AUTHOR'S NOTE
I have been making presentations to audiences of all ages for over thirty years. I offer a wide variety of programs that have proved to be popular with audiences and sponsoring organizations alike -- and I love doing them. Since I write for both kids and adults, and often have tight deadlines, my calendar does sometimes fill. If you’re interested in a program, please check my online calendar and contact me as soon as possible.
Programs
The links below provide direct access to program details.
American Girl Fans
Chloe Ellefson Mysteries
American Civil War
Writing Programs
From Idea to Book
Historical Fiction Workshop
Revision, Re-Visioning
AMERICAN GIRL
Program for American Girl Fans
Audience: Readers age 8+, parents/guardians, aunts/uncles, grandparents, and collectors.
Sponsors: American Girl clubs, bookstores, public libraries, and other groups.
Synopsis: This illustrated program reveals the stories behind the stories of Kathleen’s fifteen American Girl books. She shares insights about her original History Mysteries, her newer Josefina, Kirsten, Kit, and Molly mystery books, and what it was like to secretly research and write the (now) seven books about Caroline Abbott, the newest American Girl historical character.
For details about these books, click HERE.
Kathleen brings props and photos to pass around -- and door prizes to give away. The program runs one hour, including time for questions and answers, after which Kathleen will be available for a half hour to meet fans and to sign her books. NOTE: A popular option for this program is for the sponsoring organization to organize a "tea" and invite attendees to dress up and bring their dolls. This typically adds 15-20 minutes.
Book Sales: Kathleen can bring copies of her books to sell, or the sponsoring organization can partner with a local bookstore to sell copies of her books at the program.
Scheduling: Program commitments are typically made on a first come basis. To get a general idea of Kathleen's availability, please check her Calendar by clicking HERE. NOTE: this program is often scheduled with a Chloe Ellefson Mysteries program, a description of which can be seen immediately below on this page.
Contact: To send a message to Kathleen about these programs, their scheduling, and costs, please click HERE.
To download a PDF copy of the program information above, click HERE.
To email a PDF copy of the program information above, click HERE.
CHLOE ELLEFSON
Chloe Ellefson Historic Sites Mysteries: The Stories Behind the Stories
Audience: Adults and older teens who enjoy traditional mystery books (i.e., those without explicit sex, violence, or gore).
Sponsors: Public libraries, bookstores, historical societies, and mystery book clubs.
Synopsis: In this lively, illustrated program Kathleen takes readers behind the scenes to reveal the experiences and places that inspired Old World Murder, The Heirloom Murders (Best Fiction Book of 2011 - Council of Wisconsin Writers), and The Light Keeper’s Legacy (LOVEY Award for Best Traditional Mystery of 2012 - Love Is Murder Mystery Writer's Conference). Kathleen will talk about how her years at Old World Wisconsin influenced Chloe Ellefson, how her research into police work helped shape her officer Roelke McKenna character, and how being a live-in docent at the historic lighthouse on Rock Island in Door County was the genesis of her newest mystery.
For details about these books, click HERE.
Kathleen brings props and photos to pass around -- and door prizes to give away. The program runs one hour, including time for questions and answers, after which Kathleen will be available for a half hour to meet fans and to sign her books.
Book Sales: Kathleen can bring copies of her books to sell, or the sponsoring organization can partner with a local bookstore to sell copies of her books at the program.
Scheduling: Program commitments are typically made on a first come basis. To get a general idea of Kathleen's availability, please check her Calendar by clicking HERE. NOTE: this program is often scheduled with an American Girls Fan program, a description of which can be seen immediately above on this page.
Contact: To send a message to Kathleen about these programs, their scheduling, and costs, please click HERE.
To download a PDF copy of the program information above, click HERE.
To email a PDF copy of the program information above, click HERE.
CIVIL WAR 1861-65
Too Afraid to Cry – Maryland Civilians in the Antietam Campaign
Audience: Adults who are interested in American history in general, and the American Civil War in particular, and who want to hear about what happened 150 years ago to civilians caught up in the single bloodiest day in American history.
Sponsors: Civil War roundtables and discussion groups, and historical societies, sites and museums
Synopsis: This richly illustrated program focuses on Kathleen's nonfiction history book Too Afraid to Cry: Maryland Civilians in the Antietam Campaign. Kathleen will also discuss the historical novels that emerged from her research.
For details about Kathleen's Civil War books, click HERE.
Kathleen brings props and photos to pass around, and door prizes to give away. The program runs one hour, including time for questions and answers, after which Kathleen will be available for a half hour to meet fans and to sign her books.
Book Sales: Kathleen can bring copies of her books to sell, or the sponsoring organization can partner with a local bookstore to sell copies of her books at the program.
Scheduling: Program commitments are typically made on a first come basis. To get a general idea of Kathleen's availability, click HERE.
Contact: To send a message to Kathleen about this program, its scheduling, and the costs involved, click HERE.
WRITING
From Idea to Book
Audience: Budding writers 3rd grade and up, their teachers and parents.
Sponsors: Public and private elementary schools
Synopsis: How does an an author go from having an idea in their mind to a book in their hand? This illustrated program takes students through the process of researching, writing, and publishing books, with time for questions and answers. Kathleen emphasizes the need for revision, while fostering students’ enthusiasm for reading and writing. This program can be scheduled for individual classes or assemblies.
The program runs one hour, including time for questions and answers. Kathleen will then be available for a half hour to meet fans and sign her books.
Book Sales: Kathleen can bring copies of her books to sell, or the sponsoring organization can partner with a local bookstore to sell copies of her books at the program.
Scheduling: Program commitments are typically made on a first come basis. To get a general idea of Kathleen's availability, click HERE.
Contact: To discuss this program, its scheduling and costs, please contact her by clicking HERE.
Historical Fiction Workshop
Audience: Budding writers in 4th grade and up, their teachers and parents
Sponsors: Public and private elementary schools
Synopsis: This workshop turns readers into writers by guiding students through the basic steps of moving from fact to fiction. Kathleen brings historical photographs and prints. Students analyze an image, use their imagination to bring a scene to life, and begin to develop characters and plot ideas for a story. By the end of the program the students will be poised to start writing their story. The program includes time for questions and answers.
Note: this program is available for individual classes only.
Book Sales: Kathleen can bring copies of her books to sell, or the sponsoring organization can partner with a local bookstore to sell copies of her books at the program.
Duration: The program runs one hour, including time for questions and answers. Kathleen will then be available for a half hour to meet fans and sign her books.
Scheduling: To get a general idea of Kathleen's availability, please check her Calendar by clicking HERE.
Contact: To send a message to Kathleen about this program, its scheduling, and the costs involved, click HERE.
Revision, Re-Visioning
Audience: Published and unpublished adult authors who are seeking help with their manuscripts.
Sponsors: Writing groups, writers' retreats and conferences, and educational organizations offering writing courses.
Synopsis: 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 Kathleen's most popular writing programs.
The program runs one hour, including time for questions and answers. Kathleen will then be available for a half hour to meet fans and sign her books.
Book Sales: Kathleen can bring copies of her books to sell, or the sponsoring organization can partner with a local bookstore to sell copies of her books at the program.
Scheduling: To get a general idea of Kathleen's availability, please check her Calendar by clicking HERE.
Contact: To send a message to Kathleen about this program, its scheduling and costs, click HERE.
