Author Presentations:

My in-person author presentations are $250 per day in 2013 or $400 per day in 2014 plus travel expenses (mileage/airfare and hotel if necessary). I'm happy to do as many presentations in a day as you care to schedule. Skype visits are free. If you'd like to schedule a presentation, contact me here.

What people are saying about my presentations:

"Ashfall is the hottest read at the moment in the 6th grade.  Students were inspired by the protagonist, by Mike's exciting and entertaining presentation, but also by all of the information about volcanoes he worked into the visit.  The young authors were totally delighted by their lunch with Mike and came away with many new ideas.  Plus, all students were able to take away the idea that yes, sometimes writing is a ton of work, but with determination they can make great things happen on the page.  (I used this to help kids get through their final writing assignment of the year at the end of the day today!) --Laura Chiaravalloti, English Teacher at Remington Middle School.

"[Mike's] humor and energy captured the attention of the teens while his details about the research behind Ashfall enlightened many." --YALSA's The Hub.

"After your amazing, fun and informative session about Ashfall, I was pumped to read the book! Honestly, I never thought before hand that I'd be reading this book. I'm more of a . . . fantasy kind of fan. So I was open to anything whenever I went to the library to check out Ashfall. After a two week wait for the book to finally be mine, (There had been a crowd that had hit the library before I could, to check out your book.) I wondered just what I was in store for. From the minute I opened your book, remembering the beginning scene which you had memorized and recited to our school, I was /hooked/. I couldn't put the book down!" --Kaitlyn, student at Washington High School.

"Mr. Mullin is as dynamic and energetic as his volcanic subject. He thrilled Pierce students with a breathtaking summary of what his novel’s reluctant hero had to face in order to be reunited with his family during the worst natural disaster in American history. To keep the pace of his visit at high intensity, Mr. Mullin donned his taekwondo clothing and proceeded to chop several heavy construction bricks in half." --Ted Zagar, Media Specialist at Pierce Middle School.

"Thanks again so much for the fantastic writing workshops you offered to the students at Frankfort High School.  I have your broken cement blocks on display in the library and the students love them, they can't get enough of your book, and are so excited about the next one. Lunch with the author was a huge success and the students have thanked me over and over for including them in that experience.  You have a dynamic personality that really connected so positively with our students." --Jane Holden, Media Specialist at Frankfort High School.

"You did such a fantastic job of engaging the students and connecting with them, it’s no wonder your book is so good." --Edi Campbell, Media Specialist at Arlington High School.

"I've been lucky enough to have three author visits a year for the last few years, and Mike is the best we've had so far." --Lisa Talbert, Media Specialist at Century Junior High. 

"[Mike] spoke to all 250 8th graders over the period of a school day. He was fantastic. Students truly enjoyed him and his book is being passed around by students who purchased it. I, too, had a wonderful time with him and have been reorganizing my teaching to have more days letting students write and read." --Jason Collins, English Teacher at Menomonie Middle School.

Presentation Topics:

How is Taekwondo Like Writing?: This is my standard 40-60 minute author talk. I teach participants how to break things with a hammer-fist, how to become a better writer, and a little bit about the Yellowstone supervolcano. I've given this presentation to as few as ten participants and as many as 500. It works equally well with middle school, high school, and adult audiences. I generally don't need a microphone unless it's a very large auditorium or gymnasium--if a microphone is provided I prefer the lavalier style. A table for my props and a source of power are helpful. I provide all other supplies needed. Usually includes a taekwondo demonstration in which I break a concrete block with my bare hand. (Yes, really.) This program works great in libraries and bookstores also.

The Geology of Ashfall: Focuses on the science behind my debut novel. Best for Geology or Earth Sciences students in groups of 60 or fewer. I discuss the difference between Plinian and super volcanoes, the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI), and earth science concepts including plate tectonics and volcanic hot spots. Lasts 40-60 minutes. Supplies needed: overhead projection system with Microsoft PowerPoint.

Writer's Workshop: Every participant leaves with the beginnings of their own novel. Requires between 75 and 120 minutes. Best for groups of 10-60 middle school students, high school students, or adults. All participants should come prepared with lots of paper and at least two writing implements. Rooms should be set up to allow room to move around and form teams. Supplies needed: 5-30 random unusual objects (depending on the number of participants), chart paper, and chart markers. Here's a photo album a teacher at St. Mary School in Columbus, Ohio made during my writing workshop there. Here's a short description you may use in promoting a writer's workshop, "What do S.E. Hinton, Christopher Paolini, and Kody Keplinger have in common? They all published their first novels as teenagers. You can too! This isn’t a workshop; it’s a funshop. Come prepared to be loud and crazy, to break things, and to write like hyperactive ferrets. If ferrets could write. Which they can’t, but that’s beside the point. Everyone will leave with a plan for writing their first novel!" Here's a Wordle that a group of students created in response to my workshop.

Skype Presentation: All students should read ASHFALL before the presentation. (Note that this ONLY applies to Skype visits--I'm completely fine walking into a room of people who've never heard of me during an in-person visit.) I start with a short introduction and reading, then take questions. Lasts 30-40 minutes. Best for groups of 30 or fewer students. My Skype handle is mike.mullin.author--please call me when you are ready to start. All Skype presentations are free. I'm also on Google+ if you prefer to use Hangouts for our video chat.

Social Media for Writers: Designed for writers' groups and conferences. A hands-on tour of social media, including specific strategies for using social media to engage with readers and sell books. Here's what Rebecca Grose, owner of SoCal Public Relations, had to say after attending my social media seminar: "Attendees agreed that they were inspired by the detailed information they’d picked up in the workshop and planned to start using their new skills right away to gain the most from social media. Mission accomplished!" Supplies needed: projection system or screen large enough for the group which can be connected to my Windows 7 laptop. High-speed internet access.

How Censorship Hurts Kids: Includes a role-playing game, interpretive dance, and book discussions. Appropriate for groups of 30-100 librarians, parents, or teachers. If you'd like to try the censorship role playing game with your own groups, I've put a copy on this page.

How to Schedule a Presentation:

Email me at mike.mullin.writer [at] gmail.com. If you'd like to discuss a presentation on the phone, let me know and I'll email back telephone numbers where I can be reached.

How to Prepare for a Presentation:

First, read this post by author Cynthia Leitich Smith. She does an amazing job explaining what goes into a successful author visit.

Make sure you have copies of my books available well in advance. Everyone should have an opportunity to buy or check out a book before I arrive. Make sure everyone on your team knows about and promotes the presentation. English teachers, Earth Sciences teachers, school librarians, administrators, public librarians and booksellers can all contribute to making it a successful visit. You can get books from your local bookseller (find a local independent through Indiebound), from Kids Ink Children's Bookstore, via wholesalers such as Baker & Taylor or Ingram, or through Publisher's Group West. I can provide books at signings myself if no other options are feasible. If I'm providing the books, please assign a volunteer to handle sales so that I can focus on my presentation and autographing.

If you're feeding me as part of a day at your school or library, any kind of food is fine. I like nearly anything and have no food allergies. Healthy options are much appreciated, though. My shirt size is XL and I don't want to grow it to XXL! Thanks.

Need ideas how to promote an author visit? I've listed nine of my favorites here.