Virtual Author VisitsCurrently, all scheduled author visits will be virtual this school year. But even without a pandemic, scheduling in-person author visits can be challenging due to locations, timing, and budgets. I've been a teacher and a school librarian--I totally get it!
But yay for the internet! We have great options now! Maybe an online Virtual Author Visit is for you! It's easy to schedule, affordable (or free), and simple to plan. |
What does a virtual author visit involve?
You have three great options:
To make arrangements for a virtual visit, please contact me here.
- A 50 minute live video visit, with a 35-40 minute presentation (live video alternating with presentation slides) and 10-15 minutes Q&A.
Cost: $100. - A 20 minute live video chat. I spend the first 10 minutes or so introducing myself and giving a quick overview of my writing process, and then open it up to Q&A for 10 minutes. This works best for students who have been introduced to my books already, via reading, book talks, book trailers, or viewing my website. Cost: Free for schools that have purchased my books for your library or have them selected for their next book order.
- Asynchronous Q&A Video: No time for a live meeting? Too many questions to fit in the 50 minute meeting? Send me your students' questions via email, and I will record up to 30 minutes of video answering their specific questions. I'll send the video to you via a private and unlisted link on Youtube that will be good for the rest of the school year. Cost: $50
To make arrangements for a virtual visit, please contact me here.
In addition, you can find a series of shorter writing videos (10 minutes or less) on Amy's Youtube Channel, free for educational use. Also available for free is a short FAIRY KEEPER book talk by Amy that's just four minutes long. This works well for librarians who are book-talking several books in a row. Most of my books also have book trailers on their book page.
I also have book discussion guides with comprehension questions, projects, and vocabulary, for Fairy Keeper, Shortcuts, Paris on Repeat, Rome Reframed, and some fun activity sheets for The Worst Villain Ever. |
{Amy's} visit was a pleasure. It provided valuable information, gave the students a much more accurate idea of what they need to do to be successful as an author and has inspired more than a few of them to start writing. |
Technical Requirements
You only need a few things for a virtual author visit, and you probably already have these in place!
I have access to Zoom (my favorite), Teams, Google Hangouts, and Messenger. Please plan on scheduling a testing time prior to the author visit to ensure a proper connection. In the event of a technical malfunction (it happens!) I'll do my best to reschedule within two weeks. When students are also joining directly via Zoom or another online platform, please have an adult assigned to admit students into the Zoom and to maintain internet safety protocols during the virtual presentation. Publisher Lee and Low shared a great article on successful virtual author visits during the pandemic here.
Library Activity Funds or PTO/PTA are possible funding options. An invoice will be provided, and payments may be made via Paypal, Venmo, check, or money order.
You only need a few things for a virtual author visit, and you probably already have these in place!
- An operating system compatible with Zoom, Google Hangout, Teams, or another similar program. Zoom is my preference.
- Broadband Internet connection. (It might help to ask others to avoid streaming during our visit.)
- Webcam (built-in or separate)
- A projector screen so all the students can see, unless they are logging in via their own devices directly
- Speakers (most projection systems have this already)
- Microphone for students/staff to ask questions from audience, if desired (Separate microphones tend to have better sound quality than built-ins.)
I have access to Zoom (my favorite), Teams, Google Hangouts, and Messenger. Please plan on scheduling a testing time prior to the author visit to ensure a proper connection. In the event of a technical malfunction (it happens!) I'll do my best to reschedule within two weeks. When students are also joining directly via Zoom or another online platform, please have an adult assigned to admit students into the Zoom and to maintain internet safety protocols during the virtual presentation. Publisher Lee and Low shared a great article on successful virtual author visits during the pandemic here.
Library Activity Funds or PTO/PTA are possible funding options. An invoice will be provided, and payments may be made via Paypal, Venmo, check, or money order.
The Presentation: What it covers
Unlocking the Story―Grades 4th-12th
A description of my writing process and experience with publication, including the steps a book goes through from start to finished product. How long does it take to write a book? How do you write your stories? How do covers work? These questions and more are covered, and students will get the inside scoop on common pitfalls for new writers.
A description of my writing process and experience with publication, including the steps a book goes through from start to finished product. How long does it take to write a book? How do you write your stories? How do covers work? These questions and more are covered, and students will get the inside scoop on common pitfalls for new writers.
Virtual Author Visit Resources: