Are you interested in having Katie present at your school, library, or conference? She offers interactive presentations and writing workshops for groups of all sizes, from small workshops or classrooms to schoolwide assemblies, and for all grade levels. Katie also presents writing and publishing workshops for adults.
Katie is available for in person or virtual author visits. If you are interested in booking directly with Katie or discussing options, please email her at KatieLCarroll@yahoo.com for details.
You can choose from one of these popular offerings or work with Katie on a custom topic.
Discovering Opportunity on Mars – Using SELFIES FROM MARS: THE TRUE STORY OF MARS ROVER OPPORTUNITY as a jumping off point, award-winning author Katie L. Carroll leads students in an interactive “trip” to Mars. Learn all about the Red Planet and how the rovers operate in their environment.
Bringing Heart to Science Writing – Award-winning author Katie L. Carroll uses her nonfiction children’s book SELFIES FROM MARS: THE TRUE STORY OF MARS ROVER OPPORTUNITY as a mentor text to explore the elements of nonfiction writing. This includes traditional nonfiction elements like captions, diagrams, and layered text, as well as elements more typically associated with fiction like world-building and flashbacks.
Find Your Magic: What Inspires Author Katie L. Carroll, Plus a Guided Writing Exercise – Get an inside look into how award-winning author Katie L. Carroll found her magic with writing and what inspired her to pen her stories. Katie shares how the death of her 16-year-old sister resulted in her young adult fantasy series and what legends and history spawned her middle grade stories. Cap off the program with a guided writing exercise where budding writers work on developing a plot and characters for their own creative writing.
THE BEDTIME KNIGHT Pajama Story Time – In THE BEDTIME KNIGHT, a young mouse’s mind runs wild and Daddy Knight comes to the rescue to empower her to change the scary shadows into fun imaginings. Award-winning author Katie L. Carroll dresses in her cutest mouse pajamas for this interactive, story time. Start with calm stretches that get young readers ready to listen to the story and end the session with a story building exercise.
History and Legends of Captain Kidd – Award-winning author Katie L. Carroll hops on her pirate ship to share the history and legends of Captain William Kidd that inspired her middle grade novel PIRATE ISLAND. Argh!
What to Expect When You’re Self-Publishing – Have you ever wondered if the self-publishing path is the right one for you? Is the process too complicated or expensive? Will it hurt your chances of being traditionally published? Can you actually make a living self-publishing? From editing to formatting to distributing to marketing, award-winning author Katie L. Carroll gives you an inside look at what it really takes to self-publish a book.
Educators and parents of upper elementary and middle school students can also check out the free Pirate Island Curriculum Guide. This guide includes reader questions, a creative writing prompt, a science lesson and activity, and a history lesson and activity.
If you’re looking for ways to organizing and funding a school visit, check out “35 Ways to Fund Author Visits” and “Step-by-Step Guide to Organizing an Author Visit.”
Testimonials:
What an incredible book! We had tons of conversation about your book and the way you told Opportunity’s story. We all formed an emotional connection with Opportunity! You inspired my students as researchers, writers, and people. Some even discussed how cool it would be if THEY were the ones to find Opportunity on Mars one day. You have such a talent and I can’t thank you enough for this rich experience that you gifted my students.
Lexi Schwapp, Third grade teacher
Katie Carroll brought inspiration to a group of eager young writers at our library by telling them about her own journey as a writer and weaving in tips and tricks she learned along the way. The students left feeling motivated and empowered to start on their own writing.”
Vicki Oatis, Director of Youth Library
Katie Carroll’s visit to our library had the kids talking for days. Her presentation was engaging and allowed for plenty of participation. She took the kids through a writing prompt that was just structured enough to keep the kids from becoming frustrated, but still gave them full creative reigns. She showed the kids that ideas for a story can come from anywhere. We were very lucky to have her.”
Kymberlee Powe, Children/Teen Librarian
Katie’s presentation was lively and inspiring and I hope the children realize that they can write if they stick to it.”
Geralyn Sale, Grade 4 Reading Teacher
Student Testimonials from 4th and 5th grade students Clinton Avenue School:
I really liked when you told us to flip our paper and write a story. The exercise really, really worked. I really, really love to write a lot. Thank you for everything. It really worked. Now I love to write!”
Thank you for taking the time to speak to us about writing and being an author…. I wish you can visit us another day because you inspired me to make my own book called ‘The Lost Girl.’ “
I liked it when you read us the stories of how people become authors. I especially liked when you read the part about your sister, I was about to cry…. I also liked it when the kids read their stories out loud they were interesting. The exercise you told us to do was very relaxing and refreshing. Thank you for being at our school just to tell us about writing and about being an author.”
