C. Lee McKenzie

Young Adult and Middle Grade Author

  • Home
  • Young Adult
  • Middle Grade
  • Teachers & Parents
  • Appearances
  • Contact
  • About
  • Links
  • Blog

School Presentation: How and Why To Do Them

March 10, 2014 By C. Lee McKenzie 39 Comments

LOS ALTOS HIGH SCHOOL CAMPUS

On Thursday I was at Los Altos High and had the pleasure of talking to three English classes–one senior and two sophomore sections. The kids were so wonderful that it made me nostalgic for those classroom days when I taught English.

LOS ALTOS HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH CLASS

In the 40 minutes I had, I told them a little about who I was and what I wrote, read from two of my YA novels, then gave them a 10 minute writing exercise, saving the last 5-10 minutes for Q and A.

I based the exercise on beginnings. A few weeks before I’d submitted sample beginnings of stories I’d written, they’d read them and we discussed what I call the EICE, /ice/, formula. Credit for this goes to Stein in Stein on Writing, and I keep it posted above my desk.

  • Excite the reader’s curiosity about the character or relationship.
  • Introduce the setting and tone.
  • Create images for reader.
  • Evoke emotions.
They wrote, trying to follow the formula and produced some great beginnings. 
The best part of this kind of presentation is that you not only engage with young readers, you also have the chance to meet their teachers and talk to school librarians. As a result of my presentation, my books will be on Los Altos library shelves. 
I left bookmarks, business cards and some postcards with my book covers on them. The students snatched those up, so I’m hoping they’ll be interested enough to follow through with a visit to my website and that they’ll be curious enough about my books to read them. 
Of all the promotion I do, this is my favorite.

SIGN UP HERE
Are you ready for the A to Z Blog Challenge of 2014? About three weeks to kick off! Sign up. Create your theme. Then reveal it if you want on March 21!
SIGN UP HERE FOR THE REVEAL

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: A-Z Blog Challenge, A-Z Theme Reveal, How titles, presentations

Comments

  1. Hilary Melton-Butcher says

    March 16, 2014 at 4:23 pm

    Hi Lee – that sounds an amazing session .. and how clever to prepare the kids in advance, then you've got your handle for the session … I bet they learnt loads .. so fascinating to read – I'd love to join you too … cheers Hilary

    Reply
    • debi o'neille says

      March 22, 2014 at 4:47 pm

      I'm so glad I came across this post. I'm working on ideas for school visits, so reading this couldn't have come at a better time.

      Reply
  2. Julie Musil says

    March 16, 2014 at 1:23 am

    I didn't know you used to teach English! That's great. I've never heard of EICE. Great tip.

    Last week I spoke for the first time in front of 4th and 5th graders. I was nervous but they were so much fun!

    Reply
  3. Lexa Cain says

    March 14, 2014 at 9:16 am

    Your visits with the three classes sound so productive. (Teens scare the hell out of me. I expect them all to be "mean girls." I don't know how you fearlessly walk right into the lion's den.) I love the EICE info. That encapsulates what's necessary in a beginning perfectly!

    Reply
  4. Nick Wilford says

    March 14, 2014 at 8:36 am

    What a great thing to do to engage students in writing. And that's a neat formula, I might just nab it myself!

    Reply
  5. Medeia Sharif says

    March 14, 2014 at 7:19 am

    That's a fantastic experience. I can't hit the classrooms since I'm already teaching, but during the summer or if I ever leave teaching, I'd love to do this.

    Reply
  6. Michelle Wallace says

    March 14, 2014 at 7:16 am

    I've just submitted a proposal to start a writing club at the new school I'm at… I'm looking forward to it!
    I'm here to pick up the award you presented to me…

    Reply
  7. Carrie Butler says

    March 13, 2014 at 11:05 pm

    Very cool! I've presented to an elementary school, even though they weren't exactly my buying demographic… LOL

    Reply
  8. Vanessa Morgan says

    March 13, 2014 at 6:08 pm

    What a lovely promotional activity indeed.

    Reply
  9. Marcia says

    March 13, 2014 at 4:01 pm

    I'm glad it went so well. It certainly sounds wonderful!

    Reply
  10. Crystal Collier says

    March 12, 2014 at 2:25 pm

    Ooh! I love it! I totally want to get out there and hit the classrooms…but having 3 homeschooling kids at home is making it a little difficult. It will happen. Soon, I hope. Thanks for a great outline of your process!

    Reply
  11. klahanie says

    March 12, 2014 at 3:28 am

    Greetings Lee,

    Yes and thank goodness, I have arrived. Great pawst! Thanks for sharing! Following!

    It seems those school kids were taking on board what you were saying. My human and I try to write in such a way that we are "talking" to the one reader. The intimate style works for us.

    I've every confidence that those students will want to read your books. Heck, I'm going to read a book about alligators overhead to my rather confused human.

    The A to Z? Make the ridiculous thing go away! Gosh, I see Arlee Bird has been here. Hi Mr. Alphabet Man!

    Pawsitive wishes, your starstruckest dog fan,

    Penny the Jack Russell dog and modest internet superstar!

    Reply
  12. DMS says

    March 12, 2014 at 2:54 am

    This sounds like so much fun! I love school visits for so many reasons. Connecting with readers is so exciting and so is the chance to meet teachers and librarians. I bet the kids loved having you in to their classrooms. ๐Ÿ™‚
    ~Jess

    Reply
  13. Nas says

    March 12, 2014 at 1:08 am

    Enjoy! The school presentation sounds great.

    Reply
  14. Carol Kilgore says

    March 11, 2014 at 8:25 pm

    Your school presentation sounds great. I'm sitting out A-Z this year. Have fun!

    Reply
  15. Tyrean Martinson says

    March 11, 2014 at 8:06 pm

    Sounds like an awesome experience! I would love to do something like that. Glad you had fun!

    Reply
  16. Elizabeth Seckman says

    March 11, 2014 at 2:32 pm

    I've spoken to Honors classes in high school. It was a lot of fun and a great reminder that there are still good kids in this world!

    Reply
  17. Barbara Watson says

    March 11, 2014 at 1:41 pm

    From one English teacher to another, there's nothing like connecting with teens (or kids) over books.

    Reply
  18. Stephen Tremp says

    March 10, 2014 at 11:55 pm

    I remember little things I would take away when I was in school. I still have a few in a junk box. One such item is a novelty size pair of moraccas that for some reason mean a lot to me.

    Reply
  19. Empty Nest Insider says

    March 10, 2014 at 11:27 pm

    I'm sure that the students enjoyed it as much as you did! It's also nice that you included special keepsakes for them to remember you by.

    Julie

    Reply
  20. Christine Rains says

    March 10, 2014 at 11:12 pm

    That sounds like it went awesome! I'd like to go to one of your presentations as well. ๐Ÿ™‚ I'm a good student.

    Reply
  21. M. J. Joachim says

    March 10, 2014 at 11:03 pm

    Very helpful formula. High school kids are cool. I remember when I used to substitute teach in their classrooms, and we had a ball.

    Reply
  22. Lady Lilith says

    March 10, 2014 at 10:21 pm

    I really enjoy seeing the perspectives of children. They usually have such a different point of view.

    Reply
  23. L. Diane Wolfe says

    March 10, 2014 at 10:13 pm

    Anytime I've visited a school, I've done my character development exercise. It's a great way to encourage kids to write and get you (and your books) in the door.

    Reply
  24. Theresa Milstein says

    March 10, 2014 at 9:49 pm

    Sounds like everyone got something out of your visit.

    No A to Z for this year. April is too hectic. I'll enjoy reading other people's posts though.

    Reply
  25. Arlee Bird says

    March 10, 2014 at 9:02 pm

    Excellent marketing strategy that serves as a helpful lesson to the students. This is a great way to cultivate your potential audience.

    Lee
    Wrote By Rote
    An A to Z Co-host blog

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      March 10, 2014 at 9:45 pm

      And it's fun for me. It also keeps me on my toes.

      Reply
  26. DEZMOND says

    March 10, 2014 at 7:34 pm

    that sounds wonderfully creative!

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      March 10, 2014 at 9:45 pm

      Let's hope they did, too! But I got good feedback, so that was nice.

      Reply
  27. Beverly Stowe McClure says

    March 10, 2014 at 6:35 pm

    What a great idea. I imagine the kids and teachers enjoyed your visit. The schools around here, even where I taught, have not been interested in school visits. ๐Ÿ™‚ Oh, well.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      March 10, 2014 at 9:44 pm

      Their loss, Beverly. Too bad.

      Reply
  28. Bish Denham says

    March 10, 2014 at 6:29 pm

    I'd like to be at one of your school visits. I want to learn at the feet of the Mistress. ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      March 10, 2014 at 9:44 pm

      Very sweet! And I'd love it if you were there.

      Reply
  29. Natalie Aguirre says

    March 10, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    Thanks for the tips. One of the things I'm scared of is trying to do an interesting school visit. We don't have many in our high school though. They have a full schedule of what they need to get through in class.

    I really appreciate your tips. Makes me a bit less nervous.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      March 10, 2014 at 9:43 pm

      I was nervous since I hadn't done one at this school before, but it turned out to be a great experience for me.

      Reply
  30. Angela Brown says

    March 10, 2014 at 2:43 pm

    I like your idea of making the visit more interactive with the students so it isn't a bore to them.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      March 10, 2014 at 9:43 pm

      So true. I always like it when I got to participate with the presenter. Still do!

      Reply
  31. Alex J. Cavanaugh says

    March 10, 2014 at 2:02 pm

    Glad it was a huge success. That's a good exercise for the kids. I bet their beginnings were amusing.

    Reply
    • C. Lee McKenzie says

      March 10, 2014 at 9:42 pm

      They were and some were quite exciting.

      Reply

Leave a Reply to debi o'neille Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Find Lee Online:

Email Facebook Twitter

LinkedIn GoodReads Google+

The Adventures of Pete and Weasel

Blogroll

  • A Bit About Britian
  • Alex J. Cavanaugh
  • Bish Denham
  • Book Sage Reviewer
  • Books in the Hall
  • Cathrina Constatine
  • Christine Rains – Writer
  • Denise Covey
  • Diane Burton
  • elements of emaginette
  • Elephant's Child
  • Evernight Teen
  • Everyday Writer, Tyrean Martinson
  • Everything Must Change
  • Fantasy, Myth, Fiction
  • H.R. Sinclair
  • Happy Ever After
  • Insecure Writer's Support Group
  • It's Rhyme Time
  • J.H. Moncrieff
  • JQRose Book Blogger
  • Julie Flanders
  • Just Jemi
  • Kidbits
  • Laws of Gravity
  • Lee Lowery Murder Mystery
  • Life As Only I Know It
  • Literary Rambles
  • Mama Diaries
  • Mark Noce Stories
  • Musings
  • My Hogwarts Sabbatical
  • My Pet Blog
  • Nick Wilford, Speculative Author
  • Olga Godim
  • Patricia Lynne, Independent Author
  • Pen & Pro$per
  • Pensive Pen
  • Play Off The Page
  • Positive Letters …. inspirational stories
  • Quiet Laughter
  • Sandra's Blog
  • Shady Dell Music & Memories
  • Shooting Stars Mag
  • Summer Snowflakes
  • Susan Says
  • Tamara Narayan, Author
  • Tara Tyler Talks
  • The Cynical Sailor & His Salty Sidekick
  • The Happy Whisk
  • The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow
  • The Story of a Writer
  • The ToiBox of Words
  • The Warrior Muse
  • Thoughts in Progress
  • Uniquely Holden
  • Welcome to My Magick Theatre
  • WordDreamsโ€ฆ
  • Writing In The Crosshairs
  • Yvette Carol

Archives:

Recent Comments:

  • Elizabeth Seckman on Omar, His Camel, Anubis, and Me.
  • Jemi Fraser on Omar, His Camel, Anubis, and Me.
  • Di Williams on Omar, His Camel, Anubis, and Me.
  • Elephants Child on Omar, His Camel, Anubis, and Me.
  • Pat Garcia on Omar, His Camel, Anubis, and Me.

Tags

2009 Deb Blog Tour 2009 Debs' Tour 2013 A-Z Blog Challenge Alex Cavanaugh Alligators Overhead Arlee Bird AtoZChallenge2015 AtoZChallenge2016 Blog Hops Book Signings C. Lee McKenzie Christmas Contest cover Damyanti Double Negative Email Connect Halloween hat's of corner Heather M. Gardner Her Grammarness Insecure Writer Interview IWSG Jeremy M.J. Joachim marketing Middle Grade Monday Monday Miscellany Monday Moods New Books Nicole Ayers Pam Small Things Hop Stephen Tremp Story Collection Throes of Thursday Tina WEP WIP writing YA Young Adult