Presentations
With a background in child psychology, and experience working with children of all ages in educational and health settings, Jennifer is an enthusiastic and engaging speaker. She enjoys sharing her love of reading and the discovery of the surprises that lie between the covers of a book.
See what teachers and librarians say about Jennifer's presentations
Presentations
Jennifer's rate for presentations is $300 for one session (one hour including Q & A), $500 for two, $700 for three and $900 for a full day held in the same school or area, plus travel expenses from Burlington. Two (25 minute) sessions suitable for Kindergarten to grade 2 are $300 altogether. One hour virtual visits are $150. See below for workshop rates.
Presentation: Grades 3 to 8 (Speechless) 50 – 55 minutes
Jennifer describes the inspiration for, and the writing of her humorous middle-grade novel Speechless. She shares her handy-dandy tips on how to be a writer and enthusiastically encourages students to read, read, read! She talks about the creative process of writing, where she finds her characters, and what happens when she runs out of things to write about. Jennifer put the “pro” in procrastination, and she reveals the secrets to keeping her seat in the chair to write, write, write. Revision is one of Jennifer’s favourite things; she shows samples of her early scribbles and manuscripts, and talks about the kinds of changes a story goes through on its way to becoming a book. There will be time allotted for questions and answers at the end of the presentation.
Reading: Kindergarten to Grade 2 (Captain Monty Takes the Plunge) 25 minutes
(Two of these, back-to-back, count for one presentation)
Jennifer involves the students in thinking about the kinds of things pirates say and do. This is followed by a rousing sea song and a reading of her picture book Captain Monty Takes the Plunge. Captain Monty is the stinkiest pirate to ever sail the six or seven seas, because he’s never had a bath. His terrible secret? He’s afraid of the water—because he doesn’t know how to swim. But when his lady love is dragged under the waves by an evil sea creature, Monty must finally face that fear. There is a discussion about jumping in the water when you don’t have your life-guarding certification, and the writing of very bad endings.
Reading Plus: Kindergarten to Grade 2 (Captain Monty Takes the Plunge) 50 – 55 minutes
A longer session would include the above, plus students trying their hand at changing perspective to write or draw the story from another point-of-view.
Workshops (Grades 3 – 12)
Jennifer’s workshop rate is $350 for one (75 – 80 minutes) session, $550 for two and $750 for three.
Jennifer will give your students the scoop on one of the following topics then turn them loose with pencil and paper to let their imaginations run wild:
- Where do ideas come from and what to do if you have none—zilch, nada, nothing to the power of nothing?
- Creating believable characters. What you need to know about these people who keep showing up to the party! What does developing a character really mean?
- I want to write about a deep sea diving cowgirl. What kind of genre is that?
- How much setting is too much, too little? Jennifer describes it all for you, then you practice.
- How to make your story exciting. Things could not get worse—make them worse!
- Editing and revising. This is Jennifer's favourite part of the writing day. She'll show you why.
For Adults (Writing for Children) 50 – 55 minutes
Jennifer describes her writing journey and answers questions about the writing process, editing and publication. What to do with that manuscript gathering dust in a drawer? Want to write a children’s book but don’t know where to start? Wonder if you need an agent? Bring your questions and get the usual advice – read, write, submit! Okay, maybe you don’t need a workshop to tell you these things but we can have a lovely chat about it all. Bring pen and paper and we’ll start that story together.
Presentation and Workshop Requirements
All Venues, library preferred.
Group sizes: flexible for presentations, maximum of 25 for writing workshops.
Equipment Requirements for Presentation:
- A laptop, projector and screen for the slide show for the Grade 3 – 8 presentation
Equipment Requirements for Workshop:
- A flip-chart, markers, paper and pens/pencils, clip-boards for each child if tables/desks are not available
Funding
Jennifer is a member of the Writers' Union of Canada and is eligible for funding through the Writers in the Schools Program. See details here. For libraries, funding is available through the National Public Readings Program. See details here.
To book Jennifer for a school or library visit, email jennifermooksang at hotmail dot com. Please put BOOKING in the subject line.