Austin SCBWI

With Mark Mitchell — February 21

For published authors of children’s books, school visits can make a lot of sense. They’re a terrific way to connect with your market and, if done right, a revenue source for an author. They’re also fraught with dangers –emotional and physical. The machinery of “school tours” contains many moving parts: organization, “market positioning,” salesmanship, public relations, communication, technology, travel, book sales, book-keeping and more.

Author-illustrator Mark Mitchell will discuss how to turn a potentially thankless endeavor into a business model that works and will help to grow your success as an author. He’ll also touch on crafting a performance that speaks to the kids, and connects with them.

Mark’s book for upper elementary and middle grades, Raising La Belle, about a 312 year old Texas shipwreck won the Spur Award from the Western Writers of America (for best juvenile nonfiction book) and the United States Maritime Literature Award. In 2006 he began touring schools with his Raising La Belle presentation. Since then he has visited 83 schools around the state and received many rave reviews from librarians, teachers and students.

Learn more about Mark and his school visits at www.markgmitchell.com