Workshops & Presentations

I love visiting classrooms and library groups to talk about writing. Below are the different presentations and workshops I offer. Can’t find one that fits what you’re looking for? I’m happy to create a custom presentation. If you’re out of town, let’s plan a Skype visit!

WORKSHOPS

STORY JARS
Do you ever sit down to start a story and find yourself staring at the blank page? Writing prompts, also known as story starters, can be a great way to get the ball rolling. As a group, we’ll create Story Jars–writing prompt tools that can remain in the classroom for future use.
GRADE LEVEL: 3 – 6
GROUP SIZE: 30 – 60 students
LENGTH: 45 – 60 min
FEE: $200 for one session, $300 for two

DRAW OUT NEW CHARACTERS
Creating original, well-rounded characters can be a challenge. This workshop gives you a jump start! First, we complete fun (and funny) group drawings of characters. Next, we’ll get to know our new characters through a writing exercise.
GRADE LEVEL: 3 – 6
GROUP SIZE: 30 – 60 students
LENGTH: 45 – 60 min
FEE: $200 for one session, $300 for two

PRESENTATIONS

10 THINGS
All writers rely on tools and tricks to help them create good stories. In this dynamic presentation, you’ll learn the 10 things that have helped me most as a writer. They might help you, too!
GRADE LEVELS: 3 – 12
GROUP SIZE: 30 – 500 students
LENGTH:  45 – 60 min
FEE: $200 for one session, $300 for two

MEET ELVIS & OLIVE
In this presentation, you’ll get to know Elvis and Olive, two best friends-turned-spies-turned-detectives. Hear excerpts from the two Elvis & Olive books and take a fun pop quiz (Do You Have What it Takes to be a Detective?).
GRADE LEVELS: 3 – 6
GROUP SIZE: 30 – 500 students
LENGTH: 45 – 60 min
FEE: $200 for one session, $300 for two

At your request, workshops and presentations can be followed by a Q&A and/or book signing. Workshop and presentation prices are for the Twin Cities Metro Area; other locations include travel expense. For school visits, you can buy books at a 40% discount.

Testimonial
My class read both of Stephanie’s Elvis & Olive books. They were thrilled to have her come for an author visit to lead a character workshop. Stephanie sparked the students’ interest with an exercise to make an interesting new character. Asking probing questions and sending us additional questions to ponder about our character has led us to mapping out exciting individual stories.  At the end of the workshop we had time for a Q&A session as well as autographs!
–Rayna Lechelt, 5th Grade Teacher, Prairie View Elementary, Eden Prairie, MN