School Visits

Now booking visits for the 2025-2026 school year!

In-Person** and Virtual Author Visit Options

I’m available for K-12 school visits; book clubs; library and community events; higher ed classes, workshops, or lectures; festivals, conferences, and other speaking engagements.

I love talking with writers of all ages! As a writing professor and author who is a child of immigrants, I love getting students excited about creating stories. I offer both in-person and virtual visits on a variety of topics (see below for sample descriptions). I also love leading students through craft workshops so they can leave empowered to create their own stories and/or poetry.

Want to know what others are saying about my school visits? Check out these testimonials.

**Please note: In-person visits are restricted to Miami-Dade and Broward Counties in Florida with limited availability beyond South Florida; however, I will continue to offer virtual school visits throughout the year.

Rates for the 2025-2026 school year

  • Full day: $1,000, includes up to 3 presentations and/or workshops up to 60 minutes each. If desired, full day visits can include “lunch with the author” for a smaller group of 5-10 students, like a book club, or a book signing.
  • Half day: $750, includes 2 presentations and/or workshops up to 60 minutes each.
  • Single presentation or workshop: $400, up to 60 minutes.
  • Virtual Visit: $300, up to 45 minutes, 1 presentation
  • Book Club OR Storytime+Q&A: $200, up to 30 minutes, or free with purchase of 20 or more books (travel restrictions apply).

FREE OR DISCOUNTED VISITS: Select school visits may be discounted or free, pending schedule availability:

  • Title I schools are eligible for discounted visits. Travel restrictions apply.
  • Classes who order 30 or more copies of my book(s) are eligible for a free visit (one presentation, up to 60 minutes), with proof of purchase; copies must be ordered prior to the scheduled event. Travel restrictions apply.
  • Teachers who are using my book(s) in the classroom are eligible for free 15-minute virtual Q&A sessions, which can be conducted in English, Spanish, or Spanglish. Students must have read the book(s) before the session.

Please note: For travel outside of Miami-Dade and Broward County, travel expenses (transportation, lodging, etc.) will be added to the above fees. Free in-person visits with book purchases are only available in Miami-Dade County.

To schedule in-person or virtual visits please contact me!

Sample Presentation/Workshop Descriptions

Storytime/Q&A

This presentation is best for picture books and includes a reading of one book plus time for a Q&A or a craft. Best suited for smaller groups, like a single class. 20-30 minutes.

Book Club Q&A

This presentation is best suited for grades 3+ and is best suited for groups of 20 or fewer students who’ve already read the book. Students have the opportunity to ask pressing questions about the book, the process, the job, and more. 20-30 minutes.

Book Journey

This presentation focuses on one book and its journey from idea to publication, with a strong focus on the writing process and the need for grit and perseverance in this field. It includes a reading from the book (either the full picture book or one chapter from a novel), as well as a look behind the scenes, including the inspiration, some early drafts of the story, and extras such as cover and illustration sketches. Presentation will end with a Q&A. A small activity can be added if desired. This presentation can be tailored for all ages, and can be presented to larger or small groups. 45-60 minutes

Brainstorming Workshop

This workshop is perfect for smaller groups. Where do writers find their inspiration? Where do ideas come from? In this interactive workshop, students will engage in some focused free writing and creative exercises to help them brainstorm story and character ideas. Then, we’ll make up a collective story using the ideas generated in the workshop!

This workshop is best for grades 3 and up. Workshops are ideal for smaller groups, like individual classrooms or bookclubs. 45-60 minutes

Where I’m From Poetry Workshop

Calling all student poets! The “Where I’m From” poem is one of my favorites–you can see my own poem here in the Young Adult Review Network. In this workshop perfect for smaller groups, I will guide students through the active brainstorming and writing of a Where I’m From, including crafting strong concrete, sensory imagery, and using sound elements to create rhythm. Students will have the opportunity to share their poems at the end of the workshop.

This workshop is best for grades 3 and up. Workshops are ideal for smaller groups, like individual classrooms or bookclubs. 45-60 minutes

Colombia is Magic: Virtual Road Trip throughout Colombia

In this interactive presentation, which also includes a reading and time for Q&A, students will take a road trip throughout Colombia, learning about its landmarks, flora, fauna, people, music, and celebrations! This presentation can be tailored for all ages, and can be presented to larger or small groups. 30-45 minutes

More

Have an idea for a workshop that’s not listed here or want a mashup of several of the above? Contact me! I’d love to work with you to create a session that’s perfect for you.

Books & Resources

Books for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers:

  • Our World: Colombia, part of Barefoot Books’ Our World board books series, where kids come along for a day of exploring the sights and sounds of Colombia from the farm to the city.

Books for kids ages 4-8:

  • Feliz New Year, Ava Gabriela! about a girl who’s visiting her extended family in Colombia for the holidays, but whose too-shy voice threatens to make her miss out on all the fun.
  • Isabel and Her Colores Go to School, written in English and Spanish, this is a universal story about feeling new and making new friends despite language barriers.
  • Lupita’s Hurricane Palomitas, about a girl and the baby pigeons she finds before a hurricane, and how these allow her to channel her apprehension about going through the storm.

Books for kids ages 8-12:

  • The Enchanted Life of Valentina Mejía a middle grade fantasy adventure being pitched as “Encanto meets The Chronicles of Narnia by way of Colombian folklore.
  • Grow Up, Luchy Zapata, a funny, relatable middle school drama about two Colombian American girls who have always been BFFs—until sixth grade turns everything upside down.

Stories for teens, ages 12+

  • “Kaleidoscope” in All the Love Under the Vast Sky, about a girl who emerges from grief and battles with chronic pain to discover how to love herself and life again, written in verse.

Check out the FREE TEACHER RESOURCES for all my books here; these include educators guides, activities, craft videos, and readalouds.