non-fiction – Authors' Booking Service

Stroud, Les (Huntsville, ON)

Writers Union Member, Fiction & NF, Globe and Mail best seller, Yellow Cedar Book Award Winner, Information Book Award Winner, Rocky Mountain Book Award Runner Up, Hackmatack Children’s Choice Award Short List, Nominated for numerous awards including White Pine award. All ages.

$600 plus HST for 1 in-person session ($850 for 2), + travel. Virtual Visits: $400 plus HST, for one session up to 60 minutes, $250 for each additional session on the same day.

Les is an experienced, passionate and highly sought after international speaker who tailors each presentation to the group in front of him. He can do up two presentations in the same school or area in a day. As an award winning filmmaker and composer and the author of adventure books, he routinely presents to an entire school over the course of a day along with happily speaking to adult groups.

Les Stroud has authored five books and over a thousand magazine articles as he crafts storytelling and interesting information into compelling works whether on screen or on the page. His book, Survive! – Essential Skills and Tactics to Get You Out of Anywhere–Alive! (Harper Collins) made the Globe and Mail’s best-seller list, and he recently won the Canadian Yellow Cedar Award and the National Information Book Award for his first children’s book, Wild Outside.

Presentations:

Les Stroud is an extremely flexible presenter. No two of his presentations are ever the same. He prefers to have a conversation with the audience, so long Q&A sessions are always lively and engaging. When possible, he often brings video with compelling and beautiful images of nature and wildlife from around the world.

Les does an amazing job of making kids feel empowered to enjoy the natural world around them whether they come from an adventurous outdoor oriented family or live inner city and rarely see nature at all. He guides them through how to interact with the smallest of creatures to the largest in the natural world. Creatures both mammal and insect and avian that can be found everywhere including the city streets.

Grades 4 to 8: Les’ book Wild Outside is for this age group. 45 to 60 minutes. Includes how he found adventure in his own backyard and how he turned that into a globetrotting career connecting to nature and most importantly, how they can have adventures in nature themselves. Writing, filmmaking and sometimes even composing tips along with a Q&A are worked in seamlessly.

Works:

Survive! Essential Skills and Tactics to Get Out Of Anywhere Alive

Les’ seminal work which is a manual that quickly became the bar to compare all other works of this genre to.

Beyond Survival

A stunning photograph-heavy book telling story after story of Les’ adventures while filming, surviving and doing earth ceremonies with remote tribes around the globe.

Will To Live

Les’ top ten all-time favourite survival stories. What they did right. What they did wrong. And how things could’ve been so much different.

Wild Outside; Around the World With Survivorman

Les’ award-winning children’s book written for and to kids aged 5 through 14. An exciting travelogue of journeys around the world featuring wildlife adventures complete with lessons learned and activities the reader can do themselves.

Maximum group sizes for presentations: No maximum. Minimum 45.

Workshops:

Specialty workshops in-person featuring survival, outdoor adventure and filmmaking skills can be considered on a case-by-case basis.

All Venues possible, library or school preferred. Equipment required: Water, Lunch (if staying all day). A table. A proper PA system with lavaliere mic for larger groups. A screen and projector for power-point and video when required – with high quality sound system. *For Q&A’s it is highly advisable and preferred to have questions prepared and gathered ahead of time and delivered to Les in written form.

Contact Les to book a visit:

Kachala, Elaine (Toronto, Ontario)

The Writer’s Union of Canada, SCBWI & CANSCAIP; Selected accolades: AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books (Longlist, 2024); NSTA/CBC Best STEM Books K-12 (2023); Red Cedar Book Awards (Shortlist, 2023); SCBWI Golden Kite Award (Finalist- NF Text for Older Readers, 2023); Children’s Book Council (Hot off the Press); Best Books (Canadian Children’s Book Centre); Best S&L Books (Tinlids); Top Grade CanLit for the Classroom; TEACH Magazine. Under contract with Orca Book Publishers for a second book, Building Homes for All.

Presentations (in-person): $250 for one session (30-60 minutes), $450 for two, $675 for three, and $900 for a full day (four sessions). Plus a travel fee of $0.50/km if outside Toronto.

AAAS/Subaru SB&F Prize for Excellence in Science Books, Finalist, 2024, NSTA/CBC Best STEM Books, 2023, Red Cedar Book Awards, Shortlist, 2023-2024

Elaine Kachala is a health-policy researcher, writer, adviser, and children’s author. She is the author of Superpower? The Wearable-Tech Revolution (Orca Book Publishers). Part of the popular Orca Think nonfiction series, this book is a fascinating look into how the same technologies that help and heal us also pose ethical concerns. Elaine delivers an exciting presentation and brings a unique perspective to the topic of wearable technology that kids and educators find intriguing!

Two thumbs up! Kids, parents, teachers, and librarians say that Elaine’s book and presentations inspire young people to wonder about inventing technology for a better world.

BOOKS:

Superpower? The Wearable-Tech Revolution, Orca Book Publishers, 2022, illustrated by Belle Wuthrich. Themes: Technology & Society / Wearable Computing / Inventions / Young Inventors / Robotics/ Responsible Design / STEM / STEAM / Human-Machine Evolution / Critical-thinking / Teamwork / Diversity & Inclusion.

A free teaching guide is available.

STUDENT PRESENTATIONS:

Grades 4-8

Do you wonder how wearable technology (the next wave of computing), changes us and society?

Can innovation go too far?

How do we design responsible technology to gain benefits and mitigate harm?

Are you interested in stories about inventors, including young inventors, and how they’re navigating the next tech frontier?

Curious about what it’s like to be a children’s author?

Elaine will cover these topics and more through an engaging, interactive, and tailored presentation.

Following a brief introduction about myself, I’ll draw from pre-reading questions in the Teacher’s Guide to activate students’ background knowledge and excite them about the subject of wearable technologies.

I’ll highlight what wearable technology is and how it works, with examples of how wearables impact our lives and change the world.

I’ll introduce students to some of the experts in the book. They’ll meet inventors, engineers, scientists, and young people who see a problem and create technology to solve it. But the experts face a dilemma when their devices have unintended consequences; we’ll discuss this dilemma.

I’ll briefly speak about what it’s like to be a nonfiction children’s author and to write this book.

I’ll use slides for visuals, and there will be a Q/A opportunity.

I’ll have bookmarks and a Get Brainstorming Activity (from the book) for handouts.

Elaine’s happy to lead small or large groups. She’ll present to classes individually or grouped but asks that they’re grouped appropriately by grade level (i.e., 4-6; 7-8)

EDUCATORS:

Are you seeking a helpful STEM/STEAM and social studies resource for the revised science and technology curriculum? Superpower? and the accompanying Teacher’s Guide helps readers connect STEM/STEAM topics from school with the effects of science and tech on their lives and the world.

Presentation: CAUTION! Move Slow + Think Human: Helping Students Consider the Pros, Cons, and Ethics of Technology Design and Use.

Wearable computing is the next tech frontier that will change our lives. It’s a topic steeped in a fantastic mix of benefits, risks, and ethical problems. Drawing from Superpower? Elaine will explain how scientists, engineers, designers, and young inventors navigate with responsible design—an approach to complement the engineering and design process and human-centered design thinking. By highlighting controversial technologies and examples from the accompanying Guide, this session will show how to prompt students’ critical thinking about the pros, cons, and ethics of technology and why inventors are calling for a societal debate—let’s talk!

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED:

I use PowerPoint, so I need a projector, screen, and extension cord. Water would be great too! And lunch and coffee if I’m staying for the day. A microphone for larger groups, in the gym, or if the room acoustics are questionable.

Contact Elaine to book a visit:

Clendenan, Megan (Vancouver, BC)

An award-winning author of both non-fiction and fiction, Megan Clendenan lives in Vancouver, BC. She is a member of the Writers’ Union of Canada and presents in English to grades 3 through 9. Her books have STEM, environmental, social justice, innovation, inclusion, sustainability, friendship, and perseverance themes.

In-person rates: $250 for one one-hour session, $450 for two, $675 for three, $900 for a full day (four sessions). Travel fee if outside Metro Vancouver of $0.50/km. Virtual visit rates: $150 for a one-hour session, $125 for each additional session on the same day.

Megan loves writing non-fiction that explores the connections between history, society, and the environment. She is the author of three middle-grade nonfiction books: DESIGN LIKE NATURE:BIOMIMICRY FOR A HEALTHY PLANET, which earned a starred review from School Library Journal (2021, co-authored with Kim Ryall Woolcock), FRESH AIR, CLEAN WATER: OUR RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT (2022), which won the 2023 Green Earth Book Award, and CITIES: HOW HUMANS LIVE TOGETHER (2023). She is also the author of a middle-grade novel, OFFBEAT (2018). When she’s not writing or reading, Megan is often running or biking on her local trails, or learning how to grow food in her backyard.

Presentations for Grades 3-9

Problem-Solve with Nature

Can we learn from nature to solve environmental problems and live in better harmony with our world? Yes, yes we can! In this presentation drawing from DESIGN LIKE NATURE, students have an opportunity to learn about the exciting new science field of biomimicry and how it can help us adapt in the face of climate change. Students will have the chance to use their creativity to sketch their own biomimicry invention.

Best for grades 3-6

What Makes a City a Good Place to Live?

Drawing from CITIES: HOW HUMANS LIVE TOGETHER, this presentation looks at the history of cities and how they can be more sustainable and inclusive places for all people to live. Students will discuss what makes an ideal city, and learn about issues like food security, population growth, transportation, renewable power sources, and safe water. Includes interactive and hands-on activities.

Best for grades 3-7

Exploring Positive Ways to Create Change

Drawing from FRESH AIR, CLEAN WATER: OUR RIGHT TO A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT this presentation introduces social and environmental justice and kid activists from around the world. The presentation is grounded in hope and includes interactive activities that give students a chance to learn about activism, human rights, government systems, laws, equality, and citizen science.

Best for grades 4-8

From Spark to Fire: Developing Story Ideas

How does a book get from the kernel of an idea to an entire story? In this workshop, Megan explores how sparks of ideas are fueled into stories and the creativity behind that process. She uses writing prompts that get students’ creativity revved up! She also talks about being an author and saves time for Q&A.

Best for grades 6-9

Write, Rewrite, Repeat!

After you’ve written your first draft, the fun of revising begins! This presentation focuses on techniques for revision, and that it can be a fun part of the creative process. Megan will use examples from her published books and show students her early drafts, the editing process, and then the final product. She also talks about being an author and saves time for Q&A.

Best for grades 6-9

For in-person visits, connecting her Mac laptop to a projector is helpful. For virtual visits, Megan can use Zoom or Google Meet, and she can adapt to other platforms. Screen sharing helps her show fun examples! Megan prefers to present in either the classroom or the library. 35-40 max group size preferred for one session.

Contact Megan to book a visit:

Church, Dr. Dana L (Waterloo, ON)

Dr. Dana L. Church lives in Waterloo, Ontario. She is a member of the Writers’ Union of Canada and presents in English to grades 1 through 8.

In-person rates: $250 for one one-hour session, $450 for two, $675 for three, plus a travel fee of $0.50/km if outside Waterloo. Virtual visit rates: $200 for one one-hour session, $150 for each additional session on the same day.

Dr. Dana L. Church is a middle-grade nonfiction writer who loves turning fascinating science hidden in scholarly journals into prose that is fun and accessible for everyone.

Dr. Dana L. Church has a PhD in animal cognition, which means she spends a lot of time figuring out how other animals think, remember, learn, make decisions, and solve problems. She spent many years studying bumble bees and loves to talk about why they are such amazing little creatures. Dana’s presentations include background about how she was originally terrified of bees but then eventually fell in love with them. She also answers questions such as, What are bumble bees, anyway? Why are they important? Are bees in trouble? How do scientists study bees? What can we do to help save the bees? She loves answering questions from the audience. Dana can also chat about her journey to becoming a published author, her writing process, and what it’s like to write nonfiction.

Dana used to teach outrageously large undergraduate classes in university so she really doesn’t have a size limit for her audience. She finds that her PowerPoint slides are handy for showing people photos of all different kinds of bumble bees that exist, so for in-person visits, if she could hook up her Mac laptop to a projector, that would be great. For virtual visits, she can adapt to any platform, and if she can share her screen, even better.

Contact Dana to book a visit:

Hamilton-Barry, Joann (Saint John, NB)

Joann lives in Saint John, New Brunswick and is a member of the Writer’s Federation of New Brunswick. Joann loves presenting to students from grades 3 to 8. Rates for 45-60 minutes are $250 for one session, $450 for two, $675 for three and $900 for a full day of four sessions. Joann loves to travel and would welcome the chance to visit your school or library. Travel fee of $0.50/km applies, if more than 100km from Saint John, NB. Virtual visits using Zoom are $125 for a 45-60 minute presentation.

Joann is a book lover and enjoys sharing her love of reading and learning. She began her career as a teacher and then headed back to university to become a children’s librarian. For nearly 20 years she spent her days developing and delivering fun, book-related library programs. She has delivered more than 75 presentations as an author.

Joann has written four non-fiction books that appeal to all ages. Her books have received multiple award nominations and she won the Hackmatack Children’s Book Award in 2020 for There Be Pirates! Swashbucklers & Rogues of the Atlantic.

Joann’s illustrated presentations about the North Atlantic right whale, pirates, or Oak Island feature images and information from her books. Sessions include time to see and touch (in person visits) some of the things mentioned in the books: fishing ropes and buoys that entangle whales, samples of pirate crafts, or coconut fibres that are similar to what has been connected to the Oak Island treasure. Joann begins each session with little known facts to catch the interest of even the most reluctant audience member. She explains how she does her research and that the local library is the best source for reliable information. Joann shows images from the books and her research trips, reads short sections from the book, and answers audience questions. The goal for each presentation is to get the students excited about reading, learning and the treasure waiting to be found in books. Joann provides a word search puzzle sheet that she created to match the book being presented. Each reading is tailored to the grade level(s) of the audience.

Joann is comfortable presenting to audiences large and small, (grades 3-8) as long as everyone can hear her and see your screen or smartboard. The optimal audience size is a single classroom, so that everyone has a chance to ask their question, two classes together can also work well. Equipment requirements: Joann’s session will take the audience through a tour of her book(s) with info and images projected for all to see. She will bring a computer loaded with her presentation(s) and will connect to your monitor, data projector and screen, or smartboard. She will also need a surface to display items from her books: a buoy, a snarl of plastic found while doing a beach clean up, a bowl made from discarded fishing rope, an eye patch, a quill, and/or coconut – depending on which book she is presenting. Joann has presented in gyms and cafeterias, and is happy to speak to large groups, if you provide a sound system with a microphone and ensure that everyone can see the monitor or screen.

Awards and nominations include: Hackmatack, Rocky Mountain Book Award, Writer’s Federation of New Brunswick, Best Books for Kids and Teens, Our Choice selection, Canadian Children’s Book Centre, etc…

Contact Joann for a visit…

Vermond, Kira (Guelph, ON)

Writers’ Union Member and eligible for subsidies. Norma Fleck winner. Kirkus Best Book 2020. Forest of Reading finalist (multiple). Numerous starred reviews in Canada and U.S. Grades 3-8.

Rates: $350 for one session, $650 for two, $875 for three (plus HST). Travel costs waived in Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Milton and local area. NEW! For virtual 30-50 minute sessions: $200 +HST. Want to book Kira and one of her talented illustrators for a joint presentation? Please ask for rates. (Psst! They’re super fun – the illustrators “live draw” while Kira speaks. It’s a party on your screen….)

With her background in broadcast and journalism, Kira is a talented and experienced presenter who knows how to tell entertaining, true stories that bring new concepts to life with warmth and humour. Kira believes strongly that there’s nothing “non about non-fiction.” So whether she’s exploring why worms come out when it rains, why yap stones are the coolest form of currency, or how fondue became a fad, her high-energy and interactive style makes for engaging, funny and educational sessions. Kira is also able to tailor stories for multiple ages and grades. Flexibility is her middle name.

What kids say about Kira and her author talks:

“That was way better than I expected.”

“I can’t believe you have some grey hair. You’re too funny to be old.”

“You sign books weird.” (It’s true. She does.)

Presentations

Here is a sample of Kira’s sessions: She is also happy to cater to your class based on any of her books, or do a more traditional author reading and Q&A visit.

What’s up with fads and trends?

Would you ever swallow a live goldfish? Pour a bucket of ice water over your head? Wear seriously ugly shoes? Who would do that? And — more importantly — why? Trends may seem trivial on the surface, but they have the power to make regular people do pretty irregular things! Jump into the frenzied world of viral videos and songs, faddish food and clothes, and even dangerous crazes!

NEW ON REQUEST: Coming together online, Trending: How and Why Stuff Gets Popular (Owlkids, 2020) author Kira Vermond and illustrator Clayton Hanmer tell (and draw!) stories about how fads take off and spread, how they can be crafted to lure you in — and how to recognize bandwagon behaviour the minute you see it. (The pandemic toilet paper craze, anyone?)

To listen to a sample, google: “The Buzz: Kids Edition.” Or find the podcast wherever you listen to your pods.

Length 30-60 minutes, depending on class needs
For grades 3-6

Why don’t cars run on apple juice, anyway?

Can rats burp? If you sneeze in space, will your head explode? And why do we have butts? With a team of Ontario Science Centre experts, Kira wrote two Q&A books that serve up fun and surprising answers to science questions from curious kids. In this interactive session, students discover mind-blowing facts about our world and beyond, from burps to black holes, T. rexes to time travel.

NEW ON REQUEST: Coming together online, author Kira Vermond and illustrator Suharu Ogawa tell (and draw!) stories about science facts based on real kids’ questions.

Length 30-60 minutes, depending on class needs
For grades 3-6

Let’s talk money!

Credit cards, bartering and yap stones. What do they have in common? They’re all part of my dynamic presentation for schools and libraries. With money and personal finance getting more airplay at schools across Canada and the U.S., Kira makes the curriculum come to life with fun stories, weird anecdotes and audience participation. Kids check out a counterfeit bill, discuss the downside to winning the lottery, and examine their own values and beliefs about what makes a person rich. After this presentation, students will never look at a can of beans or a bag of jellybeans in the same way again! (Schedule a visit to find out why….)

Length: 50-60 minutes

For grades 5-8

Maximum number of students per session: JK-G2 up to 50 students. 100+ for older grades. Writing workshops for middle school students are best for small groups (12-25 students).

I am comfortable presenting in classroom, library, auditorium, and gymnasium. (Library preferred.)

Equipment and other requirements

A microphone for large rooms or groups, a table for props, chair for breaks, glass of water.

A black or white board, or flip chart. Markers or chalk.

I request that a librarian, teacher or other school representative be present throughout presentations. Thank you!

Contact Kira for a visit

Singh, Rina (Toronto, ON)

SCBWI and CANSCAIP Member. Kirkus & Publisher’s Weekly Starred Reviews 2018. Picture Books. Diverse Books. Non-Fiction. Writing Workshops. Grade 3 and up. Rina’s rate is $300 for the first session, and an additional $150 for the second session. No travel costs within Toronto. She does not charge HST.

Virtual visits are preferred. $250.

Rina Singh is an award-winning Children’s Author and Spoken Word coach. She has an MFA in Creative Writing from Concordia University, Montreal, and a teaching degree from McGill University. She has written many critically acclaimed books for children. As a writer, she is drawn to real life stories about social justice and the environment.

Grandmother School, (Orca Books) which won the BC & Yukon Prize for literature affirms the life-changing power of education. A Garden of Grenades, (Greystone Books) told in free verse, reimagines our troubled world through the lens of love and compassion. 111 Trees, (Kids Can Press) which won the Social Justice literature award and was nominated for the Yellow Cedar award celebrates the unfailing greatness of human spirit and inspires us to become eco-feminists.

Her books have been translated in many languages and have received starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist.

Rina has done readings and workshops in schools, libraries, and literary festivals across Canada, including TD Children’s Book Week in 2012 and 2018. In 2014, she also presented at the Asian Festival of Children’s Content in Singapore and Reading for the Love of it in Toronto (2015). She is an Ontario Certified Teacher and has taught visual arts, drama, and creative writing in Toronto for 25 years. She is also a tdsbCREATES mentor artist for Spoken Word.

BOOK TALK: Where do Stories Come From?
In this 1-hour visual presentation, Rina looks back over her own life and career, and using examples of the books she has written, she asks the audience to think about where stories and ideas come from. She shows how a book comes together, from first idea to first draft and through the re-writing process. The last twenty minutes of the presentation are interactive. This presentation will appeal even to the most reluctant readers.

Writing Workshops (75 minutes)

Option #1
In this fast-paced workshop, participants will explore how they can use their own experiences and curiosity and create compelling stories and poems using lyrical language. The workshop will end with student readings.
Grade 3-6 Preferred group size 30 students (for optimal interaction with students)

Rina also has a book on Diwali and rich cultural presentation.

Equipment Required

Rina is comfortable presenting in a classroom, library, or auditorium. She requires a glass of water, a table to display books, a screen, laptop and LCD projector for Power Point. She requests that a librarian, teacher, or other school representative be present throughout the presentation.

Contact Rina to book a visit:

Laidlaw, Rob (Toronto, ON)

Toronto. Writers’ Union Member. Silver Birch Non-Fiction Award and Hackmatack Award winner. All ages. Rob’s rate is $250 for one session, $450 for 2, $600 for 3, $800 for 4 (maximum of 4 per day / if outside of Toronto area minimum of 2 per day), plus travel costs for locations outside of Toronto. Virtual Visits: (first 15 minute session is free), subsequent 30 – 60 minute sessions $100, Skype. No HST.

Rob is an award-winning author of nine children’s books, biologist, professional wildlife campaigner, part-time adventurer and recipient of the prestigious Federic A. McGrand Lifetime Achievement Award for substantial contributions to animal welfare in Canada. Continue reading “Laidlaw, Rob (Toronto, ON)”

Skrypuch, Marsha Forchuk (Brantford ON)

Writers Union Member. Fiction & NF, 2X Silver Birch winner, 2x Red Cedar Winner, Yellow Cedar Winner. Multi awards. All ages. $400 plus HST for 1 session, $650 for 2, $900 for 3 and $1100 for 4, + travel (.68 cents per kilometer, round-trip for SW ON).

Virtual Visits: $300 plus HST, for one session, 20-60 minutes, $200 for each additional session on the same day.

Continue reading “Skrypuch, Marsha Forchuk (Brantford ON)”

Camlot, Heather (Toronto, ON)

Writers’ Union Member. Fiction and nonfiction writer.

Heather’s rates are $300 for one session, $550 for two, $800 for three. For virtual presentations: $300 for one session, $500 for two. HST applies to all sessions. No travel costs within Toronto or if I am in your city (I travel to Montreal several times a year). Able to present in English and French.

Heather is an award-winning children’s author, journalist, editor and translator. Her two middle-grade novels, CLUTCH and THE OTHER SIDE, received Skipping Stones Honor Awards and nominations for Forest of Reading, among other honors. CLUTCH was also named a 2017 Best Book from Kirkus Reviews.

Heather is also an accomplished nonfiction writer. SECRET SCHOOLS and THE PRISONER AND THE WRITER were named Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections and What If Soldiers Fought with Pillows? True Stories of Imagination and Determination received a Skipping Stones Honor Award. Her next nonfiction book, Becoming Bionic and Other Ways Science is Making Us Super,

In her presentations, Heather aims to entertain and educate, leaving the audience interested in writing fiction and nonfiction as well as looking into their own history for inspiration.

PRESENTATIONS (60 minutes, grades 3+)

Heather engages students with a fun and interactive presentation, customized to audience and interest.

Generally speaking: Heather shares the inspiration and the challenges of writing works that delve into history and social justice. She also discusses the basic elements of writing fiction and/or nonfiction, how to give stories life through research and why bringing the past to the present is so important. Q&A session and reading are included.

What does it mean to be a superhero?: This STEM/STEAM-related presentation draws on BECOMING BIONIC. We’ll delve get into how science is turning us into superbeings – powering up our bodies with what we may not have been born with and what we may never have thought we’d need. We’ll discuss what those powers look like in the real world, based on the sections of Becoming Bionic. We’ll create our own superhero identities and answer the ultimate question: Cape or no cape.

Stand up and speak out: This social-justice-related presentation, based on THE PRISONER AND THE WRITER, begins with a quote from Captain Alfred Dreyfus: “My only crime is to have been born a Jew.” How would students fill in the last word of Captain Dreyfus’s quote to reflect their lives or world around them? We’ll discuss the meaning of social justice, play a game of news fact vs news fiction, and discuss ways to stand up and speak out.

Maximum presentation size: 100 for virtual presentations; 60 for in-person reading/Q&A. Teacher and/or librarian must be present.

WORKSHOPS (60 minutes, grades 3+)

Look no further: A simple moment can kickstart the writing process. Students choose a moment in their own lives or family history and turn into a work of fiction or nonfiction. Based on CLUTCH and THE OTHER SIDE.

What’s news?: Bias in the media is not difficult to spot. This session will delve into media literacy and how to determine if what you’re reading is fact…or fiction. I’ll test students’ knowledge of news fact vs news fiction through a fun game and we’ll create a reference guide to better judge whether what they are reading, seeing, hearing is objective, biased or completely fake. Based on THE PRISONER AND THE WRITER.

A single object: A single object can inspire an entire world. Students will begin with an “item of interest” and learn how to add different layers — setting, storyline, character, big reveal — to build a short story. Based on THE OTHER SIDE.

Just the facts: How do you write a nonfiction book that makes tough subjects compelling and easy to understand all the while ensuring it stick to the truth? Based on her nonfiction books.

Get activ-ist!: “What cause would you defend…and how would you defend it?” We’ll discuss various forms of activism and what is important to students right now. We’ll come up with methods to get messages across and students will put ideas into action by creating a poster for their cause. Based on THE PRISONER AND THE WRITER and I CAN’T DO WHAT?

Customized topic: Heather is happy to tailor workshops to your needs and audience, including educators and the general public. Topics can include social injustice, advocacy, World War II, the Holocaust, antisemitism, soccer, baseball, media literacy, arts and entertainment, etc.

Maximum workshop size: 30 (flexible).
Equipment required: Flip chart and markers, screen and projector, microphone and podium (for large rooms), paper and pencils (for workshops). Teacher and/or librarian must be present.

Heather offers the services of professional editing, copyediting, proofreading and
translating. She also provides manuscript evaluations – fiction and nonfiction.