Creeated by: Sarah Chauncey & Ramona N. Kerby, Ph.D. - founders - Skype an Author http://skypeanauthor.wetpaint.com/ as presented on the TL Virtual Cafe http://tlvirtualcafe.wikispaces.com/

1. Mona made an in-
person visit to
Grandview
Library in 2008.
We loved Mona
and Owney!

2. The following year, we
wanted another group of
2 nd graders to meet Mona
as part of our letter-writing
unit? But there were no
funds…
Why not Skype her in?

3. Mona and I talked
about the logistics of
Skyping.
We did a dry-run.
Mona’s Office to
Grandview Library
via Skype.

4. We wondered if
other authors
would be willing
to make Skype
visits.

5. Our goal – host a
network of authors
who are willing to
participate in Skype
conversations with
students in classrooms

6. Create a wiki and
provide a page
for each author
who joins the
network.

7. Create an author
template
 Consistency of content
 Keeps things simple for
authors, teachers, and
librarians.
 Minimal management

8. Simple Guidelines
for Authors
and
Librarians / Teachers

9. Mona’s Tips for Teachers and Librarians
Pre-planning is Essential
1. Have a backup plan. Bad weather affects
transmission. Exchange phone numbers so you can have
another way to fix a glitch.
2. Keep the group small as a way to maintain
energy and interaction. No more than 2 classes.
3. Participating students, teachers, and
adults should know the author. This
means:
 Reading the books
 Doing activities with the books, writing, research, etc.

10. Tips for teachers and librarians— cont’d
4. Encourage thoughtful questions:
 That don’t lead to a yes or no answer
 That focus on writing, revising, illustrating, publishing
 Allow freedom to ask questions based on what they hear
5. Consider purchasing books and selling
them to students at a discount and
sending bookplates for the author to
autograph to students.
6. Keep it short, 10 minutes maximum. This
is a gift of time and kindness. For longer
visits, pay the author.

11. Two outstanding visits…
 A reading teacher worked with 5 students
by reading my books, by writing and
revising their own stories, and by
preparing questions. Then, each student
and I had the opportunity to talk
individually while the others listened.
 A school librarian invited one class and
their parents into the library for the
interview. Students asked me their
questions and then after my interview,
performed for their parents.

12. Success
Stories

13. 5/27/10 - What a glorious three days I had at Demmitt
Elementary in Vandalia, Ohio. The main reason this visit
was a success was librarian Beth Green and a team of
talented educators who organized a welcome assembly,
Family Night, presentations, and two days of writing
"funshops". Another thing Beth planned was
skyping with each class prior to my in-
person visit. This allowed the students and I
the opportunity to get to know each other; I
also gave suggestions to each class for
writing projects. With the second graders, for
example, I explained how to use my book ROAR OF A
SNORE as a model for their ROAR OF A SNORE II,
using the same plot, but a new character and setting.
When I arrived at Demmitt, the halls were filled with the
various classes' projects. Skyping as a supplement to in-
person visits wasn't something I anticipated when I joined
Skype an Author, but it works beautifully. I plan to
include skyping as a preliminary to my in-

14. 05/20/2010 - I recently chatted to
Franklin Middle School and
attach a picture from the Home
News Tribune, the caption of
which gives the full details. We
spoke for about 40 mins mostly
in the form of question and
answer. Ms. Tara-Lynn Walter
has been using Epic in her
classroom and has teachers'
notes for the book which she is
willing to share. To contact her,
please go through me. Thanks
for the good work you are doing,
Warm regards, Conor.

15. 05/12/2010 I am writing in regard to a
Skype session my class had today with
Mike Artell. It was the first such
endeavor my district has done and our
superintendent as well as the head of
our technology department and my
principal were present to observe. I am
happy to say it was a wonderful
experience. Mr. Artell kept the students
engaged and got them excited about
writing and illustrating. All
administrators were impressed and
have indicated they are willing to
allow me to pursue additional

16. 3/03/10 What a thrill it was to connect
with 5th grade students attending an
international school in Korea! Their
teacher, Miss Kim had been using my
picture book, "THOSE SHOES" in her
classroom, and inquired about a Skype
visit. It was such a fun experience, as I
worked through the questions the
students had sent me the previous week.
To be able to interact with children so far
away, encouraging them to write, read
and love books is absolutely amazing.
Thank you, Mona Kerby and Sarah
Chauncey for helping make these
connections between authors, teachers

17. The story of author
Barbara Mahler's
Skype visit to
Cosgrove Middle
School in Spencerport,
NY on December 4,
2009. The students
were reading her book
The Hole in the Sky,
and had questions
prepared.
Author: Barbara
Mahler

18. 225+ Authors
As of June
2010