Visits & Talks

About me as a presenter

I’m a veteran YA librarian with 10 years of experience presenting programs to kids, teens, and adults, and across a variety of settings: schools (from classroom to assembly), libraries, clubs, writing groups, and conferences of all sizes. I love public speaking and have a conversational style that keeps listeners engaged and laughing, with a focus on keeping information accessible and memorable. I’m available to present pre-designed programs or can make individualized programs for your group. I’m happy to speak in either an inspirational or instructional way on books, writing, genre, publishing, career struggles, and working hard to achieve lifelong dreams. Most programs can be adapted for in-person or virtual events.

Referrals from teachers and librarians are available on request!

Existing Programs, Presentations, and Lectures

How Books Are Built: A fun presentation that covers the entire process of writing and publishing a book, from idea to writing, agents to publishers, word doc to physical book on shelf. Can be adapted for elementary through adult.

Write Your Novel!: A motivational and instructive workshop for anyone who’s always wanted to write a novel but didn’t know where to start. Generate book ideas, learn about the writing process, and set yourself up for novel writing success! A perfect National Novel Writing Month prep class. Can be adapted for middle school through adult. 

Plan Your Novel!: An upbeat and encouraging workshop that walks aspiring novelists through the process of planning and outlining a novel to set themselves up for drafting success! Similar to “Write Your Novel,” but geared this workshop asks participants come with an idea already chosen so we can devote the whole time to developing that idea and planning out the writing process. Best for teens and adults.

Build a Story!: A fun and interactive workshop scalable for elementary through adult. We’ll work together as a whole group to build a ridiculous story in real time, demonstrating the different parts of a story, how to build compelling characters, how different genres come with different expectations, and so on.

Build a World!: Another fun and interactive workshop scalable for elementary through adult, this time focusing on worldbuilding. Each participant will walk away with their own fantastical world built from the ground up, plus several idea seeds for stories they can write within their new worlds. We talk about the many different elements of building a new fictional world: environment, culture, flora and fauna, climate, technology/magic, and more.

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: An interactive revision workshop for writers, including strategies for analyzing what you’ve written and planning a strong and productive revision. Best for teens and adults, a great post-NaNoWriMo program.

The Business of Being an Author: Similar to “How Books Are Built” but with more of a career focus, including how writers get paid, what an “advance” is, what kinds of careers exist in book publishing, funding your writing with a “day job,” choosing between traditional and self publishing paths, and other practical career information.

How to Kill Your Story (in 5 easy steps!): A humorous yet helpful program for newer writers about common fiction writing pitfalls and how to avoid them. A shorter program designed to fit within a class period with time for questions. Great for middle school through adult.

Powering Through Fear and Anxiety to Save the World: A lecture, keynote, or presentation. An overview of my published work with a discussion of my own experiences with mental health, the ways I’ve found success despite my struggles, and the ways I incorporate mental health into my work.

 Pricing and Availability

All prices negotiable, particularly to schools and libraries with limited funding or events where books are sold. I’m based out of Central Virginia. I spent a lot of time as a librarian with a very stretched budget, so I truly do understand what it’s like. Even if you don’t think it’ll work out, let’s talk and see what we can do. Discounted and free/informal events may be limited depending on my time commitments, as this is now my full time job.

★ Signings and/or conventions with book sales: Free within ~1 hour driving distance; honorarium appreciated.
★ Signings and/or conventions at greater distances: Travel expenses; honorarium appreciated.
★ Informal virtual visits (Q&A with a group, chatting, basic presentation of my work, etc.): $50 per 30 minutes
★ Virtual or in-person prepared presentations or discussions, 1–2 hours (includes q&a session): $350, plus travel expenses
★ Virtual or in-person school visits: $350 for an assembly depending on length; $700 for a half day; $1200 for a full day; plus travel expenses.
★ Individualized program designed to your needs: Priced based on specifications.

Think you might be interested in booking? Reach out to me at mkengland.com[at]gmail[dot]com. No obligation! Let’s chat and see if we can make it happen.