Visits & Events

School & Library Visits

Book a 2026-27 visit today! How Now Booking represents Nicole for school visits and workshops. Please click here for booking inquiries or reach out to me directly via my Contact page so we can talk about your school’s needs. While THE SONG OF ORPHAN’S GARDEN is geared toward grades 4-8, I have done school visits for all ages. Below you’ll find example presentation topics ideal for grades K-12.

You can find a Discussion Guide for THE SONG OF ORPHAN’S GARDEN (including a list of the poetry forms used in the book) and other related activities on my Resources page.

I absolutely love connecting with readers! As a former homeschool co-op teacher, I have experience working with kids from kindergarten through high school, and my theater background ensures that my workshops are creative and engaging. I can tailor my presentations based on the age of the participants, the size of the group, and more. Have a special request? Just ask!

Examples of my workshops/presentations:

POETRY WORKSHOP (Grades K-12)

In my poetry workshop, I first give an introduction to poetry and poetic devices, including sample poems and a discussion of how poetic devices are used. Then, students do a guided poetry writing session, writing two types of fun, interactive poems (one type for K-1). For a classroom-sized group.
–45-60 minutes. (Workshops are differentiated by grade level, with age-appropriate examples and exercises.)

THE POETRY OF THE SONG OF ORPHAN’S GARDEN (Grades 4-12)

In this presentation, we explore the 10 forms of poetry used in The Song of Orphan’s Garden, from the free verse that is used throughout to the formal verse poems that are sprinkled into the story, such as a sonnet, sestina, etheree, etc. (See the final page of my Discussion Guide for a full list of poetry forms and a short description of each.) I talk about the structure of each type of poem and why I chose that particular form for that moment in the book, since each form serves a specific purpose. Students will also try their hand at writing a few lines of several of the poetry forms. For a classroom, library, or auditorium setting. 
–45-60 minutes.

HOW DOES A BOOK GET PUBLISHED? (Grades 4-12)

In this presentation, I take students step-by-step through the process that went into writing and publishing THE SONG OF ORPHAN’S GARDEN. Of course, I’ll answer basic questions like, “How long did it take you to write the book?” and “How many times did you revise?” But I’ll also introduce students to some of the more in-depth questions they may not have even thought to ask. Questions like “Who are all of the people involved in the publication process?” (There are many!), “How does the cover get designed” and “How does an author get paid?” Students will leave with a deeper understanding of the many steps involved in the traditional publishing process. For a classroom, library, or auditorium setting. 
–45-60 minutes. (I have two versions of this presentation, one geared toward MG readers and another geared toward high school students.)

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE OR TO BOOK A VISIT!

Testimonials

“We were thrilled to welcome Nicole to our middle school for an unforgettable visit during our annual Writer’s Week! From the moment she arrived, her engaging and dynamic presence captivated both students and staff. Her enthusiasm and energy made every moment interactive and exciting, leaving our students inspired and eager to learn more about writing.”

– Jen Eberle, Lake Zurich Middle School South Librarian

“Nicole recently visited our middle school, creating an incredible experience for our students! They were thrilled to meet an author in person and learn about her new book. Additionally, they gained valuable insight into the journey of becoming a writer and getting published. Throughout the presentation, our students were fully engaged and eager to ask the author plenty of questions.”

– Chiara Jucha, Big Hollow Middle School Library Clerk

“Nicole M. Hewitt’s visit to our school was amazing! Her presentation included personal stories and information about the writing process. The students were engaged and excited to learn about both reading and writing. It was an educational and enjoyable experience for our students and staff!”

– Alyssa Osterman, Oak Grove School Junior High Librarian

Upcoming Events & School Visits

2026

September 19: STEM Fest – 10-3 at Northern Illinois University

September 23: O.A. Thorp Scholastic Academy School Visit

October 5: World Educators’ Day Event – 6-8pm at Barnes & Noble Racine, WI

October 10: Southport Literary Fair – 12-4pm at the Kenosha Public Library, WI

November 14: AISLE Conference (Association of Illinois School Librarians) – Lisle, IL – Author Lunch & Signing

2027

March 17-20th: AWP Conference & Bookfair – Chicago, IL – Panels:
— Why Can’t We All Get Along?: Writing Personal Conflict in Middle Grade
— Poetry Can Be Music in Verse Novels for Young Readers

Past Events

2026

August 16: Local Author Takeover – 11am-1pm @ The Book Loft Oak Park
August 15: Kids’ Day at the IL State Fair – 10am-12pm – Signing of 100 free copies, courtesy of IL Secretary of State!
July 18: Graysake AuthorFest
June 20: Summer Reading Celebration Party – 12-4pm at Barnes & Noble Racine, WI
June 14: Summer of Stories for Young Readers: a Middle Grade Author Panel with J.S. Puller, Liesl Shurtliff, Sara F. Shacter, and Natasha Tarpley, moderated by Anny Rusk – Barnes & Noble Hyde Park, Chicago
June 13: East Dundee Author Fair – 12-3pm
April 25: Illinois Reads Book Festival in Tinley Park, IL
April 18: Local Author Fair – 10am-12pm at Cook Memorial Library
March 12-13: IRC Conference in Springfield, IL
February 21: Children’s Literature Breakfast at Anderson’s Bookshop
February 10: SCBWI-IL Rockford Virtual Network – Lyricism in Writing Workshop
February 6: World Read Aloud Day (Virtual events with Gideon Welles School, Moriarty-Edgewood School District, Ames Elementary School, The Belmont School, Scott School)

2025

December 6: Meet & Greet – 11am-2pm at Blue House Books in Kenosha, WI
December 5: 2026 Illinois Reads List Sneak Peek – at Anderson’s Bookshop in Downers Grove, IL
December 5: #ReadAloudIllinois (Virtual event with Oak Terrace Elementary)
November 20-23rd: NCTE Conference – Denver, CO – Panels:
— The Radical Dream of Rational Optimism: Narrative Writing and Teaching Techniques to Tackle Tough Middle Grade Issues
— Dreaming Together: Readers’ Theater as a Tool to Encourage Imagination and Enhance Literacy
November 15: Books by the Banks – Cincinnati, OH
November 14: Bookfest 2025 at Northern Kentucky University
November 9: Book Fair & Brews at Sturdy Shelter Brewing in Batavia, IL
October 25: Indie Author Day presentation – Libertyville, IL – 9am-12pm at Cook Memorial Public Library
October 23 – Powhatan Middle School Virtual Visit
October 7 – AISLE Conference – Champaign, IL – Author breakfast and signing
September 27: Author Fair at Poplar Creek Library – Streamwood, IL – 1-4pm
September 21: SCBWI-IL Fall Harvest – Virtual – What Should Your Story Be?  at 1:45pm
September 20: SCBWI-Illinois Fall Harvest – Virtual – Reading at 7pm
July 25: KidLITaPalooza – Naperville, IL -12pm at Anderson’s Bookshop
July 24: LITaPalooza – Naperville, IL – 9am-4:30pm at Anderson’s Bookshop
May 23: Signing – 3-5pm at Barnes & Noble Naperville
May 5: All-Day Poetry Workshop, Hough Street Elementary School
April 26: Local Author Fair – 10am-12pm at Cook Memorial Library
April 17: Online Interview with Society of Young Inklings – 4pm PT/6pm CST
April 12: Drop Everything and Read Day (DEAR Day) – 3-5pm at Barnes & Noble Oswego
April 9: Instagram Live @bn_classwork – 2pm Central
April 3: Grayslake High School Writer’s Week Visit
March 22: Signing & story time  – 11:30am at Barnes & Noble Northbrook
March 13: Barrington Middle School Station Campus School Visit
March 13: Oak Grove School Visit
February 22: Children’s Literature Breakfast at Anderson’s Bookshop
February 18: Big Hollow Middle School Visit
February 11: SCBWI Virtual Program – The Business of Writing: The Transformation from Writer to Author
February 6: Big Hollow Middle School Visit
February 5: World Read Aloud Day (Virtual events with George A. Jackson Elementary, Melrose Elementary, Paakuma’ K-8, Moriarty-Edgewood School District, Lincoln St. School, and Pana Junior High)
January 25: Book launch party at Barnes & Noble Mellody Farm!

2024

November 19: AISLE Conference Author Showcase
November 14: SCBWI Virtual Program – Launch Your Middle Grade Novel
March 4 & 5: All-Day Poetry Workshops, Lake Zurich Middle School South