“Janet Fox was immediately engaging for our 6th and 7th graders. Mrs. Fox related easily to our students and held our students captive throughout her 50 minute presentation. I often have students recommend her books to their friends.”
Scott Hensley – Info Lit Specialist, Bob Miller MS Learning Center, Henderson NV
New Programs For New Times
Covid-19 is changing the way authors interact with students and audiences. I’m changing my programs to reflect the “new normal”. Rather than traveling, or meeting with groups in person, I’m offering virtual presentations.
I’m very comfortable with Zoom and other virtual platforms, and would love to bring new ideas about reading, writing, history – and book/writing topics of all stripes – to your classrooms and libraries. Note that fees for virtual visits are substantially reduced, and of course there are no travel expenses.
All videos and discussions are tailored to suit the age and experience of your group.
See below for the kinds of programs I can offer, and let’s talk! You can contact me directly to work out details. If you are a Title 1 school, I offer my programs for no cost.
- Video and Discussion: For any of my books, I will make privately available a short (less than 5 minutes) video, in which I read portions of the book and offer thoughts to generate interest. (See my VOLCANO DREAMS video for an example.) After students view the video, I will join your class or group for a live remote chat, discussion, and/or Q&A. Thirty-minute visits are $200. One-hour visits are $300.
- Reader to Writer: For any of my books, you purchase a classroom set, and after your students have had a chance to read, I’ll discount my live virtual discussion about the book. Thirty-minute visits are $100, and one-hour visits are $200.
- Book connections: Using several of my books, I’ll take students on a virtual journey through the world of the writer – creating, revising. Particular attention will be paid to STEM and historical connections, which play large roles in my stories. One-hour visit is $300.
- Writing Workshop, Short: If you are looking for a way to engage your students in writing, this single-day workshop provides ideas and guidance. We’ll focus on the basics of character, plot, theme, setting, or any other aspects of writing that are appropriate for your class. I’ll provide take-aways and assignments for you to carry forward. Hour-long workshop fee is $500.
- Writing Workshop, Week-long: Each session of my longer workshop can be tailored to your needs, and can run 30 to 40 minutes. I’ll send ahead a private video/presentation that you can share with your students to acquaint them with the writer’s craft vocabulary. We’ll start the week with a discussion about writing: plot, character, theme, etc. I’ll give students a writing assignment, and the second session will focus on approaches to that assignment, and then students will be given instructions to revise. The third session focuses on revision, including how to critique. The fourth and fifth sessions will dig deeper into revision techniques, critiquing, and final drafting of their writing project. Workshop fee is $1700.
The above programs can contain one or more of these Core Curriculum-focused elements, with hands-on learning:
- STEM/STEAM: Geology and earth processes: Volcano Dreams; Physics and engineering: The Artifact Hunters
- History: World War 2: The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle, The Artifact Hunters; historical fiction: Faithful, Sirens
- Social Justice Issues: The Jewish experience: The Artifact Hunters; homelessness, hunger, discrimination: Carry Me Home (out summer 2021)
- Study Skills: Organization for home and school: Get Organized Without Losing It
All programs are flexible to your needs and hours.
My speaking credentials:
I’ve taught 8th and 9th grade English and study skills, have an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults, and have given numerous writing and study skills workshops to both young people and adults. I can create a lively and engaging presentation geared to the audience.
My past appearances include:
- National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) – panel appearances
- numerous school visits and bookstore events around the country
- Montana Library Association – featured speaker
- Montana Education Association (MFT/MEA) – keynote and panel appearances
- Jackson Hole Writers Conference – faculty member and speaker
- Bozeman Children’s Festival of the Book – featured speaker
- Montana Romance Writers – featured speaker
- Humanities Montana – featured speaker and panel appearances
- Association of Writers and Writing Programs (AWP) – panel appearances
- Montgomery County (Texas) Book Festival – panel appearances
- Oklahoma Library Association – panel appearances
- Historical Novel Society – panel appearances
- Vegas Valley Book Festival – panel appearances
- SCBWI – presenter at numerous venues around the country
More Kudos:
I love interacting with kids!
Janet Fox is not only a terrific writer, but she’s an excellent presenter. She connects with people through warmth, humor, and knowledge of her craft. Whether conducting a writing workshop for teens or speaking to an all-ages audience, Janet has a way of engaging people so they feel like she is talking directly to them.Paula Beswick, Foundation Director and sponsor of the Children’s Festival of the Book, Bozeman Public Library Foundation
Janet’s presentation to my class was extremely beneficial. It helped them see themselves as writers and better understand the writing process. She had my students completely engrossed. I could tell from the questions they asked at the end of her presentation that they were captivated by Janet’s process of creative thought and how those ideas evolved into a tangible book. Kathy Morgan, Middle School Teacher, Big Timber MT
More ideas for classroom and large group youth discussions:
- Spies & Secrets: Kat Bateson and her siblings of THE CHARMED CHILDREN OF ROOKSKILL CASTLE are sent away from London during the Blitz in the fall of 1940. In addition to the scary things they encounter at the Scottish castle, they also discover a German spy and an enigma machine. I’ll bring World War 2 to life for your students with a research-based discussion filled with fascinating details about wartime Great Britain. (Grades 4 – 12)
- From Castles to Kraken: World-building in Fantasy: History and fantasy collide in THE CHARMED CHILDREN OF ROOKSKILL CASTLE, and in THE ARTIFACT HUNTERS. But how do authors build complex worlds in their novels, especially in fantasy? I’ll structure a hands-on age-appropriate workshop so your students can experience building worlds of their own. (Grades 4 – 12)
- What Is A Supervolcano?: Yellowstone National Park is home to amazing animals. But it also has fantastic thermal features like geysers and hot springs. Why? Because when you are in Yellowstone you are inside the caldera of a supervolcano! My picture book, VOLCANO DREAMS: A STORY OF YELLOWSTONE, gives students an inside look at the volcano. (Grades 1 – 5)
- Study Skills For Middle Grade Students: The middle grade years are some of the most daunting for students, with numerous changes, from homerooms to homework. How can a student cope? My humorous guide to school success, GET ORGANIZED WITHOUT LOSING IT, is the focus of this hands-on workshop designed to boost middle-schoolers’ study and life skills. (Grades 5 – 7)