NOW BOOKING VISITS for Fall 2026!

Welcome! I do lots of school visits and love talking stories with kids. With two new books out in 2026, I’ve got new presentations and special offers. I’ve also got lots of options but be ready: All of my presentations are very interactive. 🙂

• Virtual 20-Minute Storytime for K-1. Free!
•30 to 45-Minute Presentations for K-6, Virtual or In-Person. (Programs below)
•Full Day (3 Presentations and/or Workshops) Programs below)

IN-PERSON or VIRTUAL VISITS

 PRESENTATIONS:

YOU CAN CREATE STORIES, TOO!  
30-40 Minutes ; Grades K-3rd ; Up to 200 students 
I’ll use Cookiesaurus Rex (or Cookiesaurus Christmas) as a launching point to introduce the elements of story. A Story Stew exercise will engage the youngest (and the oldest) kids in creating a story using the ingredients of setting, character, problem and resolution. Your students will leave with the tools (and motivation) to become storytellers themselves. Q & A to follow, as time allows. 

USING ALL FIVE SENSES (large-group presentation or small-group workshop)
30-40 Minutes ; Grades 1 to 6
This presentation focuses on using sensory details to bring stories to life. Using Monster Down Deep for older grades and  A House with No Door for younger grades, we’ll explore how descriptive words can improve a story. Kids will participate in an exercise to describe an item and come away with an understanding of how to improve their own writing.  Q & A to follow, as time allows. 

THE ELEMENTS OF STORY: TURNING IDEAS INTO STORIES
40 Minutes ; Grades 3 and up; Up to 200 students 
I share my 30-year path to becoming an author. (I was an overnight success…it just took 10,950 nights.) Using Monster Down Deep or Audition & Subtraction as an example, I take students through the process of developing an idea with a focus on setting, character and conflict. We finish with a Story Stew exercise where everyone helps create a story using the elements of story. Q & A to follow, as time allows.  

CREATING CHARACTERS (large-group presentation or small-group workshop)
40 Minutes ; Grades 3 and Up 
How did I create a fish the world has never seen? Using Monster Down Deep as a launching point, I’ll share with kids the elements of creating characters in a highly interactive presentation that will quickly shift into an opportunity for the kids to help create a character with the elements discussed. Q & A to follow, as time allows. 

Is there a different topic that would work for your school? Please reach out and let’s discuss. If I can create a custom program, I will! 🙂  

Don’t take my word for it…

“The kiddos were abuzz today with connections from your presentation.  Your energy, expertise, and enthusiasm in your presentation definitely connected your love of reading and writing with our students.”
—Ann Godby, Teacher-Librarian; Louisville Elementary, Louisville, CO

“Amy is a fantastic writing mentor for kids! Her visits are funny, engaging, and definitely informative. My students couldn’t stop talking about it days later! If you’re thinking about bringing her to your school campus, you will not regret it! A combination of hands-on guided writing activities and a question and answer session makes her visits aligned to the common core and tremendously educational.”
—Sheila Rowe, Coyote Ridge Elementary

“The K-3 students at Milenio loved her presentation! As a teacher of 23 years and now a media specialist, I enjoyed watching both the students and the teachers laughing while she shared her book. If you are fortunate enough to have Amy speak at your school, you are in for a treat!” –Heather Buck, Media Specialist; Kyrene del Milenio, Phoenix, AZ

“The AP seniors, journalism, and creative writing students at my school were in for a real treat with Amy’s presentation on how to turn an idea into a story. I loved her candor about how much persistence is needed to be successful in the writing field, or really- any field. She was funny, engaging, and encouraging to the students. I also really appreciate her willingness to have lunch with the school’s book club! I’d strongly recommend Amy’s presentation to anyone looking for a cool opportunity for their students to learn something new.” Tiffany D., Maricopa High School Librarian, Maricopa, AZ

“Amy’s presentation was fantastic from start to finish- she is engaging, relevant, witty, and meaningful. I know I loved her insight on the revision aspect of the writing process, but more importantly, my students loved it as well. After the presentation, students commented how much they appreciated her wisdom on a topic they are very much familiar with, but often feel in the dark about.”
—Michelle Spears, English Teacher; Saguaro High, Scottsdale, AZ

“Amy did a fantastic job! Her presentation was engaging and she kept the 7th graders interested for the entire time. They were excited to ask her questions and continued to talk about it the next day in class!” —Shawndra Reid, 7th grade English Teacher; Kyrene Centennial MS, Phoenix, AZ

RATES
Check with me for rates and how we can make a visit work for you and your school! 

Also, there are a variety of grants for schools and other opportunities to find funding. Here are a few helpful links:

• 35 Ways to Fund Author Visits by The Booking Biz
• Why Pay Authors for School Visits Anyway? by Caroline Starr Rose
• The Truth About School Visits: Finding Funding by Alexis O’Neill
• Funding an Author Visit to Your School by SCBWI Mid-South

I’m also a member of: 
KID LIT COLLECTIVE

 I’m SO excited to have combined creative forces with this group of talented writers/illustrators under the banner of KID LIT COLLECTIVE.

Our goal: To make booking visits easier for you!
For a larger view of the brochure, click here:
KID LIT COLLECTIVE BROCHURE

Upcoming EVENTS & VISITS 

SEPTEMBER 25th: TEMPLE SOLEL, Paradize Valley, AZ
4:00pm: Sukkot Event: A HOUSE WITH NO DOOR, reading and activity

SEPTEMBER 27th  TEMPLE B’RITH SHALOM, Prescott, AZ
11:00am A HOUSE WITH NO DOOR, Story Time
11:20am MONSTER DOWN DEEP, discussion kids 
12:30pm ADULT DISCUSSION AND Q & A ON WRITING

OCTOBER 1st : CHANGING HANDS BOOKSTORE, Tempe, AZ
10:15 Story time featuring A HOUSE WITH NO DOOR 

NOVEMBER 20-21st NATIONAL COUNCIL OF TEACHERS & EDUCATORS (NCTE), Philadelphia, PA
Nov 20, 3:30-4:45p “Tackling the Future of Our Environment to Inspire Stories and Action”
Nov 21 1:15-2:30p  “A Good Judge of Character: Using Middle Grade Literature to Inspire Healthy Friendships.”

DECEMBER 5th MESA BOOK FESTIVAL, Mesa, AZ
9:00a-12p Storytime (Cookiesaurus Christmas) & Book Signing (Check back for details of times.)

Past EVENTS & VISITS

JUNE 2nd: LAUNCH PARTY for MONSTER DOWN DEEP 
Literally, A Bookshop, Gilbert, AZ   4:00-6:00pm
Everyone is welcome! 

June 8th: Class Visit, South London, United Kingdom
Monster Down Deep presentation