I offer two programs: a Fantasy Writing Workshop, and My Books, My Writing, an assembly program.

In my Fantasy Writing Workshop, I teach students how to create a fantasy story using tools from my Fantasy Toolbox. I explain the elements of a fantasy story--magic portals, magic objects, magic helpers, obstacles, villains, quests, familiars, and the return. At the end of the hour-and-fifteen-minute workshop, each student will have the beginning of a fantasy story of his or her own. The workshop works best for 5th through 8th graders. It is suitable for a maximum of two classes or approximately 70 students at one time.

I now have a Fantasy Writing Workshop for high school students. I teach them to write fantasy stories using the structure of the Hero's Journey. This workshop takes one hour. I am currently developing a power point presentation to accompany the workshop.

My Books, My Writing is a thirty-minute assembly program. I show slides, talk about my books and what inspired them, talk about what an author's day is like, discuss how a book gets published, offer some writing tips, and answer frequently asked questions such as how I came to be a writer. The program is suitable for fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders.

Here is what Heather Kindem, representative from Mason Middle School in Tacoma, Washinton, said about my Fantasy Writing Workshop:

"After participating in the Fantasy Writing Workshop, a teacher remarked, "I've always wanted to teach a unit on fantasy writing but I didn't know how to do it. Now I have the tools to get started."   In the Fantasy Writing Workshop, students participate in a practical and fanciful introduction to fantasy writing. Dia Calhoun shares practical ways to write a fantasy story and students create possibilities for their own fantasy story. They generate ways to transform ordinary objects into magic portals and create a map of their imaginary world. By the end of the workshop, students have the beginnings of their own fantasy story. Also, Dia illustrates the elements of fantasy by highlighting examples from popular fantasy novels or movies."

For large rooms and groups (an auditorium does not work), I request a clip on microphone. If I’m traveling, please provide lunch. For the workshop, I need a table, chair, write on board, drinking water, and a slide projector. I prefer for students to be sitting in rows of chairs rather than on the floor. I have found that they pay better attention that way. The students write on notebooks they hold on their laps.
To make book signing easier, please have each student write his or her name clearly on a slip of paper. Note: I request that a teacher or librarian to be present during the presentation to maintain student discipline.

My honorarium is $300.00 for one Fantasy Writing Workshop. $550.00 for two workshops. $800.00 for three workshops in a full day. A full day includes three Fantasy Writing Workshops, an Assembly Program if desired, and a book signing. $1000.00 for a full day visit requiring an overnight stay. An Assemby Program only is $200.00.

The school pays travel expenses. Schools can share expenses and divide the author's time between schools. Expenses include plane fare, food, hotel, cab fare from airport to hotel, hotel to school, and back (unless a parent provides transportation), or a rental car. Due to privacy needs, I regret I am unable to stay with a host family.

"I just want to pass on some information that was brought to my attention this morning that I'm sure you'll be happy to hear! Our 7th graders just received the results from their writing assessment tests and our school did exceptionally well this year. The 7th grade teachers have told me that your presentation was a big part of why the students did so well. The students who chose to do imaginative writing for their assessment remembered the steps you outlined and the fun story you created which helped them in their writing process. The way you made your presentation was very "kid-friendly" and a great way to help them remember how to do it." Debbie Rasmussen  Twality Middle School Tigard, Oregon  

"After participating in the Fantasy Writing Workshop, a teacher remarked, "I've always wanted to teach a unit on fantasy writing but I didn't know how to do it. Now I have the tools to get started." In the Fantasy Writing Workshop, students participate in a practical and fanciful introduction to fantasy writing. Dia Calhoun shares practical ways to write a fantasy story and students create possibilities for their own fantasy stories. They generate ways to transform ordinary objects into magic portals and create maps of their imaginary worlds. By the end of the workshop, students have the beginnings of their own fantasy story. Also, Dia illustrates the elements of fantasy by highlighting examples from popular fantasy novels or movies." Heather Kindem  Mason Middle School Tacoma, Washington

"Stanwood School District was fortunate to have a wonderful writer, Dia Calhoun, come to our schools this year for an author visit. She shared with students information on the writing of FIREGOLD and ARIA OF THE SEA. She also presented a writer's workshop using a Fantasy Toolbox that was outstanding. By using physical props from her toolbox, she was able to spark the students' interest and motivate them to write. She gave students a framework of elements for writing a fantasy story and modeled each part of it for them. In the time she gave them to write their own stories, all the students were so motivated that they found it hard to end the session. We are enjoying her books and are looking forward to more books from this exciting author." Mary Larsen Librarian  Stanwood School District, Stanwood, Washington

I offer a discount on my honorarium to schools who offer my books for sale and who sell at least 15 copies.

Schools may order books from a bookstore or my publisher. Book sales are one way the school can fund the visit. No one has to buy a book. I emphasize a creative experience where kids learn about writing and interact with an author. The more familiar kids are with my books, however, the more they will benefit from the visit. Kids are excited to meet an author whose books they have read. I also find they have more questions for me if they have read my books. For that reason, an initial set of books for classroom and library use should be ordered at least two months before the visit. The teachers can incorporate them into the curriculum. On this website I provide a list of study questions for each book that teachers can use.

Books to be sold to students should be ordered at least six weeks before the author visit. Books should be presold. Announcing that books are for sale the day of the visit is not enough. The school should send home a book order form to parents. The school can make up its own form or use the one I provide on this website (see Order Form). The parents check off which books they want to order and return the form with payment. That way the school knows exactly how many books to order. Then the author can sign them the day of the visit. A few extra books should be ordered for those who forget until Author Day.

Books can be ordered from my publishers at a substantial discount. The difference in cost between the discount price and the retail price can be used to help fund the author visit. Be sure to say you are buying books for a school visit.

Please contact me at diacalhoun@msn.com if you would like to schedule a visit.