Writing Workshops, School Visits, and Presentations
School & Library Visits
I do a limited number of school visits each year. Each presentation is adapted to the school’s needs and the age of the kids, but here’s a quick summary of a typical visit:
Two back-to-back interactive presentations, about 30 minutes long, each followed by a 10-15 minute Q&A. Using my laptop (and your projector), I share slides about my books, the writing, revising and publication process, working with editors and illustrators, and the importance of persistence and resilience (authors face lots of rejection!).
I work with schools to customize presentations based on their requests and ask that schools work with a local bookseller to pre-order books that I’ll sign on the day of the visit.
If you’re within an hour’s drive of Chapel Hill, NC, the fee for the above is $1200. If you’re beyond that range, please email me through the Contact Form. Please allow at least two months for planning.
Writing Classes for Adults
I’ve taught multi-week writing workshops, led weekend retreats, given keynote speeches and various presentations to regional chapters of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) and others. Some examples:
- 8-week Picture Book Workshops
- Picture Book Intensives (3 to 6 hours)
- Writing Retreats: Craft Sessions and Critiques
- Writing the Rollicking Read Aloud
- Ten Tips from Twenty Years
- Navigating the Author-Agent Relationship (with Jennifer Mattson)
If you’d like to propose a program, please send an email through the contact form.
Testimonials
workshops, classes, school and library visits
Emma Dryden, editor/consultant
“I’ve been a longtime fan of Linda Ashman and have had the pleasure of sitting in on her “Ten Tips from Twenty Years” workshop. Linda’s approach is honest, humorous, forthright, and accessible and she makes people at all levels of their careers feel invigorated about their work and the process. Not only is Linda a terrifically accomplished author, but she’s a thoroughly engaging speaker, a caring teacher, and shares the ups and downs of her own writer’s journey in ways that inspire others to follow her lead.”
Andrea Dupree, co-founder, Lighthouse Writers Workshop
“Linda Ashman was one of the most magnetic instructors we’ve ever had at Lighthouse Writers Workshop. Her students, like many who come here, represent a vast array of backgrounds, but they’re talented and they’re tough critics. Still, whenever she offered a class, the rosters filled up in hours, not days. Her evaluations were over-the-top enthusiastic: ‘Linda’s an excellent instructor. Incredibly energetic, professional, and knowledgeable. She was so well organized that the time passed quickly, yet I learned a ton.’ We’ll miss her in Denver.”
Angie Murray, Greensboro Academy
“Ms. Ashman visited with our K-2nd grade students recently to discuss her books and the writing process. Her visit was fantastic! The students enjoyed every minute of it, especially her read aloud of her new picture book “Wonder Dogs” and the story behind some of the illustrations. She did such a great job structuring the presentations to each grade level. The way she described her writing process and the publishing process had the students highly intrigued. Her picture books are such a hit in our school library that our students felt like they were meeting a celebrity. I received numerous compliments from teachers and parents about the visit. I look forward to having Ms. Ashman visit our students again in the future.”
Emily Dorn, Estes Hills Elementary PTA, NC
“As a PTA mom, I love when we have exciting events at our school that enrich and inspire our students. Linda Ashman’s presentation during the annual Read-a-thon event was a perfect way to kick off a week of reading and loving books. The graphics and structure were so creative. She had each and every kid in the audience wrapped around her finger—with pictures of the sweet animals that help spark her ideas, and hilarious cartoons of “what wouldn’t work” when writing a children’s book. Linda, we hope you’ll be back!”
Benjamin Griffith, Warren County Memorial Library
“Ms. Ashman is an inspiring voice for all generations—our visiting students at Warren County Memorial Library were thrilled to meet and listen to her presentation. We were so grateful for her to share her insight and industry knowledge with us during her visit!”
Ann, Boulder Valley School District
“Linda Ashman’s school visit was memorable and remarkable for students and teachers alike. The author’s warm smile, pleasant personality, and friendly demeanor created an immediate connection for the children. Her presentation creatively and effectively presented the entire writing process from ideas to published material. Teachers were pleased with the reinforcement of the writing process, especially revising! The author visit was fabulous on all accounts!”
Susie Wilde, writing consultant
“What a resource North Carolina has in Linda Ashman! After admiring her wit and wordplay in books, it was such a pleasure to experience the marvelous treat of Linda Ashman Live at a recent SCBWI conference! Eloquently and elegantly she blended her knowledge of children’s books, diverse personal experiences, playfulness and good sound advice.”
Rachel Hamby, Inland Northweat SCBWI Assistant Regional Advisor
“As an avid reader of Linda’s picture books and her craft book for writers, I knew Linda’s instruction would be a something special. But bringing Linda to Spokane, Washington didn’t fit our small region’s budget constraints. Behold, the webinar. I was thrilled when Linda agreed to participate in our series for picture book storytellers. Linda was an active colleague throughout the planning process. She asked questions along the way that encouraged collaboration and improved our overall event. She created lovely visuals, applicable hand-outs, and gave a polished, personable presentation. Our members were thrilled to have the opportunity to learn from Linda Ashman.”
Ellen Mackey, Douglas County Libraries
“We were so pleased to have Linda Ashman present her workshop for our 1st-6th grade Writer’s Group. Her slide show was well-organized and kept the children’s interest. Her writing exercise sparked their creativity, and she guided a lively, enthusiastic workshop session. The children truly enjoyed writing and sharing their poems.”
Joy Jones, Vanderhoof Elementary, CO
“What a motivational speaker Linda is! The kids were excited to hear about how a book is crafted–from the rough draft, to the involvement of the illustrator, to how long the entire journey takes. The students learned that even published authors use the same formula that the kids are taught to follow in a creative writing situation. Our students were spellbound!”
Deborah Pope, Duke University
“Linda’s Picture Book Intensive was fantastic! She immediately set such a warm and encouraging atmosphere that carried throughout and helped everyone relax and open up. Each activity was so inventive and cool to do—they were fun, not stressful at all—and each step was incredibly well-paced and well-planned. When she brought us full circle with the last activity, I couldn’t believe we were winding up! It didn’t seem possible that hours had passed! She is a superb teacher.”
Julie Hedlund, author
“Editors consistently say they don’t like rhyming manuscripts because most of them are written in ‘bad rhyme.’ As a picture book writer who likes to write in rhyme, I found myself frustrated by the lack of resources directly related to the art of rhyming well. Then I struck gold in Linda’s workshop. It was fun, interactive, hugely informative and the best three hours you can spend if you write in rhyme (or want to).”
Anna Rusconi, Principal, Greenway Park Elementary, NC
“Our visit from Linda was incredible for our second and third grade students! Her interactive presentation really made the writing process come alive for our kids and inspired several of them to consider a career in writing.”
Jessica Swaim, author
“Linda’s workshops take participants on a fun-filled tour of all the elements of brilliant picture books, with lots of wonderful read-aloud examples as well as writing exercises to get the creative juices flowing. Writers of all levels will come away both informed and energized.”
Linda Vigen Phillips, author
“I started out writing children’s poetry, and a lot of it rhymed, before I went winging off into YA books in verse (not rhymed.) Lately I’ve been thinking I’d like to loop back for a second try with the younger set, and Linda Ashman’s workshop, “Writing the Rollicking Read-Aloud” was just the ticket. It was a great refresher on rhyming schemes and patterns, some I hadn’t thought about in a lot of years, and some, quite honestly, I hadn’t thought about at all! Always great when you learn something new even though you think you’ve got it down. I also really appreciated her reading lists so neatly categorized by topic or format. Linda is thorough, lively, and full of wisdom learned in her many years of writing wonderful picture books.”
Mary Jane Nirdlinger, writer
“What a treat to learn the ins and outs of picture book writing and publication from Linda at our North Carolina SCBWI conference. Her presentation was delivered with wit and honesty. Her Nuts and Bolts Guide has all the answers to the questions we thought of later. It’s so nice to hear an honest perspective delivered with humor and care. For someone new to the field, Linda offers a guiding hand in person and in print.”
Lesley Clayton, Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library
“You were terrific at the program. The kids and adults loved the whole thing and especially that you are such a positive role model. There were about 200 people at your program and we were very impressed at how well you worked with this huge crowd of babies, preschoolers and elementary age children as well as adults. Thank you for visiting us and thank you for your great presentation!”
Denise Vega, author
“Linda’s examples and explanations really gave me insights into what makes a good picture book work. Even though I’ve published a picture book, I learned so much from Linda and would recommend her workshops to anyone who really wants to understand what it takes to write a stellar picture book!”
Sallye O’Rourke, writer
“I thoroughly enjoyed Linda’s Picture Book Intensive. She is a remarkable storyteller but also an excellent teacher, with a gift for communicating clearly and concisely what it takes to create a terrific story and tell it in a memorable way.”
Claudia Cangilla McAdam, author
“Linda’s workshop on writing rhyming picture books was terrific! Her easy-going style and a presentation peppered with humor provided great insight and technical guidance. It was a workshop that appealed equally to novice writers as well as published authors such as myself. Linda’s expertise in this area really came through, and I think everyone in attendance benefited from her experience–I know I did!”
Karin Martin, Englewood Public Library, CO
“We enjoyed the program SO MUCH. Thank you for your time and putting together a wonderful presentation.”