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Inspire new readers and writers with an author visit! Shelley presents assemblies and writing workshops for readers of all ages. She has been a featured speaker for the Kent State Reading & Writing Festival, Northern Kentucky University Book Fest, and National History Day in Washington D.C.
A former intermediate and middle school teacher, Shelley's background also includes gifted education, storytelling, and museum-theater experience. To set up a visit at your school, contact shelleyvisits@yahoo.com and please read the information below: Program Topics for Schools Shelley has a variety of large group assembly programs for grades K-8, as well as writing workshops for small groups. All programs are designed to correlate well with curriculum standards. Program topics include the writing process, the Underground Railroad, math and fiction, creative writing -- and even Elvis!
Planning the Day A full day visit includes up to four assemblies or small group sessions (or a mix), plus book-signing time. For example, many schools schedule three large grade-level assemblies and one "Lunch with An Author" session for a small group of aspiring writers. |
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Speaking Fees
$900 Full Day Visit (Ohio Region)
Speaking fee for schools within 200 miles of the Akron/Cleveland area is $900, plus lodging, travel, and mileage, where applicable. Generally if a school is located more than 50 miles away, it is best for the author to arrive the night before the visit. A full-day visit is four assemblies, workshops, or programs. The costs and programs can be divided between two nearby schools.
$1,000 / $1200 Full Day Visit (Long Distance)
For schools beyond 200 miles of northeastern Ohio, $1,000 is the per day speaking fee for a multi-day visit in a region (2 - 5 days). $1200 is the fee for a single-day visit in a region. Plus lodging, travel and mileage. A full-day visit is four assemblies or programs.
Schools and libraries interested in a single presentation or other options are welcome to e-mail shelleyvisits@yahoo.com regarding speaking fees.
Ordering Books & Book signing
Schools purchasing book sets for classroom or library use can order books at a 40% discount directly from the publishers in preparation for author visits. A classroom set of 24 paperbacks is about $100 with the discount. Two titles (All Shook Up and All of the Above) are sometimes carried by Scholastic Book Fairs, so be sure to check with your local supplier. On the day of the author visit, Shelley can bring books from a local bookseller for purchase by students and autographing, if desired.
How to Set Up A School Visit
You can set up an author visit by e-mailing or calling Mike Winter who coordinates Shelley's author visit schedule and answers questions from schools. (In his spare time, he is also Shelley's husband.) Mike can be reached at shelleyvisits@yahoo.com or by phone at 330-686-2851. If you don't receive a reply to an e-mail inquiry within 7 days, please call to verify that it has been received.
Programs for Conferences and Teacher Workshops
Shelley has special presentations for conferences and in-service workshops for classroom teachers. Workshop topics include the writing process, using primary sources, teaching about the Underground Railroad and more.
And Finally: Do Students Have to Read A Book?
Author visits are always more meaningful, educational -- and just plain fun -- when students are familiar with a book. Shelley's books are easy to find. Most libraries carry, or can easily request them. A classroom set can be purchased for as little as $100. Several book copies are also provided to each school scheduling a full day visit. These can be shared among teachers as read-alouds.
Shelley writes her books with schools and teachers in mind. Her novels have received honors from some of the top school and library organizations in the country. They often connect very well with state curriculum standards in Social Studies and Language Arts for various grade levels. Make the author visit a meaningful, educational, and reading experience -- more than just a single day visit -- by reading or sharing a book beforehand.
