Planning A Successful Visit

• Plan and schedule the school visit as much in advance as possible.
• Have my books available in the library and classrooms. My visit will have much more meaning for the kids if they are familiar with my books.
• Have the children do a project that relates to my books. The more psyched the kids are about the author’s visit, the richer the visit will be for them.
• I will send an order form ahead of my visit (see ordering books.) Send this home with the children at least four weeks before my visit to give the parents time to choose a book, and the PTO or librarian time to coordinate orders and collect money.

In addition, I will:

• Do three 45-minute assembly presentations (for example, K-2, 3-4 and 5-6 grades.)
• Alternatively, I will do two 45-minute assemblies and two 30-minute writing or research workshops (for about 25-30 students each.) Writing workshops should be grouped by grades.
• Sign books during lunch period. I do sign paperbacks, but if there are more than 150 books to sign, I will sign just one book for each student.
• If your would like to choose 10 motivated students to have lunch with me, that would be great. You can also use another criteria to choose students I see at lunch.

The School or PTO will provide:

• Author’s fee for a one-day visit ($1,200, plus hotel and travel expenses if your school is more than two hours from my home)
• Slide projection screen, and a room that can be darkened
• Heavy-duty extension cord
• Cart for my slide projector
• Large table for books and props
• Microphone if available
• Quiet place to sign books during lunch periods
• Allow at least 15 minutes between presentations or workshops

Note: My schedule is flexible. If you have questions about schedules for workshops, please contact me.