About My School Visits I love to speak with young readers. That's why my visits to schools and libraries are always interactive experiences. Whenever I meet with a group, I try to find our common ground. From there, we discuss the process of creating story. I always encourage my audience to share their ideas with me. We have fun together as we explore the elements of writing. Author Talks In these presentations I use stories from my life and excerpts from my writer's notebook to show how real life can be the inspiration for fiction. Whether focusing on a single title or on several titles, I discuss the writing techniques that help make a book unique and special. Some of the topics I've covered include: LETTERS From Librarians and Teachers... You were wonderful! You have completely inspired my students. They have been writing for almost a hour about their "magic objects." Thank you!     Karla Glidden,     Fleming Island Elementary,     Orange Park, FL We would like to thank you very much for making our Thirteenth Annual Authors Day so successful. Our children thoroughly enjoyed your visit. They truly loved your books!     Grace Ostermann,     Library Media Specialist     Somers Intermediate School     Somers, New York There is so much lingo out there on writer's notebooks and you bridge the gap when reading aloud from yours. Many children assume that to be an author you have to be dead. Lucky for us, you are alive, writing, and visiting schools.     Thea Farhadian, Teacher      P.S.219      Flushing, New York Thanks again for a great visit - the students are continuing to write from a turtle's point of view... some have already printed out stories with illustrations to hang in the hallway.      Helen Robbins,      Media Specialist      Cedar Hill School      Towaco, N.J. Your writing workshops for the fifth graders both informed and inspired the students, while your anecdotes about your writing process fascinated all the students (grades 3-5). Children still ask for your books in our library and eagerly look forward to further adventures of Bartleby.      Holly Rivlin,      Library Media Specialist      Wampus Elementary      Armonk, New York Writing Like a Turtle #1 Secret Weapon—My Writer's Notebook The Year I Learned to Fly Author talks can be held in a school library, an auditorium, or a classroom, depending on the size of your group. All presentations can be tailored to the needs of your students. New Writing Workshop! The Secrets of Fantasy Writing Whether it's a favorite superhero, a lucky pen, or a Magic Eight Ball, fantasy plays a part in every childhood. But how does a young writer transfer his or her experience into writing? This workshop—based on Phyllis Shalant's book, The Great Cape Rescue—includes a discussion of the elements of fantasy and reveals the three basic “rules” of writing modern fantasy. During the workshop, youngsters participate in a thought-provoking writing exercise that will lead them to writing fantasy scenes of their own. To Learn More... If you'd like further information about my presentations, or want to discuss the possibility of a visit to your school, click here: Contact Phyllis.