I am SUPER excited to be officially doing FORSYNTHIA Author Visits (woot woot, trumpets, celebration, much rejoicing)! I’ll be connecting with schools near and far both in person and virtually with a fun, engaging, interactive, multimedia presentation, book reading, (ahem) and a sneak peek at what’s coming next 😉.
Forsynthia IN PERSON Author Visit Description:
Let’s start with the basics, what is Forsynthia Rise of the Cupcakes About?
Forsynthia is a comedic, STEAM, adventure children’s graphic novel following the main heroine Forsynthia, her little sister Daisy, her mom and her Nana as they solve the latest magic-mergency in the town of New Harmony: a legion of live monster cupcakes who are seeking world domination. Think: Indiana Jones, meets Bluey, with a little bit of Ada Twist Scientist.
What ages work best?
My primary audience is elementary kiddos, however I’m always thrilled to work with older age groups up through middle, high school, and even adult creative writing and illustration groups. Just reach out and we will create a fun experience for the group you have in mind 👌
What is an IN PERSON author visit like?
I’ve found the best experience that I can deliver for kiddos goes something like this…
How the day is organized:
Typically within a visit I do two 30-45 minute auditorium presentations, then an additional 45 minute special thing like an author lunch (or a writer's/artist's lunch), a classroom reading, a special book order drop-off to classrooms, or an art room visit/lesson. Some schools just prefer the two presentations and a LIVE book signing, and that is fun too!
Presentation Details:
I have two different auditorium style presentations (including tons of visuals and audio) to accommodate all grade levels: one for younger kiddos K-2 and one for older kiddos 3-5. I've had grade 2 in both presentations and they have been happy in both. The core theme of the talks are STEAM, Kindness, Teamwork, and Creativity. In the younger presentation, we talk all about teamwork, being you, and what it is like to be an author/illustrator! In the older presentation, we go behind the scenes to see how a graphic novel is created, finding creative inspiration in being the you-ist, you, and how to go beyond being a ‘first draft writer’. Both presentations are roughly 30 minutes with Q&A at the end totaling about 45 minutes.
Super Fun Tip:
Sometimes questions are collected ahead of time with names attached so that we can have a really fun Q&A period and recognize students.
Here is an example of a morning layout:
8:45- Set up.
9:15-10:00 first presentation
10:15- 11:00 second presentation
Clean up.
11:15- 12:00 Special thing.
Book Order Description:
We can handle book orders through a local bookseller 👍. What I love to do is customize the books to each kiddo to make it special. You can either place orders ahead of time and I can come with the books pre signed (we will work with a local bookseller to do this) or I can always have book plates signed for books if you want to do the ordering day-of.
Fees:
Please reach out for details!
If you are interested in booking me for any kind of school visit, please send an email to let me know [email protected].
Forsynthia is a comedic, STEAM, adventure children’s graphic novel following the main heroine Forsynthia, her little sister Daisy, her mom and her Nana as they solve the latest magic-mergency in the town of New Harmony: a legion of live monster cupcakes who are seeking world domination. Think: Indiana Jones, meets Bluey, with a little bit of Ada Twist Scientist.
What ages work best?
My primary audience is elementary kiddos, however I’m always thrilled to work with older age groups up through middle, high school, and even adult creative writing and illustration groups. Just reach out and we will create a fun experience for the group you have in mind 👌
What is an IN PERSON author visit like?
I’ve found the best experience that I can deliver for kiddos goes something like this…
How the day is organized:
Typically within a visit I do two 30-45 minute auditorium presentations, then an additional 45 minute special thing like an author lunch (or a writer's/artist's lunch), a classroom reading, a special book order drop-off to classrooms, or an art room visit/lesson. Some schools just prefer the two presentations and a LIVE book signing, and that is fun too!
Presentation Details:
I have two different auditorium style presentations (including tons of visuals and audio) to accommodate all grade levels: one for younger kiddos K-2 and one for older kiddos 3-5. I've had grade 2 in both presentations and they have been happy in both. The core theme of the talks are STEAM, Kindness, Teamwork, and Creativity. In the younger presentation, we talk all about teamwork, being you, and what it is like to be an author/illustrator! In the older presentation, we go behind the scenes to see how a graphic novel is created, finding creative inspiration in being the you-ist, you, and how to go beyond being a ‘first draft writer’. Both presentations are roughly 30 minutes with Q&A at the end totaling about 45 minutes.
Super Fun Tip:
Sometimes questions are collected ahead of time with names attached so that we can have a really fun Q&A period and recognize students.
Here is an example of a morning layout:
8:45- Set up.
9:15-10:00 first presentation
10:15- 11:00 second presentation
Clean up.
11:15- 12:00 Special thing.
Book Order Description:
We can handle book orders through a local bookseller 👍. What I love to do is customize the books to each kiddo to make it special. You can either place orders ahead of time and I can come with the books pre signed (we will work with a local bookseller to do this) or I can always have book plates signed for books if you want to do the ordering day-of.
Fees:
Please reach out for details!
If you are interested in booking me for any kind of school visit, please send an email to let me know [email protected].
WORKSHOPS!
***If you are looking for something a bit more hands-on, we can also schedule a workshop-style presentation that will be tailored to your needs and connect with your classroom, grade, club, or school’s focus. We can do interactive instruction around the graphic novel process, how to design characters, writing for graphic novels, SEL activities connecting art and emotions…the list goes on.
Conferences, Festivals, and Keynotes
I am always happy to speak at public libraries, universities, and conferences. You name it, I’m there! Please contact Casey at Paw Prints Publishing and we will figure out the details!
VIRTUAL AUTHOR VISITs
I love doing virtual presentations with school, classrooms, or libraries and am comfortable with most platforms, however I prefer Zoom by a long shot!
My presentations can be about creating graphic novel characters, SEL activities, a giant Q and A about the book, or a little about how I got to where I am today. I live in EST for scheduling these 👍
Virtual visits are FREE as a thank you for buying and reading my books! If you are selected for a virtual visit, proof of purchase for a minimum of 24 books will be required. FILL OUT A REQUEST FOR A VIRTUAL VISIT FORM BELOW, submit the form, and our events coordinator will get back to you.
If and when your date is scheduled, please send a photo of your receipt, purchase order, packing slip, or documentation of the book donation you received along with your final confirmation.
Virtual sessions last 30 minutes including: a 15-20 minute presentation, and then answer questions for the remainder of the time. I prefer to connect via Zoom or Google Meet—with screen sharing capability turned on.
Virtual event TIP: We have the most fun when kiddos are prepared with (teacher-pre-approved) Q’s!
My presentations can be about creating graphic novel characters, SEL activities, a giant Q and A about the book, or a little about how I got to where I am today. I live in EST for scheduling these 👍
Virtual visits are FREE as a thank you for buying and reading my books! If you are selected for a virtual visit, proof of purchase for a minimum of 24 books will be required. FILL OUT A REQUEST FOR A VIRTUAL VISIT FORM BELOW, submit the form, and our events coordinator will get back to you.
If and when your date is scheduled, please send a photo of your receipt, purchase order, packing slip, or documentation of the book donation you received along with your final confirmation.
Virtual sessions last 30 minutes including: a 15-20 minute presentation, and then answer questions for the remainder of the time. I prefer to connect via Zoom or Google Meet—with screen sharing capability turned on.
Virtual event TIP: We have the most fun when kiddos are prepared with (teacher-pre-approved) Q’s!
FAQ
Q. Where are you located?
A. Western, NY
Q. Are you open to travel?
- For sure, if the school has a budget to cover costs 👍
Q. What are the themes for each age group?
A. Talks typically center around, but aren’t limited to…
- Elementary School: Leading with Creativity and The Adventure of Book Creation
- Middle School: The Adventure of Book Creation and Creative Careers!
- High School: Creative Careers & Getting In To Art School
Q. What do you need to present?
A. Some kind of space to seat all of kiddos, a projector where I can hook up an HDMI cable (there are a ton of videos and pictures so PLEASE make sure this is ready to go!), speakers, and a mic.
Q. How do book sales work?
A. I love to do a pre-sale so that signed and personalized books can be delivered the day of the visit. I work with independent bookstores to fulfill your signed book orders! If this is a school I’d be traveling too, I’d just ask for your preferred local bookstore to do business with. If you don’t know, that’s ok, I know some great bookstore owners who would help us out, or a book order can be arranged directly through my publisher.
Q. Do you have any allergies?
A. Yeah. Guinea pigs and dairy 😊
Fun timelapse of author visit!