"[Alyssa's] presentation was the most delightful, engaging presentation we have had at Freedom Hill. The students loved searching for inspiration on each slide and acting out the printing process. Alyssa Colman was a total hit with our students!"
Reading Specialist, Freedom Hill Elementary, Fairfax County Public Schools
Alyssa has presented at schools, libraries, and conferences across the country and internationally in Japan and Mexico. She loves speaking with students, readers, librarians, educators, and other writers! She is available to speak with groups of any size, from conference keynotes to homeschool groups. As a double English and Theater major, Alyssa brings energy, creativity, and interaction to group settings. She is currently available for live visits, virtual visits, and speaking engagements.
Her presentations are playful, interactive, and informative. With the older grades, the visit takes on a writing-related focus with an emphasis on not judging your first draft against a polished book manuscript. She delves into the magic of revision and even invites the kids to give her feedback on early drafts of her books. Teachers say that Alyssa's presentation left students excited to pick up a book and fired up to write their own stories.
Her presentations are playful, interactive, and informative. With the older grades, the visit takes on a writing-related focus with an emphasis on not judging your first draft against a polished book manuscript. She delves into the magic of revision and even invites the kids to give her feedback on early drafts of her books. Teachers say that Alyssa's presentation left students excited to pick up a book and fired up to write their own stories.
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Alyssa would love to learn more about your school and what you hope to gain from her visit. Do you hope to inspire students to stick with revision? Are you kicking off a read-a-thon or other literacy event? Let’s discuss how we can make maximize this visit!
Current Presentations:
The World of a Story
Best for: Any size group, grades 4+, LIBRARIES!
Length: 45 minutes + Q&A
This presentation centers around how I researched and wrote Where Only Storms Grow. Using examples from the book, photographs, and live reader theater, young readers will see how professional authors use some of the same skills they’re learning in school. I also immerse kids in the book with a Reader's Theater Radio Show that gets everyone involved!
A Book is a Group Project
Best for: Any size group, K-7th grades, LIBRARIES!
Length: 45 minutes + Q&A
An author writes a story, but it takes a whole team to create a book. In this interactive presentation, students will explore the roles involved in Team Book and the publishing process from concept to printed book. We’ll also delve into the magic of revision and discuss why students shouldn't compare their first drafts to an author’s finished work.
*Please note that Alyssa has two versions of this presentation. One is geared toward K-3rd Grade, the other toward 4th-7th grade.
The Magic of Revision
Best for: Any size group, grades 3+
Length: 40-60 minutes, includes Q&A
Using examples from Alyssa's published works, students will learn about my writing process, see firsthand how books evolve during the editing and copyediting stages, discover that every part of a book requires revision (even covers!), and hear Alyssa's best tips for writers of all ages. (Hint: Most of them involve reading a lot!)
Recipe for Story - Writing Workshop
Best For: Small to Medium groups, grades 3+, LIBRARIES!
Length: 45-90 minutes (Flexible, but ideally includes time for student writing)
In this interactive workshop, students will explore the necessary ingredients for a great story. Using these ingredients and a fun prompt, every student will work on an open-ended creative writing exercise.
Book Specific Classroom Discussion
Best for: Small to medium groups, grades 3+
Length: 30-45 minutes (Longer length includes Q&A)
The perfect follow-up for a class that has read or studied one of Alyssa's books. Alyssa will facilitate a discussion about the characters, history, and themes of the book.
Current Presentations:
The World of a Story
Best for: Any size group, grades 4+, LIBRARIES!
Length: 45 minutes + Q&A
This presentation centers around how I researched and wrote Where Only Storms Grow. Using examples from the book, photographs, and live reader theater, young readers will see how professional authors use some of the same skills they’re learning in school. I also immerse kids in the book with a Reader's Theater Radio Show that gets everyone involved!
A Book is a Group Project
Best for: Any size group, K-7th grades, LIBRARIES!
Length: 45 minutes + Q&A
An author writes a story, but it takes a whole team to create a book. In this interactive presentation, students will explore the roles involved in Team Book and the publishing process from concept to printed book. We’ll also delve into the magic of revision and discuss why students shouldn't compare their first drafts to an author’s finished work.
*Please note that Alyssa has two versions of this presentation. One is geared toward K-3rd Grade, the other toward 4th-7th grade.
The Magic of Revision
Best for: Any size group, grades 3+
Length: 40-60 minutes, includes Q&A
Using examples from Alyssa's published works, students will learn about my writing process, see firsthand how books evolve during the editing and copyediting stages, discover that every part of a book requires revision (even covers!), and hear Alyssa's best tips for writers of all ages. (Hint: Most of them involve reading a lot!)
Recipe for Story - Writing Workshop
Best For: Small to Medium groups, grades 3+, LIBRARIES!
Length: 45-90 minutes (Flexible, but ideally includes time for student writing)
In this interactive workshop, students will explore the necessary ingredients for a great story. Using these ingredients and a fun prompt, every student will work on an open-ended creative writing exercise.
Book Specific Classroom Discussion
Best for: Small to medium groups, grades 3+
Length: 30-45 minutes (Longer length includes Q&A)
The perfect follow-up for a class that has read or studied one of Alyssa's books. Alyssa will facilitate a discussion about the characters, history, and themes of the book.
More feedback from educators...
"Ms. Colman's visit with our middle school readers was a smashing success! Her genuine enthusiasm for the craft of writing, combined with her delightful personality kept our students engaged and interested in her book and the process of writing it...It also reinforces the strategies we give students about the revising and editing process of their own writing! We can't thank Ms. Colman enough for sharing her love of reading and writing with our students!"
Rob Porter - Literacy Coach, Sampson G. Smith Middle School
"Ms. Colman was the perfect guest speaker at a reading celebration at our middle school. She opened a window for our aspiring writers to envision their futures as she shared personal insights about the writing and publishing process and her own journey to becoming a published author. Ms. Colman now has a fan club at Franklin Middle School!"
Barbara Trach -- Language Arts Teacher, Franklin Middle School
Inquire about booking an author visit today!
Notable Appearances:
Schools around the country!
Middle Grade Authorcade Speaking Engagements & Author Visits
One Book Foundation
Reading is Fundamental, Northern Virginia (RIF NOVA)
Virginia Association of School Librarians, Norfolk Chapter Conference(Keynote Address 2024)
Virginia Library Association Annual Conference
Virginia Association of School Librarians Main Conference
Texas Library Association Annual Conference
Middle Grade Writers Group (with Middle Grade Authorcade)
Southern Festival of Books 2025
Crozet Book Festival 2025
Princeton Book Festival
Morristown Book Festival
Annapolis Book Festival
Gaithersburg Book Festival
Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
Old Town Books (Alexandria, VA) Educator Night 2025
WriteOnCon
World Read Aloud Day