One of the most rewarding parts of my job as a children’s author is doing school visit presentations. I’ve performed readings, writing workshops, and talks about my journey as an author and other topics before hundreds of preschool, elementary, middle and high school students, and I’d be happy to speak at your next event. School visit presentations can be tailored to large or smaller groups. I can also speak at banquets, conferences, and other programs.
Author Visits
Presentation Features
Sixty minute, on-site or virtual sessions are customized by grade level and can be modified based on your curriculum objectives.
From Notepad to Novel – Steps in Publishing: How do you become a published author? Learn the educational path, training, and steps I took to craft a writing career. Viewing my notes, research photos, and illustration samples, we’ll go through the five steps in the writing process (prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, publishing) used to create a novel or a finished writing piece, using my books as examples. The session ends with an author Q&A. Students will walk away inspired to tell their own stories. All ages.
Story Sparks: Art Imitates Life (Using Personal Experience to Find Story Ideas): Our life experiences spark creative ideas. This session teaches students techniques to delve into personal experiences to enhance their writing, using my books as examples. At the end of the session, we’ll make up our own stories and include time for student Q&A. Grades 2 and up.
Young Authors Workshop: Learn about the elements of a story and steps to writing persuasive and informative essays. At the end of the session students will write their own essays and share their work.
Onsite fees: $300 per hour session and $800 for three or more sessions in a day. *Travel and accommodation fees to be included on visits outside the Houston area.
Virtual fees: $250 per hour session.
“She was such a fabulous visiting author. Her question/answer at the end was the best we have had from any visiting author. She was so patient and thorough with her answers.” —Jennifer Lewis, Media Specialist, Indian Knoll Elementary School
“It made my day to see the kids so engaged. We look forward to reading They Built Me for Freedom.” —Joe Tedesco, Librarian, Locke Hill Elementary
“Tonya Ellis put on an amazing presentation for our students! They especially loved how interactive and engaging it was. Her book is a beautiful piece of art that makes us proud to be from Houston!” —Eve Harbour, M.Ed, School Counselor, Harmony School of Achievement
“She engaged our students right from the start! Our students were talking about and asking for her books! It was great to read her diverse character books!” —Jose Perez, Coordinator, Library Media Services, Stafford Municipal School District
“We had a great visit with Mrs. Ellis. Our students were eager to hear Mrs. Ellis’s personal story of becoming a children’s author along with the stories she tells about the curious Sophie Washington. As a Houstonian, I appreciate the local flavor she adds to her books and there is just enough character building for readers to be satisfied. The visit was a great hit with the kids!” —Diane King, Head Librarian, Westbury Christian School
“Tonya Duncan Ellis visited our school, and she engaged students from elementary through middle school. She talked about being a writer, the writing process, and the publishing process. I definitely hope to have her back!” —Missy Edgmon, Librarian, Cornerstone Christian Academy
“The marketing workshops with Tonya Duncan Ellis were PHENOMENAL….Tonya had SO MANY great insights, tips, and examples to learn from that helped me take what are a million ideas and give them focus and direction.” —Rivkah LaFille, Illustrator, Writer, and Graphic Novelist
