Virtual Author Visits & Interactive Writing Workshops 2023 - 2024
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As a visiting author in schools, I've worked with more than 250,000 students across the US over the past 20 years. Prior to becoming a full-time author with Penguin Random House Books, I earned a Masters in Education and taught grades 4 to 8. My goal is to inspire and motivate middle grade and teen writers, and I'm known for my lively, interactive, and visual programs.
Since I'm now based part-time in Scotland and the US (Ohio), my author visits are offered online only. Although the scenery from my office window may vary, I can virtually visit your school or library from either location. US, UK, and international requests are welcome!
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Fridays with Shelley
Reading one of my books with your students? Add a special surprise to the reading experience with a Friday virtual visit. Available 8am - 1pm most Fridays (US time zones). Send your visit request through the contact form.
What's Included?
Your 45-minute virtual visit will feature a lively and visual look at the writing process for your featured novel (inspiration, rough drafts, random brainstorms and more) -- plus 20 minutes of Q&A time with me. Video-recording and streaming of the visit to other classrooms within your school is permitted. $250 per session*.
* free session available to schools with financial need or those doing an all-school read.
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More than a Virtual Visit
Looking for something more? Try out one of my interactive virtual visits that involve students in a live writing activity. NEW for 2023-24: Classroom Mentor Author Opportunity . Complete the contact form to schedule.
Classroom Mentor Author Opportunity
Imagine having your own classroom author from Scotland! This school year, I'm offering a limited number of mentorships for classrooms. With the mentorship, your students will get two 45-minute virtual sessions with me -- a Q&A and a presentation/writing workshop, plus the chance to submit a short writing sample to me for written feedback. Available for 4th - 7th grades/limit 32 participants.
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$650/2 sessions plus writing sample review
Creative Writing with
The Seventh Most Important Thing
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Can a work of art speak? Yes! I'll provide a close-up look at the real Hampton's Throne that inspired The Seventh Most Important Thing. Then, we'll do a series of writing activities focusing on personification, characterization, and observation as students bring the artwork to life. 5th - 8th grades.
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$400/60 minute session
Streaming to multiple classrooms is permitted
Writing LIVE!
Grades 4 and 5
I'll lead students through three fast-paced and fun writing activities: imagining a setting, brainstorming a character, and writing a special figurative language poem. Hint: shoes, volcanoes, and flying carpets may also be involved. Make writing come alive in your classroom with this creative workshop.
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$400/60 minute session
Streaming to multiple classrooms is permitted.
Instant Writing Workshop
Video for Schools
Try out this instant writing workshop I created in 2020 for virtual learning. In this FREE video, students will brainstorm and create a detailed fictional character inspired by a shoe. It takes about 60 minutes to complete the entire writing exercise along with the video. Or you can utilize the video in segments. Perfect for writers in grades 4 - 7.
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Need more teaching resources?
WHAT DO PEOPLE SAY ABOUT SHELLEY'S VIRTUAL VISITS?
"My Q1 Book Club had a BLAST meeting the author of Things Seen From Above! Such an engaging virtual visit with a fun guided drawing on perspective included!"
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"What an amazing way to end one of our favorite books...Shelley was bombarded with questions from fifth graders...we were so excited!"
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"Thank you for giving our students such an unforgettable experience."
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"Your visit has become a rite of passage in our middle school."
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"I'm not sure if you could see the students' faces, but they were rapt. I felt like it was truly a perfect hour with you, inspiring, instructive and fun."
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