I am available to speak in schools and libraries and at literary festivals. I also speak at professional conferences. Please browse below.

For rates, dates and details, please contact me at .

TALKS FOR KIDS

My presentations for kids are humorous and interactive. They're designed for grades 2 to 6. By special request, I am sometimes able to adapt presentations to particular audiences or particular curriculum needs.

"Linda is a librarian's delight for school presentations. She clearly loves what she does and conveys that simply and effectively to a wide age range of children. Highly recommended!"
Diane Barrie, Teacher-Librarian, North Vancouver

Stanley & Other Picture Books

Grades 2 to 4. This 60-minute presentation gives a simple kid-friendly intro to the writing, illustrating and publishing process, using the Stanley books as examples. Students will learn where ideas come from (including my dog, Sophie!) and how they evolve into complete illustrated books. I always read a Stanley book aloud, pointing out "inside secrets." Then, after a big "dog stretch," we move on to The Farm Team so that young hockey fans can learn about the writing of a sports story. Time permitting, we might also explore The Best Figure Skater in the Whole Wide World or When Addie Was Scared.

"I just wanted to thank you so much for the wonderful presentations you did for our Grades 3 and 4. The kids just loved your books and hearing you tell about creating them. It was very special for all of us."   Louise Biggar, Teacher-Librarian, West Vancouver

"You were MAGNIFICENT!"   Hal Wake, Artistic Director, Vancouver Writers & Readers Festival 2007, Vancouver

Mystery, Time-Travel & Adventure

Grades 4, 5 & 6. This 60-minute presentation introduces students to two genres: mystery and time-travel adventure. Using my Stevie Diamond mysteries as examples, I discuss the who-done-it genre, along with techniques of suspense writing. I also tell the story of my own journey as a writer and take students through the writing/publishing process, including foreign editions and covers. After a stretch, we move on to the Good Times Travel Agency comic-book history series and a discussion of adventure and time-travel stories. How are they written? (I sneak in some research, too.)

"My students were still buzzing by the end of the day -- your Good Times Travel Agency books all went home."  Jody Colbourne, Teacher-Librarian, Toronto

"All of the branch staff were so pleased with all the energy, ideas and encouragement you gave to the children and adults. Someday a writer will walk up to you and say you inspired them."   Ellen Davies, Public Librarian, Salmon Arm

Where Did That Story Come From?

For mixed audiences of adults and children. Where do stories come from? How are they inspired? In this presentation, I cover a range of "story-starters" for picture books, including:

personal experience (The Best Figure Skater in the Whole Wide World)
family memories (When Addie Was Scared)
pet behaviour (Stanley's Party)
suggestions from others (The Farm Team)

TALKS FOR PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES

My talks at professional conferences are generally tailored toward conference themes. Recent topics have included:

Hooking Them on History through Humour & Time-Travel
Inside a Dog (or "I Was a Guest at Stanley's Party")
Rebels & Adventurers (Characters I have Loved and/or Created)
Teaching the Mystery, Adventure & Sports Story
New Stories Out of Old (Story Archetypes)

BOOKINGS

To make a booking (or for more info), please email me at .

ONTARIO TEACHERS & LIBRARIANS: For school and library visits in Ontario, please contact Authors Booking Service at .