Looking ahead to Successful School Visits: A Three-Part Online Course, we’d like to welcome these talented students! Our faculty will be helping them create and deliver amazing presentations!
Leslie Vedder
Leslie Vedder (she/her) is a queer ace author who loves books with girl adventurers and heroes! She grew up on fantasy books, anime, fanfiction and the Lord of the Rings movies, and met her true love in high school choir. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a B.A. in creative writing and currently lives in Colorado with her wife and two spoiled house cats.
When she’s not reading or writing, you can find her watching anime and sci-fi shows, walking in the woods and pretending they’re enchanted forests, or playing old video games. She always collects all the Skulltulas in Zelda and all the Dalmation puppies in Kingdom Hearts.
Her debut YA novel THE BONE SPINDLE (Penguin | Razorbill) was an indie bestseller.
Visit Leslie on the web at leslievedder.com.
Why is Leslie taking the School Visits course?
“Next February, my first middle grade book comes out, and I’m so excited to work with these amazing authors and learn how to connect with students!”
Gabi Snyder
Gabi Snyder is a fan of the unexpected and the author of several picture books. Her debut, TWO DOGS ON A TRIKE, illustrated by Robin Rosenthal, was a Kirkus Best Picture Books of 2020 selection. Her second picture book, LISTEN, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin, was a 2022 Oregon Book Award finalist. And her third title COUNT ON US!, illustrated by Sarah Walsh, was the winner of the 2022 Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award in the children’s category. Her most recent books include TODAY, illustrated by Stephanie Graegin, and LOOK, illustrated by Samantha Cotterill and a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection.
Gabi studied psychology at the University of Washington and creative writing at The University of Texas. When she’s not writing, she loves taking nature walks, visiting Little Free Libraries, and baking sweet treats. She lives in Oregon with her family. Learn more at gabisnyder.com.
Why is Gabi taking the School Visits course?
“I have five published picture books and have done a handful of school visits, but I feel like I need help to really improve my school visit presentations/confidence.”
Alicia Salazar
Alicia Salazar is a Mexican American children’s book author who has written for blogs, magazines, and education publishers. She was also once an elementary school teacher and a marine biologist. She currently lives in the suburbs of Houston, TX, but is a city girl at heart. When she is not dreaming up new adventures to experience, she is turning her adventures into stories for kids.
Visit Alicia on the web at alicia-salazar.com
Why is Alicia taking the School Visits course?
“I’m just looking for help, and ways to improve my author visit presentations.”
