Writing stories that change minds, lives, and the world.

 

Before I became a bestselling writer with several books in development for film and TV,

my career began in the children's & teen division and publisher’s office at

Simon & Schuster Publishing. All this provides me with an in-depth understanding

of the writing process that school audiences of all ages have found insightful and engaging.

 

WHO ARE MY AUDIENCES?

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For educators and librarians, I am available to:

- keynote conferences

- present at workshops, retreats and in-services.

TOPICS MAY INCLUDE: empathy in education (please see my book topics below

with reading group guides where available), the path to publishing,

writing exercises for educators, and many more.

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For those within a day's driving distance to the Pennsylvania Wilds, I'm pleased to organize day-long offerings

hosted in my cabin at the lake for a unique and immersive field trip experience.

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In the classroom:

In person or via video conference (Skype, FaceTime, Google Hangout, or ooVoo), I'm always enthusiastic to share my background and expertise with students and educators. I keep current school clearances and am happy to collaborate with teachers to present material that ties in with curricula.

 

Past forums include:

- an all-high school morning assembly on how a writer gets published

- a spelling lesson & story reading to a kindergarten class

- a first-grade lesson on writing life stories

- a two-morning gym assembly on the lifelong benefits of strong writing to all students at a vocational-technical high school

- a discussion about career preparation for a class of high school juniors

- a talk on women and creativity to a regional historical society

- a talk about the co-authoring process at an Ohio library

- a talk on how entrepreneurship among the men in my family influenced my career, to a luncheon for the Engineering Club at Penn State University

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POSSIBLE CLASSROOM OR ASSEMBLY TOPICS:

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- kindness and empathy for others who may seem different (please find my book topics below)

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- developing strong synthesis, rhetorical and argument essays for English or AP English and Composition classes

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- skillful and effective editing (for all grade levels)

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- how to workshop or critique another's writing in a manner that's truly helpful

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- storytelling/creative writing techniques for all levels to capture the interest of the reader (as well as the growing young writer)

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- grammar rules to practice for a lifetime

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- a roadmap to following successful inspiration

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- impactful nonfiction writing & college essay development

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- what makes a good character?

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- the publishing process, from concept to release (plus why some books get made into movies)

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- how to know if you should pursue writing as more than a side interest or hobby

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- the difference between narrative and journalistic writing

 

- the seldom known techniques that can help anyone write more like a pro
 

ABOUT MY BOOKS:

With themes ranging from human interest to human rights, the nonfiction books that I've written or co-written also spur mind-opening, transformative discussions among classrooms and educators on the following topics:

                                                             

 - Gender equality, sexual abuse and the criminal justice system in A Little Piece of Light by Donna Hylton, with Kristine Gasbarre (Hachette Books, 2018)

 

- Transgender/LGBT issues among kids in Raising Ryland: Our Story of Parenting a Transgender Child with No Strings Attached by Hillary Whittington, with Kristine Gasbarre (HarperCollins, 2016)

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- Geography, travel, wildlife conservation, business and entrepreneurship in Safari: The Memoir of a Worldwide Travel Pioneer by Geoffrey Kent, with Kristine Gasbarre (HarperCollins, 2015)

 

- Education and the foster system in Etched in Sand by Regina Calcaterra (with Kristine Gasbarre)

       - 16-week New York Times bestseller

       - chosen nationwide in multiple high schools and colleges & universities for "one school, one                read" programs and the first year experience

- Reading group guide available here

 

- Revering our elderly and understanding how tradition can inform our more contemporary identities in How to Love an American Man: A True Story by Kristine Gasbarre

- Reading group guide available here

Please contact me to explore opportunities to bring me to your school.

(Discounted rates are available for schools with a higher percentage of free and reduced lunch students.)

 

Thank you!