I have a present for you!
It's not green. And it's not Irish. But it's still a great present :)
Remember on Friday I promised a guest post on a very interesting topic?
Ta-da!
Allow me to introduce the multi-talented and delightful Iza Trapani!
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| Author/Illustrator Iza Trapani |
Thank you so much for joining us today!
I personally am very interested in the topic of Skype school visits. I think they're a wonderful alternative to in-person visits for many schools, allowing authors and illustrators to visit classrooms without the expense associated with in-person visits. Having never done one myself, I was curious to know the details of how one goes about it, and I thought you guys might like to know too! So I asked Iza (who is a pro :)) to elucidate, and she very kindly did (VERY kindly because not only did I ask her for a guest post, it was on short notice!)
Take it away, Iza!
While an in-person school visit is always
better, a Skype session is a nice alternative for schools struggling with tight budgets and/or for
schools wanting to invite an out-of-state author. Most authors charge travel
expenses in addition to their presentation
fees, so it can get expensive. Skype visits are a convenient and affordable
option. They are also great for authors and illustrators who are often up
against deadlines. Cutting out the
travel leaves more time for the works in progress.
I’ve been doing skype visits for a couple of
years now, and I’m glad to share my experience.
Getting
Skype Visits
Advertising for Skype visits is no different
than for in-person visits. On my website I have a link with information on my
school visits. It includes a description of my presentation, a short video of
me presenting to a class, my fees, list of my titles, short bio, feedback on my presentations and more. When a
school contacts me, I also have a school visit PDF that includes all the
relevant info plus references. A few years ago we added a blurb that I am now
available for Skype visits as well. When I started doing Skype, I sent out an
e-mail announcement to all my school contacts, teacher friends, and fans. A few
years ago I’d also sent out a flyer to numerous schools within a 50 mile
radius. The flyer had a brief bio, description of my presentation and contact
info. I am also listed in Arts in Ed directories in several counties. Mostly,
the schools find me either via my website or by word of mouth. Because my
writing and illustrations (especially) are so time consuming, I can not do too
many school visits. But that is a personal choice. Some authors do lots of
school visits and I am sure they promote much more aggressively than I do.
Setting
up the Session
I set up right in my studio which has good,
glare-free northern light and overhead track lights. My laptop will rest on a small table. I’ll
have a stool to sit on and my materials (illustration samples, books I’ll be
using etc.) will be within reach on top of my flat file cabinets on the left.
To my right will be an easel with an 18x24 pad on which I’ll do drawing
demonstrations. Behind me, a low bookshelf will showcase some of my books face
out. It makes a nice backdrop.
Before doing my first school visit I did a
test with my sister (in Poland!) to make
sure the light was good, that the books behind me were well arranged and that
the easel was at the right height. When I first started I was worried that the
class wouldn’t see me well, but I soon learned that the image I see of me in
the little window on the bottom right in Skype is what they are seeing. I can
tilt the computer screen to adjust the view as needed.
Makeup?
Attire?
One of the advantages of a Skype visit is that
I don’t have to fuss over my appearance. First of all, it’s never a crystal
clear image-at least not on my end. I rarely wear make-up but I will wash my hair and wear a nice, casual top
for the session. It doesn’t matter what’s on my bottom half- clown pants or a
tutu- they won’t see it :-)
Interruptions?
I turn off the phone and leave a note on the
front door. If it’s UPS or FedEx, they can drop off in our front foyer. My big Mastiff, Jambo, might stay in my
husband’s shop- but I have had requests from some schools that the kids wanted
to see my pets, so in those cases I will leave him with me. Part of the
attraction of Skype is seeing the author at home.
Technical Problems
Sometimes there are technical problems -
usually no sound. So far, the problems
were on the school’s end and were quickly fixed. A quick test Skype with
the teacher ahead of time is always a good idea. I also do a test Skype with a
friend or relative beforehand.
Sound can be a bit problematic. When the
children join me in singing there is a slight delay. Also, I don’t always hear
the children when they ask me questions; the teachers usually have to repeat
them, and I can hear the teachers just fine. They say they can hear me very
clearly, so I am glad about that.
My
Presentation
My Skype presentations are the same as my
in-person visits. I start off with a short intro, telling a little bit about
me- how I was born in Poland and came to the U.S. when I was seven and went
right into first grade not speaking any English, and then how my dream of making
books for children came true. Then I sing/read one of my nursery rhyme books,
and I’ll have the kids sing at least the first verse along with me. Then I will
discuss the bookmaking process, talk a bit about getting ideas and turning them
into stories, and then the many revisions that are needed. I will show samples
of my storyboards, dummy sketches, color studies and final art. I will also
show some of my rejected works- paintings I had started but wasn’t happy with.
And I have some press sheets to show them so they can understand the printing
process. After that I will do Q+A then go on to a drawing demonstration.
I’ll choose a character from one of my books and have the kids think of some
ideas of what the character could be doing and I will draw it for them. Then
I’ll ask the kids to help me add details to the drawing and I will put them in.
A typical scene might be a bear riding on a skateboard and juggling. For
details they will ask me to put in the sun, birds, bunnies, flowers, ladybugs,
etc. I love that! There are so many edgy books out there and it’s reassuring to
me to know that kids are still charmed by the beauty and wonder of nature.
My books are ideal for preK to 1st grade, but
I will also present to older kids. I will adjust my presentations- doing more
singing and reading with the little ones and more bookmaking discussions with
the older kids.
Fee
I charge $150 for a 45 minute to 1 hr session.
My in-person visits are $250 per session plus travel expenses beyond 50 miles.
I will do up to 4 presentations in one day. In both cases, the school will send
me a check after the visit.
And that’s all there is to it! :-)
Thank you, Susanna, for featuring me. I hope
this info is helpful to your many wonderful readers!
Thank YOU, Iza! I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say it was very interesting and enlightening!
Iza is the author and illustrator of 20 lovely picture books for children, including Itsy Bitsy Spider (a favorite in our house), Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, The Bear Went Over The Mountain, Little Miss Muffet and many more. She is also the illustrator of 4 books written by other authors.
Teachers, you can learn all about Iza's school visits here:
and everyone - teachers, parents, readers, writers, homeschoolers, librarians, kids etc. - you can find Iza around the web here:
www.izatrapani.com
http://izatrapani.com/blog
Like me on Facebook
Follow me on twitter
I hope you enjoyed learning about Skype visits (I know I did! :)) and if you have any questions, I think Iza will be happy to answer in the comments!
Have a marvelous Monday, everyone, and once again, Happy St. Patrick's Day! :)
