The Grey Griffins Series by Derek Benz and J.S. Lewis

Jon and Derek at a school assembley in Chino, California

A QUEST TO MAKE READING EXCITING AGAIN!
* You can download this page in a printable format by clicking here (216K)

GOAL
The goal of a Grey Griffins presentation is to inspire young people to rediscover the magic of the creative process, particularly as it relates to the written word. In a world dominated by video games, online communities, and big budget action movies, books can appear to be an archaic form of learning and entertainment. In this highly visual, interactive, entertaining, and deceptively educational presentation, your students will walk away with a fresh excitement about the power of storytelling.

PRESENTATION
School Assembly (45 minutes)
Using humor to engage the audience, each assembly begins by the author sharing about the heroic storytellers who inspired the author as a child (J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Maurice Sendak, George Lucas, etc.). The focus shifts into how his personal adventures growing up in wooded areas and lake towns in the rural Midwest inspired the backdrop to the novels he is writing today. There is interaction between the author and the audience during the entire presentation, as well as a bevy of colorful visual aids to keep the students engaged. The students will learn that their own personal experiences can and will make a strong backbone for their own stories. Then the author reviews the writing process, starting with brief descriptions of how he comes up with plots and characters, and finishing on the critical nature of editing. The presentation is capped with the message that the students will have every opportunity to achieve their dreams if they never give up, just like the author did. Then there is a 15-20 minute question and answer period.

WORKSHOPS
Writing Workshop (45 minutes)
This general workshop will cover the basics of storytelling, touching on character and plot, as well as outlining techniques, how to ensure you never have writer's block, the importance of keeping your story unpredictable and much more. Questions are appropriate for this session. Class size should not exceed 40.

Character Creation: Heroes & Villains (45 minutes)
This session focuses on the specific development of heroes and villains, including how to make a character sheet that outlines the important facts you need to know about your characters, as well as the traits required for both strong heroes and villains. Questions are appropriate for this session. Class size should not exceed 40.

Character Design: How Sketching Benefits Writing (45 minutes)
As a former professional animator and illustrator, the author leans heavily upon his drawing skills to create his characters, worlds, and action sequences. In this session, students will learn how they can utilize these exciting techniques to add richness to their stories, and more importantly they'll learn how drawing can make a potentially boring assignment exciting.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Presenting Author: J.S. Lewis
Traveling From: Phoenix, Arizona
Suggested Audience: Grades 3-8
Maximum Number of Presentations Per Day: 4
Honorarium:

School Assembly (Phoenix Metro area): $250

Half-Day (Phoenix Metro area): $375

Full-Day (Phoenix Metro area): $600

Full-Day Presentation (Outside Phoenix Metro area): $750 plus expenses*

*Flat Fee Available: If your district, school, PTA, or PTO requires a single fee that encompasses all costs:honorarium, travel, lodging, per diem, and transportation, it can be made available upon request. Prices will vary based on travel distance, etc.

PLEASE NOTE:
At this time, the author is accepting a maximum of one city and five days outside of the Metropolitan Phoenix area per month. These trips require a minimum two-day booking.

The author is available for School Assemblies in the East Valley of the Metropolitan Phoenix Area (Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Tempe) from 8:30 am to 9:45 am, 10:30 am to 11:45 am, and 1:00 pm to 2:15 pm during all weekdays.

For visits to schools in Scottsdale, Queen Creek, Apache Junction, North Phoenix, and the West Valley, visits must be booked for a minimum half-day or be made in tandem with another school (at least two School Assemblies per day).

BOOK SALES
Receiving a signed copy of a novel is a rare and exciting opportunity for a young person, and thus is an important component to any author visit. There is no minimum purchase of books required for a school visits. However, schools must make books available to students prior to the author's visit. This is most effectively communicated through a flier that is sent home to their parents. Books should be available for purchase on-site the day of the presentation, as well as for up to three days after the author visit has been completed.

Ordering Books for Your School or Library
For questions on ordering books, please contact Faith Hochhalter at (480), 283-5949, or email her by clicking here.

Available Books

ISBN	TITLE	GRADE LEVEL	RETAIL PRICE
0-439-79574-5	Book One: The Revenge of the Shadow King	3-8	$12.99
0-439-83774-X	Book Two: The Rise of the Black Wolf	3-8	$12.99
0-439-83776-7	Book Three: The Fall of The Templar	3-8	$12.99

PRESENTATION BREAKDOWNS
* FULL-DAY PRESENTATION: 4 presentations, lunch and a book signing session*
A Full-Day Presentation includes: (A) 45 minute School Assembly to all students 3rd-8th grade; (B) 30 minute book signing session; (C) 45 minute lunch with the author for up to ten students (no limit on faculty), and (D) the choice of three additional 45 minute sessions (Writing Workshop, Character Creation: Heroes & Villains session, or Character Design: How Sketching Benefits Writing). Please note that the School Assembly should take place before the breakout sessions to set the stage for the day and better familiarize your students with the author and his works.

* HALF-DAY PRESENTATION: 3 presentation and a book signing session*
A Half-Day Presentation includes: (A) 45 minute School Assembly to all students 3rd-8th grade; (B) 30 minute book signing session; and (C) the choice of two additional 45 minute sessions (Writing Workshop, Character Creation: Heroes & Villains session, or Character Design: How Sketching Benefits Writing). Please note that the School Assembly should take place before the breakout sessions to set the stage for the day and better familiarize your students with the author and his works.

* SCHOOL ASSEMBLY: 1 presentation and a book signing session
A School Assembly includes: (A) 45 minute presentation to the entire applicable school body from 3rd-8th grade; and (B) 30 minute book signing session.

*Please note that when booking either a Full-Day and Half-Day Presentation, school are able substitute the School Assembly, Writing Workshop, and Character Creating Sessions with assemblies to smaller groups if you do not have the facilities available for an all-school assembly.

GIVEAWAYS
Each school will receive a free, signed copy of the latest book the author has written, to be given away to a student during the School Assembly. They will also receive up to 50 posters or bookmarks supporting the latest book that the author has written. Schools are allowed to utilize those items in whatever manner they deem appropriate.



	To book a Grey Griffins author visit at your school or library, call Faith Hochhalter at (480) 283-5949 or email Faith here * * Reservations must be made by an adult.