Kate Messner Author Visit Kit
Kate offers both in-person and virtual visits to schools, libraries, book clubs, and other community groups. She also speaks at SCBWI and other writing conferences and gives professional development workshops for educators. Scroll down for a full list of presentations and workshops. If you are interested in scheduling a school or library program, please email for current rates and availability.
Program Description: Schools & Libraries
Are We There Yet?
Chapter Books & Picture Books (30-40 minute presentation for Grades K-3)
A Novel’s Journey (45-60-minute presentation for Grades 4 and up)
Sometimes, when you’re a kid, writing assignments seem to go on forever, like a long, long car ride. This interactive workshop takes kids along on the journey a book makes on its way to publication. Kate shares the story of one of her books – brainstorming, writing a first draft, revising, getting feedback from friends, revising, finding a publisher, revising again, sending a new draft, revising again (are you noticing a trend?), copy editing, book and cover design, and finally publishing. Kate will share early drafts, photographs of her (sometimes crazy) writing process, and actual revision letters from her editors. Students will read some text excerpts and have a chance to practice their editing skills, too.
Story Puzzles Writing Workshop
(Grades 3-12, 60 minutes)
Every book I’ve written starts with putting together the pieces of a puzzle. Where will this story take place? Who will the main character be? What kind of mood will the story have? Put those puzzle pieces together, and the story starts to sizzle along on its own. In this presentation/writing workshop, Kate shares the brainstorming stories behind a few of her books and then uses one of those strategies to get young writers started on a story of their own.
Where the Magic Happens: A Revision Workshop
(Grades 4-8, 45-60 minutes)
Think published authors just have a gift for writing and turn out perfect first drafts every time? Think again! In this hands-on workshop, Kate walks students through the messy revision processes she uses once she’s finished a draft of a novel and gives hands-on strategies to make writing stronger. This is a writing workshop in addition to a presentation. Students should bring a double-spaced draft of a piece of writing as well as paper and a pencil or pen. They should come ready to write and revise!
Conferences & Festivals
Walking the Walk: How Teacher-Writers Encourage Student Revision
As teachers, we encourage our students to revise their writing. How can our own writing strengthen our teaching of this important step in the writing process? Kate Messner, National Board Certified Teacher and author, will share her own revision process as well as strategies, activities, and technology tips to make students excited about revision.
Virtual Visits
Kate offers two kinds of virtual author visits, using Skype videoconferencing software.
For Schools, Libraries, and Book Clubs:
Book Talk & Q&A
When your students have finished reading one of Kate’s books, she would be happy to join them via Skype for a lunchtime question and answer session.
Available: most weekdays between 9-2 EST Time: 20 minutes Cost: FREE
Virtual Author Presentations
Kate’s in-person presentations listed above may be adapted as virtual visits. These are full-length presentations that include PowerPoint.
Availability: email for available dates Time: 45-60 minutes Cost: $200
Ordering Books
Schools and libraries may order books at a discounted rate by visiting the Scholastic Teacher Store or by calling 1-800-SCHOLASTIC.
Book list
2012 | 9780545395397 | CAPTURE THE FLAG (Hardcover - June 2012) | 16.99 |
2011 | 9780545142441 | MARTY MCGUIRE (Hardcover) | 17.99 |
2011 | 9780545142465 | MARTY MCGUIRE (Paperback) | 5.99 |
2011 | 9780545321440 | MARTY MCGUIRE (Audio Book) | 19.99 |
2012 | 9780545391610 | MARTY MCGUIRE DIGS WORMS! (Audio Book) | 19.99 |
2012 | 9780545142472 | MARTY MCGUIRE DIGS WORMS! (Paperback) | 5.99 |
2012 | 9780545142458 | MARTY MCGUIRE DIGS WORMS! (Hardcover) | 17.99 |
