PROGRAMS
Kathleen Ernst
Author, Educator, Social Historian
Programs for Libraries
Sites and Stories
An illustrated program celebrating historic places and the stories they inspire. Appropriate for adult or family gatherings. This program includes a variety of my books for both young readers and for adults.
The Chloe Ellefson Mysteries
I begin with an illustrated presentation that shares some of the stories that helped create Old World Murder and The Heirloom Murders, and leave time for discussion and questions. This program is intended for adult audiences.
Program and/or Tea for American Girl Fans
These events focus on my American Girl mysteries about Kit, Josefina, Kirsten, and Molly. I bring props and photos to pass around, take-home craft and activity pages, and souvenir bookmarks.
American Civil War
*Wisconsin Women in the Civil War This illustrated program reveals how Wisconsin citizens were affected by the war.
* Too Afraid to Cry This illustrated program features my nonfiction book Too Afraid to Cry: Maryland Civilians in the Antietam Campaign, and the novels that emerged from the research.
Library visit fee: $200 for one or two programs on a single day. For visits outside of Dane County, add 40 cents/mile. I can also bring books for sale.
Programs for Sons of Norway Lodges, Historical Societies, Museums, Civic Groups
Chloe Ellefson Mysteries programs, Sites and Stories programs, The Power of Stories programs, history-inspired writing workshops, book discussions.
The Power of Stories
An inspirational look at the importance of stories in all of our lives. I also share my own journey into publication, including obstacles overcome and the unexpected rewards of the writing life.
Fee: negotiable.
School Programs - I have limited availability in February, March, & April 2012.
Visit the Teachers‘ FAQ page for detailed information about school visits. I can provide programs for assemblies and presentations or workshops for individual classrooms.
Author Visits & Book Discussions
Historical Fiction Workshops
"From Idea To Book" Presentations
Fee: $500 for up to four programs in a single day.
"I enjoyed how the presentation brought to life the writing process for my students. The presentation also made history truly come to life for many of my students.”
“As a teacher, I am thrilled to use your work in my classroom to help teach Wisconsin social studies! Thank you for all of your hard work in bringing history alive for my fourth graders!”
“It was a great privilege for the students and teachers to learn firsthand of your discipline and adventures along the road to becoming a published author. To know the person behind your wonderful works is a powerful message for our students.”
Bookstore Programs
Book/Writing Discussions
I’m happy to provide programs about any of my titles with your patrons.
Events for American Girl fans
I can provide engaging discussions and book-based activities for readers in second grade and up.
"Thank you so much for visiting our store last night and mesmerizing our young audiences and their parents. As people checked out they raved about the program and thanked us for having you to our store. Your visit created a lot of good will in the community."
Writers' Retreats
Revision, Re-Visioning
Revision is an essential, but often overlooked, part of creating any story. How does attitude affect the revision process? What is the revision pyramid? What is the last element to revise? This is one of my most popular programs.
“Kathleen's talk on re-visioning was most helpful. I loved her examples from literature and the way she used them to make points and inspire. I came home and dug immediately into my revision of a novel with new energy and excitement about it.”
The Power of Stories
An inspirational look at the importance of stories in all of our lives. I also share my own journey into publication, including obstacles overcome and the unexpected rewards of the writing life.
Fee: negotiable.
Educators' Conferences, Meetings
From Reader to Writer: Making the Most of Historical Fiction
In addition to helping students gain insight into the past, a good period novel can also provide a model for their own personal exploration of historic people and events. Intended for educators, this interactive session is about researching and writing historical fiction. Learn how easy techniques for research and plotting can be applied in the media center and classroom. In addition to addressing Wisconsin’s Model Academic Standards for Social Studies and Language Arts, these activities can help students develop an appreciation for the values identified in WDPI’s “Teaching Character Education Using Children’s Literature.” Also supports national standards for social studies. First presented at the Wisconsin Educational Media Association Conference.
Fee: negotiable.
To Arrange A Presentation
For more information, or to arrange a presentation, please contact me at 1-608-836-9218 Central US time zone (GMT -6) or via email at k.ernst<at>kathleenernst.com (use normal email formatting).
Experience
I've been providing programs, workshops, lectures, and other educational experiences for many years. For more information, see my resume. A few of the places where I've taught or appeared are listed below.
Programs for Children & Teens:
Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, Monroe, WI; Austin Public Library, Austin, IN; Bester Elementary School, Hagerstown, MD; Boonsboro Middle School, Boonsboro, MD; Children's Book & Author Celebration, San Antonio, TX; Cambridge Elementary School, Cambridge, WI; Colby School District, Colby, WI; Core Knowledge Charter School, Verona, WI; Delta High School, Delta Junction, AK; Delta Junction Elementary School, Delta Junction, AK;
Fort Greely Middle School, Delta, AK; Greendale Middle School, Greendale, WI; Harpers Ferry Junior High School, Harpers Ferry, WV; Hustisford Community Library, Hustisford, WI; Indian Trails Public Library, Wheeling, IL; Kentucky Book Fair, Frankfort, KY; Madeline Island Historical Museum, Madeline Island, WI; Monona Public Library, Monona, WI; Middleton Public Library, Middleton, WI; North Shore Consortium, Gifted and Talented Students, Nicolet High School, Glendale, WI; Oconomowoc School District, Oconomowoc, WI; Pecatonica School, Pecatonica, IL; Pewaukee Public Library, Pewaukee, WI; Pulaski School Disrict, WI; Portage County Public Library, Stevens Point, WI; Rolling Hills Elementary School, Mukwonago, WI; Schaumburg Township District Library, Schaumburg, IL; Scott County Public Library, Scottsburg, IN; Springfield Middle School, Williamsport, MD; St. John's Lutheran School, Jefferson, WV; St. Maria Goretti Parish School, Madison, WI; St. Paul’s Catholic School, Genesee, WI; Shepherd College area schools, Shepherdstown, WV; Southern Kentucky Book Fest, Bowling Green, KY; Swallow School, Hartland, WI; Waukesha Pubic Library, Waukesha, WI; Weston School District, Weston, WI; West Suburban Christian Academy, Waukesha, WI; Whittier Elementary School, Waukesha, WI; Wisconsin Historical Museum, Madison, WI.
Programs for Adults:
Abraham Lincoln Civil War Round Table, Detroit, MI; Antietam Campaign Lecture Series, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD; Antietam National Battlefield; The Association for State and Local History; Chicago Civil War Round Table, Chicago, IL; Chambersburg Civil War Seminar, Chambersburg, PA; Conference on Women and the Civil War
Dayton Civil War Round Table, Dayton, OH; George W. Lee Civil War Round Table, Howell, MI; Gettysburg National Military Park Women's Symposium, Gettysburg, PA; Hedburg Public Library, Janesville, WI; Kentucky Writers’ Conference; Middleton Public Library, Middleton, WI; Midwest Conference of Civil War Roundtables; Milwaukee Civil War Round Table, Milwaukee, WI; (Milwaukee) Metropolitan School Library Association; Mukwonago Public Library, Mukwonago, WI; The North Carolina Experience, Broadfoots of Wendell; Northern Illinois Civil War Round Table, Arlington Heights, IL; Robert H. McCauley Historical Lecture Series, Washington County Free Library, Hagerstown, MD; Rochester Civil War Round Table, Rochester, MN; Rock County Civil War Round Table, Janesville, WI; Sharpsburg Heritage Festival, Sharpsburg, MD; Sharpsburg Historical Society, Sharpsburg, MD; Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators - WI Chapter; Twin Cities Civil War Round Table, Bloomington, MN; Washington County Free Library, Hagerstown, MD; Waukesha Civil War Club, Waukesha, WI; Winona Civil War Round Table, Winona, MN; Wisconsin Educational Media Association Conference;
Wisconsin Veterans' Museum, Madison, WI.
In addition, I've taught at: AllWriters Workplace & Workshop, Waukesha, WI; Edgewood College, Madison, WI; Mount Mary College, Wauwatosa, WI; University of Wisconsin Dept. of Continuing Studies, Madison, WI; and been a panelist at: Association of Living History Farms and Agricultural Museums Conference, Bouchercon, The Great Manhattan Mystery Conclave, Historical Novel Society Conference, Love Is Murder, Malice Domestic, Sleuthfest, and the Women Writing the West Conference.
