As a past teacher, one of Kathryn’s favorite things to do is to visit schools and libraries. She has experience in managing and presenting to large groups of adults and students, as well as small groups under thirty, and can tailor any presentation to meet the needs of specific individual groups as well.
All primary presentations, (grades K-3), include highly interactive sessions with a very short bio of the author, a short reader's theater and activity from her middle grade novel, and follow up activities to stimulate student stories and writing.
Middle grade presentations, (grades 4-8), include a short bio of the author, a reader's theater from her middle grade novel which involves audience participation, an interactive discussion on writing and publishing, the importance of revising, how to find ideas about what to write, and activities to stimulate student stories and writing.
Writing Residency: This exciting program includes Kathryn visiting a particular school classroom or small group for three to five consecutive days (or once a week for three to five weeks) where she takes students through the process of writing a story. Students will learn about voice, hooking the reader, and how to show instead of tell. Together, they will find ideas of what to write, make outlines, write first drafts, revise, write second drafts, and then finally publish. In addition, students will make book covers for their stories, and provide cover “reviews” of peer work. All final editing of student writing is completed by Kathryn, so there is no additional work load for teachers.
A classroom or library visit is also available using Skype.
Kathryn also enjoys visiting book club discussions, and can schedule a regular phone call or one using Skype to your group.
Please contact Kathryn for fees and availability.
NEWS & EVENTS
Bookpage has named The Year the Swallows Came Early as one of the Ten best middle grade novels of 2009.
The Year the Swallows Came Early has been named by Booklist as a Top Ten First Novels for Youth in 2009.
The Year the Swallows Came Early is now a California Readers Collection List selection for 2010
The Year the Swallows Came Early has been nominated by SCIBA (Southern California Independent Booksellers Association) for their annual book awards.
Kathryn is teaching a teen writing series through the Rancho Santa Margarita Public Library, located at 30902 La Promesa, RSM, CA., on Oct. 13, Nov. 10, Dec. 8, 2009, and March 9, April 13, 2010. For more information, and to sign up, contact Julie Fiitch, Teen Librarian, at 949-458-6098.
Kathryn will join FOCAL, Friends of the Library, Los Angeles central branch library, 630 West Fifth Street, on Sunday, February 21, 2010, at 2:00pm for a reader's theater from a chapter of her book. Please join us!
Kathryn will be attending the California Reader's Luncheon in Burbank, CA, on February 27, 2010. For more information, go to:
Kathryn will be speaking at the AAUW Literary Luncheon in Laguna Beach, CA, on Saturday, March 13, 2010. For more information, go to:
MEET KATHRYN
When Kathryn was thirteen, her mother sent her to New York to visit her grandmother, who was a science fiction author. After seeing how her grandmother created the characters in her books, Kathryn decided that she, too, wanted to become a writer.