Author Visits

I have been doing author visits since 2016 and love doing them. As a picture book and middle grade author, two of my favorite things are books and writing. I would love to work with your students and share my enthusiasm on these subjects, getting them excited about reading and writing as well.

Contact me at pbjsociety@gmail.com for more info.

For the 2023-2024 school year, I am available for in-person and virtual visits. Presentation options are listed below and can be adjusted for all grade levels. Also, I’m more than happy to work with you to design a custom program to fit your needs.

CAPTURING STORY IDEAS:

The question I get more often than any other is “where do you get your ideas?” In this presentation I’ll share the origins of some of my published books, then talk about all the different places ideas come from. Along the way, we’ll create some fun ideas together.

FROM START TO FINISH:

One fun part about being an author is seeing how a picture book is made from start to finish. In this presentation I’ll share all the fun details, including sketches and last second changes!

CREATING CHARACTERS:

As authors, we build characters from scratch, just like Dr. Frankenstein, choosing all the best parts for our creation. But a character without a story, doesn’t mean as much. In this presentation, the students and I will work together to create a character to fit a story of our choosing.

REVISION! THE FUN PART:

Making changes to a story can seem like one of the hardest parts of writing . . . but it’s where the real magic happens. First, I’ll share some revision examples from my own books. Then we’ll discuss some tips and tricks to revise their own writing.

KEEPING IT REAL: USING REAL LIFE TO INSPIRE YOUR STORIES:

Sometimes the best inspiration for our writing comes from our own lives. I’ll use examples from my books, giving insider information about things that really happened, and things that didn’t. Then we’ll use some writing prompts to help your students create their own stories.

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

What does an author do all day? The obvious answer is “write,” but that’s not always true. In this presentation I’ll share all the glamorous (and not so glamorous) details about what it’s like to be an author.

FAILURE: THE PATH TO SUCCESS:

In writing, few things are quite as discouraging as criticism and rejections, but they also play a key role in improving your craft, which is necessary for success. In this presentation we’ll talk about embracing your failures and learning from your mistakes.

Visit Info:

Presentations run from 20-30 for the youngers, and 40-60 minutes for older students, including a Q&A period. (see pricing below)

Interested in booking a visit, or have questions? Please email me at pbjsociety@gmail.com.

If you are a conference or event organizer and would like me to speak at your event please email me at pbjsociety@gmail.com.

Virtual Q&A Visits: I offer a limited number of free virtual visits ($100 value) via Skype, Zoom, or Google Hangouts. We’ll get together for a fifteen minute Q&A where I’ll tell the kids a little bit about being an author and answer their questions. To see available openings, click HERE. I also do several visits for World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) (sign-up HERE), and for Read Across America (contact me at pbjsociety@gmail.com to set up a time)

Pricing:

In-Person Pricing

• full day author visit:* $1,000 – Travel and lodging fees may apply.
• half day: $600
• single presentation: $300 – (only available to schools w/in 100 miles of Logan UT)

* I offer a discount to schools in Cache Valley, UT. Please mention this in your initial email.

Travel Fees

Travel fees may be shared between schools.

I travel from Logan, Utah.

• Up to 1.5-hour drive: No travel fees
• 1.5-2 hour drive: $0.65/ mile
• 2+ hour drive: $0.65/mile travel fee or airfare as needed and safe and clean hotel accommodations

Please note, most 2-hour drives require lodging. Some do not. Hotel accommodations and mileage/airfare may be shared between schools, if applicable.

Virtual Pricing

• Single Presentation:* $200.
• Additional same-day presentations: $150.
• 20-minute Q&A: $100

*For information on presentation options, see descriptions above.

Recording Janet’s virtual visits is not allowed without permission.

Discounts

Discount for multi-school visit:

• $100 off for each school when booking more than one school (consecutive days required if a hotel is needed). Travel and lodging fees may be shared between schools.

Discount for multi-day visit:

• $100 off for each day when booking more than one day of visits (consecutive days required if a hotel is needed).
  Discount for Book Purchase

Discount for book purchase:

• $100 off presentation when you purchase 50 or more books

A different discount may be extended for your unique situation. Please talk to me about your school and budget