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Carol Parenzan Smalley Interview Part II
Children’s Presenter at Schools & Libraries
I'll reintroduce Carol Parenzan Smalley. Today we're examining her presentations to children.
Carol has published 16 books and is working on 17-19. She has written books for preschool age children through college. Her specialty is creative nonfiction. To see her books visit http://www.amazon.com/
She was recognized and honored by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) for her work-in-progress on a nonfiction book about mathematical concepts at an amusement park.
Carol is a regular contributor to Children's Book Insider, where she authors articles on the business of children's book publishing. Carol Parenzan Smalley is a consultant to the Mohawk Valley Library System and Southern Adirondack Library System (New York), she has a wealth of information on the subject of presentations to children to share. To familiarize yourself with her children’s presentations go to http://www.performersandprograms.com/
Writing is only a small piece of what she does. She is an entrepreneur, college instructor, business consultant and start-up specialist. She’s a jack of all trades and master of many. Let’s see what she has to share about her presentations for children.
Q: Where was your first presentation/speaking engagement and how did it come about?
About six years ago, I volunteered to coordinate the family summer storytime program at my local library. It ran for six weeks, and each week had a different theme and guest. This experience gave me good insight into the patrons that the library served and possible other programs for them to attend. I did this on a volunteer basis, and the experience was priceless. About 100 people attended the program each week. It was incredible. (The town's population is less than 8,000.)
Q: How did you market these services in the beginning?
I started with my local library first, offering a free program to gain experience and collect recommendations for future marketing. Our library service quickly asked me to present to a consortium of libraries, which I did. It resulted in about 15 paid presentation bookings that summer.
Q: New authors and illustrators struggle with the question: what should I charge? What would you recommend in the beginning? How should a person decide?
The answer to this is two-fold. Charge what you think you are worth; charge what libraries can afford. Not every library can afford my programs, and they quickly are removed from my possible customer set. I'd love to present at every library for free, but that's not practical. As an author, one must remind oneself that this is your business. You are not in it for free. Your time is quite valuable. Sites like Performers and Programs are wonderful market research for writers. Everyone's prices are right there for all to see!
Q: Do you perform at schools as well as libraries? What other places?
Yes, public and private schools, community organizations, museums, and even amusement parks!
Q: Do you supply the librarians, teachers or coordinator with a kit, books or anything to prime your audience?
I supply them with a one-page information sheet for their promotional purposes. The rest is up to me when I arrive.
Q: How did you get involved with Performers and Programs?
This is the official program site for the public library system. For the school system, it is Arts in Education. The libraries asked me to submit information for the first. I have yet to do the second, as I am maxed at the moment with commitments (teaching, writing, presenting, consulting).
Q: How do you gauge the success of a presentation?
My programs are very interactive. If the children and I have a good time sharing and growing through the experience, it was a good program. I don't really present as much as I guide. Of course, sometimes, they guide me! That's always the best. I get invited back often. That's a good sign my programs are well received.
Q: How do you keep your audiences attention?
I empower them to make the time with me the best it can be. I allow them to get what they are ready and able to get from the program. I may go into the program with one idea and switch directions midstream. That's OK! The program is for them, not for me. Each group is different. I need to be flexible.
I hope you enjoyed reading about Carol Parenzan Smalley’s creative nonfiction writing and her presentation s for children.
If you have comments or questions for Carol email her at csmalley@frontiernet.net or call 518-568-3450.
She is an online writing instructor through ed2go. I became acquainted with Carol through her course Writing for Children .It was essential in teaching me how to write for children. You can register fort he course here http://www.ed2go.com/cgi-bin/ed2go/newcrsdes.cgi?course=wfc&title=Writing^for^Children&departmentnum=PW
Her books can be purchased at Amazon.com here
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002-8497299-7935242?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Carol+parenzan+Smalley&x=13&y=17
Posted by j.adaykennedy
at 5:19 PM CST
Updated: Sunday, 26 October 2008 6:06 PM CDT
