One Step Forward Author Visits

One Step Forward: How I Took Thousands of Little Steps Toward a Finished Book (45 minutes)

A behind-the-scenes look at the process of writing One Step Forward, including starting over many times. This process will walk teen writers through the process of writing my novel-in-verse–including revision. Q & A to follow the presentation. 

Group Size: Assembly or classroom-sized group

Grade Levels: 8-12

 

Poet’s Choice: Types of Poetry and the Choices Poets Make (45 minutes)

From word choice to line breaks to subject matter, there are many choices a poet makes in every poem. This presentation will zoom in on poems and the choices made, and allow participants to voice what different choices they might make with the same material. 

Group size: Classroom-size group

Grade Levels 8-12

 

Primary Sources to Poetry: A Poetry Workshop (1 hour)

Primary sources can be full of interesting details. This workshop will allow writers to try out various techniques and poetic forms for turning primary sources into poems of their own. 

Group Size: Classroom-size group

Grade Levels: 8-12

 

Historical Fiction: Facts and Fiction (45 minutes)

Historical fiction utilizes the historical record, but where the record is silent, things must be filled in. How does a writer stay true to history and still create the arc of a story? We’ll talk about the fact and the fiction of One Step Forward and uncovering the truth from word choice to major events. 

Group Size: Assembly or classroom-sized group

Grade Levels: 8-12

 

Virtual Visit (20 min)

Includes a Q&A session about One Step Forward. 

 

Poetry Author Visits

Hands-On Poetry (45-60 minutes)

Get students engaged in hands-on poetry activities for young writers that pull them away from a blank page and into creating poetry. We’ll explore found poetry, hands-on haiku, photo-inspired poetry, and much more.

Group size: 30 maximum

Grade Levels: 3+

Wait, Rest, Pause Author Visits

One Writer’s Journey from Idea to Publication (45 min.)

A behind-the-scenes look at the writing process in all its messy, non-linear glory. This presentation walks young writers through the writing process of Wait, Rest, Pause: Dormancy in Nature (Millbrook Press, 2019)–including revision. Q&A to follow the presentation.

Group size: Up to 150

Grade Levels: 2+

 

What are You Curious About? Inquiry as a Springboard for Writing (45 min.)

Curiosity can pique interest in writing. This presentation walks writers through the nonfiction writing process and encourages them to start their own inquiring. Q&A to follow the presentation. 

Group size: Up to 150

Grade levels: 1+

 

Virtual Visit (20 min)

Includes a read aloud of Wait, Rest, Pause: Dormancy in Nature and a brief Q&A session.

 

Literacy Night 

Includes an interactive presentation for parents and children, a reading of Wait, Rest, Pause: Dormancy in Nature, and a signing. 

 

** Need a different school visit presentation that’s not listed above? Contact Marcie (marcie [at] marcieatkins [dot] com) for a customized presentation.**

 

School Visit Pricing for the 2024-2025 School Year

Northern Virginia/Washington, DC 

$500—Half-day—up to 3 presentations

$800—Full Day—up to 6 presentations

$300—Literacy Night

 

Outside of Northern Virginia

All events outside of Northern Virginia will be charged travel expenses (example: train ticket, plane ticket, mileage, lodging) in addition to the speaking fee. 

$1000—Full Day—up to 6 presentations

$300—Literacy Night

 

All school visits require books sales. You can pre-order books from your local independent bookstore or mailed to you through Bookworm Central.