I enjoy speaking to children in schools and libraries. I also speak to grown-ups at writing workshops and conferences. For a full bio, click here.
Writing: Think of It as An Adventure!
Do you dare become a writer? I talk about inspiration, the journey to complete a novel, and how writing can take you to places you never dreamed of. I ended up halfway around the world, in Nepal! I tell my story and the amazing stories behind my books—yes, Pippi Longstocking really did try to kill my daughter—while weaving in humorous anecdotes and writing tips for authors in training. I like to leave time for questions and answers.
Children come away from my presentations with renewed excitement for reading and writing. Read comments about past appearances.
Planning and organization make for a successful author visit. Children need to know who I am and why I am coming in advance of my visit. Even if it's only first chapters, they should be introduced to my books through classroom reading. Sufficient copies of my books should be purchased in advance for the library, so that students may read them ahead of time.
I need to know the schedule in advance, how many children and what grade levels I will be talking to in each session. I like to have at least a 10 minute break between sessions.
My novels are more appropriate for children in the third through seventh grades. My picture book works well with kindergarteners through fourth grades. Also, I love 'test driving' some of my picture book manuscripts. Sessions will be shorter. I suggest 20 minutes for kindergarteners, and 30 minutes for first and second graders.
I will speak to small groups, large groups (I've spoken to over 700 children), and groups somewhere in between. Please email me at jennifer@jenniferjstewart.com or call me at (520) 749-4519 if you have questions, and I can also send you more information about preparing for a school visit.
It is also possible to have a virtual visit, live in cyberspace via Skype. I can provide signed personalized bookplates, so that children can still have autographed books.
What does it cost?
My rates are listed below. Fees are negotiable, depending on circumstance and location (Might there be a friend I want to visit close by? Can I do interesting research there? Is the proposed visit in Hawaii?)—please call me at (520) 749-4519, and we'll talk about it.
Please note that a full day entails four 45 minutes to one hour long sessions. A half day is defined as two 45 minutes to one hour sessions. Travel expenses outside Arizona may include lodging, meals, and airfare. Note, for Phoenix, I often ride the airport shuttle up and back. That requires someone to pick me up and drop me off at Sky Harbor Airport.
2010-2011 Rates
Tucson, Arizona |
Full day: $600 |
Half day: $300 |
Elsewhere in Arizona |
Full day: $800 |
Half day: $500 |
Outside Arizona |
Full day: $1,000 + travel expenses |
Half day: $700 + travel expenses |
Here's what I need, equipment and facility wise:
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A microphone for large groups, especially if you put me in the cafetorium. It's best if this is a walking around, clip on my shirt type mike, as I like to move around
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A room that can be darkened (this is muy importante!)
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A screen or blank white wall to project onto
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A rolling cart on which to set my reliable slide projector and its spare bulb
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An extension cord that reaches all the way to the outlet; please make sure the outlet is functional
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Water
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Lunch (I have gone over to the green side, so vegetarian, please)
Please email me if you have any questions about this list.
How do I order your books?
Good question! You get the best deal by ordering directly from my publishers: Holiday House, Sterling, and Scholastic. This is a great way to help fund a school visit, if you buy books at a substantial discount, and then sell them at full price. Or you may choose to discount the books for your students.
Here are the magic phone numbers and email addresses:
Holiday House: Contact Kathleen Morandini via email, or call (212) 688-0085.
Sterling: Contact information coming soon, as soon as my picture book is available!
Scholastic: Call (800) 724-6527, and then press "1" or "3" randomly, until you reach a real live person.
Always remember to say the books are for a school visit, so that you get a big discount.
PLEASE ORDER EARLY. Six weeks ahead is not too soon, and four weeks ahead may be too late. If the books are not there 10 days before the school or library visit, call and find out why, while there is still time for a rush order.
That said, I know that it is easier said than done to deal with three different publishers. That's why I keep a secret stash of books in my closet, so that, if necessary, I can supply them for school visits.
Email me for details if you would like to use my books as a successful fundraiser. I can also suggest some book services and bookstores you might use to obtain books.
Here is a sample book order form, which you may modify to suit your needs, and send home with your students. It seems to work best if you send it out a week to 10 days in advance of my visit. Books make wonderful souvenirs!
Why is your middle initial "J" so enormously important?
There is another children's author named Jennifer Stewart without that crucial middle initial "J," and it is embarrassing when we get confused. Also, there is an 'actress' who is Jennifer Stewart without the "J," and although I've never been confused with her, if you leave the "J" off my website address, you may see some things you did not want to see, if you catch my drift. Remember the J!
Are there other authors and illustrators who visit schools?
Get a list of other terrific Arizona-based authors and illustrators, plus meet a few of my friends around the U.S.