School Visits & Events One of the best parts of being an author is interacting with students. It’s one of the reason I love doing in-person author visits. I also offer virtual visits for those for find it more convenient and cost-efficient. In addition, I have pre-recorded visits available that make an author visit affordable for nearly every school. Read more about the visits here and scroll below for traditional School Visit Programs as well as a list of Upcoming Events and Appearances. IN PERSON VISITS or LIVE ZOOM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STORY TIME & STORY STEW Get ready for lots of laughs as well as food for thought! I start by sharing my own love for stories, lead a fun True & False about dinosaurs, and then read my picture book, Cookiesaurus Rex or Cookiesaurus Christmas. From there, I’ll show your students how they can create their own stories with a Story Stew exercise that even the youngest kids can understand. Using the ingredients of setting, character, problem and resolution, we’ll create a story together and your students will leave with the tools (and motivation) to become storytellers themselves.Length of Presentations/Recommended Group SizesPreK-K: 30 minutes; Powerpoint; single classes or larger groups of up to 2001st-3rd: 40/45 minutes; Powerpoint; single classes or larger groups of up to 2004th-5th: 45 minutes; Powerpoint; single classes or larger groups of up to 200 (For these grades, rather than reading Cookiesaurus Rex, I’ll focus on the process of becoming an author and turning an idea into a novel using one of my middle grade novels as an example along with Story Stew.) JOURNEY TO BECOMING AN AUTHOR 45-50 MINUTESGRADES 1-5 I love to inspire kids through my own journey to publication. In this presentation, I talk about the importance of books when I was growing up, show my messy attempts to write my own as well as my first rejection letter (received when I was just 13!) I share the magic of positive words like, “I can” and encourage kids to make aspirational signs of their own. I also talk about how ideas come from our own lives and I encourage kids to keep a journal and value their own stories and unique voices. This is followed by a 20-minute Q&A session so I can answer questions most relevant to your group. “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 MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL THE WRITING PROCESS & TURNING IDEAS INTO BOOKSPart education, part motivation and 100% entertaining, I share my 30-year path to becoming an author. (I was an overnight success…it just took about 10,950 nights.) I talk about persistence, a positive inner voice, and inspire kids no matter what their dreams might be. This presentation can work for a larger group, best for grades 4th-8th. A final Q & A gives students time to ask questions so the presentation truly reflects the interests of your group.45 minutes; Powerpoint; single class or large whole school “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 RATESCheck with me for rates. I will waive fees if the school will be purchasing books or arranging for direct sales to parents. (I can help with this, as well.) BOOKING A VISITI’m scheduling visits now! Click on the contacts page and start the discussion or email me at [email protected]. VIRTUAL VISITS PRE-RECORDED VISITSCOST: $50 per grade level–as many classes as your school has.FORMAT: Pre-Recorded presentations provided via YouTube linksDATES & TIMES: Your Choice These private, just-for-your-classroom presentations are similar to the programs I offer in person. They’re all designed to be fun, interactive and educational. Presentations ties into state reading standards. There are two programs offered, each structured for different grade levels as you’ll see below: STORY TIME & STORY STEW30 MINUTESGRADES K-3Get ready for lots of laughs as well as food for thought! I start by sharing my own love for stories, lead a fun True & False about dinosaurs, and then read my picture book, Cookiesaurus Rex or Cookiesaurus Christmas. From there, I’ll show your students how they can create their own stories with a Story Stew exercise that even the youngest kids can understand by creating a story using the ingredients of setting, character, problem and resolution. Students will leave with the tools (and motivation) to become storytellers themselves. (Live Zoom presentations might also include a Q & A and other interactive options.) HOW TO GO FROM IDEA TO BOOK & STORY STEW35 MINUTESGRADES 3-6 Designed for older elementary/middle school kids, this presentation starts with my path to publication, including the many rejection letters I received. From there, I talk about ideas, where they come from, how your own life can inspire you. Using Audition & Subtraction as an example, I show the kids how an idea developed focusing on Character and Problem. I then reinforce this with a Story Stew exercise where I create a story for the kids using the ingredients of setting, character, problem and resolution. Students will leave with the tools (and motivation) to become storytellers themselves. (Live Zoom presentations might also include a Q & A and other interactive options.) EVENTS & APPEARANCES 2022-23(Events listed by date) March 2nd Robson Elementary, Mesa, AZ School Visit: Family Night — Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories March 30th Salk Elementary, Mesa, AZ School Visit: Family Night — Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories April 28th, Ira A Murphy Elementary, Peoria, AZSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories 2022 March 27th Oasis Elementary, Peoria, AZ School Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories March St. Thomas the Apostle School, Phoenix, AZSchool Event: Read Across America PAST EVENTS & APPEARANCES 2021 Pre-Recorded / Zoom Visits: Kyrene del Cielo Elementary, Phoenix, AZSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories Kyrene de la Colina Elementary, Phoenix, AZSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories Kyrene de la Estrella Elementary, Phoenix, AZSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories Mabel Padgett, Goodyear, AZSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories 2020 Apr 3 TEEN AUTHOR EVENT , NYCNew York City Teen Author Festival I’m super excited to be part of the festival this year! There’s a huge line up of events, signings, readings and authors taking part. Look for more info to come. I’ll be there for a panel on one afternoon:Teen Author Event, Scholastic Auditorium 2:30-5:30pm130 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012 Mar 18 Arredondo, Tempe, AZSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories Mar 6 St. Thomas the Apostle School, Phoenix, AZSchool Event: Read Across America Mar 1 Haley Elementary, Chandler, AzSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories Feb 26 John Jacobs ElementarySchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories Feb 25 Queen Creek Library “The Nuts & Bolts of Writing Picture Books”: Free presentation, open to the public. For anyone interested in writing picture books. Queen Creek Library, 21802 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek, AZ Feb 6 Kyrene de la EsperanzaSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories Jan 29th Ira J. Levin School School Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories Jan 16 Kyrene de la MiradaSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories Fall Visits & Events 2019 Dec 13 Maricopa High School Maricopa, AZSchool Visit: From Idea to Finished Novel Dec 9 Jane D Hull Elementary Chandler, AZSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories Dec 4 Desert Mountain Elementary Phoenix, AZ Stetson Hills Elementary Phoenix, AZSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories Nov 23 Changing Hands Bookstore, Tempe 1:00-2:00pmCHRISTMAS BOOK AUTHOR EVENT Join Nate and I for a Christmas book celebration. We’ll be joined by other authors and illustrators to share our holiday books (and a few treats.) Bring the kids or come alone and get personalized books in time for the holidays and gifts for friends and family. Nov 16 Children’s Museum of Phoenix 215 N 7th St. Phoenix 12:30Storytime and Book Signing at the Children’s Museum. Everyone is welcome for a reading and fun. Nate and I will be selling and signing books after, just in time for holiday gift-giving. Nov 14th Mesa Public Library Event Saguaro Room, 2nd floor 6:30pm 64 E. 1st Street, Mesa AZThe Ins and Outs of Publishing–Discussion for Writers of All Ages & Genres, Everyone Welcome Join me at the Mesa Public Library for a discussion on the pros and cons of writing and publishing for a large publisher, a small publisher or self-publishing. Yes–I’ve done them all! Come with questions and I’ll do my best to have answers. Free and open to the public. I’ll be selling and signing books after. Oct 30th BASIS Scottsdale Primary West Scottsdale, AZSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories Oct 26 Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Room 165 N Centenniel Way, Ste 208 Mesa, AZ 9:00 am – 11:45 amPAL and Published Intensive: Phoenix – A Day of Craft: Harnessing the Elements of Strong FictionThis is a Half-Day Craft Intensive aimed at advanced writers and designed as part of a series to support Pal and Published authors in their ongoing efforts to continue to write, illustrate, publish and market their work. I’ll be teaching the first intensive, 45 minutes, on the elements of a novels. An SCBWI Event Oct 10th Sierra Verde Elementary Deer Valley, AZ Copper Creek Elementary Deer Valley, AZSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories Sept 27th Milenio Elementary Phoenix, AZSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories Sept 26th AUTHOR EVENT Changing Hands Bookstore, Tempe AZ 7:30pmEveryone is Welcome! 2019 Mar 29th Monte Vista Elementary Phoenix, AZSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories May 9th El Dia de Los Ninjas/El Dia de Los Libros9:00-12:00p Arizona State University Tempe, AZA day of books sponsored by ASU. I’ll be teaching a writing workshop along with many other authors to middle and high school students from across the Valley. April 11th Centennial Middle School Phoenix, AZSchool Book Club Visit: Creating Stories & Publishing April 5th Adinvita School Literacy Festival Odessa, TX10-2:00pm Cookiesaurus Goes to Texas! I’m excited to be the Guest Author at Adinvita’s event where I’ll give a key note address, lead a Storytime, story creation exercises, and sign books. Mar 29th Monte Vista Elementary Phoenix, AZSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories Mar 6th North Valley Regional Library Phoenix, AZSkype Visit with High School Students: Turning Ideas into Stories Mar 2nd 10am. Burton Barr Library Phoenix, AZDr. Seuss Literacy Fair: Cookiesaurus StorytimeBring your little ones for a special day at the Burton Barr Library. I’ll be reading Cookiesaurus Rex at 10:00am–hope to see you there! Mar 1st St. Thomas Aquinas Phoenix, AZRead Across America Event: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories Feb 19th Sky View Elementary Gilbert, AZSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Christmas & Creating Stories February 1-2 Arizona Library Association Annual Meeting Prescott, AZPanel presentations and discussions with state librarians. Jan 31st World Read Aloud Day Skype Visit : Osseo Middle School, Minnesota 2018 Dec 18th Carminati Tempe, AZSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Christmas & Creating Stories Dec 4th Eduprize Gilbert, AZSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Christmas & Creating Stories Dec 1st Time TBD Barnes and Noble, Dana Point Chandler, AZCookiesaurus Christmas Story TimeBring your little ones for a read aloud and activity! Nov 20th Horizon Charter School Phoenix, AZSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Christmas & Creating Stories Nov 13th Carlson Elementary Chandler, AZSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Christmas & Creating Stories Nov 10th 10:00am Changing Hands Bookstore Tempe AZ COOKIESAURUS CHRISTMAS COOKIE PARTY Nov 6th Weinberg Elementary Chandler, AZSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Christmas & Creating Stories Oct 23 CTA Freedom Campus Gilbert, AZSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories October 12th Cookiesaurus Rex goes to Denver!School Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating StoriesCrowne Pointe Academy, Westminster ; Maxwell Elementary, Denver Sept. 25th – Sept 27th Cookiesaurus Rex goes to Missouri!School Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating StoriesMorgan County R-1, Stover, MissouriLincoln Elementary, Lincoln, Missouri Sept 14th 11:00am Barnes and Noble Chandler, AZCookiesaurus Rex Story TimeBring your little ones for a read aloud and activity! Sept. 12th Magical Journey Learning Center Chandler, AzSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus Rex & Creating Stories August 25th 11:00am Grand Junction Library Grand Junction, COSCBWI Presentation: From the Page to the Stage; Writing Dialogue with Tips and Tricks of a Playwright August 22nd 7:00-9:00pm Montrose Library, Montrose, COYour Path to Publishing: Join me and author Jeri Baird for a presentation on the two main paths to publishing: Traditional and Self-Publishing. Bring your questions! For aspiring authors of all ages. August 9th 1:00pm Ouray Library, Ouray, COLibrary Event: Cookiesaurus Rex Story time and Cookie Decorating Party August 1st 3:00-4:00pm Ridgway Library, Ridgway, COLibrary Event: Cookiesaurus Rex & Cookiesaurus Christmas May 19th 9:00-12:00pm Writing Workshop Open to All WritersJoin me for a workshop where I’ll share the secrets tips of writing great dialogue I learned as a playwright. All the details are here: https://piper.asu.edu/classes/amy-fellner-dominy/writing-dialogue-workshop May 16 Carminati Elementary, TempeSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus & Creating Story from Ideas May 14 11:00am Arizona State University, TempeEl Dia de Los Ninos Book Event for Valley middle & high school kids May 10th 4:30pm THE BOOK STALL 811 Elm St. Winnetka, ILCookiesaurus Rex Party! Bring the little ones for a story time followed by yummy cookie decorating fun! Click the link for more information! http://www.thebookstall.com/event/cookiesaurus-rex-party-amy-fellner-dominy May 10th Winnetka Nursery and Harper School, Winnetka, IL:School Visits: Cookiesaurus & Creating Story from Ideas May 5th 4:00-6:00pm Barnes and Noble, Happy ValleyYA BOOK SIGNING: 5 Authors, a ton of fun. Please stop by! May 4th 7:00pm Changing Hands Bookstore, TempeOpen Mic Night & THE FALL OF GRACE Launch Party Or just come and listen, enjoy some desserts and get a copy of my newest book autographed. May 2nd Sequoia Pathways Academy, Phoenix, AZSchool Author Event: Creating Story from Ideas, Grades K-5 April 24 Las Sendas Elementary, Mesa, AZSchool Visit: Cookiesaurus & Creating Story from Ideas April 4 – April 6th Dallas, TexasTexas Library Association annual meeting: TxLACookiesaurus Rex signing: 9:30, ThursdayJoin me and illustrator AG Ford for signed copies of everyone’s favorite dinosaur cookie!! March 21st All Day Centennial Middle School, PhoenixSchool Visit: Ins and outs of writing and publishing; Story Creation for 7-8th grade March 11th All Day University of Arizona, Tucson, AZTucson Festival of Books12:00-12:30 Story time reading featuring Cookiesaurus Rex!2:30-3:30 Abuse & Deception: A discussion with Laurie Halse Anderson & Amber Smith March 2nd Thomas Aquinas School, Phoenix, AZWorld Read Aloud Day March 1st Ingleside Middle SchoolLiteracy Night Panel Discussion with Phoenix Authors 2017 September 23rd 10:00am Changing Hands Bookstore, Tempe, ArizonaCookiesaurus Rex Launch Party Join me and Nate and Storybook Kitchen for Story time, Cookie Decorating and Book Signing September 23rd Afternoon Embassy Suites Hotel, Paradise Valley, AZClosing Keynote Address, SCBWI AZ Regional Conference “It All Starts with Today” Delivered by myself and fellow Cookiesaurus Rex author, Nate Evans October 13th 5:00pm-6:00pm Barnes and Noble, St. George, UTBook Signing Event with Best-selling author Terry Lynn Johnson October 20th Denver, ColoradoSchool Visits with Jason Gallaher, author of Whobert Whover, Owl DetectiveArapahoe Ridge; Brown Elementary: Denver area October 21st 10:00a – 2:00p Book Bar, Denver CO Book Bar Denver Children’s Book Festival October 22nd 11:00am Boulder Bookstore, Boulder CO Boulder Bookstore EventStory Time, Craft & Book Signing October 23th Denver, ColoradoSchool Visits with Jason Gallaher, author of Whobert Whover, Owl DetectiveFoothills Elementary, Boulder CO; Louisville Elementary, Louisville CO October 25th Falcon Hill, Mesa; Broadmor Elem, Tempe; Weinberg Elem, GilbertSchool Visits with Nate Evans, co-author of Cookiesaurus Rex October 26th & 27th Mesa, AZ Mesa Convention CenterArizona Library Association Annual Conference (AzLA)Thursday, 26th: 3:30 Panel appearanceFriday, 27th: 8:30 Panel appearance November 4th 6:00pm – 8:00pm Bright Side Bookstore, Flagstaff, AZYoung Adult Night @ Northern Arizona Book Festival November 8th 7:00pm-8:30pm Central Online WebinarDialogue Tips and Tricks; Live Webinar for SCBWI Nebraska November 9th 11:00am-12:00pm Barnes and Noble, Val Vista Dr., Mesa, AZStory time and Book Signing with co-author Nate Evans November 10th & 11th Phoenix Convention Center 100 N. 3rd St. Phoenix, AZAmerican Association of School Librarians Conference10th: 10:45: I’ll be reading Cookiesaurus Rex with co-author Nate Evans.10th: 1:-1:30pm: Nate and I will be signing books11th: 4:30pm Young Adult “Meet & Greet” November 18th 12:00pm-2:00pm Barnes and Noble, Chandler Mall, Chandler, AZLocal Author EventStop by to meet many of the talented authors who live in the Phoenix area. I’m excited to be part of the event featuring authors of picture books, middle grade and young adult. December 5th & 6th Hancock Elem; Fulton Elem; Carlson Elem Chandler, AZ AreaSchool Visits with Nate Evans December 9nth 2:00-5:00pm, Mesa ArizonaMesa Book FestivalA day of fun planned at the Mesa Arts Center! Tons of activities: check it all out here:Mesa Book FestivalCome see me at TWO different events:Reading and Signing by the Christmas tree: 2:40-3:00p: COOKIESAURUS REXYA Panel Discussion : The Writing Process 4:00-5:00pm w/ authors Laura Ellen & Sara FujimaraI’ll be signing books after both events if you’re still shopping for holiday gifts!