School visits are one of my favorite parts of being an author. I love connecting with young readers and talking about my books and writing and creativity.

Below are two of my current presentations, though it’s worth mentioning that, since I’m also an actor and improviser, a big part of my presentations is feeling out the vibe and going with the creative flow based on what the students are responding to in the moment. 

Reach out to me at lancerubinparty@gmail.com to discuss further, including my current rates.

 Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend (middle grade, aimed at ages 8 to 12)

In this presentation, I introduce students to the world of Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend, first by reading a short passage and then by engaging them with questions about friendship (“What are some qualities you think a good friend has?”) and AI (“What do you think would be good about having an AI best friend?” “What do you think would NOT be good about it?”).

I talk about how friendships are often messy and imperfect, just like human beings, and how that’s the beautiful part about creativity too—it’s usually pretty messy. I then talk about the messy process of writing Zed Moonstein Makes a Friend—the many drafts over five years, all the times I thought I might give up—and how the fact that it was so challenging to write is what makes it so rewarding that it’s been published and that I’m with the students right now giving this very presentation.

I explain that, though AI tools exist to help make art, I find the real joy in creativity is moving through the entire process, even the hard parts that require more patience, and that one of the most magical parts of creativity is collaborating with other people. I talk about my experience with improv, creating a scene from nothing, and I’ll guide some brave volunteers through an improv scene or two that they’ll create on the spot, with the help of their peers in the audience.

After the kids astound and delight themselves with their scene-work, I’ll take questions, in which I’ll aim to offer more thoughts on writing, perseverance, mindful tech, what it’s like to be an author, and the joy of feeling empowered to wield your own unique creativity.

Length: 45 minutes to an hour. Best for grades four through seven (though could also work for grades three and eight).

 Crying Laughing (Young Adult, aimed at ages 12 and up)

In this presentation, I talk a bit about Crying Laughing, in which 15-year-old Winnie Friedman joins her school’s improv comedy group at the same time that she’s dealing with scary news—her father has been diagnosed with ALS. I talk about how I started a career as an actor and then became an author, and how I discovered that the two forms of creativity were more similar than I was expecting.

I also discuss how my experience doing improv comedy has made my writing stronger, which will lead into some fun exercises with student volunteers. They’ll create scenes from nothing and feel empowered by their own creative impulses. After the presentation, I’ll take questions, in which I’ll aim to offer more thoughts and guidance on writing, editing, perseverance, what it’s like to be an author, and the joy of embracing your own unique creativity.

Length: 45 minutes to an hour. Best for grades six and up.