Speaking
I love visiting schools and libraries in person and virtually. I also love speaking and presenting at conferences, festivals, and other professional development events.
School and Libraries
Group Presentations
Using a PowerPoint slide program, I offer a look behind the scenes of creating a book from initial spark to final published work. Programs may focus on one or more of my books, depending on the age and interests of the audience.
My programs are interactive and designed to nurture a love of reading and telling stories. We talk about where writers get ideas, how writers turn ideas into stories, what it’s like to work with an editor and how picture books are created.
With students in grades two and up, we often talk about what you need to tell a story. We look at elements of storytelling such as character, setting and dialogue. With older students, I often talk about the use of figurative language. We may look at examples of metaphor, simile, personification and other literary devices.
Conferences
I love speaking and presenting at conferences, festivals and professional development events. I have delivered keynote speeches at a number of conferences for teachers, librarians and writers.
Online Visits
I have conducted many virtual visits with students in the U.S., England, Ireland, India, Kenya, Panama, Brazil, Canada and Spain. I offer a limited number of free half-hour virtual visits during the school year. Click on the Contact link for more information about how to schedule a virtual visit.
Book Sales
Click on this link for information on how to order books at a 40% discount in connection with a visit to your school or library.
Contact Sarah for details or to arrange a visit or presentation.
Order Books at a 40% discount for your school or library visit.
Refer to my Appearance Schedule for dates I already have booked.
Testimonials
“We had a wonderful time and will be able to use this experience to benefit the students all year. We appreciate all that you did to reinforce research, writing, and reading!” (Lara Samuels, MLS, NBCT, School Librarian, Cool Spring Elementary, Mechanicsville, VA)
“Thank you again for being our Keynote Speaker. … You received rave reviews on the evaluations.” (Patrice Lambusta, Librarian, Writing Lead, VAASL York Regional Director, Passage Middle School, Newport News, VA)
“I so appreciate the time you spent with my class. It was such a wonderful experience, and I have shared you with many colleagues.” (Traci Salari, Fifth Grade Teacher, The Bolles School, Jacksonville, FL)
“On behalf of the administration, teachers, staff, and students,I want to personally send you a special thanks for the skype visit on last Tuesday. This was an awesome experience for our students and I have received nothing but great compliments about this experience. I’m sure it inspired many of our students to one day become authors and it certainly inspired me. Again thank you for taking out the time to share your great work with our school.” (Cynthia Jeffress, Media Specialist, Martinsville Middle School)