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Authors’ Booking Service is pleased to announce that children’s and YA author Mahtab Narsimhan is now scheduling visits to Ontario schools for the coming school year.
Mahtab would love to plan a visit to your school or library. Her rate is $250 per session plus HST. There is no travel charge within Toronto. For travel outside Toronto, the standard kilometrage applies.
Mahtab is a member of The Writers' Union of Canada, and so, schools wishing to invite her may be eligible for a travel and fee subsidy to offset the cost of her visit. Contact us for details of this program.
Here is what Valerie Cunningham, Teacher-Librarian at Hewson P. S. has to say about this author's presentations:
Mahtab was wonderful. The students were engaged and very excited about her books. They were intrigued by the connections she made to Indian mythology. The pictures she showed really caught their attention. She is extremely personable and was very gracious when asked by a large number of students to sign their bookmarks. I gave her the opportunity to say no, and still she signed. Students are also excited that they have the chance to e-mail her. I hope she knows how many messages are coming! I would recommend her. Thanks for your assistance.
And here is what Nancy Woodruff, Teacher-Librarian at Church St.PS had to say:
"At Church St. Mahtab gave a wonderful presentation which completely engaged the students. Mahtab guided the students through the stages of creating a book, and shared her insights on her creative process. Two teachers have utilized some of the organizational techniques Mahtab demonstrated.
The students were highly interested and inspired by her work. After both presentations, they asked many questions to which Mahtab responded in a very enthusiastic and patient manner. Several students, including two from India have started to say that they want to become authors 'like Mahtab Narsimhan'.”
Published Works
The Third
Eye Dundurn Press 2007
The Silver Anklet
Dundurn Press November
2009
Her
Mother’s Ashes, TSAR Publications, October 2009. (Anthology)
Piece by
Piece: Stories about Fitting Into Canada, Penguin Canada, March
2010
(Anthology)
The Deadly
Conch, Dundurn Press January 2011
The Tiffin,
Dancing Cat Books, September 2011
Awards
Silver
Birch Fiction Winner 2009
Starred selection, CCBC Best Books 2009
Presentation Details
My presentations are very interactive which make for a more enriching experience for my audience and for me. Each of my presentations are about forty-five to fifty minutes long and comprise the following;
I start out with a bit of background about myself and the types of books I enjoyed reading as a child.
I talk about the event in my life that made me start writing.
I talk about where I got my ideas for the book and substantiate this by showing pictures of Gods, Goddesses and other images from Indian Mythology and Culture. This is an especially fascinating part for students and teachers alike as they can now visualize some of the descriptions in the book.
I show all the research, planning and plotting that goes into a novel.
I walk the students through the process of writing from rough draft to publication. I substantiate this by showing my rough drafts and all the edits I did towards polishing the novel.
My talk is peppered with personal anecdotes and all the challenges that a writer faces when s/he sits down to write and the tricks and tips I use to get me through this process.
If time
permits, I will read a brief excerpt from my book and answer
questions.
Special Equipment: A mike, table, projector screen and power socket with multiple plug points.
Book Sales: If requested, I can carry book for students to purchase and have autographed.
Grades I will present to: 4 to 8
Is this flexible? : Yes. Though this book is ideally enjoyed by Grades 4-6, I have presented to Grade 3 students as well as Grade 8 students.
Maximum number of students per session: An ideal number would be a100 students.
Is this
flexible? Yes, I will consider a larger group. Please discuss
this
with me.
Writing
Workshops
For grades 4-8.
Writing is really about rewriting. Depending on the time available, I will focus on one or more of the following aspects of the art and craft of writing, leaving enough time for the students to write a sample piece which they are able to share with the class and get relevant feedback.
I describe one of the most important tenets of writing “Show, don’t tell.” I give examples of both kinds of writing.
I talk about Characterization. I show the students how to develop well-rounded characters. I also explain the function of the protagonist, antagonist and other peripheral characters.
I describe the various points of views that can be used in a book and give examples of each with the range and depth of each view.
Conflict is the engine that drives the story. I talk about how to develop this, either with external factors or internal monologue.
Plotting. I define plotting and its importance in the context of a story. I give examples of character-driven plots and identify plot points. I also explain how to transition between scenes and the purpose and effect of back-story/flashbacks.
I talk about the importance of story/chapter beginnings and endings especially cliff-hangers demonstrating the same with examples.
Special Equipment: A flip chart and markers. The students should be seated comfortably and carry a notebook and pen for the writing exercise part of the workshop.
Maximum participants for workshop: Note that the ideal size of group for a one hour workshop is a maximum of fifteen students. This will allow enough time for each student to present his or her writing sample in front of the class and receive helpful feedback
Venues you’re comfortable in: I am comfortable in all venues.
Equipment and other requirements:
A mike, table, projector screen and power socket with multiple plug points.
I do insist that a librarian or teacher be present throughout the presentation