Talks I am currently giving include:

Think Like an Author: Discover the Creative Writer in All Your Students

I share my own road to becoming a writer (replete with stories). Then I explain my sure-fire approach to teaching creative writing using unusual prompts and introduce exercises guaranteed to generate real excitement about writing. This talk is especially good in the hands-on department. Anyone charged with inspiring young writers will come away with practical exercises to take back to the classroom—and the inspiration to make it happen.

Letter of Endorsement

Dear Adrian,

I was at the Illinois Reading Conference this past weekend and thoroughly enjoyed your workshop.

In fact, that is putting it very lightly. You invoked emotions within me that surprised me and moved me to tears. Never before have I been so inspired by a prewriting strategy that I wanted to start writing immediately, and I knew that if I had been so moved, my students could be also. I have been so "programmed" to be a planner and teach planning, that I was starting to lose my passion for the art. Your workshop gave me a profound "Ah ha" moment, that helped me put into words what I should have known all along. I feel I will now be a much more effective teacher who can reach the "blurters" just as much as the planners. Thank you so much!!

Obviously, I am very eager to take you up on your offer of sending out references and the packet of materials from the workshop. I am an 8th grade Language Arts and Literature teacher, and would be thrilled with anything you might be willing to share.

Again, from the bottom of my heart--Thank you!!!

In Love With Words
This is a humorous and insightful look at how we relate to language, how we acquire a sensitivity to good writing and how, as teachers and writers we can engender a love of language in readers who are just beginning a long relationship of their own with words and literature.

Keep the Lights Burning
This is a great closer for a conference. It is inspirational and encouraging. It talks about the role of teachers in the world. As an author who visits dozens of schools a year all over the country I have had ample opportunity to observe the struggles and the triumphs of teachers. This talk should help teachers to focus on what they have gained from the conference and to bring it back to the day-to-day job of teaching.