Author Visits, Writing Workshops and School Programs
I offer presentations and workshops on writing and publishing for elementary, middle, and high school students. I also do readings, signings and Q & A’s at schools, libraries and other venues. Below you’ll find a list of my available presentations, but please note that this list is by no means comprehensive of all that I have to offer, and I am very flexible. I am more than happy to work with teachers and librarians to create programs best suited to your students. Contact me to learn more about my presentations or to arrange a visit. You’re also welcome to view my blog for young writers here, and my list of events below for information on past visits.
Laura Sepesi’s Writing Workshops & Author Visit Programs:
The Three P’s of Powerful Prose - (2 hours) This interactive writing workshop focuses on the creation and development of the three key components of every story: People, Places, and Plot. The workshop is structured as two 30-minute workshops, each focusing on one of the three essential story elements. Over the course of the two hours, we will explore in-depth character development, constructing believable settings, and crafting fluid story lines.
The Journey and Life of an Author - (30-45 minutes) This program includes an introduction, followed by a reading from The Guardian of Kelmar, and then a discussion about my day-to-day life as an author. I take children on the journey from my first cardboard and paper books to the creation of my characters as a student in high school, and finally to the publication of The Guardian of Kelmar when I was 21. I use engaging props and visuals throughout this and all of my presentations. A Question and Answer period follows.
The Art of Storytelling - (1-1.5 hours) This program includes an introduction, followed by a reading from The Guardian of Kelmar, a discussion about the creative writing process, and a fun group writing activity. The children will learn about the process that writers go through to pen their stories and create finished books. I discuss ways to invent imaginative stories, using my own work as examples. Children can ask questions throughout the talk, and afterward, they can participate in a group writing activity that will get them brainstorming and developing ideas for their own stories.
The Creatures of Fantasy - (1 hour) This interactive program begins with an introduction to fantasy writing, followed by a discussion of the animals that inhabit these magical worlds. We’ll explore the origins and stories behind some of the most popular creatures of the genre—including dragons, griffins, elves, unicorns and many more. Afterward, students will create their own imaginary creatures and the environments they live in.
The Magic Behind Publication - (1 hour) This interactive program begins with an introduction to the business of writing, followed by a discussion of the publishing process. We will explore how a story evolves from handwritten words into a finished book, and what the author’s responsibilities and experiences are throughout the process. We will speak about rejection letters, editing and revision, and never giving up.
Program Elements:
For all of my school visits, I come dressed in costume as my main character, Carmen Fox, who is a sorceress. I also bring a stuffed animal version of Carmen’s best friend, Blaze, as well as eye-catching visual displays that I reference during the presentations. My programs are aimed at teaching and inspiring children and young adults to utilize their own creativity and to follow their dreams. Book signings can easily be arranged and incorporated into the program(s) as requested.
Your school will receive:
~ A free copy of The Guardian of Kelmar for the school library
~ Bookmarks for all of the students
Laura Sepesi’s Writing Workshops & Author Visit Programs:
The Three P’s of Powerful Prose - (2 hours) This interactive writing workshop focuses on the creation and development of the three key components of every story: People, Places, and Plot. The workshop is structured as two 30-minute workshops, each focusing on one of the three essential story elements. Over the course of the two hours, we will explore in-depth character development, constructing believable settings, and crafting fluid story lines.
The Journey and Life of an Author - (30-45 minutes) This program includes an introduction, followed by a reading from The Guardian of Kelmar, and then a discussion about my day-to-day life as an author. I take children on the journey from my first cardboard and paper books to the creation of my characters as a student in high school, and finally to the publication of The Guardian of Kelmar when I was 21. I use engaging props and visuals throughout this and all of my presentations. A Question and Answer period follows.
The Art of Storytelling - (1-1.5 hours) This program includes an introduction, followed by a reading from The Guardian of Kelmar, a discussion about the creative writing process, and a fun group writing activity. The children will learn about the process that writers go through to pen their stories and create finished books. I discuss ways to invent imaginative stories, using my own work as examples. Children can ask questions throughout the talk, and afterward, they can participate in a group writing activity that will get them brainstorming and developing ideas for their own stories.
The Creatures of Fantasy - (1 hour) This interactive program begins with an introduction to fantasy writing, followed by a discussion of the animals that inhabit these magical worlds. We’ll explore the origins and stories behind some of the most popular creatures of the genre—including dragons, griffins, elves, unicorns and many more. Afterward, students will create their own imaginary creatures and the environments they live in.
The Magic Behind Publication - (1 hour) This interactive program begins with an introduction to the business of writing, followed by a discussion of the publishing process. We will explore how a story evolves from handwritten words into a finished book, and what the author’s responsibilities and experiences are throughout the process. We will speak about rejection letters, editing and revision, and never giving up.
Program Elements:
For all of my school visits, I come dressed in costume as my main character, Carmen Fox, who is a sorceress. I also bring a stuffed animal version of Carmen’s best friend, Blaze, as well as eye-catching visual displays that I reference during the presentations. My programs are aimed at teaching and inspiring children and young adults to utilize their own creativity and to follow their dreams. Book signings can easily be arranged and incorporated into the program(s) as requested.
Your school will receive:
~ A free copy of The Guardian of Kelmar for the school library
~ Bookmarks for all of the students
“Our event with
Laura Sepesi was wonderful. Indies, if you are looking for a passionate
author, published by an indie-press, Laura is the one to host.” -
Clinton Book Shop
Past Events:
• Laura Sepesi spoke to seventh graders about her writing and the journey to publication at BRMS BookFest on Friday, June 3, 2011.
• Laura Sepesi taught The Three Ps of Powerful Prose writing workshop to gifted children and teens at the 20th Annual NJAGC Conference - 20 Years of Growing Great Minds on Saturday, March 12, 2011.
• Laura Sepesi attended Infinity Publishing's 2010 “Express Yourself...” Gathering of Authors Conference September 24-26, 2010.
• Laura Sepesi was a guest speaker at Weston Elementary School’s Career Day on Friday, June 11, 2010.
• Laura Sepesi had a book signing at the Califon Book Shop on Saturday, May 22, 2010.
• Laura Sepesi participated in the Liberty States Fiction Writers’ Create Something Magical Conference on Saturday, March 13, 2010.
• Laura Sepesi was one of twenty-eight independent authors who participated in the Princeton Public Library’s Local and Independent Author Day on Saturday, March 6, 2010.
• Laura Sepesi had a reading and book signing for The Guardian of Kelmar at the Bridgewater Borders on Sunday, January 31, 2010.
• Laura Sepesi had an informal book signing at Sages Pages on Saturday, December 12, 2009.
• Laura Sepesi had a reading and book signing for The Guardian of Kelmar at the Peapack-Gladstone Library on Saturday, December 5, 2009.
• Laura Sepesi had a book signing at An Open Book on Saturday, November 28, 2009.
• Laura Sepesi had a book signing at the Woodbridge Borders Express on Saturday, November 21, 2009.
• Laura Sepesi had a book signing at Mendham Books on Sunday, November 15, 2009.
• Laura Sepesi had a book signing at the Clinton Book Shop on Saturday, November 7, 2009.
• Laura Sepesi had a book signing at Bookloft on Thursday, October 29, 2009.
• Laura Sepesi had a book signing at The Town Book Store on Saturday, October 17, 2009.
• Laura Sepesi had a book signing at the Princeton Borders on Saturday, October 10, 2009.
• Laura Sepesi appeared as a highlight author at Chicklet Book’s Author! Author! Book Festival on Saturday, September 19, 2009.
• Laura Sepesi was a guest speaker at Weston Elementary School’s Career Day on Friday, June 5, 2009.
• Laura Sepesi spoke to seventh graders about her writing and the journey to publication at BRMS BookFest on Friday, June 3, 2011.
• Laura Sepesi taught The Three Ps of Powerful Prose writing workshop to gifted children and teens at the 20th Annual NJAGC Conference - 20 Years of Growing Great Minds on Saturday, March 12, 2011.
• Laura Sepesi attended Infinity Publishing's 2010 “Express Yourself...” Gathering of Authors Conference September 24-26, 2010.
• Laura Sepesi was a guest speaker at Weston Elementary School’s Career Day on Friday, June 11, 2010.
• Laura Sepesi had a book signing at the Califon Book Shop on Saturday, May 22, 2010.
• Laura Sepesi participated in the Liberty States Fiction Writers’ Create Something Magical Conference on Saturday, March 13, 2010.
• Laura Sepesi was one of twenty-eight independent authors who participated in the Princeton Public Library’s Local and Independent Author Day on Saturday, March 6, 2010.
• Laura Sepesi had a reading and book signing for The Guardian of Kelmar at the Bridgewater Borders on Sunday, January 31, 2010.
• Laura Sepesi had an informal book signing at Sages Pages on Saturday, December 12, 2009.
• Laura Sepesi had a reading and book signing for The Guardian of Kelmar at the Peapack-Gladstone Library on Saturday, December 5, 2009.
• Laura Sepesi had a book signing at An Open Book on Saturday, November 28, 2009.
• Laura Sepesi had a book signing at the Woodbridge Borders Express on Saturday, November 21, 2009.
• Laura Sepesi had a book signing at Mendham Books on Sunday, November 15, 2009.
• Laura Sepesi had a book signing at the Clinton Book Shop on Saturday, November 7, 2009.
• Laura Sepesi had a book signing at Bookloft on Thursday, October 29, 2009.
• Laura Sepesi had a book signing at The Town Book Store on Saturday, October 17, 2009.
• Laura Sepesi had a book signing at the Princeton Borders on Saturday, October 10, 2009.
• Laura Sepesi appeared as a highlight author at Chicklet Book’s Author! Author! Book Festival on Saturday, September 19, 2009.
• Laura Sepesi was a guest speaker at Weston Elementary School’s Career Day on Friday, June 5, 2009.
The Guardian of Kelmar, The Secrets of Kelmar, The Master of Kelmar - Copyright © 2009-2012 by Laura Sepesi
Web Site Copyright © 2009-2012. Laura Sepesi. All rights reserved. All property of Laura Sepesi.
Web Site Copyright © 2009-2012. Laura Sepesi. All rights reserved. All property of Laura Sepesi.
