School Visits & Events

I love connecting with young readers and writers through school visits, story times, author events, and more! Email me via my contact page if you would like to discuss your event or scheduling one of the following:

  • Full and half-day in-person school visits (*More info below)

  • 4o-minute virtual classroom visits

  • Writing workshops

  • Library and bookstore story times

  • Community and book festival story times

  • Author and publishing panels

  • Craft workshops for picture book authors

  • Platform/marketing workshops for authors

School Visits: Presentations & Rates

PATH TO PUBLISHED

Anitra Rowe Schulte has wanted to be a writer... since kindergarten! This 40-minute “about the author” presentation tells the story of Anitra’s personal writing journey - from newspaper reporter and speech writer to children’s book author. A great session for grades 3-5 or schools seeking one school-wide experience.

STORY ORIGINS AND DISABILITY REPRESENTATION

Books can be mirrors and windows. This 40-minute presentation (which can be shortened for young grades) includes a read-aloud of Dancing with Daddy, and discusses story origins, disability as neutral, and dance as a unifying activity. The grades K-2 version includes a dance break, while the grades 3-5 version dives into communication tools and styles.

FAVORITE THINGS, FRIENDSHIP & FICTION

This 35-minute presentation dives into fiction and personification, exploring human attributes in animals and objects. It also includes a read-aloud of Willow and Bunny and encourages students to think of themselves as helpers in their homes and communities - an excellent fit for grades K-2, as well as grade 3.

STORY ORIGINS AND DISABILITY REPRESENTATION

This 45-minute craft presentation draws parallels between music and writing. Theme, language and repetition are explored, then Anitra reads Willow and Bunny aloud and takes students on a search-and-find of music theory tools (dynamics, tempo, articulation and note values). A great match for students in grades 4-5, and in some cases also grade 3.

Rates:

In-Person

  • Full day (6 presentations): $600

  • Half day (3 presentations): $375

  • School assembly (1 presentation): $200

Virtual

  • One class (1 presentation): $75

  • School-wide (1 presentation): $200

Participation Support:

Presentation questions are provided in advance to support the participation of students who might benefit from extra processing time, or wish to program answers into their communication devices.

Testimonials

"Anitra gave our students such a wonderful day! So many of our teachers came through the LRC after dismissal to let me know what a wonderful presentation she delivered for each and every grade. She proved that you can engage grades K-5 for 45 minutes. It was incredible!"

- Librarian, Montgomery, IL

“The kids loved being able to not only enjoy Anitra’s new book, but also hear about what inspired her work. I appreciate how Anitra brings so much of herself to the conversation to show students that the things around them can give them ideas. The information about personification was great, as well, and I know that the teachers can use it as a jumping off point for further conversations.”

- Library Media Specialist, St. Louis, MO

“I was so impressed by how Anitra personally connected with the students and was able to ‘meet them where they were.’  She designed her presentation to be flexible enough to accommodate different groups. They all were mesmerized by her story. It was a truly memorable library experience.”

- Librarian, New York, NY  

“I had so many positive comments from teachers about Anitra’s presentation. They loved her story and the way she was able to engage the students.”

- Librarian, Olathe, KS

“Anitra's presentation was an amazing, authentic experience for my students. They were inspired to learn that the same writing process they go through in class mirrors what real authors experience beyond the classroom walls. Anitra explained ways she adds elaboration in her writing through using her senses and figurative language. This connected perfectly to what the students learn in our writer’s workshop. A classroom teacher’s goal is to help students bring their ideas to life through careful description, and Anitra beautifully displays this in her wonderful presentation.”

- 3rd Grade Teacher, Geneva, IL

Photograph by Katie Reilley

Career and Craft Presentations

MUSICALITY IN MANUSCRIPTS

This craft presentation emphasizes the music inherent in picture books and provides tools for exploring and strengthening the musicality of manuscripts. Using the motif of a record as a framework, Schulte spins both sides of the vinyl, including the following tracks:

Side A: Preparation

  • Influences (exploring artists that inspire us, honing in on creative sound)

  • Library Haul Listening (diving into mentor texts)

Side B: Application

  • Musical Tools (discussion of theme, language, and repetition)

  • Crafting Our Songs (demonstrating dynamics, tempo, articulation and note values in her picture book WILLOW AND BUNNY)

EMBRACING THE BALANCING ACT

This career presentation encourages participants to find joy in the constant (and thrilling!) juggle of creativity and community, as well as the commercial aspects of writing for children. A children's book author with 15 years of experience in public relations and communications, and also a mother of three, Schulte takes to the beam with participants, then leaps into ideas for managing the various aspects of being an authorpreneur, such as:

  • Filling your cup (developing a reading practice, finding writing time, honing your voice)

  • Finding your people (learning in and learning from others, and championing your friends)

  • Platform development (building a presence that works for you, and sharing your work)

  • Running your business (setting up systems and tools for managing your author life)

DIGGING INTO REVISION

This craft presentation takes participants on the journey of a manuscript, from raw idea through published title. Schulte shares the inspiration for her picture book WILLOW AND BUNNY, illustrated by Christopher Denise, and tells the story of how the story went from scribbles on the back of a receipt to the desk of a Caldecott Honor artist, and into foreign translation and beyond. Schulte then goes deep into the messing and exciting process revision, providing actionable ideas for carrying your story from rough draft through multiple rounds of critiques, while holding fast to your story’s heart and purpose.

Manuscript Critiques

I also critique picture book manuscripts for writers of stories for children, with a focus on fiction manuscripts. Critiques delivered within two weeks of receipt. (Fee: $65) Email me via my contact page to connect - I can’t wait to read your work!