I’ve made over 500 appearances at schools, libraries, and conferences since The Broken Blade was released in 1997. Whenever I visit a community, my goal is to get students excited about reading and to inspire them to engage in writing projects of their own.
My rates are reasonable–$600 per day for in-state events or $300 for a half day, and $700 for out-of-state appearances, plus travel expenses. I will speak to assembly-sized groups or conduct more personal writing workshops. For availability contact bill@williamdurbin.com.
Teacher & Media Specialist Recommendations
“Mr. Durbin’s presentations are equally suitable for upper elementary, middle, AND high school – fantastic. Everyone was enthralled. You could have heard a pin drop in the auditorium! Students, teachers, administrators, and parents were equally impressed. Every one of his books immediately got checked out from the library, and students are still asking for them.”
Emily Spiegel, Library Information Specialist, Southside Fundamental Middle School, St. Petersburg, FL
“Mr. Durbin has a teaching background – he understands students, their interests, their attention-and how to best utilize that understanding when interacting with them. Not only does Mr. Durbin give a presentation, he inherently teaches. He is a superb example.”
Gina Drellack, Media Specialist, Bagley Elementary School, Bagley, MN
“William Durbin is our favorite author!”
Patricia Danch, language teacher, Shepard Middle School, Deerfield, Illinois
“His visit is the highlight of our year…my only regret is that the time we provide him with the students isn’t longer.”
Leslie Fisher, Media Specialist, Thief River Falls, MN
“Mr. Durbin was one of the best author speakers to ever present at our school. He was equally at ease with large groups as with small groups. He did several small group writing lessons that teachers and students alike still talk about today…he was truly mesmerizing and had the full attention of the children as well as the adults.”
Diane Kort, Library Information Specialist, Lakeview Fundamental Elementary School, St. Petersburg, FL
“He had a wonderful power point presentation that helped the students understand the history, and the anecdotes he provided were greatly enjoyed by the students. The content fits so well with our fourth and fifth grade curriculum that we plan to have him on a rotating basis to speak to those grades.”
Diane Carriveau, Library Media Specialist, Oakland Elementary School, Menomonie, WI
“He has a loyal following; several students declare him to be their favorite author. He is always pleasant, dependable, and flexible. He respects his audience, is very intelligent and always interesting. I highly recommend Bill Durbin”
Cathy Seblonka, Peter White Public Library, Marquette, MI
“Tarpon Springs Elementary had the privilege and pleasure of having William Durbin present to our 3rd, 4th & 5th grade students. What an incredible experience! The children were completely engaged. He uses historical photographs and documentation throughout his presentation to teach the children about history and how he uses his research to create his stories. He was very in tune with the students. He knows how to talk with children to engage them. Most of all, he has the children excited about reading. All of his titles are checked out from our library, and there is a waiting list for more of his titles.”
Juli-Anne Hipp, LIS/Tech. Coordinator, Tarpon Springs Elementary School, Tarpon Springs, Florida
“You won’t go wrong by adding William Durbin to your speaker forum.”
Sandy Bonsall, Lakeview Elementary, Negaunee, MI
Presentation Topics
For assembly presentations at schools I like to talk about what inspired me to become a writer, and I show the students archival photos of the periods that I’ve written about including the fur trade (The Broken Blade), logging history (Blackwater Ben), immigration and labor history (El Lector and The Journal of Otto Peltonen), homesteading (Song of Sampo Lake), and overcoming a disability and the politics of war (The Winter War). I also share how I do my research, and most importantly, I try to inspire young authors to work on their craft.
More specific topics that I can address:
“Novels in Your Neighborhood”
How to use people, places, and events from your own hometown as the foundation for short stories and novels.
“The Truth in Historical Fiction”
How to use original source material such as diaries, letters, journals, field research, newspaper articles, personal interviews, and unpublished manuscripts, to write fiction that brings history to life.
“How to Publish Your Writing”
Tips on how to market your writing. Everything you’ve always wanted to know about editors, agents, contracts, rights, royalties, & publishing trends. Suggestions for student writers who wish to get published.
“How to Beat Writer’s Block”
Ways to make the initial engagement in the writing process more enjoyable and productive.
“No Teacher Left Behind”
One of the many education-oriented topics that I’ve shared with teacher and reading associations across the country.
“Historical Fiction as Diversity Education” or “Prejudice and Tolerance Through Time”
How my novels have depicted conflicts between a variety of cultures including the French Canadian voyageurs and the Ojibwe, the builders of the Transcontinental Railroad and the plains Indians, Irish and Chinese railroad workers, Finnish-American immigrants and United States Steel Corporation, Dust Bowl era migrant families and the Southwestern establishment, and Finnish-Americans and Russia’s Stalinist regime.
Workshops
Additionally, I can do workshops for any age level of students in any area of writing including fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and drama. For more information contact me at: bill@williamdurbin.com
Planning an Author Visit
Find out more information on how to plan and prepare for a successful author visit.