Author Visits and Events

I love visiting schools and talking to students about books and the writing process.

Before I became a writer, I was an outdoor educator, a classroom teacher, and the Associate Curator of Education for a zoo. I offer presentations and writing workshops that are informative, fun, and age appropriate.

I have visited students around the country, including California, Oregon, Wisconsin, Maryland, and New York. I even spent a week talking with readers in Singapore! In addition to school and library visits, I have given workshops to kids and adults, and I am on the faculty at the Highlights Foundation.

For more information and to book school visits and workshops: How Now Booking sarah@hownowbooking.com

Photo Credit Monique Sourhino

“Debbi’s visit to our school was very well-received by all the K-4th grade teachers and students.  Teachers described her presentation as ‘Engaging.’ ‘She kept the attention of the students.’  ‘Fantastic!’ Debbi’s presentations were spot on at each grade level.  I strongly recommend Debbi Michiko Florence to any school interested in a delightful author presentation.”

–Joy Blongewicz, Teacher-Librarian, Marion Cross Elementary School, Norwich, VT

“I highly recommend Debbi Michiko Florence as a speaker/teacher in the classroom or at a conference. She presented a three-hour workshop on chapter books for our SCBWI group with just the right blend of useful information and hands-on activities. All of our members walked away inspired and motivated to write!”

–Jody Casella, Regional Advisor, SCBWI Ohio Central South

“Debbi was spot-on with her presentation to our students, discussing the writing process and sharing ideas with them to inspire them in their writing.  It was especially valuable for them to hear from a real-life author how much revising and rewriting is done before a book gets published.  Our hard-working writers, and their teachers, appreciated the lesson in perseverance.  The best proof that Debbi’s visit was a success?  Debbi’s Jasmine Toguchi books are the most requested books in the library! I love that her visit inspired both our writers and readers.”

–Jill Fayan, Library Media Specialist, Jeffrey Elementary School, Madison, CT

“Debbi is a warm, engaging, and educational presenter. She was creative with her presentation and involved the group with an educational activity that the students loved. She was a favorite of both the students and the educators who attended the program. We’ll always invite her back!”

–Allison Escoto, Head Librarian, The Center for Fiction, Brooklyn, NY

Upcoming Events

 

Thursday, March 9 at 3:20 PM - 4:35 PM

AWP (Association of Writers and Writing Programs)  Conference and Bookfair, Seattle Convention Center, Seattle, WA

Panel  –  Transformative Experiences: In-Community Retreats for Creatives with Alex Villasante, Daria Peoples, Linda Epstein, Alison Green Myers, and Debbi Michiko Florence ROOM 433-434 Summit Building

With representatives from many in-community retreats—the Jewish Symposium, Writing the Rainbow, Latinx Symposium, AAPI Retreat, the Diversity Fellowship, and more, this panel of diverse voices will celebrate ways to invest in and create programming for storytellers. This collection of writers and illustrators will dig into the challenges, successes, and most importantly the need for marginalized creatives to have safe, in-community spaces to grow their careers and amplify one another’s work.

Sunday, March 26 at 2 PM

Jasmine Toguchi Peace-Maker Book Launch at Bank Square Books, Mystic CT

Join me to celebrate the launch of book 6 of the Jasmine Toguchi chapter book series, Peace-Maker, with a storytime, Q&A, and a book signing! Come “travel” to Hiroshima with Jasmine Toguchi and her family.

 

Saturday, April 1

We Are All Readers Festival North Kingston High School, Kingston, RI

A FREE  ticketed book festival celebrating diverse children’s literature. Author talks and storytime, crafts and activities, book sales and signings!

Middle Grade Author Talk from 1:40 – 3:10

 

 

Saturday, April 15 at 11 AM

Jasmine Toguchi Storytime at The Silver Unicorn, Acton MA

Join me for storytime, and a fun chat with Q&A about Jasmine Toguchi’s newest adventures in Japan in Brave Explorer (book 5) and Peace-Maker (book 6). Book sale and signing to follow!

Saturday, April 29 at 1 PM

In-Conversation for Kristy Boyce’s YA Book Launch of Hot Dutch Daydream, North Arlington Public Library, Arlington OH hosted by Cover to Cover Books

I’m excited to be in conversation w dear friend Kristy Boyce to discuss her newest YA romance, Hot Dutch Daydream! Hope you’ll join us!

Thursday - Sunday, May 4 - 7

Asian and Asian American Voices: An In-Community Retreat at The Highlights Foundation, Milanville, PA

An informal writing retreat for Asian and Asian American creators, hosted by Grace Lin and me on the beautiful campus of The Highlights Foundation.

Register here.