Speaking Engagements
I am available to visit schools as well as festivals, conferences, and writing centers.
If you are interested in scheduling a visit, I currently have availability for the 2018-2019 school year and beyond. Please fill out the form at the bottom of this page to get in touch.
(Tip for schools: Before filling in the form, be sure to check out the Author Talks section below, where I list specific talks you can choose from. Click on the title to read a short summary of the talk. Feel free to also suggest your own topic; I try to be as flexible as I can be.)
(Tips for conference, festival, and writing center organizers: Skip to my rates.)
About Author Visits
I am available for the following bookings with schools or libraries:
Want Rachel to Speak at Your School or Event?
Single author presentation. Presentation time varies, depending on the topic and age of the group. You will get one presentation, including a question and answer time and a book signing if you so desire.
Full-day author presentation. Presentation time varies, depending on the topic and age of the group. With a full-day booking you will get at up to five presentations in a day, including a book signing with each group if you so desire. We can do as many sessions as time will allow or as few as you want. But you have me for the full day.
Half-day author presentation. Presentation time varies, depending on the topic and age of the group. You will get up to three presentations. Each session will include a question and answer time, and a book signing if you so desire.
Writing intensive, full day. During writing intensives, I work with various classes on creative writing, sharing my best tips and exercises for effective fiction writing, nonfiction writing, or poetry.
Writing intensive, half day. Same as above, but I’m only yours for half a day.
Types of Presentations
Elementary School
- Cultivating Creativity: How to Be the Coolest Kids Ever | Ages: 5-11 (Grades K-5)
- The Incredible Journey: How I Became an Author | Ages 5-11 (Grades K-5)
- The Wonder and Magic of Poetry: How to Write and Interpret Poetry | Ages 5-11 (Grades K-5)
- Everyday Storytellers: Empathy and the Stories We Tell About Each Other | Ages 5-11 (Grades K-5)
Middle School
- Why You Feel Disconnected From Your Creativity (and How You Can Reconnect With It): A Modern-Day Tragedy (and Happy Ever After) | Ages 11-14 (Grades 6-8)
- What You Don’t Know About Fairy Tales: an Investigation | Ages 11-14 (Grades 6-8)
- Why You Probably Don’t Like Poetry (and What You’re Missing): a Declaration | Ages 11-14 (Grades 6-8)
- How and Why I Became an Author: A Wandering Tale of Adventure, Obscurity, and Triumph | Ages 11-14 (Grades 6-8)
- What’s the Real Story? An Examination of Empathy and Love | Ages 11-14 (Grades 6-8)
- The One Thing Necessary to Navigate Your World: a Challenge in Belonging | Ages 11-14 (Grades 6-8)
High School/Early College
- What You May Be Missing: Examining the Best Parts of Poetry | Ages 14-20 (Grades 9-beyond)
- No One Can Tell You Who to Be: My Journey From Abandonment to Author | Ages 14-20 (Grades 9-beyond)
- This is Who We Are: A Challenge in Belonging to Yourself | Ages 14-20 (Grades 9-beyond)
- The Story Behind the Why: How to Tell the Right Stories About Each Other | Ages 14-20 (Grades 9-beyond)
Adults
- How Humor Helps Us in Hard Times
- Why We Can’t (and Shouldn’t) Protect Our Kids From Darkness in Literature
- All Journeys Begin from a Point: From Small-Town Girl to Published Author
General, all audiences (tailored to age group)
Rachel’s Book Discussion: A General Look at One of Rachel’s Books | Appropriate for all ages (Grades K-beyond)
Suggest your own
If you have an idea not listed, feel free to make a suggestion in the form below.
Book Rachel For Your School/Event
Preparations for the visit
School visits, in general, tend to be more beneficial for students who have read at least one of my books (with the exception of early elementary; I have picture books in the works). For your convenience, I’ve provided a helpful list of my published books, broken down by appropriate grade level.
Sometimes schools have chosen to have the entire school read a book, and these visits are always riotous fun. Book discussions are highly enjoyable when people are familiar with the book.
Once booked, I will check in with schools about a month before a visit to discuss any details that might need ironing out. A schedule of the day would be appreciated at least two weeks before my visit (what can I say? I’m a planner.).
Rates
It is my goal to never allow rates to prohibit my opportunity to meet and encourage children and readers of all ages. Obviously, I cannot offer discounted rates to everyone; my time is very valuable. But please contact me if you need to discuss payment arrangements. Click here for more information about my rates.