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 Information on Presentations!
 Upcoming Events
2010 Saturday, April 17, 9:30-noon Schaumburg Library's Youth Services Classroom Online Book Marketing and Book Trailers This program is for published and soon-to-be published writers and illustrators. You will learn about a variety of sources for online marketing of your books as well as how to create your very own book trailer.
Brenda would be happy to come to your school, synagogue, church, book club, camp, or writing group to speak about being an author. All of her programs are presented in PowerPoint to offer a visually exciting focus. Brenda hopes to inspire children to believe in their dreams and work hard to make them come true. By illuminating her writing process, she gives children the tools they need to take their own writing to the next level. Brenda prefers to speak to groups of 75 or less, but she will speak to larger groups as well. Brenda is always happy to customize a presentation for your group. Here are some of the topics she's covered in the past: 
WHERE DO STORIES COME FROM?This presentation, appropriate for first grade and up, is a 30-40 minute interactive presentation where children learn that Real Life + Imagination = Story. After introducing basic story elements and reading one of her humorous picture book manuscripts to illustrate her points about story structure and inspiration, Brenda takes real life incidents from audience volunteers, and together they create an outline for a fiction story. A question and answer session follows. A PEEK INTO THE LIFE OF A CHILDREN'S BOOK AUTHOR This 30-40 minute presentation, appropriate for grades 4 and up, highlights the steps involved in creating a novel, including: idea formation, plot and character development, revision revision revision, the agony of rejection, and finally, the thrill of publication. Brenda uses her debut novel, Julia's Kitchen, as a model for this presentation. A question and answer session follows. IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING... This is the perfect presentation for book clubs. In about 45 minutes, Brenda answers the most frequently asked questions about her, her book, and publishing in general. Some questions include, "Why did you write such a sad book?" and "How can I write a book and get it published?" The intimate setting of a book club is the ideal atmosphere for exchanging ideas, learning new information, and inspiring dreams. THE STORY BEHIND JULIA'S KITCHEN This presentation, suitable for churches, synagogues, or religious schools, goes beyond the writing process and delves into the question that prompted Brenda to write Julia's Kitchen in the first place: Why does God let bad things happen? Through an open and frank discussion, participants explore Cara's belief in God and how her faith changes as she deals with the tragic loss of her mom and sister. They also talk about the Jewish traditions in the book and how those customs are similar to or different from the ones the children are familiar with in their own homes. REVISING WITH POWER AND PURPOSE Appropriate for students in grades 6 and up as well as adults, this presentation covers Brenda's favorite topic...revision. Brenda shows examples of her own revisions and gives tips and techniques that everyone can use as they find ways to improve their writing. Topics covered include: How to look at your work objectively, How to see the big picture, Writing until it's true, Cutting excess, and Polishing up. Anyone who shudders at the word, "revise," will have a new appreciation for this powerful process. NEW!! FOR JEMMA HARTMAN, CAMPER EXTRAORDINAIRE... Brenda is planning a summer camp tour. Brenda will visit your camp and organize a program centered around friendship, stories, singing, sailing, and fun. E-mail now for more information and to book her for this summer. 
Here's what people are saying about Brenda's presentations:
"Each student was inspired and motivated by your thoughts and words. They couldn't wait to get back into the classroom to begin writing." —Jeanne Sayner and Carlee Gold, 4th grade teachers at Kipling Elementary School "She was very funny. I didn't know it was so much fun to be a writer, and I didn't know writers could work in their pajamas!" —Emma, age 7, student at Wilmot Elementary School "The fifth grade teachers LOVED you. They RAVED about your presentation." —Anne Shimojima, librarian at Braeside Elementary School "We are snagging you earlier this year so we can practice the revision techniques you highlight in your presentation the entire school year. The seventh-graders did so well forming critique groups. It was awesome!" —Camille Hogan, media specialist Prairie Junior High School "You did a beautiful job of relating to the children and sharing the intricacies of the writing process in a way all could understand." —Linda Rageb, principal at Walden Elementary School 
Fees
Half Day (1 or 2 presentations) $400 Full Day (Up to 4 presentations) $800 Book Clubs (Within 20 minutes of Deerfield) $100 NEW! Virtual Classroom Visit using Skype $100 Travel expenses are not included in the above prices and will be added as they are incurred. Any out-of-state events will be charged at a higher rate. Wondering how to find money to pay for an author visit?
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