Speaking at Publishing & Book Events
Catherine has experience presenting and serving as faculty for a number of in-person and virtual conferences including SCBWI New Jersey, Florida, Kansas/Missouri, Indiana, and Wisconsin and the Avalon Writers Retreat.
She also teaches webinars and advanced workshops through The Highlights Foundation, The Writing Barn, and Inked Voices. Visit their websites to register for upcoming events.
Available Conference Breakout Lecture Topics
Let’s Go for a Ride: Discovering Tools for Building and Releasing Tension in Picture Books
Everyone has a favorite ride–some like roller coasters and others like slower ones. But what do all of these rides have in common? They have moments of building tension with climbs or unexpected turns, and moments of releasing that tension with dips or turns. The same experience can be recreated in picture books, too.
Building and releasing tension in stories allows young readers to go on a fun ride within the pages of a book, all from the safety of their schools, libraries, and homes.
In this interactive breakout session, we’ll look at how writers can use refrains, page turns, humor, and emotional touchstones as tools for building and dispelling tension in picture books and ultimately creating a satisfying reading experience. Whether you are new to writing picture books or a veteran, let’s go for a ride—and explore these craft tools together!
Crafting Authentic Disabled Characters in Picture Books & Collaborations
Catherine speaks about the statistics supporting the need for more picture books featuring disabled characters and analyzes 5 tools for crafting authentic disabled characters as well as pitfalls to avoid.
She also discusses her collaboration with coauthor Sydney Mesher on their picture book biography She Kept Dancing: The True Story of a Professional Dancer with a Limb Difference.
Custom Lecture
Do you have a specific craft element or industry topic you’d like Catherine to present on? Fill out the contact form with your request and Catherine will be happy to create a custom lecture for your conference.
*Note: Catherine requests a minimum of 2-3 months prior to your conference for a custom lecture topic, to allow time to prepare and create the presentation.
Book Festivals
Catherine would love to attend your book festival. She is available for panels, readings, and signings.
Please fill out the contact form with the details and she will be in touch with you to work out the details.
