Authors in the Schools?

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7 Comments

Comment by Margriet Ruurs on October 23, 2009 at 4:56pm

As an author, I usually discuss the expectations with the teacher/librarian who coordinates my visit to the school. Generally I end up doing author presentations to all grades followed by writing workshops with each class. I offer writing workshops in fiction, nonfiction and poetry. It's fun to always hear how teachers have been saying the same thing to the students "Rewrite!, Edit!" and they love hearing a visiting author tell the students this, too!

Comment by JAday Kennedy on October 19, 2009 at 3:56pm

My book will be out this winter. School visits give us the opportunity to meet who we write for. I can't wait and would love to learn what does & doesn't work.
Blessings,
J. Aday Kennedy
The Differently-Abled Children's Author
www.jadaykennedy.com
http://jadaykennedy.blogspot.com/
www.facebook.com/jadaykennedy
Coming this winter Klutzy Kantor
http://klutzykantor.blogspot.com/

Comment by Barb Odanaka on July 11, 2009 at 11:30am

Hi all!

Thanks so much for your generous comments!

I have been traveling a LOT doing school visits as well as bookstore signings of my latest book, A Crazy Day At The Critter Cafe (Simon & Schuster/Margaret K. McElderry Books). The new book stars a skateboarding COW and I have been doing appearances in a cow costume. Pretty tricky to do skate tricks with a big nose covering your face!

Comment by Amanda Gray on July 8, 2009 at 6:45am

Some great information... my book is about to be published in August. I am very excited, and have a number of interested schools etc. But I am always looking for ideas and advice!!

Comment by L Samuels on May 3, 2009 at 6:05pm

I was very fortunate to work in an elementary school that had an author visit each year. The most powerful impact was in making the personal connection. The author's highlighted all the themes over the years~ writing process, style, collaboration with illustrators, creativity, personal experiences and entertainment. Generally, the authors that spent time reading their book aloud (with one dynamic duo exception) did not work as well because we prepped our students before the big day. The authors my students talk about many years later are also the ones who took time to express interest in student work. Schools may want a more tailored program if this is not something that is an annual event.

Comment by Nancy Meglio on March 30, 2009 at 7:59pm

Last year we had an author visit our school. She spend the entire day with our students - there were about four sessions for each of the grades. The author spoke about how she came to be a writer (she was formerly a school librarian), what she enjoys about writing, some of her rejections and books that are in the works. She also spent time with the sixth grade class giving them ideas/tips on how to write well.

Comment by Carole A. on March 29, 2009 at 3:22pm

The author's visits that my students and I have loved have involved things such as: how particular books by an author came to be, how an author stays motivated, stories about the rejection and re-write processes (shows the kids that even professionals face people with red ink pens), and how the simplest of ideas or inspirations can be turned into a story.