"Ms. Towle's visit was fantastic! ...Her enthusiasm hooked us and her information was interesting and presented well."

Senior, St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School, Alexandria, VA, USA

Before turning my attention to writing and publishing full time, I was a career educator. I spent 20 years on several continents in classrooms, ranging from pre-primary to university, as a teacher, teacher-trainer and mentor. I facilitated student learning of English language listening, speaking, reading and creative writing skills, as well their practice in how to resolve conflicts creatively.

Today, I visit schools, libraries, book stores, community centers, after-school programs and writers' groups the world over to present and/or facilitate hands-on workshops in YOUR area of interest.

I also do drop-ins via Skype or Google+. And I vow never to do so in my pajamas!

Contact me here, for starters. I'm always ready to chat!

Choose from among any of the presentation topics listed below. Or, if you have other ideas or specific needs, I’m happy to accommodate. We’ll just jump right in, roll up our sleeves and have some good old-fashioned creative fun!

  • Age Groups:  Older Primary, Secondary, Adult
  • Locations: All
  • Daily Fee: $500 / 450€ / 375£ + travel expenses
  • Hourly Rate: $75 / 60€ / 50£

 

Possible Author Visit Topics:

For Students

Best Apps & eBooks for Teens & Tweens

Developing StoryApps, Soup to Nuts

The Art & Craft of Developing Enhanced (Interactive) eBooks

Creating Story Worlds for Gaming and Apps

The Hero’s Journey, in Literature as in Life

Elements of Story - The Aristotelian Arc

Compelling Beginnings - Hooking Your Reader

Distinguishing Between Genre: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Blogging, Journalism, Film…

On Being a Woman Entrepreneur

 

For Teachers 

Teaching Creative Writing Using Writers' Workshop

Using Technology to Bring History to Life

Using Technology to Deliver Great English Lessons

Using Picture books to Teach Creative Conflict Resolution

Teaching Conflict Resolution through Great Literary Works

 

On French History & Culture
(in French or English) 

Introducing Beware Mme la Guillotine

Aspects of French History & Culture

French Culture through the French Language

 

Possible Workshop Topics:

On the Writing Craft

The Hero’s Journey, in Literature as in Life

Elements of a Great Story

Looking for Story Ideas

Developing Characters

Considering Voice & Point of View

Plotting & Story Arc

Establishing Time, Place, Setting, Scene

Showing, not Telling

Using Dialogue Effectively

Revising Techniques

Critiquing Constructively

Adopting a Writing Discipline

Teaching Creative Writing Using Writers' Workshop

 

On the Writing Business

Distinguishing Between Genre: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Poetry, Blogging, Journalism, Film…

Writing for the Children & Youth:
Picture Books, Storybooks, MG, YA

Creative Nonfiction vs. Historical Fiction:
Applying these to TTT&T

Developing Story Worlds for Gaming and Apps

The Opportunities & Challenges in Creating Digitally

Social Media Marketing for Creative People

 

Possible Presentation Topics:

Publishing in a Digital Era:
eBooks, Enhanced Books & Apps

Publishing for Print vs. Digital: 
How is it the same? How Different?

The Best Apps & eBooks for Teens & Tweens

Developing StoryApps, Soup to Nuts

Interactivity – When Elements Enhance Content, When they Detract

Creating Story Worlds for Gaming and Apps

Social Media Marketing for Creative People

The Importance of Story in Popular Digital Media

The Opportunities & Challenges in Creating Digitally

The Author & Illustrator as Entrepreneur

Current Trends in Digital Publishing