Dear Teachers,
My daughter and her husband, both teachers, are scrambling to adjust to virtual teaching because of the need to close schools due to COVID-19. I learned of an author’s idea to help teachers and thought I’d do the same with my own circle of author-friends.
Below is the contact info for amazing authors who would be willing to do a virtual author visit for your students through meeting platforms (like Zoom or Skype). These generous authors are willing to share their writing journey and expertise with your students. Free! No strings attached.
As the teacher, you’ll schedule and manage the call. Some suggestions: Have 5-10 prepared questions for the author. Use the mute button as needed. 😉 Limit the time frame. Speaking of the clock…these authors live all over the country, so keep that in mind when you schedule the call.
You can contact the authors through their websites or reach out to me or my assistant Christen Krumm for more information.
Needing more resources? Here’s a few to recommend:
- Author and speaker Erin Weidemann has a podcast on K-Love to help parents set up and manage school at home.
- Author Kate Messner has put together a list of teaching resources on her website that’s worth checking out.
- And a shout out to Mo Willems who offers Lunch Doodles with Mo each day for kids through the Kennedy Center.
Teachers, we’re so grateful for all you do to educate our children. Hoping this is one way we can say thank you!
Hands washed. Hands lifted. Keep on praying! We’ll get through this.
Warmly, Suzanne
Note: We’ll keep updating the list of participating authors, so check back often.
Authors
Rick Acker | rickacker.com | Author Rick is a government lawyer by day and would be happy to do civics talks on the legal system, the constitution, the interplay between state and federal governments (which we’re seeing in the varying state coronavirus responses), etc.
Christa Allan | christaallan.com | A retired English teacher, Christa Allan writes women’s fiction, stories of hope and redemption.
Mesu Andrews | mesuandrews.com | Mesu Andrews brings ancient history and civilizations to life through familiar Bible stories with research you’ve never heard before.
Holly Bennett | adventurouschildrenofthedonnerparty.com | Holly wrote a book about the children of the Donner party, which has an interactive website with outlines, activities and objectives. She speaks frequently to classes.
Patricia Bradley | ptbradley.com | The author of ten romantic suspense novels, Patricia has taught many writing workshops at various conferences. When she has time, she likes to throw mud on a wheel and see what happens.
Amy Clipston | amyclipston.com | Amy is the author of multiple bestselling Amish fiction series. She works full-time for the City of Charlotte, NC, and lives with her husband, two sons, mother, and four spoiled rotten cats.
Debora M. Coty | deboracoty.com | With over one million copies in print of an inspirational nonfiction series for women, Deb is is also the author of historical YA (Young Adult) novels set on a remote island off the coast of Florida.
Miralee Ferrell | miraleeferrell | Popular author and speaker Miralee Ferrell writes contemporary fiction, and also writes kids’ horse books (ages 8-12).
Suzanne Woods Fisher | suzannewoodsfisher.com | Suzanne is the bestselling, award-winning author of more than 35 fiction and non-fiction books. She’s known for twists and turns in her stories…because everybody likes surprises.
Rachel Fordham | rachelfordham.com | Rachel’s well-loved stories transport readers to the 19th century, where she explores gems from our country’s past.
Ann Gabhart | anngabhart.com | Ann H. Gabhart, a native Kentuckian, uses Kentucky history and locations in her historical novels, small-town stories, and cozy mysteries for adult readers and also in her coming of age stories for younger readers.
Elizabeth Goddard | elizabethgoddard.com | With over a million books sold, Elizabeth Goddard is the award-winning, bestselling author of more than 40 books. She’s known for her unputdownable novels set in stunning places. Elizabeth lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest.
Shelley Shepard Gray | shelleyshepardgray.com | Shelley has published over eighty novels. She’s appeared on both the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists. She also writes under the name Shelley Gray.
James R. Hannibal | jamesrhannibal.com | Former stealth pilot James R. Hannibal is the author of t espionage thrillers and multi-award-winning children’s mystery adventures. He loves spinning tales and has traveled the nation helping kids create stories of their own.
Robin Lee Hatcher | robinleehatcher.com | Robin Lee Hatcher is the award-winning author of over 80 novels and novellas with over five million copies of her books in print. She is known for her heartwarming and emotionally charged stories of faith, courage, and love. Robin makes her home on the outskirts of Boise, sharing it with a demanding Papillon dog and a persnickety tuxedo cat.
Angela Hunt | angelahuntbooks.com | Angela Hunt is the bestselling author of more than 185 books for children and adults, many of which have been turned into made-for-TV movies.
Elizabeth Ludwig | elizabethludwig.net | USA Today bestselling author Elizabeth Ludwig writes wholesome reading for the whole family—from mysteries and suspense to historical romance.
Tracey Lyons | traceylyons.com | Tracey Lyons, best selling inspirational, historical/Amish fiction author, brings love and faith home.
Richard Mabry | rmabry.com | Dr. Richard Mabry is a physician who turned to writing after retirement. His published fiction works include twelve previous novels and six novellas, which he describes as “medical suspense with heart.” He’s also willing to answer questions about the Covid-19 virus.
Creston Mapes | crestonmapes.com | Creston writes edgy, contemporary Christian fiction for readers who love pulse-pounding thrillers.
Faith Tibbetts McDonald | faithmcdonald.com | An assistant teaching professor at Penn State University, author Faith Tibbetts McDonald is adept at creating interactive writing and learning experiences through Zoom. She believes writing is a tool that anyone can use to open hope during this anxiety-fraught time.
Shannon McNear | shannonmcnear.com | Shannon has been writing one thing or another since third grade and started her first novel at age fifteen, but her greatest joy is in being a military wife, mom of eight, mother-in-law of three, and grammie of three, as well as serving as worship leader and youth leader for her local church.
Bill Myers | billmyers.com | Bill has traveled to hundreds of schools around the world teaching writing (from 3rd grade to college) — and has published over 80 kid books, including The Incredible Worlds of Wally McDoogle (2.3 million books and counting).
Allie Pleiter | alliepleiter.com | Allie Pleiter has written for parenting magazines and has appeared on The 700 Club, Living the Life, and Moody Radio and is a featured speaker at Hearts at Home conferences.
Joanna Davidson Politano | jdpstories.com | Joanna writes historical novels of mystery and romance. She loves tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives and is eager to hear anyone’s story. She lives in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan with her husband and two kids.
Cara Putman | caraputman.com | Cara Putman is the award-winning, best-selling author of more than 30 books. Cara practices law, teaches at Purdue University, and serves on the executive board of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW).
Cynthia Ruchti | cynthiaruchti.com | After writing and producing a radio broadcast for many years, Cynthia Ruchti is now the author of more than 30 books (fiction and nonfiction) and frequently speaks for women’s events or writing conferences and workshops. She is also a literary agent with Books & Such Literary Management. Coaching young writers in their next steps toward a writing career or incorporating writing in their life is one of her passions.
Jill Eileen Smith | jilleileensmith.com | Jill is the bestselling, award-winning author of biblical fiction and non-fiction. Her research has taken her from the Bible to Israel, and she particularly enjoys learning how women lived in Old Testament times.
Sarah Sundin | sarahsundin.com | Sarah is a bestselling and award-winning author of historical novels set during World War II. A former pharmacist, Sarah also enjoys teaching Sunday school for fourth- and fifth-graders.
Laura Taggart | laurataggart.com | A marriage and family therapist, Laura Taggart’s book is designed to protect young marriages from divorce. A popular speaker, she would be willing to answer questions about children’s stress and anxiety.
Carrie Turansky | carrieturansky.com | Carrie’s most recent book focuses on child emigration of poor and orphaned children who were called British Home Children. She has many teen readers, plus homeschool co-op groups who have used her books as part of their curriculum.
Marilyn Turk | pathwayheart.com | Award-winning author Marilyn Turk calls herself a “literary archaeologist” because she writes historical fiction. Marilyn also loves lighthouses and has visited over 100 in the United States. She and her husband served as volunteer lighthouse keepers at a lighthouse off the coast of Maine.
Bethany Turner | seebethanywrite.com | Bethany Turner is an award-winning author of romantic comedy novels that tackle the thorny issues of life with humor and insight.
Beth K. Vogt | bethvogt.com | Beth K. Vogt believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” After writing ten contemporary romance novels and novellas, Beth transitioned to award-winning women’s fiction.
Natalie Walters | nataliewalterswriter.com |Natalie’s world revolves around GIJOE and three adult (or almost adult) children who keep her life anything but predictable. Her passion is writing stories where adventure meets love and share her belief that life rooted in purpose is a story worth telling.
Beth White | bethwhite.net | Beth White’s day job is teaching music at an inner-city high school in historic Mobile, Alabama. A native Mississippian, she writes award-winning historical romance with a Southern drawl.
Jill Williamson | jillwilliamson.com | Jill writes fantasy and science fiction for children, teens, and adults. She has a chapter book series that measures at a fourth-grade reading level, so that’s the youngest age-range she usually speaks to.
