UPCOMING APPEARANCES:
October 12-13, 2011 OELMA Conference, Ohio
October 15, 2011 Southwestern CT Youth Book Expo Shelton Courtyard Marriot, 780 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton, CT 10am-3pm
October 23rd, 2011 New York State Reading Assocation Fall Conference 2011 Hilton Westchester Ryebrook, 699 Westchester Ave, Ryebrook, NY 2pm-5pm
November 6th, 2011 17th Annual Jewish Bookfair, JCC of La Jolla, San Diego, CA
November 10-12 2011 Aaron's Books 2011 Kid Lit Festival Lititz, PA
HAVE SARAH SPEAK TO YOUR SCHOOL, LIBRARY OR ORGANIZATION:
SCHOOL VISITS
Some sample workshops:
It Would Never Happen To Us: Kids, Adults and Internet Safety
After hearing a true story about a girl who because involved with an Internet predator told by an FBI agent speaking at her son’s school, Sarah Darer Littman was consumed by the question: “What would drive a girl who had been taught all about Internet Safety in school, and had a clued-up parent, to the point of being so involved with a predator that she would get in a car and drive away with him?” It bothered her so much that she had a write WANT TO GO PRIVATE? to find the answer. Sarah will talk about the extensive research she did with the FBI, her local police department and through various Internet Safety organizations to ensure the book’s accuracy, and to provide facts and figures about what kids are doing online.
"From Brainstorm to Book": Sarah takes students through the entire process of creating a published work, from inspiration through the many stages of revision to seeing the book on the shelves. She brings in manuscripts in various stages of revision and reads from different opening paragraphs so students and the editorial notes, so students can see how editors and authors work together to create the best possible book.
"I knew what I wanted to be in High School but didn't get there till I was 40" : Sarah's basic school presentation talks about how she always wanted to be a writer but was encouraged to go into a more lucrative career. It wasn't until she was coming up to 40 that she knew she had to at least try to follow her dream, even if she failed.
Sarah talks about how being a good writer is important no matter what career you choose and covers what helps to make you a good writer. (Reading, writing and especially revising.) She also speaks to kids about trying to find a way to make a living out of their passion, rather than choosing a career strictly based on how much money they can make.
Smaller Group Writing Workshops: Sarah has given numerous writing workshops for middle school and high school students for the Connecticut Writing Project and longer creative writing programs for teens at libraries. We discuss voice, setting, motivation and conflict, plot, and dialogue, and students use this to start a story of their own.
"On behalf of the students and faculty at Winston Prep, I extend our appreciation for your time and wonderful presentation to students during our 'Writer's Month'. Your sense of humor certainly captivated students and allowed for an engaging and informative hour. All seemed especially interested in your sharing the joys and frustrations of the writing process further providing an appreciation of the overall process and rewarding sense of accomplishment. We hope you come back again soon."Beth Sugerman MS, CCC-SLP Head of School. Winston Preparatory School, Norwalk, CT
"A fantastic presentation for our middle schoolers! We were thrilled to have Sarah Darer Littman come and visit with our students, as she explained how writing has been a part of her life from childhood on, and how both her successes and her failures have taught her important lessons. She was a relaxed, funny and enjoyable presenter, and one whom our students questioned seriously about writing as a profession. It is a wonderful event to have successful authors visit who are able to really talk to students, instead of "talk at" them. Middle school students know the difference, and they appreciate someone who understands what's important to them and who is willing to listen to them, encourage them and take them seriously. Sarah is one of those authors -- and every kid should have the opportunity to meet her and talk to her!" Karen Ball - Media Specialist Eastern Middle School, Greenwich CT
TO BOOK AN AUTHOR VISIT, please contact ANTONIO GONZALEZ hagonzalez at scholastic.com Tel: 212-389-3772
VIRTUAL VISITS
Set up a videochat with Sarah using SKYPE or iChat. Sarah requires a trial run prior to the time of the virtual visit to ensure the technology is running smoothly at both ends.
Sarah will do a free 20 minute chat with book groups and library groups that have read one of her books.
For more information, check out Sarah's page at
CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS
Sarah also enjoys presenting workshops for Bigger Kids - aka Grownups.
Walking the Tightrope - balancing reality and content in YA Fiction
Sarah Darer Littman’s new novel, WANT TO GO PRIVATE? tells the story of Abby Johnston, a ninth grade honor student who becomes involved with an Internet predator. Inspired after hearing an FBI Supervisory Special Agent speak about Internet Safety at her son’s school, Sarah found in her extensive research that real predators get “very dirty, very quickly.” Throughout the process of writing the book, she was conscious of walking a very fine line – trying to create a story that would engage and be able to reach the most vulnerable kids, yet still depicting an accurate portrayal of the grooming process. Hear about the very real dilemmas authors face when tackling difficult issues.
Past workshop titles include:
"OMG! Like, How to I get my book published? - Channeling your Inner Tween"
"Writing Characters Who Make Your Readers Laugh and Cry"
"10 Rules of Writing and Publishing and When and Why To Break them"
"Conquering Writer's Block"
Motivational Talks:A recovered bulimic, Sarah speaks about growing up with a distorted sense of body image and low self-esteem. She discusses the unconscious messages we transmit to our children about weight and appearance and how important it is to help kids focus on who they are and what they are passionate about rather than how they look. Sarah talks about how finally pursuing her dream of being a writer was integral to her recovery from bulimia and her ability to stay "on the wagon".
Sarah has presented at:
SCBWI National Conference
West Coast Jewish Children's Book Writers Conference
CT Authors and Publishing Association CAPA-U
CT Writing Project - Young Writers Institute
A heartfelt THANK YOU for your outstanding contribution to the SCBWI summer conference! We're hearing lavish (and I mean lavish) praise for your sessions -- many people cite your sessions as their favorite part of the conference... they were scrupulously organized and expertly presented - Jamie Weiss - SCBWI conference coordinator.
MEDIA:
Sarah's publicist - Lauren Felsenstein Scholastic Press 212/343-6847 email: LFelsenstein at Scholastic dot com