2012 Mary Amato Skype Schedule
Want to know more about Skyping? Skype is a program that allows people to make and receive video calls via computer.
I have “skyped” with small and large groups of children and adults from Texas to Maine to Thailand!
Here’s how it works with me. I offer 30 minute workshops/presentations for a fee; I also offer free 15-minute Q&A sessions.
Free 15-min Q&A Sessions
I set aside one day per month as a free Skype day and take reservations for time slots on a first-come, first-served basis.
To schedule a free Q&A session, please email me (info@maryamato.com) from your school/library email address with all of the following info listed in one message:
1)Preferred day chosen from the list below
2)Preferred time (listing your time zone, please)
3)Your name and your skype name.
4)Name of school, snail mail address, and phone number of school or library
5)Grade level(s), size of audience, and book(s) on which you’d like the Q/A to focus
Once your session has been approved, you will receive guidelines via email and your school name will be added to this schedule.
2012 -2013 Free 15-min Skype Days:
September 28 (Friday)
October 30 (Tuesday)
November 14 (Wednesday)
December 12 (Wednesday)
January 25 (Friday)
February 27 (Wednesday)
May 28 (Tuesday)
30-min Workshop/Presentations
The Writing Process. I take students on a journey through the writing process. Where do ideas come from? How do writer’s notebooks, webs, and outlines help? Why is revising so important? 30 minutes. $100.
Writing a Picture Book. I share the story of how I turned a personal experience (being teased) from my own childhood into a picture book and a musical. I ask the kids to try to figure out how and why I changed the facts of my own story to make a better book. I show my writing process by leading the kids in a collaborative story-creating exercise on the spot. Teachers receive a writing guide so that they can easily follow up this fun session. 30 minutes. $100.
The Writer’s Notebook. What is the difference between a writer’s notebook and a diary? I share my childhood diaries and my current writer’s notebooks with students and explain how and why I use my writer’s notebooks in the writing process. $100.
Creating Character. This is an actual writing workshop with two 30-min sessions. I’ll lead students through an improve exercise to get their imaginations in gear. Then I’ll take them through a pre-writing exercise. Finally I’ll ask them to write a short piece. We’ll reconvene via skype and students will share their work with me. $200.
Reservations for paid skype sessions can be made at anytime. Email me with two preferred dates/times.
I’ll invoice only after the session (no payment will be required if technical difficulties prevent the session from taking place).
Rave Reviews
“The skype visit with Mary Amato was great and inspiring!” –Mary Litwinczuk, Weaver Lake Elementary, MN
“We had a very successful Skype experience with Mary Amato. We did the two-part character creation workshop. We would like to schedule for the same time next February!” –Hope Preston, Gill St. Bernard’s School, NJ
“This afternoon was incredible! All 70 sixth graders were riveted to the screen while you were talking. I can’t thank you enough for all the wonderful things you shared with us about your writing process. What a truly inspiring discussion. One really neat coincidence was that I had just shared my writing notebook earlier in the morning and then you shared yours. The connections were flying like wild fire…You have made a wonderful lasting memory for so many students today.” –Franklin, WI 6th grade teacher
In-Person Visits
Want information about actual, in-person visits with me? Go to: Workshops.
