I love speaking to women, children, parents, writers, and teachers. I’ve been speaking for over fifteen years both nationally and locally. I speak at church groups, schools, conventions, and have also been a guest on numerous radio programs as well as local television programs. The following is a list of some of my speaking topics and programs:
- School programs: Author’s assemblies--entertaining and informative. I talk about what it’s like being an author and where I get my ideas. I share my stories and poems as well as the real life stories behind them. Assemblies are 30 minutes for lower elementary and 45 minutes for upper. I also do poetry workshops in the classrooms. The poetry workshops involve students in the process of writing: brain-storming, writing, editing, and completing a class poem. Workshops are 30-40 minutes for the younger grades and 45-50 for the older grades. Workshops are best for grades 2-6, but I can do simplified sessions for K-1. I also do classroom presentations for middle school and high school students who are interested in writing.
- Teachers’ Conferences: I offer sessions for teachers on how to develop poetry units and teach poetry to their students all year long--not just during poetry month. I also have a session on creative storytelling which is great for preschool and kindergarten teachers as well as Sunday School teachers.
- Church programs: Women’s retreats, holiday banquets, mother-daughter banquets, parenting programs--I can work with your theme and offer sessions to reinforce your ideas and goals.
- Mothers of Preschoolers: Parenting 101, Moms on the Grow, Preserving Memories, Holidays and Traditions, Adventures in Mothering, Friendships, Keeping your Family Spiritually Strong (more topics upon request).
- Writers’ Conferences: Writing for Children, Writing in Rhythm and Rhyme, The World of Publishing, Promoting Children’s Books, Finding Purpose in Your Writing,The Broad Spectrum of Children’s Literature (more topics upon request)
Speaking Schedule:
Sept 7, - Jupiter Christian School, FL
Sept. 16, - Jupiter First MOPS, FL
Sept. 26-Oct. 1, - Maranatha Christian Writers Conference, Muskegon, MI
Oct. 5 - Belle Vists MOPS, Rockford, MI
Oct. 7 - Calvary Church MOPS, Grand Rapids, MI
Oct. 8-10, - SCBWI Writers Conference, Kalamazoo, MI
Nov. 20 - Grace Fellowship MOPS, West Palm Beach, FL
March 2-6, 2011 - FL Chr. Writers Conference, Leesburg, FL
April 13 and 15, 2011 - Meadowbrook Elementary, Grand Rapids, MI
April 14, 2011 - St. Patricks Elementary, Portland, MI
April 18, 2011 - Breton Elementary, E. Grand Rapids, MI
Note: Fees for speaking vary depending on location and event.