Author Lea Wait talks about writing historical fiction for kids. Lea also addresses adult groups, including writers' organizations, clubs, and civic groups. Contact Lea about doing a presentation for your group!

SCHOOL VISITS:

I'd love to visit your school! I can customize a presentation for your students, from third grade up through adults.  Topics I often cover include
 

- how I became an author, and what careers are open to writers

- how to do research

- the importance of editing
 

I'd like students to have read at least one of my books before I visit. I can visit up to four classrooms in one day, or perhaps do three classroom visits and one writing workshop. The agenda is up to you!

For the 2007-2008 school year my fee is $500 plus travel expenses for an all-day school visit., or $800 for a keynote or other major conference address, also plus expenses.  

I am happy to answer e-mailed questions from students, but prefer that a teacher consolidate the questions into one email. Conference telephone calls are also a possibility for both schools or reading groups

And I'd be happy to talk with you about writer-in-residence possibilities.
  

Feel free to contact me at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
if you have any questions.

References from teachers and librarians in schools I have visited are available on request.

Book Clubs:

If your book club is reading one of my books, I'd love to discuss it with all of you, in person or by speakerphone. If you're within 75 miles of me in Maine, perhaps I could join you! If not, the fee for a one hour telephone conversation would be $50. Contact me to see how we can fit a "visit" to your group into my schedule!   

Other Apearances:  

I like to speak to groups of all sizes, from mystery reading groups to literary luncheons to keynote addresses to large conferences. 

I also run writing workshops for either children or adults. Topics I've spoken on include:

- Focus on Your Future: Applying strategic planning techniques to your creative life

- Becoming a Writer: My journey to publication, including advice for those who would like to write professionally  

- Ten Thing I've Learned Since I've Been Published:  A humorous personal look at writing and publishing today 

- Good Writers are Good REwriters:  Ways to improve your writing skills through specific editing techniques 

- How An Idea Becomes a Book:  The basics of writing and publication, using examples from my books

- Why Historical Novels?  Perspectives on how novels can help us understand how people lived and thought in the past - and why that is important today.  For a school visit, I often bring 19th century texhbooks, prints, and other primary source materials to share with students.