Author Visits

Jessica presenting

I’d love to visit your school or library!

My interactive presentations offer a behind-the-scenes look at writing and illustration. Inspire your students to follow their curiosity and passions! Presentations can be tailored to different age ranges, or combined.

Book Your Visit!

Available Programs

This talk includes:

  • About me
  • Short reading from Jumper or book of your choice
  • How are books made? (Simplified version)
  • A painting from start to finish (video)
  • Four Steps to Story! my foolproof recipe for crafting a narrative. Kids love to participate!
  • Mini quiz
  • Live drawing demonstration

This talk includes:

  • About me
  • Making my books from start to finish
  • Nonfiction research
  • Building art models for reference
  • A painting from start to finish (video)
  • Four Steps to Story! my foolproof recipe for crafting a narrative.
  • Fun quiz
  • Live drawing demonstration
  • Q & A

This talk includes:

  • About me
  • How I became an author
  • Making my books from start to finish
  • Nonfiction research for more advanced students
  • Writing tools
  • A painting from start to finish (video)
  • Four Steps to Story!
  • Fun quiz
  • Live drawing demonstration
  • Q&A

This program begins with a short introduction to storyboarding and how simple compositions can shape emotion and pacing. Students use craft materials to create their own storyboard, which they get to keep to take home. Great for building visual literacy and sequencing skills.

Presentations for older students and adults are available upon request.

Some of the incredible fan art for talented students I've visited

Visit Formats

  • In-Person Visits (Local)
    • Full Day
      • Up to four presentations
      • Book signing
      • Optional lunch/meet and greet
    • Half Day
      • Up to two presentations
      • Book signing
    • Custom
  • In-Person Visits (Travel)
    • Full Day
      • Up to four presentations
      • Book signing
      • Optional lunch/meet and greet
      • ** Reduced rates and half days available if two or more schools in your area participate.
  • Virtual Visits
    • 30 Minute Q&A
    • 1 Hour Presentation
    • Custom – fit to your needs!

Please contact me for current pricing and availability.

What's Included?

Early Work

Early Work

I engage with kids by showing that I was once a student just like them. Your students will be excited to realize that their ideas can lead to something big someday!

Getting Ideas

Getting Ideas

I'll share where my best ideas come from and how anyone can cultivate creativity—even when facing writer's block. Kids get to share where they like to find their own ideas.

Research

Research

I'll explain how I ensure accuracy in my books and teach students the importance of trustworthy research in the digital age.

Revision

Revision

Students are amazed to see how many drafts and sketches go into a finished book! I'll share videos of thumbnails, sketches, and dummy books.

Art Process

Art Process

Students will watch a watercolor illustration come to life in a time-lapse video and learn about the models I use as reference material.

What Educators Are Saying

“I have received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from your visit. Teachers were especially grateful for your in-depth presentation of the writing process and engagement of the students.”

— Katelyn Jackson, Teacher Librarian at Mackintosh Academy

“Many teachers stopped by to tell me how much they enjoyed your presentation... They also took your story framework into the classroom and story-boarded characters/conflicts/solutions of their own. You inspired so much creativity!”

— Jenna Bullard, Teacher Librarian at Erie Elementary

“Many of us were inspired by her very thoughtful process and beautiful art. People were so curious and excited about children’s book illustration and Jessica’s art that there was barely a pause between questions.”

— Hannah Cheng, Senior Art Student at Hillsdale College
Some of the incredible fan art for talented students I've visited

Hosting Your Visit

To have the best visit possible, please prepare your students by reading my book with them ahead of time. Encourage them to think of questions they’d like to ask—little learners often find it tricky to come up with questions on the spot.

Setting up a successful author visit is easy! Here’s how it works:

  1. Contact me at hello@jessicalanan.com for availability and fees to get on the schedule.
  2. When you're ready to book, I’ll send a contract and invoice for a deposit to hold your spot. We'll also coordinate any travel (if needed).
  3. Six weeks before the event, the bookstore will provide a book order form that you can distribute to students (paper, digital, or both).
  4. Four weeks before the event, we’ll collect order forms to allow time for books to be ordered and shipped.
  5. Two weeks out, I’ll send final details and check in about AV, schedule, parking, and any last-minute questions.
Download Info Sheet
Book Your Visit!

FAQ

  • Can't you present for free?
    While I wish I could, I need to make a living too. I’m happy to work with you to find creative solutions. If you are a Title I school, please reach out because I offer a limited number of discounted local visits.
  • How are book sales handled?
    I coordinate through Boulder Bookstore or your preferred bookseller, with easy paper or digital order forms for students. The bookstore will deliver the books to be signed at the time of the visit.
  • How far ahead should I plan my visit?
    I recommend booking as soon as possible, since my schedle can fill up. I strongly recommend no less than eight weeks for planning the details of local visits and four months for out of state visits. That leaves enough time to figure out logistics and get order forms out to students and for book orders to arrive at the bookstore.
  • Can I record the visit?
    No video, please—but photos are welcome!

Ready to Inspire Your Students?

Fill out the form below and I'll be in touch with more information!