Mary Amato

Writing with Humor & Heart

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Zoom/Skype with Mary Amato

For Individuals

If you are interested in signing up for individual Zoom/Skype lessons on creative writing, songwriting, or uke instruction, more info here.

For Schools and Libraries

  • 30-minute workshops/presentations for a low fee to fit your schedule and budget.
  • Monthly once/per week “Writer’s Studio” with Mary Amato for a low fee.
  • One special free skype/zoom day each year for 15-minute Q&A sessions only.
  • Book ordering with autographs can be arranged.
  • Download my Checklist for Author Skypes.

30-min or 45-min Online Workshop/Presentations

(All include core objectives in Writing)

Reservations for paid zoom/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).

 

  • 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. $150/$200.
  • 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 participants 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 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. $150/$200.
  • 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. $150/$200.
  • Creating Character.  I’ll lead students through an improve exercise to get their imaginations in gear. Then I’ll take them through a pre-writing exercise. $150/$200
  • Creating Character Part II (optional follow up) After taking my first Creating Character session, students will write a short piece and then we’ll reconvene online and students will share their work with me. $150/$200
  • Songwriting. I share a rough draft of a song and then the final song and discuss the process, from brainstorming to revision.$150/$200
  • “First Lines” Critique. Students will be extra-motivated to polish a piece of writing if they know an author will read their work. You can schedule a Skype critique session with me anytime throughout the year. First you schedule the Skype, then ask students to work on a piece of writing (fiction or essay), focusing especially on “hooking the reader” with a great opening. Teachers collect the first page from each student and send it to me via good old-fashioned snail mail. I’ll read each piece and then during our 30-minute Skype session, I’ll give feedback on what I’ve read. Depending on size of class I may not be able to comment on every student’s work; however students and teachers can learn a lot by listening to my feedback overall. $300.
  • Poem Critique. Students will be extra-motivated to polish a piece of writing if they know an author will read their work. You can schedule a Skype poem critique session with me anytime throughout the year.Teachers collect a poem from each student and send it to me via good old-fashioned snail mail. I’ll read each poem and then during our 30-minute Skype session, I’ll give feedback on what I’ve read. Depending on size of class I may not be able to comment on every student’s work; however students and teachers can learn a lot by listening to my feedback overall. $300.

 

Rave Reviews

  • “I am so grateful to have had this opportunity to work with Mary Amato. The songs students wrote with her are amazing. I have had experience with teaching composition to children and her approach simplifies things a lot in areas where they struggle the most.” Crystal Miller,grades K-4 music teacher, Heritage Elementary School, OH.
  • “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
  • “Mary Amato has inspired many writers with our children. She has reached inside us and encouraged us to not be afraid to write what is within us. Truly, I thank you, with goosebumps all over my arms.” Sue Thurn, Fourth Grade Teacher
    Drummond Area School District
  • “My students loved her and I loved the way she subtly got across the message of ‘grit.’ She told students how important it is to revise written work… and how mistakes can be a fabulous opportunity for learning.” Patricia London, Media Specialist Avon Middle-High School, MA
  • “Mary Amato was so easy to work with. She was able to lead the kids through the songwriting process very smoothly and made it look easy and approachable – I am hopeful that many of them will continue trying their hand at composing and I think this project really made an impression on the students involved. I felt very inspired by the whole project and I love seeing what the kids were able to come up with.” Renee Keller, Education Coordinator, Lima Symphony Orchestra.

From Students:

  • “I don’t like writing, but when Mary said that she did not like writing as a kid and now she is a author it encouraged me to want to learn how to write now. She let me know that I could be a great author some day.” – R.J.
  • “The thing that really was a life lesson and really inspiring was the quote she said – ‘The only way you fail is by not trying.’ – Laykin
  • “The Skype with Mary Amato taught me that if you jot something down you are more likely to remember it.” – Ava
  • “It was a great experience to meet Mary Amato, and talk to her about her writing process! Skyping is a very fun activity. I would love to do it again. It is fun to see different ways authors, like Mary Amato, create amazing books. So all in all I loved Skyping with Mary Amato.” – Bailey

In-Person Visits

Want information about actual, in-person visits with me? Go to: Workshops.

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Humor and Heart

I give voice to the funny, sad, messy, and wondrous stories of life, especially the stories of children and young adults. My mission: each book has humor and heart. If you are a teen and/or you're looking for info about my books and music for older readers, please check out my www.thrumsociety.com site.
Learn more about my mission and resources.

Appearances and Private Lessons

See my appearance list and find out about private lessons via Skype or in person.

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I play Luna Ukes & Guitars

Copyright © 2021 Mary Amato.