I often speak to writers, teachers, librarians and the community at large. I share my writer’s journey and the stories behind my stories, reader-writer connections and my working knowledge of the children's book world.

And, sometimes, I even review children's movies on television.

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Upcoming speaking engagements:

  MD/DE/WVA SCBWI
“Rx for Children’s Book Creators: Getting Your Stories (Plural) Right”
The Bishop Claggett Center in Buckeystown, MD
Saturday, March 31, 2012, 9 am to 5 pm

There's the story we tell, the one we write. But there's also the Writer's Story we live each day. Author, teacher and writing coach Esther Hershenhorn shares resources, exercises and opportunities to ensure both kinds of stories meaningfully intersect so you keep moving forward on your chosen plot line--growing, changing, digging deep, and returning home triumphant, different for the journey.
http://www.scbwi.org/Regional-Chapters.aspx?R=22&sec=Events&g=1870
Day event also includes Harper Collins Associate Editor Sara Dotts Barley and Rachel Orr of the Prospect Literary Agency.
Contact: mistylodge@verizon.net; szymanski3@verizon.net

  IRA (International Reading Association Conference)
McCormick Place, Chicago, IL

Sunday, April 29, 9 am to 5 pm
Symposium: “Rekindling the Reading Fire – Author Panel – Using the Story Strategies of Professional Authors to Inspire a Love of Reading and Writing” Panel also includes: Carolee Dean, Caroline Starr Rose, Lisa Schroeder, Lois Ruby, April Halprin Wayland, Carolyn Meyer , Kimberley Griffiths Little, Kersten Hamilton and Uma Krishnaswami

Monday, April 30, 1 pm
Book Signing
Sleeping Bear Press Booth

 Printers Row Lit Fest
Saturday/Sunday, June 9/10, 2012
Day/time/location TBA

“Oh, the Places You Can Go! – Writing for Children Today!” Facilitated panel of 6 + 1 first-time Chicago-area children’s book creators, including Molly Backes, S.J. Kincaid, Cheri Colyer, Keir Graff, Natalie Ziarnik, Gina Bellasario and Barbara Gregorich.

I recently presented at:

• 2011 Mill Creek Literacy Institute Teacher Workshop
• Printers Row Lit Fest - Make Your Mark 2011
• Arkansas Reading Association
• SCBWI Indiana
• South Suburban (Illinois) Reading Council
• Barnes & Noble, Dundee, IL
• Barnes & Noble, Old Orchard, Skokie, IL
• Starved Rock Reading Council’s Young Authors Conference
• The St. Xavier College Harvest Literacy Festival
• Northeastern University Alumni Educator Event
• SCBWI-Illinois’ Prairie Writer’s Day
• SCBWI-Nevada

• The 38th Summer SCBWI Conference, Los Angeles
• The 2009 Annual Association of Jewish Libraries Conference
• The 2009 Printers Row
• The Chicago Humanities Festival
• The Illinois School Library Media Association Conference
• The Society of Midland Authors
• The Seward Academy, Chicago: Creating Young Writers Workshop
• SCBWI Carolinas
• SCBWI-Northern California
• Hug-A-Book Foundation
  Chicago, IL
• Northwestern University, Arts and Crafts Conference
  Chicago, IL
• SCBWI - Austin
  Austin, Texas
• Scholastic Book Fairs Workshop
  UIC Chicago, IL
• ABLE Kids’ Lit Conference
  Northeastern University
• Advanced Reading Development Demonstration Project
  Chicago, IL

• Judson College, Elgin, IL
• The International Reading Association, Annual Conference,
  San Antonio, TX
  Featured Author
• The Illinois Reading Council, Annual Conference
  Springfield, IL
  Featured Author
• The Missouri Reading Council, Annual Conference
  Lake of the Ozarks, MO
  Featured Author

• The Illinois Young Authors Conference, Normal, IL
  Featured Author
• The Illinois Book Fair, Springfield, IL
  Featured Author/Workshop presenter
• DePaul University, School of Education, Chicago, IL
• University of Illinois, Circle Campus, School of Education, Chicago, IL
• Off Campus Writers Workshop, Winnetka, IL
• Chicago Women in Publishing, Chicago, IL
• Nathaniel Hawthorne School, Chicago, IL
  Teacher In-service

• The Midwest Literary Festival, Aurora, IL
• SCBWI Nevada
• SCBWI, Los Angeles Annual Conference
• SCBWI-Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
• SCBWI New York Metro
• SCBWI-Arizona
• SCBWI-Houston
• The Terra Museum, Chicago, IL
• The Public Library Association Annual Conference, Seattle, WA
• Lewis University, Romeoville, IL
• Chicago Public Schools: Principal For A Day
• Gregory Middle School, Naperville

I have also been a Guest Speaker at:

• Cook Memorial Public Library, Libertyville, IL
• The International Reading Association, Annual Conference
  Orlando, FL
• Northern Illinois University's Children's Literature Conference,
  DeKalb, IL
  
• Butler University Children's Literature Conference,
  Indianapolis, IN
• The Illinois Library Association, Annual Conference,
  Chicago, IL
• The Illinois Public Library Association, Annual Conference,
  Chicago, IL
• The Association of Jewish Libraries, Annual Conference,
  Toronto, Canada
• Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL
• Columbia College, Chicago, IL
• National-Louis University, Chicago, IL
• SCBWI-Florida
• SCBWI-France
• SCBWI-Illinois
• SCBWI-Iowa
• SCBWI-Michigan
• National Writers Union, Chicago, IL
• The Harold Washington Public Library, Chicago, IL
• The Sulzer Library, Chicago, IL
• The Elmhurst Public Library, Elmhurst, IL
• The Evergreen Park Public Library, Evergreen Park, IL
• The Hinsdale Public Library, Hinsdale, IL
• The Mokena Public Library, Mokena, IL
• The Mt. Prospect Public Library, Mt. Prospect, IL
• The Plainfield Public Library Plainfield, IL
• The Prairie Trails Public Library, Prairie Trails, IL
• The Wilmette Public Library, Wilmette, IL
• The Mt. Prospect Public Library, Mt. Prospect, IL
• Temple Beth Or, Deerfield, IL
• The Union League, Chicago, IL
• The Friday Club, Chicago, IL
• The Women's Resource Fair, Evanston, IL
  

Thinking about booking me for your next conference or workshop?

“I've heard Esther speak in the past but I was overwhelmed by her ability to speak to such diverse interests and age groups at our recent Library program for both young writers and the public. She has such a wonderful personality and such knowledge and - above all - generosity. All ages benefitted from her kind, caring advice and mentoring. Thanks to Esther for a job superbly done!”

Debbie Colodny
Cook Memorial Public Library District
Libertyville, IL 60048

“The movies have Julia Roberts and the recording industry has Barbara Striesand.  Children's books have Esther Hershenhorn — a sweetheart all our own.  If you have the opportunity to hear her speak, seize it.  Her sincerity and devotion to children, teachers, and librarians is unparalleled.  Esther not only knows her craft, she knows how to help others understand and care about it, too.  The children's book community is better lit because Esther's star is shining within.”

Steven L. Layne, Ed.D.
National Literacy Consultant & Author
President, Illinois Reading Council

“Esther's warm, enthusiastic presentations to our members were well-received with rave reviews on our conference evaluations. Many said they felt more knowledgeable and inspired after her talks. Her handouts were packed with helpful information. Esther's nurturing personality and sense of humor are great assets for any writing event.”

Connie Heckert
Regional Advisor, SCBWI-Iowa

“I can whole-heartedly recommend Esther Hershenhorn as a presenter.  She has done several wonderful programs here at the Wilmette Library, generally about writing children's books.  Besides being inspirational and sincerely involved with both her subject matter and her audience, she is also thoroughly professional in all her business dealings.  She never shows a shred of ego and always encourages the success of others.  Her ultimate 'bottom line' is helping develop children's love of reading.”

Lauralyn Persson
Head of Youth Services
Wilmette Public Library
Wilmette, IL

"When Esther speaks about writing, the audience listens.  Her generosity offers insight into both the practical and magical aspects of craft and she leaves all audience members confident about Possibility.  Her personal journey of tenacity serves as an exemplary model for beginning and experienced writers alike.  That Esther is also entertaining and warm becomes the wonderful bonus all attendees can't help but enjoy.  Esther is the rare combination of a writer who truly knows how to teach, and a teacher who truly knows how to write." 

Kerry Leaf
President, Off-Campus Writers
Winnetka, IL

For a description of my fees and travel expenses, contact me at: esthersh@aol.com.