The Inside Scoop: An Author Tells All – My presentation is informal, entertaining, and interactive. Partly biographical, my presentation details my journey in becoming a writer, how I generate ideas, my typical work day, and the business of writing and publishing. It incorporates all of my books, touching on such subjects as life at sea and exploration, finishing with a mini-science demonstration complete with students glowing in the dark. Adapted to the age of the audience, my presentation is suitable for elementary through college (40-minute presentation + 10-minute Q&A per session. A modified 20-minute presentation + 10 minute Q&A is available for grades K-2.)

“BLAH, BLAH, BLAH” – Beating the Dialogue Doldrums – My dialogue workshop is with a group of pre-selected students (not to exceed twenty-five students). In this hands-on, interactive workshop, students learn how to create great dialogue using “tricks of the trade,” from dialogue tags to character voice. Students will spend approximately 15 minutes of the workshop writing. Suitable for third grade through college; adapted to the age of the participants. (50 minute workshop)

Writing That Sizzles: In this intensive half-day to all-day workshop, participants learn the secrets of creating an under-the-covers-with-a-flashlight page-turner. While practicing their hand at writing, students learn the fundamentals of pacing, plot, character, plus useful tricks-of-the-trade such as hooks, cliffhangers, and the use of active language. Not to exceed thirty students; suitable for fifth grade through college; adapted to the age of the participants. (Half-day to all-day workshop.)

Special arrangements can be made for an evening event, if desired.