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Virtual Author Visits in Your Library or ClassroomThis is a featured page



The mission of the Skype an Author Network is to provide K-12 teachers and librarians with a way to connect authors, books, and young readers through virtual visits.

Click Here to Read More Visit Success Stories
Virtual Author Visits in Your Library or Classroom - Skype An Author Network11/20/09 -I had a wonderful visit last week to the Margetts School in New York.
The teachers (Judith Norelli and Lori Narlinger) were very well prepared and organized: the kids were familiar with my books, "Uh-oh, Cleo" and "Underpants On My Head." The children were thoughtful, well-behaved, and adorable, as they approached the camera one at a time with their questions. The teachers were very appreciative of my time. Overall, a perfect visit!
Allan Stratton11/9/09 - I was delighted when Buffy Hamilton asked me to do a SKYPE Author Visit about "Chanda's Secrets" and "Chanda's Wars". As a former actor and teacher, I love public readings and question and answer sessions. Unfortunately, travel costs too often make such presentations prohibitively expensive. So when Buffy told me about this website, and how I could use SKYPE to talk with her students in Georgia, I signed up right away. How terrific to be able to connect in a virtual face-to-face with students, book clubs, and readers no matter where they live!

Wouldn't it be great to invite authors into your classroom or library to video chat with students before, during, and/or after reading their books? We are growing a list of authors who want to make that connection with you via Skype. Visit our Skype Overview page to learn more about Skype.

It all started when author Mona Kerby visited Grandview Library in 2008 to talk to our 2nd graders about her book Owney, The Mail Pouch Pooch. In 2009, Ms. Kerby visited our new class of 2nd graders via Skype. The children and their teachers cheered when Ms. Kerby "appeared" on our Smart Board. Ms. Kerby talked about Owney and the process she went through to research, write, and publish the book. Several of the children asked Ms. Kerby questions and the whole group enjoyed waving at and thanking Ms. Kerby for "visiting".

Our goal is to set up a network of authors who are willing to participate in Skype conversations with students in classrooms and libraries. This wiki provides a page for each author who joins the network. Our author template ensures consistency of content and keeps things simple for authors, teachers, and librarians. The author pages provide procedural and contact information. Take a look at Mona Kerby's page as an example.

Arrangements for Skype visits are initiated via email and/or phone between the author and the teacher and/or librarian.

Authors offer two types of visits:
  • No Charge - Meet the Author Visits - 10 to 15 minutes
  • In-Depth Visits - Time and fee determined by each author
Next Steps
Once you are comfortable with "Skyping" you can try additional web-based technologies to enhance your visits, for example:

The possibilities for collaboration are many. If you have used other tools during your sessions, please start a "Discussion" to share with all of our members.

Authors Who are Interested May Email
sachauncey@gmail.com OR rkerby@mcdaniel.edu

Skype a Poet
National Poetry Month
England - October 2009
United States - April 2010
Poem in Your Pocket
April 29, 2010

Our Poets....

Josie Whitehead


Joyce Valenza Interview for SLJ 7/11/09

Skype Interview by Howard Wolinsky - 7/25/09

Author/Illustrator Mike Artell
Shares a Skype Visit




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Video Clips Here









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