The “Oh, Wow!” Factor in Writing.
How to research, read, and write about things that make you say, “Oh, Wow!” and want to share those fascinating facts with others.
Talk Less. Listen More. The Art of Eavesdropping.
Where we get ideas and ways to ensure that characters are creative, plot is plausible, and dialogue sounds natural.
Life Experiences: Write Them Down—Now!
Details from our childhood—and our children’s—keep popping up in our writing. Something from 20 years or 20 minutes ago may appear.
For smaller groups with more interaction:
Writing So Readers Cruise, Not Snooze.
This covers the essentials of characterization, plot, and dialogue to keep readers tuned in, not out.
Imagine This: Cool Ways to Get the Creative Juices Flowing (without a mess).
Weird, whacky writing prompts to knock writers block.
Playing Favorites: Which Word Wins—and Why.
Choosing just the right word for the right effect. Detail does make a difference.
Time Travel Without Disturbing History.
Ways to actively engage young readers in the past without affecting any timelines.
Avoiding 10 Common Mistakes in Writing.
Quick fixes to troublesome texts.
Wow! So many choices. We’re open to others if you need something more custom-designed.
You can invite Mason and Marie to your school. They’ll share with your students their passion for writing.
Marie and Mason are both on the Kentucky Arts Council's Education Roster. Teachers can apply for TIP grants to bring them to their schools for writing workshops. Click their names above for their profiles or click here for more info on the Arts Council Education Roster.
The authors are versatile, given their background in journalism (newspaper and radio features and columns), writing short stories, Newspaper in Education series, and now a book, The Lost Dispatch, plus teaching English and Communication.
Mason and Marie are also very well behaved and have been coached on classroom etiquette by their four children (ages 5, 10, 11, and 16) who have taught them how to avoid embarrassing themselves in front of young people.
Appearance Calendar
MSPR Radio Interview
Mason was interviewed by Chuck Mraz for MSPR's "Front Page" radio program. Click Here to listen to the audio. (Audio Coutesy of MSPR. ©2009 MSPR. All rights reserved.)
Saturday, November 7th
The authors will be signing and selling at the Kentucky Book Fair, Frankfort Convention Center, Frankfort, KY.
Saturday, December 5th
Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill. Marie and her sister, Rebecca Mitchell Turney, will have their premier book signing for the first book in their series set at Shaker Village in the 1830s. It's titled, Road To Pleasant Hill.
For more info visit: kygirlsbooks.com
When you’re ready to schedule a visit, contact the authors at: marieandmason@mitchell-smith.com
The authors will need a microphone and laptop hook-up for their presentations. Other materials may be requested in advance.
Feel free to feed the authors healthy snacks, drinks, and meals during their visit.
Note: All speaking stipends, travel, and other expenses incurred by the authors must be paid no later than the day of the appearance.
No part of the presentation can be recorded without prior written permission by the authors.