Leda Schubert
Writer and Teacher

VISITING SCHOOLS, LIBRARIES, CONFERENCES:

I would love to visit your school, library, or bookstore, and there are several presentations I can give. Please email me for further details, though I should soon have a brochure and more information here.

I do all the usual things that authors do: rattle on about sources for ideas, the amazingly long process through which an idea becomes a book, revision, why I like to wear socks and earrings with dogs on them, etc. We brainstorm ideas and talk about structure, character, revision, and what makes a good book. Fun is had by all.

I now have a pretty slick--for me--Powerpoint show featuring photos of my actual messy desk. It's heartbreaking, believe me. Students as young as kindergarten have volunteered to help me clean it up. I am currently organizing a field trip.

This presentation is not entirely about my desk, however. It's about writing, though I just may mention a dog now and then.

I'm also extremely happy to talk about writing nonfiction (from idea through research of all kinds to finished product), and I have all kinds of visual aids. Stuffed elephants, backhoes, etc.

I have several presentations for adults and older students as well, including "The Art of the Picture Book," "Best in Show: Life on a Book Awards Committee," "Art, Text and Design: Evaluating Picture Books," "Building a Convincing Fantasy World," and "I Meant What I Said and I Said What I Meant: The Picture Book Hero," which analyzes classic picture books using the hero's journey.

I love to talk to groups about the best books for children and young adults.

I can focus on any or all of my books,with or without powerpoint (if you have an LCD projector).

Fees: Within Vermont: $600 and up, but always negotiable, depending on length of presentation, plus mileage and expenses.
Outside Vermont: Negotiable.

Please email me for further details on school/​library/​bookstore visits.

Unsolicited comment from the terrific Cabot school librarian, Holly Kruse: "You were so natural and funny. I met with two classes today - kindergarten and one of the 1-2 grades. They loved you - they raved about your movie and your bed scene with Winnie using the books of hers.[note: this is hard to explain. I did a demonstration, using the Winnie books as props, of how everybody sleeps. It's not what you think.] They also loved your/​her great audio tape and were very good at impersonating her. You were truly wonderful and we were truly lucky to have you!" 5/​10/​06

I am not making this up: Student letter.
"Dear Leda, There have been a lot of authors at this school and you are the best. I can't believe that you wrote those books. When I was little I loved your books. And I still do...I hope the Liberian buys them." Taylor

With a letter like this, who needs therapy?

From a 2007 visit to the Park St. school, Springfield:
"All the students and teachers were abuzz with how wonderful you were. One teacher said you were the best visiting author we have ever had. It took my kids an hour to eat dinner because they wouldn't stop talking about Winnie and Pogo. [My son] had his journal with him at the table making notes. Apparently you were quite inspirational."
I am blushing.

From another school:
"The students, faculty and staff at Summit Street School in Essex Junction, Vermont were captivated by Leda Schubert's stories and descriptions of her books. Leda shared her inspirational ideas for writing in a way that excited the students to try their hand at writing too. All of us wished that she could have stayed for at least another day!! Valli Blanchard, Learning Center Coordinator (Feb. 06)