Events, News & Visits

I am happy to customize my presentations/workshops, if requested. Here are links to a Discussion Guide for Kat’s Greek Summer and a Writers’ Resource Page

Kat’s Greek Summer – Final Review

MimaTipperResourcePage

Library Presentations

Oh, there’s no place like a library.😊 I offer a one-hour presentation about either Kat’s Greek Summer or Channeling Marilyn (or both) that includes a brief reading, details of my publishing journey, tips on mining memories for fiction and/or tips on exploring the “What If” of inspiration, a writing exercise, and time for Q&A. Fees are very negotiable.

“Mima Tipper is a dream library guest! She is organized, responsive, and collaborative in designing a program that is just right for your audience. Through anecdotes related to her writing and her life, Mima presents an engaging experience for listeners of all ages.” 

–Megan Estey Butterfield, MLS, Youth Library Manager, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington, VT

“With her personal insights of growing up half Greek, author Mima Tipper treated our full house audience to an engaging talk and slideshow about the inspiration and writing of her debut YA novel Kat’s Greek Summer. In a lively Q&A, Mima discussed how writers turn memories to fiction, as well as answering many questions about the publishing industry at large. Mima’s talk was a summer series highlight, and I would recommend her for both library and school visits.” 

–Linda Seavey, Co-Chair Worthen Library Summer Speaker Series, South Hero VT

“We were delighted to have Mima Tipper introduce her YA novel, Kat’s Greek Summer, to an audience of all ages at the Warren Public Library. Mima tailored her talk specifically to our evening’s theme of food, sharing how the book’s themes of identity, culture clash, and self-discovery are explored through eating and cooking. She engaged all the listeners with questions, discussion, and photos from her own childhood summers in Greece — and even included a brief round of Greek mythology trivia. Her discussion of how she drew on personal experiences to create the characters and story were poignant and inspirational. The novel, currently a finalist for a Vermont Book Award, is not to be missed. I highly recommend Mima’s talks to audiences of any age who enjoy young adult literature.”

–Amanda Gates, Youth Services Librarian, Warren Public Library, Warren VT

School Presentations

I am available for 30-minute virtual visits with students at no cost.

I would love to visit your school in person! Please contact me for day rates. I offer two options: one large group session and 3 classroom sessions, or 4 classroom sessions. School visits are much more productive if students have read my book in advance.

Book Talk, grades 6-9, schoolwide or smaller sessions (Kat’s Greek Summer or Channeling Marilyn)

Presentation includes a reading, a discussion of the writing process and mining memories for fiction and/or exploring the “What if” of inspiration, details of the publishing process, and a Q&A (45 minutes to one hour).

Book Talk, grades 9-12, schoolwide or smaller sessions (Channeling Marilyn)

Presentation includes a reading, a discussion of the writing process and exploring the “What if” of inspiration, details of the publishing process, and a Q&A (45 minutes to one hour)

Small group writing workshop, grades 6-9 or 9-12 (Kat’s Greek Summer and/or Channeling Marilyn)

After a brief book presentation, I will talk about mining memories and/or exploring the “What if” of inspiration to create fiction and offer several writing prompts. There will be time for sharing, but no pressure! Workshops will be geared to grade level (45 minutes to one hour).

“Mima’s visit to our classroom was a wonderful experience for the students. She made thoughtful connections between her book and what we were learning in class. Her presentation about her experiences in Greece and what inspired her to write the book was interesting and engaging. She explained her creative writing process and led an inspiring writing workshop, along with a fun Greek mythology quiz that kept everyone involved. It was truly a pleasure to have her visit our class! –Caila Harte, 7-8 Middle School Teacher, Folsom School, South Hero, VT

“Mima did a great job interacting with and presenting to my students. She told amazing stories and gave them good insights as to her writing process.” –Jennie Little, Media Specialist, Mount Logan Middle School, Logan, Utah

Teaching

Fees and program lengths are flexible and negotiable

Digging Deep: Mining Memories for Writing Gold

Rooting elements of our writing in genuine, lived experience has the potential to make our characters more intricate, our settings more lived in, our plots more subtle and shaded, and even our ideas more innovative, offering a path beyond the tropes and clichés that often make unwanted appearances in our writing.

In this workshop, through participation in a series of short writing exercises and discussion of examples from my Vermont Book Award-winning novel Kat’s Greek Summer, writers will learn and practice tools to unlock memories and translate those memories to their writing. After there will be time for sharing and Q&A.

The Great “What if?”: Writing with Bold Strokes 

 Too many writers get caught up in the notion that they have to know all the whos, whys, wheres, hows and whats of a story before starting to write. What if instead writing started with fun, play and inspiration? What if writers dove right into prompts that encouraged them to take bold strokes and let their imaginations soar?

In this workshop, I will share how the idea that became my paranormal novel Channeling Marilyn came to me, and how I fed the idea by starting with “What if?” Then how that initial question prompted a series of other “What ifs” that helped me explore my premise deeply. Through examples from the novel and a series of writing prompts, writers will discover how letting the “What if?” question act as guide provides room to write with bold strokes and experience creating from a center of fun, playful inspiration. After there will be time for sharing and Q&A

Let’s Talk Publishing (one hour) (This workshop could be paired with either of these two preceding workshops)

A one-hour talk/Q&A on publishing including a publishing-oriented writing prompt, a brief overview of my publishing journey, and a Q&A of attendees’ particular interests.

For Writers’ Groups I offer a one hour talk on publishing including a writing prompt and/or a one hour workshop on mining memories to enhance writing and/or exploring the “What if” of inspiration, also including writing prompts. Fees are negotiable.

“Author Mima Tipper facilitated two workshops for members of our weekly writing group, Lovers of Words. She was an engaging facilitator who quickly created a safe environment while sharing her knowledge. She prepared specifically for our group in advance, designed thoughtful writing prompts, and answered all questions we punted to her.  Mima’s way of connecting with each person individually was spot on, and she exuded positivity and encouragement.”

–Shevonne Travers, Program Coordinator, Joslin Memorial Library, Waitsfield, VT

Book Clubs

If your book club is reading my book, I would be happy to Zoom in for a 15-minute visit free of charge.

Please subscribe to my Substack where I will be posting essays, short fiction, interviews with authors, booksellers and librarians, and book recommendations.