Cornell Maritime Press/Tidewater PublishersInterviews
Speakers
Grades Pre-K–2
Kristina Henry
Susan Wigden
Grades
Pre-K–5
Elaine Rice Bachmann
David Owen Bell
Elaine Bunting and Patricia D'Amario
Dee Cache
Priscilla Cummings
Jennifer Keats Curtis
Lynne N. Lockhart
Grades K–8
Jeff Dombek
Rebecca C. Jones
Marcy Dunn Ramsey
Lois Szymanski
Grades 2-5
David Aiken
Zora Aiken
Mick Blackistone
Clara Ann Simmons
Carolyn Stearns
Grades 4–8
Ann Jensen
Margaret Meacham
Eugene L. Meyer
Grades 6–adult
Ginger Doyel
Adult
Jennifer Bodine
Helen Chappell
Grayson Chesser
Larry S. Chowning
Brian J. Cudahy
William A. Fox
Lenny Rudow
Donald G. Shomette
Marcia Talley
Adele V. Holden
All ages
Carroll Kehne, Jr.
Lois P. Nicholson
If you are
interested in hosting a book signing or scheduling an author even, please
contact us by phone
1-800-638-7641,
or via email.
The authors of Cornell Maritime Press/Tidewater Publishers have an event that will cater to any age group. The following formats show the range of options available by age group. Our authors and illustrators are available to read their books, interact with the audience, discuss the writing process, answer questions, and more. Presentations vary in length and are available for all ages.
Book(s): Sam: The Tale of a Chesapeake Bay Rockfish
Format: The author will read the book and discuss how she got the idea for a story about a rockfish. She will bring the original manuscript and galleys to show students while speaking about the writing and the publishing process.
Length: 30 to 45 minute sessions
Fee: $150 per talk
Contact: Jonna Jones at 800-638-7641 or jjones@cmptp.com
Book(s): Suppose
Format: The author will present her "Laugh & Rhyme" program. She will read her book and have the children act it out. The focus is on appreciating reading and writing through the love of rhyme and the gift of being silly.
Length: 45 minutes
Fee: $200 for the first talk; $100 for each additional talk
Contact: Author at 718-984-6124
Elaine Rice Bachmann
Book(s): While a Tree Grew: The Story of Maryland's Wye Oak
Format: Elaine gives a wonderful interactive reading of her book, using the history of the Wye Oak to highlight events in Maryland and American history. Elaine draws upon her background as a historian and curator, and her interest in preserving the environment, to instruct children on the wonders of Maryland's natural history.
Length: 45 minutes, which include a 15-minute section for questions
Fee: Negotiable
Contact: Jonna Jones at 800-638-7641 or jjones@cmptp.com
Book(s): Awesome Chesapeake: A Kid's Guide to the Bay; Chesapeake
Bay Walk
Format: Lively, interactive sessions designed to excite children about writing. The author uses actual manuscripts and color proofs to illustrate his writing/publishing experiences and connect them to the students' own work.
Length: 30 to 60 minutes, depending on age
Fee: Varies depending on group size
Contact: Jonna Jones at 800-638-7641 or jjones@cmptp.com
Book(s): Counties of Central Maryland; Counties of Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore or Maryland; Counties of Northern Maryland; Counties of Southern Maryland
Format: The authors can use either an assembly or a workshop format, depending on group size. For an assembly, the authors will go over the writing and publishing processes; read original works of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction; and play the Maryland "fun facts" game. For a workshop format, they will go over the writing process and discuss techniques for the development of writing ideas, including ways to organize and elaborate on those ideas. The authors are also available for writing workshops, PTA meetings, and other adult groups.
Length: 30 to 60 minutes, depending on grade
Fee: $100 for kindergarten assembly; $200 for other grade levels, plus travel expenses (beyond fifty miles from Bel Air, Maryland). Fee for talks to organizations is negotiable based on time and distance traveled.
Contact: Elaine Bunting at 410-877-9102 or ebunting@erols.com; Patricia D'Amario at 410-838-0080 or jpdamario@comcast.net
Book(s): Captain Tugalong
Format: The author discusses how she dreamed about Captain Tugalong before writing a word, how long it took to write the book, and how a writer becomes published as well as what a publisher does. She shows transparencies (if there is an overhead projector available) and teaches a few simple boating terms such as SOS, galley, head, and hanging locker. She also discusses the emergency radio channel (16) at length until all children understand when and how to call for help. Her public appearances provide fun and education and are enjoyable for adults as well as children. A question-and-answer period is included.
Length: 45 to 60 minutes
Fee: $150. Available in California including Orange County, San Diego County, Los Angeles County and Riverside County
Contact: Jonna Jones at 800-638-7641 or jjones@cmptp.com
Book(s): Chadwick and the Garplegrungen; Chadwick Forever; Chadwick the Crab; Chesapeake ABC; Chesapeake 1-2-3; Chesapeake Rainbow; Meet Chadwick; Toulouse: The Story of a Canada Goose; Santa Claws: The Christmas Crab
Format: The author will bring the original galleys and "dummy" of Chadwick the Crab, a press proof, and a cover casing so the book can be seen in its different stages. Book talks will include discussions of story ideas and how they come about, naming the characters, the writing process, submitting a manuscript (and dealing with rejection!), and how a book is made.
Length: 45 minutes (with 15 minutes reserved for questions). Up to four book talks in one day.
Fee: Contact the author for current rates.
Contact: Author at 410-269-7591 or priscummings@comcast.net
Book(s): Osprey Adventure
Format: “Adventures with Ospreys” is a 40-minute program designed to help students learn about ospreys (those big fish hawks that resemble eagles) and how properly disposing of fishing line and trash can help keep these and other birds from getting hurt.
During school assemblies, Jennifer helps students learn about the remarkable animals that inhabit our backyards and how even the youngest students play a role in conserving and protecting them. A journalist who serves as editor-at-large for Maryland Life Magazine, Jennifer diligently researches her topics and excels at “kidspeak.” She explains to students how she gathers accurate information and details to write her stories, and provides illuminating details to help children understand how language arts and science are combined to write realistic fiction.
In “Adventures with Ospreys,” she discusses how Maryland biologist Pete McGowan helped her perform research for Osprey Adventure. She even presents her own findings (the balloon line, wire, and other trash found in the osprey nests) and shares a mounted osprey with the students. Not only does this mount help children learn more about these magnificent raptors, it clearly shows them how easily a bird’s talons can become entangled in human’s trash.
For many Maryland schools, her presentations are becoming annual events so please contact this fun and entertaining author today to help bring your students closer to the creatures in their own backyard though storybook settings.
Length: 40 minutes; since every school has different needs, Jennifer is always willing to individualize programs for particular students and grade levels. However, she currently offers “standard” programs based on her children’s books for children in pre-school through 6th grade. She also offers half-day, full-day, and multi-session writing and editing workshops for children of all grade levels. Jennifer’s sessions can be offered to individual classes, to the entire student body, or as the back-to-back presentations (i.e., K-2nd grade and 3rd-5th grade).
Fee: Since presentation fees vary depending upon student needs and school budgetary concerns, please contact Jennifer directly for specific information.
Contact: Author at 410-626-7657
Book(s): Once a Pony Time at Chincoteague; Rambling Raft
Format: “Adventures in Writing and Illustration” discussions include collecting ideas, getting organized, writing and rewriting, illustrations, and putting it all together.
Length: 25 to 60 minutes
Fee: $500 per day (includes up to five presentations)
Contact: Author at 410-641-0582 or 111 Pitt Street, Berlin, MD 21811
Grades K–8
Book(s): Sam: The Tale of a Chesapeake Bay Rockfish
Format: Jeff Dombek’s “Story of an Illustrator” tells the personal story of how he became an illustrator. Recounting childhood and collegiate experiences alike, Dombek retraces the steps shaping his career path. The presentation includes information on stages of a book’s development and how an illustrator helps to bring a story to life. The length of each session can be somewhat tailored to school needs, and can also include a hands-on illustrating and writing experience for the students.
(Overhead projector required)
Length: 35 to 50 minute sessions, depending on school needs
Fee: School Presentation: $400 Full Day (up to 6 sessions); $250 Half Day (up to three sessions)
Contact: Author at dombek4@verizon.net
Rebecca C. Jones
Book(s): The Biggest (and Best) Flag That Ever Flew; The Mystery of Mary Surratt
Format: The author combines storytelling with information about writing and rewriting with The Biggest (and Best) Flag That Ever Flew and her other books.
Length: 45 to 60 minutes, depending upon age of group
Fee: $400 for two talks; $100 for each additional talk
Contact: Author at 410-571-8427
Book(s): Awesome Chesapeake; Beetle Boddiker; Counties of Central Maryland;
Counties of Maryland's Lower Eastern Shore; Counties of Northern Maryland; Counties of Southern Maryland; It's Up to You, Griffin!; Leonard Calvert and the Maryland Adventure; Osprey Adventure; Oyster Moon; Rosie's Posies; Secret of Belle Meadow; Suppose; The World Turned Upside Down
Format: For large groups (25+) Marcy Ramsey will talk about the evolution of a book from idea to finished product, and the role of the illustrator in making a book fun, beautiful, informative, etc. Research, creative inspiration, and art techniques will be discussed. For small groups (1 to 25) the author/illustrator will Create-a-Creature. Students will act as "editors" and help create an imaginary creature, learning the importance of descriptive language and communication skills. They then can use their creature to write their own stories.
Length: 45 to 60 minutes
Fee: Ranges from $100 minimum for one-hour session to $400 for whole school day
Contact: The author/illustrator at deepland@dmv.com
Book(s): Out of the Sea, Today's Chingoteague Pony
Format: The author offers a variety of options for her presentations.
IDEA-TO-STORY PRESENTATION: With her own stories acting as examples, Lois explains how a single idea becomes a great story. She includes playing the “What-If?” game to stretch the story; adding strong characters, conflict description, dialog, and a tight conclusion. In addition, Lois delves further into the writing process with ways to merge ideas and changing facts to create fiction. The props she uses include pictures, stacks of story rewrites, galleys, and a PowerPoint presentation.
THE WETLANDS PRESENTATION: Lois shares nature with children by focusing on how the wild Chincoteague Ponies have shared their environment with other critters and thrived in their wetland home. The props she uses include pictures, pass-around items from nature (shells, pine cones, etc.), galleys, and a PowerPoint presentation with animation.
Presentations to kindergarten and first grade are storytelling sessions with bits writing.
Length: 30 to 45 minutes, with an optional portion for questions and answers or autographing.
Fee: $200 for two sessions, or $450 for full day, up to five sessions. When distance is involved, travel fees will apply with a fee of 30 cents per mile and overnight accommodations if necessary.
Contact: Author at 410-346-7321 or szymanski3@verizon.net
Grades 2-5
Book(s): Chesapeake ABC; Chesapeake 1-2-3; Chesapeake Rainbow; Finding Birds in the Chesapeake Marsh; Majesty from Assateague, Quiet Please—Eaglets Growing; Where Did All the Water Go?
Format: David shows children how to use basic shapes as the starting point for
drawings. He encourages children to use their imagination by showing them ways to add personality to simple sketches and by demonstrating how to compose scenes around central characters for full-page picture-book illustrations.
Length: 45 to 60 minutes
Fee: $200 first talk; add $100 for second talk
Contact: Illustrator at 410-490-1191
Book(s): Fiberglass Repair
Format: Depending on age group and teacher's preference, book talks can either focus on the subject of this book or present a more general discussion of the steps involved to transform an idea to a finished book.
David and Zora live on a boat. For years, they traveled north and south with the seasons, which gave them an unusual perspective and unique opportunities for viewing nature. With this book as an example, the Aikens show children how to see individual creatures as part of a whole environment, encouraging an appreciation for all facets of nature.
Length: 45 minutes each person, including question time
Fee: $200 each person for first talk; add $100 each person for second talk
Contact: Author and illustrator at 410-490-1191
Book(s): Broken Wings Will Fly
Format: The award-winning author will discuss writing books, pollution, and environmental protection. He will also discuss why he decided to write a book on a disabled child. The author has spoken to over 250,000 students.
Length: 45 minutes
Fee: $150 per talk
Contact: Author at Blue Crab Press, 410-257-6707
Book(s): Sauncey and Mr. King's Gallery
Format: The author discusses book production from conception of the idea to finished product, including illustrator and writer responsibilities in an open talk format with questions and response at any time; handouts include rough drafts and proofs.
Length: 30 to 60 minutes
Fee: $100 plus travel expenses
Contact: Jonna Jones at 800-638-7641 or jjones@cmptp.com
Book(s): Quiet Please—Eaglets Growing; Where Did All the Water Go?
Format: The author and the illustrator both focus on ways to encourage children to use their imagination. Carolyn will read the book, talk about ideas, and explain how stories flow. David will develop quick sketches, starting with "scribbles" drawn by the children.
Length: 45 to 60 minutes
Fee: For Carolyn, $200 for first talk plus travel expenses (beyond fifty miles from Deale, Maryland); for David, starts at $200
Contact: Author and illustrator will do book talks together or separately. For Carolyn Stearns, contact Jonna Jones at 800-638-7641 or jjones@cmptp.com. For David Aiken, call 410-490-1191.
Book(s): Leonard Calvert and the Maryland Adventure; The World Turned Upside Down: Children of 1776
Format: The author discusses how she came to write The World Turned Upside Down and uses an overhead projector to illustrate some of the materials that inspired her to write about the Revolutionary War. Her talk on Leonard Calvert and the Maryland Adventure focuses on the fact-gathering process in writing history and includes some interesting facts about life in seventeenth-century Maryland.
Length: 45 minutes (including 15 minutes for questions)
Fee: $100
Contact: Author at 410-263-8924 or ann.jensen@verizon.net
Book(s): Oyster Moon; The Secret of Heron Creek
Format: The author uses several different formats: talks for large groups include getting ideas for books, the writing process, research, how a book is made, tips for young writers, and a question-and-answer period; smaller group talks (up to 50 students) involve students creating a story concept and having volunteers role-play as characters; very small group talks (up to 15 students) involve a workshop forum in which writers share their own work. All programs include lots of humor and audience participation.
Length: Varies depending on group size
Fee: $250 for one or two talks; $500 for a full day
Contact: Author at 410-337-0736
Book(s): Maryland Lost and Found...Again
Format: The author shares untold tales of Maryland—the state's founding, history, culture, geography, environment, and people—from the Eastern Shore and Chesapeake Bay all the way to the westernmost corner of Garrett County. He engages students in lively discussion and takes questions. The author can also discuss the reporting and writing process—how to gather and organize material and thoughts, and how to sharpen the focus and turn ideas into finished (even published) work. Mr. Meyer is also available for teachers’ conferences, book clubs, historical societies, and other adult groups
Length: Up to one hour with questions
Fee: Negotiable, plus travel expenses if outside the Washington metropolitan area
Contact: Author at 301-814-1936 or 301-589-1430
Book(s): Annapolis Vignettes
Format: The author will tell stories of Annapolis history, people, places, and the preservation movement.
Length: Varies
Fee: Negotiable
Contact: Jonna Jones at 800-638-7641 or jjones@cmptp.com
Book(s): Bodine's Chesapeake Bay Country
Format: The editor will present “Bodine, Award Winning Maryland Pictorialist.” An overview of the presentation follows:
In photographic circles around the world, A. Aubrey Bodine was regarded as one of the finest pictorialists of the twentieth century. His pictures were exhibited in hundreds of prestigious shows and in scores of museums, and he won awards against top competition. His photographs were seen in the Sunday Sun, in numerous books and magazines, on calendars, as murals, and as framed prints decorating homes.
Aubrey Bodine's photographic career began in 1923 when as an office boy with the Baltimore Sun he submitted photographs of the Thomas Viaduct at Relay to the editor of the Sunday paper, and they were published. From first to last Aubrey Bodine was a newspaperman covering all sorts of stories with his camera--news events, famous people, unusual places and curious activities. This gave him opportunities to travel throughout the region and learn about it in every tide, wind, weather, and season. Out of this experience came remarkable documentary pictures of farming, oystering, hunting, soap boiling, blacksmithing, clock making, bricklaying, and dozens of other occupations--and student nurses, Amish children, pilots of ships and planes, country folk and city folk, wood sheds and cathedrals, wagons, railroad engines, and almost everything of interest. Moreover, the documentary pictures are of the very finest quality, often artistic in design and lighting effects, far beyond the usual standard of newspaper work.
Length: 45 to 60 minutes
Fee: Negotiable
Contact: Jonna Jones at 800-638-7641 or jjones@cmptp.com
Book(s): A Fright of Ghosts
Format: From time to time, if the moon and stars are in the right place, Helen Chappell has been known to do dramatic readings from her various works of fiction and nonfiction. Her performance includes snippets from her Sam and Hollis mystery series, and scenes from her novels. All of her work is set in an imaginary landscape on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where anything can happen and frequently does. Chappell is considered something of an expert on Eastern shore culture, her humor is universal, and her wit is worldly.
Length: Varies
Fee: Negotiable
Contact: Helen Chappell at chappell@goeaston.net or Jonna Jones at 800-638-7641 or jjones@cmptp.com
Book(s): Making Decoys: The Century Old Way
Format: The author uses topics from his book Making Decoys: The Century Old Way as a basis for his interactive presentations. Grayson describes the history of decoys while explaining how and why specific designs are used. He is a Chesapeake treasure far above the rest with his experience and knowledge of waterfowl carving.
Length: 45 to 60 minutes
Fee: $200 for the talk and, if applicable, 50 cents per mile for travel expenses plus overnight accommodations
Contact: Jonna Jones at 800-638-7641 or jjones@cmptp.com
Book(s): Chesapeake Bay Buyboats; Chesapeake Legacy: Tools & Traditions; Deadrise and Cross-planked; Soldiers at the Doorstep: Civil War Lore
Format: The author begins with an introduction and then a story or two or three from his oral history collection. Facts, photos, line drawings, and sketches are used to bring to life parts of the colorful interviews with Chesapeake Bay people which are the foundation of his work. He talks about his childhood surrounded by oystermen and buyboats and how his books evolved.
Length: One hour including a 15 minute Q & A.
Fee: $300
Contact: Author Larry Chowning at 804-758-5667
Book(s): The Cruise Ship Phenomenon in North America; Twilight on the Bay: The Excursion Boat Empire of B. B. Wills
Format: The author lectures on the topics of his books.
Length: Varies
Fee: Varies
Contact: The author at 843-705-2689.
Book(s): Chesapeake Sailing Craft
Format: Discussion, lecture, and showing of Burgess photographs. Includes a question-and-answer period.
Length: 45 to 60 minutes
Fee: $100 for first talk; $300 for full day, plus 50 cents per mile for travel expenses and overnight accommodations, if applicable
Contact: Jonna Jones at 800-638-7641 or jjones@cmptp.com
Book(s): Off the Hook: Rudow's Recipes for Cooking Your Catch; Rudow's Guide to Fishing the Chesapeake
Format: Choose from the following topics:
Length: One hour
Fee: $300
Contact: Author at 410-798-6503 or ultangler@aol.com
Book(s): Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay and Other Tales of the Lost Chesapeake; Lost Towns of Tidewater Maryland; Pirates on the Chesapeake; Shipwrecks on the Chesapeake; Tidewater Time Capsule: History Beneath the Patuxent
Format: The author gives illustrated talks on a variety of subjects including maritime history, maritime archaeology, colonial urban history and development, tidewater history, and Civil War history.
Length: One hour
Fee: $250
Contact: Author at 301-855-5280
Marcia Talley
Book(s): Chesapeake Crimes II
Format: Ms. Talley discusses her background as a writer, her influences and where she gets her ideas, focusing on the real stories behind her novels. Copiously illustrated with PowerPoint slides, the talk includes photographs of the actual settings for each of her award-winning mysteries. Ms. Talley also discusses the writing/publishing process and gives readers a sneak preview of projects that are in the works. A question and answer period follows.
Length: 40 minutes, not including Q & A
Fee: $250 for a half day, $500 for a full day, plus expenses
Contact: Please go to http://www.marciatalley.com/
Speaker_request.html
All ages
Book(s): Down on the Shore
Format: The author reads poetry and shares stories from her segregated upbringing on the lower Eastern Shore, including details about their fight for education against strong barriers. She is available to speak to groups of all ages.
Length: Varies
Fee: Varies
Contact: Author at 410-235-3288
Book(s): Buried Treasure, A Pirates Tale
Format: For grades 2 through 6, the author will give an interactive presentation where he will share how he came up with the idea to write and illustrate his book and read to the students.
For adults, the author/illustrator will give a lecture, power-point presentation on the writing, design, development and layout process of his book including how he went from woodcuts to watercolors to developing queries to publishers.
Length: 30 to 60 minutes, depending upon age of group
Fee: $250 for first talk/show; $400 for two talks/shows in one day, plus 50 cents per mile from Stevensville, MD. If applicable, airfare, and overnight accommodations in addition to speaking fee.
Contact: Jonna Jones at 800-638-7641 or
jjones@cmptp.com.
Or author/
illustrator at ckehne@verizon.net.
Book(s): Cal Ripken, Jr.: Quiet Hero; From Maryland to Cooperstown: Seven Maryland Natives in Baseball's Hall of Fame
Format: The author discusses writing books and her career in general, interviewing ball players, writing nonfiction, integrating baseball history with American history.
Length: 45 to 60 minutes
Fee: $400 plus travel expenses (beyond fifty miles from Easton, Maryland) for one or two talks; $600 plus travel expenses for three or four talks; fees vary for educator in-service presentations—prefers evenings and weekends.
Contact: Author at 410-770-4539
