Tell the stories you needed to read as a child.

 

Author Visits

Do you want me to visit your school, library, homeschool group, bookstore, nonprofit organization, or corporation?

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I am an experienced multicultural and bilingual award-winning storyteller, author, and speaker. I would love to be considered for an author visit. I have over ten years of experience as a speaker and have spoken at over 150 events.

I served as a speaker for TikTok, TD Bank, La Casa Latina - UPENN, Barnes Foundation, New York Public Library, Queens Library, Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore, The Free Library of Philadelphia, MontCo Norristown Library, Latinx KidLit Book Festival, Women In Publishing Summit, Arcadia University, Please Touch Museum, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Philadelphia Latin American Book Fair, St Christopher’s Hospital, and many more. My work and book have been highlighted by NBC10, Telemundo, Hip Latina, Al Dia, Dominican Writers’ Association, Mitu, Motherly, and We All Grow Latina. I lead interactive and engaging author visits that encourage student participation.

  • My main goal is to inspire children to read, write, and create.

  • My presentations are custom-tailored for the specific age group of your students. Therefore, they are suitable for students from kindergarten to college.

  • As a bilingual speaker, I'll be glad to present in English, Spanish, or Spanglish.

SCHOOLS, TEACHERS, PRINCIPALS and LIBRARIANS

In-Person Programs

In-person visits are my favorite!!! Contact me to arrange a visit. The topics to choose from are below: 

  • CRAFTY FUN - Read Aloud, Q&A, and Craft Activity: Interactive read-aloud, a Q&A session, and an arts and crafts activity for grades K-2. This is a 60-minute session for a total of 35 students. [OR]

  • STORY IDEA BRAINSTORM - Read Aloud, Q&A, followed by a Discussion About Your Story Ideas: Interactive read-aloud, a Q&A session, I will introduce students to fun strategies authors use to find and develop story ideas for grades 1-5. This is a 60-minute session for a total of 100 students. [OR]

  • FOOD AS CULTURAL BRIDGES - Read Aloud, Q&A, Discussion, and Writing Activity: Interactive read-aloud of PLATANOS ARE LOVE, a Q&A session, and a discussion on how food can be a cultural bridge. Food can be a way to learn about different cultures and to foster empathy. After this discussion, students write about their favorite food and some students get to share what they wrote about to practice their public speaking skills. At some schools, this program has been conducted as a companion to a "Food Fair." Students cook a traditional family recipe and bring it to school to share at the end of the program. It is a great way for students to celebrate their cultural heritage. This is great for grades 1-5. This is a 60-minute session for a total of 50 students. [OR]

  • I LOVE MY HOME - Read Aloud, Q&A, Discussion, and Writing Activity: Interactive read-aloud of THE BRONX IS MY HOME, a Q&A session, and a discussion about what home is. After this discussion, students write about their favorite place and some students get to share what they wrote about to practice their public speaking skills. This is great for grades 1-5. This is a 60-minute session for a total of 50 students. [OR]

  • ACT IT OUT - Read Aloud, Q&A, and Readers’ Theater: Interactive read-aloud, a Q&A session, and opportunities for students to act out story scenes for grades K-3. This is a 60-minute session for a total of 50 students. [OR]

  • COOKING TOGETHER - Read Aloud, Q&A, and Guided Cooking Activity: Interactive read-aloud, a Q&A session, and then I guide students in a hands-on cooking activity. Let’s make tostones and/or maduros together for grades 3-12. This is a 60-minute session for a total of 20 students. (The cost of cooking ingredients is added to the invoice separately.) [OR]

  • PICTURE BOOK CREATION WORKSHOP SERIES - Read Aloud, Q&A, followed by a Picture Book Creation Workshop Series: This programming is done over the course of three 60-minute sessions. During the first 60-minute session, I lead students in an interactive read-aloud, and then we discuss the parts and elements of picture books, followed by a Q&A session. During the second 60-minute session, students brainstorm the components of their own picture book with a handout and guidance I provide. During the third session, students finalize their own picture book creations as author-illustrators and share them with the class. This programming is ideal for grades 3-12 . [OR]

  • CAREER EXPLORATION WORKSHOP: Interactive 60-minute Storytime Sessions with 100 students total, including Q&A. Students explore the intersection of their skills, interests, and passions for career clarity for 6th-12th grade and college students.

  • CAREER DISCOVERY AND COACHING: Interactive 60-minute Storytime Sessions with 100 students total, including Q&A. Students explore the intersection of their skills, interests, and passions for career clarity. This package also includes two 45-minute virtual follow-up sessions to develop smart goals and discuss progress. This session is for 6th-12th grade and college students.

  • AUTHOR TALK - Read Aloud followed by an Author Talk and Q&A: Interactive 60-minute presentation about lessons learned on the journey to becoming an author and Q&A about books. I will answer questions like: How long does it take to write a book? Do you have to find your own illustrator? How does a book get into a bookstore? What is an agent's role in the publishing process? What is a query letter? What is an editor’s role? Who else is involved in the process? This workshop does not have a maximum occupancy and is for High School (9-12), college, and beyond.

  • PARENT WORKSHOP - Read Aloud followed by an Author Talk and Q&A: An interactive 60-minute session includes an overview of all of my books, a read-aloud of one of my books, tips for parents on how to improve reading engagement, and a Q&A portion. Over 70% of 4th graders are not reading at grade level, therefore illiteracy is a huge societal problem. As a mom and author, I share tips and techniques that inspire a love of reading and learning at home. This workshop is intended for parents and families.

VIRTUAL Program Packages

The packages are the same as the ones listed above but at a discounted rate, as they are virtual and do not require travel. Contact me for more information about virtual visits.

Typical School Visit Schedule

  • Kinder & 1st Grade — Craft Fun — Read Aloud, Q&A, and Craft Activity: This activity includes an interactive read-aloud, a Q&A session, and an arts and crafts activity.

  • 2nd & 3rd grade — FOOD AS CULTURAL BRIDGES — Read Aloud, Q&A, Discussion, and Writing Activity: Interactive read-aloud of PLATANOS ARE LOVE, a Q&A session, and a discussion on how food can be a cultural bridge. Food can be a way to learn about different cultures and to foster empathy. After this discussion, students write about their favorite food and some students get to share what they wrote about to practice their public speaking skills. This is great for grades K-5. This is a 60-minute session for a total of 50 students. [OR]

  • 4th & 5th grade — STORY IDEA BRAINSTORM — Read Aloud, Q&A, followed by a Discussion About Your Story Ideas: Interactive read-aloud, a Q&A session, I will introduce students to fun strategies authors use to find and develop story ideas

Contact me if you order a class set (30 books) or more, to coordinate a FREE 30-minute VIRTUAL program.

Alyssa at a speaking event answering questions after her reading.

  • Please note that the prices above do not include travel and expenses such as accommodation and meals. (But I have a lot of friends and family all over the country and abroad, so contact me because I might be able to help you save on your investment.)
  • Do you have an idea for a workshop that’s not listed here or want a mashup of several of the above? Please use the “Contact” form. I love new ideas!

Please contact me if you'd like to discuss your vision and my offerings.

Corporate Talks

If you're looking for someone to inspire your employee resource groups, companies, schools, libraries, and organizations - let's chat. We can all own our stories and superpowers together.

  • Do you have a story to tell but are not sure where to start? Have you ever wanted to meet an author that can share insights into the publishing industry? Join a bestselling author for an interactive read-aloud, a Q&A session, and a book signing. Attendees will leave understanding:

    Overview of an author's publishing journey, where authors find inspiration, pros & cons of self & traditional publishing, how to get representation from a literary agent, what makes a good query letter, how to submit to editors, and resources to share your story and/or get published.

    Explore the themes covered in my books including love, the importance of family, ways we demonstrate pride in our culture, and the resistance of ancestors.

  • Have you ever wanted to write a book or learn more about publishing? Me too, but I attended an underserved school in the Bronx without the proper English Language Learning (ELL) resources. I did not learn to read until I was in 4th grade. I was not supposed to be an author. Join me for a presentation about the lessons I learned on my journey to becoming an author of multiple books. Attendees will leave understanding:

    What are the various paths to publication? Pros and Cons of those paths?

    Why you might need an agent? What is an agent's role? How do you find an agent and get representation? What is a query letter? How to put together a good query packet?

    What is an editor’s role? How do you get an editor's attention? And more.

  • Have you felt like you don't belong? Are you the only person in a room that looks like you? As a Queer Black Latine individual, I often felt the need to assimilate or code-switch to get ahead. Let's discuss WHY representation matters and is needed. Attendees will leave understanding:

    Discussion about the lack of diversity in literature and why representation matters

    How my success in publishing and speaking happened after I leaned into my intersectional identity, culture, and experiences.

    How to show up in spaces authentically after you tap into your unique story.

  • Are you struggling to reconnect with your roots? Do you need a confidence boost? Writing helped me reconnect to my roots and build my confidence, while I was struggling with generational depression. Attendees will leave understanding:

    How writing can help you heal and process trauma or difficult experiences?

    How writing can help you reconnect with your roots and take pride in them?

    Why improving your self-confidence is important and how writing can help you improve how you see yourself?

What people are saying?

A group hug after a speaking engagement with college students. This is my metric of success. It is also why I LOVE author visits.

A group hug after a speaking engagement with college students. This is my metric of success. It is also why I LOVE author visits.

AMAZING! She was great with the kids being so young and asking them age appropriate questions. She kept the presentation at a length that works well for how young they are. We appreciate Alyssa coming and doing such a great job! We had some technical difficulties on our end and she was so kind about it.

- Heather Yost, Enoch Pratt Library

The Story of Self Training I attended led by Alyssa was a powerful experience for me as an instructor, scholar-activist, and educational trainer. I went in order to strengthen my storytelling and ability to move others to action on issues I care about deeply. I received that and more. Not only will I be better able to market my own training by sharing my story, the training inspired me to incorporate Public Narrative into my social justice education courses and now I am going through the process with my students. Alyssa has since coached me as I further develop my story and I am absolutely on fire!

- Rochelle Peterson-Ansari CEO, Perceptions Unlimited and Adjunct Professor of Education, Arcadia University

Excellent! Both kids and adults were very engaged throughout the entire session. Alyssa made it all incredibly easy, and was organized and communicated well throughout the entire process. I'm very grateful. We so appreciate you coming. You were so engaging, and the craft was adorable. I appreciate how much time you spent connecting with each patron that attended. Can't wait to have you back!

- Karen Mitchell, Montgomery County-Norristown Public Library

Alyssa did a wonderful job of interacting with the families, before, during, and after the reading. The reading itself was beautiful and emotional. [She had an] excellent command of attention for a difficult age group to pin down! I was satisfied with the onboarding and planning process. Alyssa was responsive, enthusiastic, and very organized.

- Tenaja Smith-Butler, Event Coordinator at The Lit Bar

Alyssa was great! We had a large audience and she did her best to keep the kids engaged as much as possible.

- Kalima DeSuze, Owner of Cafe Con Libro

Alyssa is one of the most young talents I have come in contact with in a long time. She is super dynamic and sharp! She is very determined and finds her way around any obstacle. She is super conscientious and if she says that she is going to do something, it always gets done. An amazing talent and so genuine. Her energy could light up the sky. Her personal story just adds to her determination and zest her company and position. I cannot wait to see where her career takes her.

- Brigid Heydt, Owner Armed Accountants, Inc. formerly Heydt Business Solutions, Inc. CFO at Planet Startup, Inc.

Contact me.

I would be honored to visit your school and/or organization. Please contact me using the form. Thank you in advance.