FALLING LEAVES 2009: PICTURE BOOKS MASTER CLASS
Nov 13-15, 2009 >>>
Our second annual master class was held at Silver Bay on Lake George.
Our focus this year was on picture books.
Click here for pictures.
List of Available Speakers
Below is our official list of SCBWI members with published books or other accolades who make themselves available for author or illustrator visits to schools, libraries, and other such locations.
Educators are very excited at the prospect of having a central Web page to find speakers in their area, so if you are a SCBWI member with publishing credits interested in being listed below, please send an e-mail to David Goldschmidt.
The list is in a random order! Click here to shuffle the order.
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NAME: Marion MargolisREGION: New York, Long Island, New Jersey, CT, New England EMAIL: chasmargolis@aol.com WEB: http://schoolbookings.com SPECIALITY: picture books for nonfiction elementary (K-3) OFFERS: large presentations and class-size workshops for elementary school students (K-3); the process of writing and readers theatre (with class participation) |
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NAME: Julie ChibbaroREGION: Eastern New York EMAIL: julie@juliechibbaro.com WEB: http://www.juliechibbaro.com SPECIALITY: young adult fiction OFFERS: teaching and speaking at schools, libraries, conferences, etc. (currently teaches fiction at the Gotham Writers Workshop) |
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NAME: Daniel J. MahoneyREGION: United States EMAIL: danjean@nycap.rr.com WEB: http://www.danieljmahoney.com/ SPECIALITY: the process of writing and illustrating, elementary, middle grade, picture books, and board books OFFERS: the nuts and bolts of picture book making, the publishing process, character development, story idea development, illustration demonstration, and writing and illustrating a story with the class |
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NAME: Anita SanchezREGION: Upstate New York and New England EMAIL: anasanchezh@aol.com WEB: http://www.anitasanchez.webs.com SPECIALITY: historical fiction and environmental science nonfiction for middle grade and young adult OFFERS: school visits for elementary and middle school classes; a fun and participatory program on document-based historical research |
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NAME: Jennifer RoyREGION: Within one hour of Saratoga Springs EMAIL: jroy2@nycap.rr.com WEB: http://www.jenniferroy.com/ SPECIALITY: middle grade and young adult novels OFFERS: "Yellow Star" school visits (grades 6-10) covering World War II/Holocaust history, literary elements, writing process, and what it's like to be an author |
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NAME: Carol Parenzan SmalleyREGION: Upstate New York, New England, Pennsylvania, and surrounding regions EMAIL: Carol@CarolSmalley.com WEB: http://www.CarolSmalley.com SPECIALITY: creative nonfiction for elementary and middle school ages, including special hands-on programs about explorers (Henry Hudson, Lewis and Clark), environmental topics, and state history (please see Web site for complete listing and current promotions) OFFERS: large assemblies, classroom workshops, teacher and librarian training, family workshops, and customized programs; all programs are interactive and hands-on; also teaches Writing for Children through 2,400 colleges and universities around the world |
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NAME: Rose KentREGION: Upstate NY, Long Island, CT, New England EMAIL: RosemarieKent@yahoo.com WEB: http://www.rosekent.com SPECIALITY: middle grade fiction OFFERS: "What's Your Message In A Bottle?" engaging school and library visits for elementary and middle school students that connect to curriculum, promote writing, celebrate multiculturalism, and give how-to tips for revising |
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NAME: Peter MarinoREGION: Albany and surrounding region EMAIL: pmarino300@yahoo.com WEB: http://www.petermarino.sunyacc.edu SPECIALITY: young adult novels OFFERS: writing workshops and book talks tailored to your curriculum (Peter has taught writing for 23 years); presentations on a variety of themes, including Everyone is a Writer, Writing Makes Sense Out of Chaos, and Boys and Books |
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NAME: Donna M. McDine REGION: Tri-State Area (NY, NJ, and CT) EMAIL: dmcdine@optonline.net WEB: http://donnamcdine.com SPECIALITY: picture books, nonfiction, elementary and middle grade OFFERS: class-sized writing workshops that include the reading of a short story, nonfiction article, or excerpt from a longer manuscript aloud to students followed by a short discussion of the reading and interactive hands-on breakout sessions; Donna will meet with you and your colleagues prior to her visit to discuss your curriculum and how best to structure the workshop around your state guidelines |
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NAME: Lyn Miller-LachmannREGION: Albany and surrounding region, Hudson Valley, NYC, Connecticut EMAIL: lynml@mac.com WEB: http://web.mac.com/lynml SPECIALITY: young adult novels; Editor-in-Chief of MultiCultural Review OFFERS: school visits (7-12), including writing workshops for English and ESL classes and presentations for teens and adults about writing historical fiction, creating characters from diverse cultures, and exploring through fiction human rights, immigration, and Latin American history and culture; presentations suitable for English, social studies, and Spanish classes |
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NAME: Marlene NewmanREGION: Upstate New York and surrounding regions EMAIL: marlenen@nycap.rr.com WEB: http://www.myronsmagiccow.net SPECIALITY: picture books, middle grade novels OFFERS: school visits for elementary and middle school classes to read and discuss Myron's Magic Cow; also available for fiction writing workshops that focus on setting, plot, theme, and characterization, as well as nonfiction writing workshops that focus on selecting a topic, developing questions, writing an outline, and performing research (click here for more information) |
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NAME: Eric LuperREGION: Albany and surrounding region EMAIL: eric.luper@gmail.com WEB: http://ericluper.com SPECIALITY: middle grade and young adult novels OFFERS: school visits (7-12), including but not restricted to creative writing workshops and presentations about craft, process, character, story, reluctant readers, and the publishing process |
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NAME: Kathy CeceriREGION: Eastern New York and New England EMAIL: Kathy@CraftsForLearning.com WEB: http://www.craftsforlearning.com SPECIALITY: science and history activity books for elementary and middle school readers OFFERS: school visits on science and history topics, which can include hands-on activities or crafts; also presentations for teachers or parents looking for ideas, tips, and information on doing hands-on learning projects in the classroom or at home |
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NAME: Karen BeilREGION: Upstate New York and New England EMAIL: karen@karenbeil.com WEB: http://www.karenbeil.com SPECIALITY: picture books, nonfiction, elementary, middle grade OFFERS: large presentations and class-sized workshops for elementary and middle school (K-8) students on the craft and process of writing fiction and nonfiction, revising, interviewing, research, and personal stories |
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NAME: Nancy CastaldoREGION: Upstate New York and New England EMAIL: NTCastaldo@taconic.net WEB: http://www.nancycastaldo.com SPECIALITY: nonfiction, environment, middle grade, elementary, picture books OFFERS: school visits for elementary and middle school covering natural history topics, creating story, and the publishing process |
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NAME: Lisa ThiesingREGION: Mid-Hudson Valley EMAIL: contact@lisathiesing.com WEB: http://www.lisathiesing.com SPECIALITY: early readers and picture books OFFERS: school visits (K-3) covering the steps that go into making a book, from writing, to editing and drawing (click here for more information) |
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NAME: Peter De WittREGION: Albany and surrounding region, Hudson Valley EMAIL: toasterpond@hotmail.com WEB: http://www.petermdewitt.com SPECIALITY: middle grade, young adult novels, and educational topics OFFERS: school visits (based on availability because Peter is an elementary school principal) about creating stories and the publishing process; also speaks at state and national levels on the topic of struggling learners, which covers literacy, building and district-level interventions, and information/resources for parents |
Please send corrections or additions to David Goldschmidt.

NAME: Marion Margolis
NAME: Julie Chibbaro
NAME: Daniel J. Mahoney
NAME: Anita Sanchez
NAME: Jennifer Roy
NAME: Carol Parenzan Smalley
NAME: Rose Kent
NAME: Peter Marino

NAME: Lyn Miller-Lachmann
NAME: Marlene Newman
NAME: Eric Luper
NAME: Kathy Ceceri
NAME: Karen Beil
NAME: Nancy Castaldo
NAME: Lisa Thiesing
NAME: Peter De Witt