Author Visits: What to Expect

What kind of person do you have to be, if you want to be an author? What if you’re just a normal kid with big, goofy ideas but maybe a big streak of laziness? What if you’re interested in a gazillion things and you’re just not sure? What’s it like to be a writer anyway?

I answer these and many more questions when I visit schools. Kids will see my first elementary-school attempt at writing a novel (and learn why they should never name a character Negloglagleeglogleggook)! They’ll discover why editing is like a lettuce sandwich. They’ll follow a book from initial idea to publication … and beyond. They’ll help me solve the mystery of the world’s strangest book cover.

Cresskill They’ll also enjoy some embarrassing photos and hear a score of different people from all over the world, in more-or-less-accurate accents. (You can take the actor out of Broadway…) I do quite a few school visits, 40 of them last year alone. In our time together (usually 45 minutes to an hour) I cover a lot of ground, with humor and visual aids. And I always leave time for questions and answers.

My aims are simple:

To inspire and entertain each student, no matter the interest level.
To show a life devoted to storytelling by telling a story of a life.
To rethink the process of writing: respect for one’s own ideas, practice, follow-through, the importance of editorial criticism.
To put a human face on the mystifying process of professional writing.
To use humor and student involvement in order to reach the hearts and minds of the next generation’s storytellers.

Scheduling FAQs

Do you travel, and how far?

• Exactly halfway around the earth (because then I’d be coming back!). I live in New York City, but I’ve spoken to school groups from Connecticut to California, and as far away as Moscow.

How do we set up a visit?

• For school visits only, please contact Stephanie Nooney at Scholastic: authorvisits@peterlerangis.com.

• For bookstore visits and other publicity-related matters, please contact Charisse Meloto at publicity@peterlerangis.com.

How should our school prepare?

• A school visit will be entertaining and informative no matter what, but students will benefit tenfold if they’ve read at least one of my books. Their own experience is enriched by a familiarity with the work; they’re more likely to ask questions and form a meaningful identification.

What will we need to provide you?

• A screen, a projector, and a laptop cable hookup (I will bring my trusty laptop, Fred). If the group is large, a microphone will help. A bottle of water would be greatly appreciated.

How much do you charge?

• For fee information, please contact Stephanie Nooney at Scholastic: authorvisits@peterlerangis.com.