School Visit Information

As a kid, having an author come to my school was without a doubt one of the coolest things that ever happened (and not only because we got out of social studies that period). As an adult, an author, and a parent, I still love author visits. I love them because they bridge two seemingly distant worlds. For some kids they bridge the world of static, on-the-shelf books and their own messy, alive lives. Or for others, they bridge the thrilling, imaginary world in books and their own predictable school day. Whether kids are bookworms or reluctant readers, aspiring novelists or would-be tech geeks, there is excitement in finding out what happens when a person starts with those two magical words “What if…?”

Kids love to meet a real author* and to hear about the work and effort that goes into making a book. And while they’re hearing war stories and boggling their minds at how long it takes to get a book published, they’re also listening to and participating in conversations on active and passive verbs, on first person versus third-person point-of-view, and on why first drafts are usually terrible. In short, they are learning.

I write for kids and young adults, and my presentations are appropriate for all school ages, but best suited for kids in grades 3-8. A standard school visit includes three 45-60 minute sessions that can be a mix of presentations to large groups, presentations to smaller groups, and hands-on workshops.

*Honesty compels me to admit: my own kids are not remotely thrilled to see a real author. Especially when the real author is nagging them to deal with the cat litter.

Presentations

Assemblies:

Designed for students in elementary and middle school, my presentations all share a core idea: to demystify the process of writing well and help kids find joy in writing and reading. While my presentations will of course tie into my own work, I also strive to include examples and anecdotes from all kinds of books, from current bestsellers to classics to other author-friends’ works-in-progress! (With their permission, of course)! I tailor my presentations to whichever of my books the students are familiar with or reading at the time.

Regardless of which book I am focusing on, I speak about the writing process, about the steps it takes to go from an idea to a novel, about the importance of revision and the ways partners (be they teachers, parents, classmates or editors), make us better writers. This presentation can be tailored somewhat to a specific schools’ needs but will always cover:

  • How good writing is good writing, whether an essay, a business report, or a book
  • How an idea becomes a novel
  • The importance of revision
  • Why most writers don’t go it alone (and neither should students)
  • Rejection and its role in eventual success

 

In addition,  IT WASN’T ME addresses issues of bullying, stereotyping, and the value of Restorative Justice in schools. This book opens up conversations about bystanders and upstanders, and how all of us can look beyond our own biases to create a better community. Assemblies with students who are reading IT WASN’T ME delve into these issues, as well as covering elements of craft and revision. Please also see the Curriculum Guide for more ideas of how to use IT WASN’T ME in the classroom!

Breakout Groups:

For smaller groups (no more than five classes or 100 kids), I will get into the nitty gritty of writing, with a focus that is tailored to the school’s needs. Generally these group sessions should follow the larger assembly so that kids have already been introduced to me. Below are some sample break-out presentations:

  • How Long Does This Take, Anyway?: A presentation on how a book gets made, from a rough draft to a book that readers can hold in their hands. Includes a behind-the-scenes look at marked-up manuscripts, editor’s letters, copy edits, and more. (Best for grades K and up — tailored to the appropriate age)
  • Using Words Well: A discussion of why and how words matter. Touches on active verbs, vivid imagery, simile, metaphor, and more, all in a silly and interactive way. (Best for grades 4 and up)
  • Stop Laughing! This is Serious! How humor in stories can help tell important things. A look at some silly books that have serious messages, and a discussion of why authors might choose to mix it up. (Best for grades 3 and up)
  • Judging a Book By Its Cover: By looking at a diverse selection of grade-appropriate books, we will talk about what the cover tells us, and compare that with the flap copy and first few pages. I’ll also talk about who makes cover decisions and how the process works. (Best for grades 4 and up)
  • The Magical Secret to All Good Writing (Hint: It’s Revision): This presentation, for older students, talks about the importance of revision for all writing. We talk about the difference between revision, editing, and proofreading, and the right time for each. We’ll look at how to tackle revisions, and some ways to make this tough job easier.(Best for grades 5 and up)

Workshops/Writer in Residence

My workshops get the students into the trenches with hands-on writing exercises that are tailored for the age group and needs of the class. These can be one-time events or, for local schools, opportunities to work together over a period of a time on a long-term project. These workshops can be amended to work with larger or smaller groups, but they work best with a single class, or approximately 25 students.

Below are some examples of possible workshops, though these can be tailored to fit the curriculum of a given school.

  • The Super-Secret Magic Key to Writing Success (Hint: It’s Revision): In this hands-on workshop I will walk students through the importance of revision, and how it has worked in my own writing. Students will be asked to help revise a short story I provide, then will do a quick timed writing exercise, and we will work together on revising their work. (Best for grades 4 and up)
  • What a Character! How to Make Good Guys, Bad Guys, and Everyone Else: In this workshop we’ll brainstorm book characters that feel real to us, and talk about why that is. Then we’ll come up with some adjectives to describe good heroes, villains, and more, and use character worksheets to come up with our own characters. (Best for grades 2 and up)
  • Using Words Well, the Workshop: Building off the ideas in the presentation above, this workshop goes further and invites students to play around with words. With examples from my own work and others, we’ll discuss the importance of vivid language and active verbs, then try our hands at some timed writing exercises. (Best for grades 4 and up)

For more information and availability on writer-in-residence programs, please contact me at dana at danaalisonlevy.com

FAQs

What do you charge?

Please contact me for my 2024-2025 rates, as I have changed my model to include all travel costs, with discounts for local school visits and Title I schools. This includes three 45-60 minute presentations, plus lunch with the kids (which can be a reward to a small group of kids, or the whole grade, or whatever the school prefers). I do not charge travel for anywhere within an hour’s drive of my home in northeastern Massachusetts. When scheduling allows, I am happy to do a free twenty minute Skype visit with a class that’s reading my book.

NOTE: I do offer limited virtual visits. Please email me dana@danaalisonlevy.com for more information.

What do we need to do beforehand?

Read my books! No really, even if you only read a few chapters, even if you do it as a read-aloud in class, try to get the kids to read. It is far more fun for them and for me. Also, have older students do a scavenger hunt (that I will send to you beforehand) on my website. It will be entertaining for them and help get them excited for the visit. Other ideas might be to have kids write letters to their favorite character, draw an alternate cover, or write book reviews. For some ideas about what makes a great school visit, check out these links: http://www.fromthemixedupfiles.com/2010/11/the-care-and-feeding-of-your-visiting-author-tips-for-a-successful-classroom-visit/ and http://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2014/08/05/ten-tips-for-a-perfect-author-visit-by-michael-shoulders/

What equipment do you need?

For a large auditorium I will need a microphone, and for all presentations I will need a screen and a way to connect my computer to it. Like the cautious sort that wears a belt and suspenders, I will try and have all possible cords and cables with me, but if it’s possible for the school to be prepared for a Mac Airbook that’s even better. For workshops, kids should have notebook paper and pencils.

What about ordering books?

Ah yes. Books. First of all, I understand that not every kid can afford a new book, and it is never okay to make those kids feel bad. I will always bring bookmarks, stickers, or other swag that all kids can take home with them. And of course I will sign books, bookmarks, and whatever else is offered.* But I do want to offer a chance for kids to get autographed books, and there are two ways to do this:

You can work directly with either your local independent bookstore or Barnes & Noble. Either type of store should be well versed in either coming to the school and selling books the day of or setting up a system for the kids to buy in advance.

OR, the school can work directly with Random House to buy the books. You would call customer service at 1-800-733-3000 and let the customer rep know I am coming to the school. Doing this you should receive a 40% discount and can return whatever you don’t sell. If going this route please plan on ordering at least one month before the visit, and please keep preordered books onsite until my visit. Nothing is more tragic than the kid who left her book at home and can’t get it signed. (Okay, that was hyperbole. Lots of things are more tragic than that, like discovering someone has put away an empty ice cream container in the freezer. That’s like…Shakespearian tragic).
*Restrictions do apply. I will not sign anything alive and/or slimy.

What else do you need?

I will need at least 15 minutes between presentations to gulp water, go to the bathroom, and sneak candy before the next class. Also, I will need lunch, but I’d love to eat with the students — either a select group (selected by lottery or prize) or a class, or whatever suits.

Past Events

Virtual Book Event! Conversation with YA Author Yamile Sayid Mendez and Literary Agents Marietta Zacker, and Linda Camacho, Porter Square Books; Monday, November 16, 7:00 pm EST

Virtual Event! Conversation with editor Monica Perez and literary agent Marietta Zacker, Second Star to the Right Bookshop; Tuesday, December 15, 2020 (Link and details coming soon)!

Virtual Book Launch! Conversation with Critique Partners and YA Authors Rachael Allen and Kate Boorman, An Unlikely Story; Tuesday, October 13, 2020

Princeton Book Festival: Princeton, NJ; Saturday, September 14th

NErD Camp LI: Huntington, NY; Saturday, November 2nd

Scuppernong Books, Greensboro, NC: March 4th

A Nerdy Evening with Authors! Freeport, ME: Sept 28th

Children’s Literature Festival, Kirksville, MO: April 20th

Greensboro Bound Literary Festival, Greensboro, NC: May 19th

Carlton School, Salem MA (Private): January 12th

KidlitCon, Hershey, PA: November 3-4th

Porter Square Books, Cambridge MA: September 26th

Trident Booksellers, Boston, MA: September 19th

Eight Cousins Books, Falmouth, MA: August 8th

Buttonwood Books, Cohasset, MA: July 20th

Massachusetts State Library Association Conference, Hyannis MA: May 7-8th

Dorothy Canfield Fischer Book Award Conference, Stowe, VT: May 4-5th