Chris Howard Author Visit Kit
Brief Bio & Introduction:
Chris Howard was born not far from London but currently lives with his wife in Denver, CO. Before he wrote stories, he studied natural resources management, taught forest ecology, worked for the National Park Service, and spent eight years leading wilderness adventure trips for teenagers. He was awarded a Flying Start by Publishers Weekly in Fall 2012, following the release of his debut novel, the eco-thriller Rootless. Chris offers high-energy and interactive presentations, and has been connecting with and inspiring young people for the past ten years.
Learn more about Chris at http://chrishowardbooks.com.
Program Description
Chris is happy to engage in Q&A sessions with groups who’ve read at least one of his books. He also offers the following programs:
“The Adventure of Fiction Writing”
30-min, or all-day interactive writing workshop (Grades 7 through 12)
Chris talks about how starting out on a story is like setting off on a quest: you don’t need to know how it’s going to end, but you need to know what you hope to achieve! Bring your characters to life by imagining them on the adventure with you; treat obstacles as part of the journey; grow stronger through challenges; and have fun along the way. For all-day workshops, Chris works with students to visualize their own work as an adventure, and helps them create goals and a story structure that sets them up for success.
"Building Character: Using Fiction to Explore Your Own Hero's Journey"
All-day workshop or multi-day curriculum (High School Students)
Being a teenager can be a confusing time of life: dealing with questions of identity and a myriad of external influences. Chris draws on his eight years of experience leading wilderness trips for teens, as well as his experiences as an author, and encourages students to use the power of myth to create their own internal compass. By identifying recurring themes and archetypes in religious stories, legends, classic literature and contemporary fiction, students will learn to view their own life as a journey, and recognize the tools they possess as well as the obstacles that stand in their way.
“Root Down: Avoiding a Genetically Engineered Monoculture”
30 min – 1 hour interactive science presentation
(Grades 7 through 12)
Chris draws from his background in ecology to engage students in a discussion about the science and history of Genetically Modified Organisms, and the threat they pose to our economy, environment, and health. Students will learn about the ecological importance of bio-diversity, and how they can relate it to the importance of diversity in their own lives.
“Recycled Art: How We Transform Ourselves Through Creativity”
All-day interactive art workshop (Grades 7 through 12)
Chris builds stories from scraps of experiences and inspiration, just as the tree builders of his novel ROOTLESS use salvaged junk to create their beautiful forests. In this workshop, Chris encourages students to think about how their creativity transforms the world around them, and they spend the day using salvaged recycled materials to build trees or other new works of art together. Project examples include metal trees designed to collect rainwater in areas of drought, and permanent art installations for school grounds.
Conferences & Festivals
“Burn Bright the Dark: The Transformative Power of Fiction”
30-45 min.
Chris talks about how fiction writers build stories from scraps of experiences and feelings, just as the tree builders of his novel Rootless use salvaged junk to create their beautiful forests. This inspirational talk illustrates how the power of art can be used to transform the world around us… and the worlds within us.
“The Adventure of Fiction Writing”
30-45 min.
Chris talks about how starting out on a story is like setting off on a quest: you don’t need to know how it’s going to end, but you need to know what you hope to achieve. Bring your characters to life by imagining them on the adventure with you; treat obstacles as part of the journey; grow stronger through challenges; and have fun along the way!
Virtual Visits
Chris is happy to drop in for a 30-minute virtual visit and Q&A via Skype or FaceTime with book groups, library groups, and school groups that have read at least one of his books.
AV Tech:
Chris brings his own equipment.
Honorarium:
For rates and fees please fill out our Author Request form and the Author Visits Manager will respond shortly.
Ordering Books
To pre-order books at a 40% discounted rate please call our customer service department in Jefferson City, Missouri. Call 1-888-724-1872 and dial extension "8015" when prompted. Let the sales rep know that you are hosting an author appearance and that you were referred by Scholastic Trade in New York City.
