School and Library Visits

I’m always happy to schedule visits to schools and libraries.  This page provides basic information about the programs I offer.  I can also work directly with librarians and teachers to create a program to meet the needs of your patrons or students.

I’ve been selling fiction professionally since 1988.  Most of my work has been nominated for awards and other honors.  (Please see my Novels and Short Stories pages for details.)  I’ve given programs at libraries, high schools, universities, bookstores, and at conferences in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Alabama, West Virginia, and Ohio. 

For more details or to schedule an author visit, please send email to me at ContactResa@aol.com.  Programs and rates are listed below.

Programs:

“Researching the Fantasy Novel – Why Bother?”

This presentation is about doing your homework and reaping the benefits from it.  Most fantasy writers make up everything from scratch.  I’ve found that doing a wide range of research pays off in exciting and unexpected ways that have a tremendous impact on the novels I write.  During this presentation I give examples and details about why I want to do research, how I choose my research topics, and how I execute my research.  I also talk about how doing research changed my original vision for a 4-book series.

“How Knights Really Fought”

When doing research for my first novel, I encountered a new field of study:  deciphering manuals written in the Middle Ages and Renaissance in order to reconstruct the techniques that real knights used when they fought.  In this presentation I describe the steps that led me to this field of study, my experience with it, and how that experience has had an impact on the novels I write.  Included:  I will bring several modern books that translate medieval texts (including many fascinating illustrations) for patrons or students to see.

“The Life of a Novel:  From Idea to Printed Page”

In this presentation I talk about how a writer develops ideas into novels, how the writing process differs for each novelist, how to get published, and what is involved in working with a publisher.  I will also talk about how the publishing industry has changed during the past 25 years and how and why it’s changing even faster today. 

“How Can You Make a Living as a Writer?”

Although I’m a novelist, I’ve held many different types of writing jobs.  I can talk about which jobs pay well and which ones don’t.  Some jobs are rewarding because they’re fun, while others are boring but very profitable.  In addition to talking about writing fiction, I discuss what you need to know if you’re interested in a career as a copywriter, journalist, or technical writer.

Rates:

NOTE:  If you have a limited budget, please contact me (at ContactResa@aol.com) to discuss possibilities for funding.

Library Presentation:  $300 plus travel expenses

School Presentations:

• 1 classroom hour:  $300 plus travel expenses
• Half day (2 classroom hours):  $600 plus travel expenses
• Full day (4 classroom hours):  $1,000 plus travel expenses

To book a presentation, send email to ContactResa@aol.com