I will speak to any group . . . large or small . . . kids or adults . . . just as long as they love books. And I’ve even spoken to groups who weren’t wild about reading until they met a living, breathing, walking, talking, rootin' tootin' author. It was only me, but still! Apparently my superpowers enable me to seek out kids who don’t like to read and at least get them interested in authors. Someone recently pointed out to me that it may not be because I possess superpowers. Quite possibly, it’s because some kids have never met an author before and never really thought about the person who created the words. I’m not quite ready to let go of the superpower idea, though.

I give presentations to one class or to school-wide assemblies. I speak to students of all ages. I have topics ready or I can tailor a presentation to fit your needs. I speak to adults who are interested in helping children become better readers, and I speak about the book publishing business to adults who might like to write a book themselves or at least hear what they can expect from such an endeavor. I try to keep the presentations to 45 minutes, because everyone loves the Q&A time and autograph session. But I’m flexible.

It’s a good idea to start planning an author visit six months in advance. But feel free to check with me about any dates you’d like me to speak. For instance, I can almost always fit in a visit to Hawaii.            

Here’s a list of my favorite presentations, but I’m happy to adapt any to fit your needs.

• Reading Maniac — Fun Ways to Encourage Reading Success is for adults to help the children they love become better, more enthusiastic readers. Companion Reading Maniac booklet with more than 50 games and activities to help reluctant and emerging readers.

• The Story Behind the Book explores the mysteries of publishing, like "why in the world would anyone subject themselves to that?!" For adults and teens.

• Can a Sentence Fragment Poke Your Eye Out? allows children and teens to examine the writing process to help them tap into their natural writing voice and style. Lots of fun exercises.

• From Aardvarks to Underwear - Funny Books Kids Love is a fun session for 4th grade and up. Examples and explanations of different styles of humor in writing.

• Thou Pribbling Dewberry!    helps teenagers learn to play with language . . . an important skill for anyone who writes or talks or simply wants to hurl thrilling Shakespearian insults!

• In addition I can talk about the specifics of writing — character development, brainstorming plot ideas, research, dialogue, revision. Whatever you need.

• In the Denver metro area my rates are $300 per day which includes three one-hour presentations. Or one three-hour presentation. Whatever you need.

• Out-of-town and overnight rates are $500 per day (plus airfare, meals, and hotel) which includes four one-hour presentations.

If your budget is tight, consider sharing me with other schools in your town. If I speak at two schools, you can divide everything in half. Four schools, divide everything by four. As long as I can get people to schlep me around town, it’s perfectly fine with me.

The Reading Maniac presentation, usually offered in the evening to parent groups, is priced a bit differently - a flat fee of $200. Groups often charge a nominal fee to participants to cover the costs or hold the seminar in conjunction with a larger event like their annual school book fair. Give me an idea of how many participants you expect and I can give you an idea of the cost of the companion Reading Maniac Guide. Sometimes I throw it in for free, sometimes I don't. Depends on how many people you expect. Remember, though, I can almost always be bribed. 

But if finances are a problem, please email me and let me know your situation. I think it’s important for kids to love to read and I’m happy to do whatever I can to make a school visit possible. For instance, I can reduce my fee if I’m guaranteed enough book sales. We have options to make us both as happy as flies in a molasses factory. But if I’m not at my desk writing or out hawking books, then I’m not making money. So until I figure out how to pay my mortgage with chocolate chip cookies or my goofy smile, I have to rely on the green stuff.

Free Info

I'm not geeky enough to link documents for downloading (I know, pathetic), but if you're interested, I can email you some fabulous information I've compiled about How To Pay For Author Visits, How To Find Authors, and a Checklist For An Excellent Author Visit. I also have info about a book review newsletter written by kids and for kids, for all of your budding book reviewers. Just email me and ask for the documents you want!

Nice Things People Say

It was very exciting to meet a real author.

~ Kelsey, 13 (PS - My Dad will love the book!)

This was such a good presentation for young writers because it spoke to the situations they can all relate to with their writing.

~ Ms Stone, Community School for the Gifted

Thank you for speaking at our school. It showed me that maybe I can write a book.

~ Grace, 7th grade

I really enjoyed you coming into our class. I thought it was cool that you are not into writing for the money, but of course earning a little is ok too.

~ Sarah, 8th grade

I liked learning about how you develop characters. ~ Brad, 7th grade

I found it interesting that a book that size could take so long to make. I guess good things take a long time. ~ Randy, 12

Thank you for coming to our school. And be glad you didn't come to lunch. Man, it was noisy! ~ Kryssy, 8th grade

I learned a lot and had a lot of fun. ~ Jenn, 3rd grade

It was fascinating to me as I have never heard an author speak about the trials of writing a book. Very interesting! ~ Ms Schaney, Smoky Hill High School

I loved how you opened up your presentation! It was so funny! You made me laugh when you said "Hello, my peeps!" ~ Brianna, 11

First, I enjoyed all of your jokes - especially the jokes that didn't make sense, like your potato joke. ~ Katie, 14

Another thing I enjoyed was how you always did something that made us want to keep listening. ~ Kathryn, 13

I think it was much more enjoyable to listen to you then to go to class. Humor beats classwork every time. However, the bleachers left something to be desired.

~ Vicky, 13

Thank you for coming to the school. The presentation was absolutely the most hilarious moment of my 13 year life. Just kidding. It was funny, though. ~ Jack

You also had a way to make us laugh even when the jokes weren't funny.

 ~ Cynthia, 12

Your presentation was awesome because so many people were talking about it afterwards and laughing. ~ Amanda, 12

I thought your presentation was very funny! I had a smile on my face through the whole thing. My mouth was tired from smiling too much! ~ Maria, 12

Thank you for visiting St Mary's. I loved your humor. I got a kick out of some of the things you said. I know my friends did too. I loved when you said don't drink milk during this. My friend drank Sprite and I told her a joke and she loved it and said the Sprite came out of her nose. ~ Danielle, 12

Becky is that unique combination of the author who writes a good book and makes a good public presentation to groups of all ages. She's done fun and funny programs with teenagers at the Parker Library. I have personally attended several of her talks and always come away with a smile on my face and new bits of useful information. ~ Patt Paul, Manager, Parker Library

Becky's presentation was engaging, professional, funny and inspirational. She managed to convey not only information, but her own quirky and interesting brand of joy. Uplifting and informative. ~ Kenn Amdahl, Clearwater Publishing

She is serious about her work and although her talks portray this seriousness, they're humorous, light, and quite enjoyable to hear. When I heard her speak, the hour simply flew by and I was disappointed when it was over. ~ Dick Nace

Reading Maniac was like Parenting Boot Camp with humor. ~ B. Micho

"A lot of good, real-life strategies."

"Excellent speaker - fun!"

"Great concrete examples. Your ideas were exactly what I needed."

Becky Clark

Ampersand Press

POB 3827

Parker, CO 80134

AmpersandPress@aol.com