’m happy to, and to take questions and give a more interactive, less-structured presentation. I have years of experience with public speaking and sometimes informal is best.
- “We Can Be Heroes” – This hour-long presentation for both boys and girls (and adults) unpacks gender and other stereotypes around stories, who they are for, and who gets to be a hero as well as what makes a hero, well, a hero. Using Lois Lane and Superman — as well as Supergirl — as a jumping off point, this talk offers a friendly approach to a difficult topic that deserves more conversation. The goal of this talk is for everyone to leave empowered to enjoy whatever stories they want to — and to be able to imagine themselves (and others) as the hero in any type of story under the sun, be it on Earth or Krypton.
- “Seeing the World Like a Writer” – An hour to two-hour workshop for young writers that includes exercises and discussion around viewing the world through a writer’s eyes, including stories from my own personal experience as a writer and discussion about how important reading is to good writing. This is a fun workshop or talk that also provides real tools and strategies that writers of any age can use afterward.
- “How Do We Change the World?” – A one to two-hour workshop specifically about writing for beginners or more advanced writers, with a discussion of science fiction and fantasy. Capturing reality can seem challenging enough, so we’ll discuss topics specific to “genre” writing — hint: the definitions of what that includes may be broader than you think — and how to approach non-realistic stories.
- I’m also happy to discuss tailored programming to fit your needs.
Credentials
- Master of Fine Arts in Writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts program in Writing for Children and Young Adults.
- New York Times bestselling author.
- Multiple-time workshop leader for the Kentucky Young Women Writers Project.
- Speaker or workshop leader at many festivals and conferences, including the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, Virginia Highlands Festival Writing Workshops, Gen Con Writers Symposium, Books by the Banks, AJC Decatur Book Festival, Carnegie Center Books in Progress Conference, and others.
- Many published YA novels, one YA graphic novel, a novel for adults, and a middle grade series co-written with Christopher Rowe.
- Nonfiction articles and interviews: I have published work in the Los Angeles Times, Publishers Weekly, Washington Post, Locus Magazine, and many others.
Cost
- Please contact me for a quote specific to your circumstances. My typical fee for one day of unlimited presentations at your school or library is $2000, all inclusive. To book Christopher Rowe and myself for The Lost Legacy and The Sphinx’s Secret, the typical fee is $2500. Kentucky or schools with unique circumstances may qualify for special pricing. Additional days or events can be added at a negotiable fee, and several days of visits in a certain school district are possible. Sometimes pooling funds with other schools is easiest. If you have questions, use the contact form below.
- For Skype visits, the first half-hour is $100 for schools and libraries. Additional time per hour is $200. This may be waived in certain circumstances or for book club appearances. When in doubt, contact me.
- Books can be ordered from my publisher at a reduced cost or we can work with my local independent bookstore to provide order forms for your students and ship signed books to them after the event. I have found that appearances work best when some students have read my work already, so there may be interest in both ordering books for the library or class in advance and allowing students the option to purchase books signed to them.
To contact me about scheduling a speaking engagement, please use the form below. Any information you can include about timing or potential dates and needs will help speed up the process, but is not required.