Schedule an Author Visit:

A very special thanks to everyone who’s contacted me about visiting your school, library, bookstore or special event.  I love seeing children and adults excited about reading and writing and I look forward to sharing this experience with you.

Programs for children K – 12 incorporate how the “Six traits plus one” are used in writing and the ways the “Traits of a scholar” work in my life as an author.  Programs may include: Storytelling, What it’s like to be an author, How a book is made, The writing & editing process, and Workshops that encourage brainstorming, discussion, and include question and answer sessions.   My programs vary depending on the type of event, age and size of the audience and the purpose of my visit.

I offer two seminars for teachers.  One is designed to provide insight into how the writing process actually works in real-life writing situations from finding inspiration through writing and editing to the final draft.  The other takes an in-depth look at THE GINGERBREAD COWBOY and I explain how this work was developed and then constructed, and why I made the particular choices in voice, word choice, etc. that went into the story.

I enjoy speaking to adult groups such as Friends of the Library, PTAs, PTOs, School Booster Clubs, and Book Clubs.  Those presentations could also be about my life as an author, but I am also happy to talk to aspiring writers or speak to parents about the importance of reading aloud with children.

School Visits

A standard school visit typically consists of a full day of assemblies (3-4) for grades kindergarten through fifth or sixth grade depending upon the school’s organization.  Each assembly is generally 45 minutes for upper grades and 30 minutes for primary with 15 - 20 minutes between assemblies.  In middle/high schools with passing periods, no more than 2 sessions are scheduled back to back.

Shorter visits for part of the school day, literacy nights or bookfairs can be arranged.

Promoting literacy by speaking to children and adults about reading and writing is an important part of my creative life and I am always willing to work with a school, library or other organization to make an Author Visit a reality.

When contacting me – here is some information you will need to include:

• Do you have a specific event date or a general time period in mind for my visit? It’s ideal to schedule 6 months in advance.   The earlier you schedule, the more likely you are to get the date you’d prefer.

• Where are you located and what type of visit are you interested in – school, book club, organization, bookstore, etc?

• Are you scheduling my visit as part of a larger event?  If so, please let me know the details of the event so that I can plan an appropriate presentation.

• Who will the audience be?  Children - indicate grade/age level(s)
  
•  Adults (parents, teachers, etc.)
  
• How many will be present?
  
• How many days and how many presentations per day? 
  
• What are your goals for my visit?

• Your contact information: Name and school, business or organization, address, phone and/or fax numbers, and email.
  
• Fees will be quoted on request and may be negotiable.  Hosts are responsible for additional fees such as mileage, lodging, meals, or air travel for long distances.

• Keep in mind that the cost of a visit can be shared by other schools, libraries or bookstores.

Feel free to contact me with any questions.

jsquiresbooks@ca.rr.com