Speaking Engagements by Glenn Somodi
Book Me | Presentation Topics | Example Presentation & Lesson Plan | Testimonials | Pricing | Discounted Book Orders | About Glenn Somodi
Want to offer your students an hour-long presentation that is entertaining, interactive, and educational? I make my presentations fun and try to involve many volunteers from the audience. Students get to watch a puffball blast its spores, listen to live plants making music, and learn gross and fascinating fungi facts. All of this is tied around a theme of writing their own story.
The group learns how to find their inspiration, generate ideas, use their imagination, and invent their own story using a rollercoaster writing technique. I can tailor the presentation to students in grades 6th through 8th, and also to writing and reading clubs, and for small or large groups.
Presentations are based upon ideas from my award-winning middle grade book series, Olly & the Spores. I weave the presentation around experiences I had in my childhood and while writing the series–in hopes that I can show students some writing techniques and inspire them to write their own stories.
Presentation Topics
I can tailor my presentation to these topics, but am open to other related topics you might need to meet curriculum needs or state standards:
- How to find your inspiration, generate ideas, use your imagination, and invent your own story
- Ways to find inspiration & generate ideas
- How to write and self-publish a book at almost any age
- Find writing cues from the world around you-the magic of mushrooms and nature
Example Presentation: Puffballs, Talking Plants, and Zombie Ants – How you can write a book
Duration: 1 hour
Audience: 6th to 8th graders
Lesson Plan: Download PDF
This hour-long presentation walks students through my book writing process–from early childhood experiences with puffballs in the woods, to fascinating finds I made during my research. The presentation includes fun (and gross) nature videos, use of a PlantWave device to connect plants to a music synthesizer, group brainstorming exercises, and ends with the students helping to write our own story using the rollercoaster technique. It’s an eye-opening, fun, and interactive presentation.
Interactive activities from the presentation:
- Personal stories and puffballs – students learn how I got the inspiration for my book series. They get to watch a puffball video and listen to the resulting scene from my audiobook, narrated by HBO actor, improviser, and voiceover talent, Ben Hauck.
- Talking Plants – I use a PlantWave device to connect to and listen to different types of plants. Do different plants’ biorhythms make different music? Does the music change when we water a thirsty plant? What happens when a student whispers sweet things to a plant?
- Zombie Ants – Students watch a gross, but eye-opening, video about the Cordyceps fungus taking over an ant’s brain…proving science fiction stories can originate from truth.
- Group Brainstorming – students participate in generating ideas. I show them how to gather ideas and branch off of one idea to create another.
- Writing a story together – a group of volunteers help to build the rollercoaster for our storyline. As students come up with story ideas, we organize them into the book outline using colored cards. This shows students a different way to outline a story and introduce high and low-points to their stories.
Using my Olly & the Spores book series as an example, I demonstrate the process of writing a book:
- Inspiration – through a series of personal stories and eye-opening videos about nature, I help students to find their inspiration.
- Imagination – Through a group activity, I teach students a brainstorming technique to generate imaginative thought-starters to make a unique book.
- Ideas – I walk students through creative ways to turn their imagination into solid story ideas.
- Invention – Using the “Rollercoaster” concept and colored cards, I takes multiple volunteers and turn the group’s story into a climactic plot outline from which their story can grow.
Testimonials
Glenn Somodi’s presentation of ‘Olly & the Spores of Oak Hill’ to our 6th graders was nothing short of captivating. With his dynamic storytelling skills and innovative approach, he transformed a simple author visit into an engaging and educational experience that left a lasting impression on both students and teachers alike.
One of the most remarkable aspects of Glenn’s presentation was his ability to bring the world of his book to life. Through his animated delivery and vivid descriptions, he transported us into a realm where plants talked and adventure lurked around every corner. The incorporation of intriguing video clips further enriched the narrative, captivating the attention of even the most reluctant listeners. Even our most hesitant readers left with encouragement and hope that they too could read and write despite past struggle.
What truly set Glenn apart was his flexibility and adaptability. He took the time to understand our specific needs and objectives, tailoring his presentation to align seamlessly with our curriculum and state standards. Thank you, Glenn, we look forward to having you again at Buckeye Intermediate School!
-Julie Szucs
6th Grade ELA teacher
Buckeye Local Schools
Pricing
Please contact me if your school has limited budget. I can find creative ways to work around my presentation rates. Book sales are NOT required for me to do a presentation, but I do offer discounted book prices ($10 each) to all schools for bulk orders. I will also supply free copies of my books to your school’s library/media center with any presentation I do.
FREE presentation: I will do my 1-hour presentation free if you can get 75 book orders from students (includes a discounted $10/book rate for parents). I will supply you with a special online order form and promotional materials tailored to your school.
One hour-long presentation: $350*
Day rate (three hour-long presentations): $900*
* Books are not included and NOT required in these costs. ** Additional fees apply for any visits more than a one-hour drive from Brunswick, Ohio (to be determined on a case-by-case basis). Some presentation equipment must be supplied by the host (projection units or tvs/smartboards, wireless or wired connectivity, tables, chairs for attendees, full list available before booking).
Discounted book orders with a presentation
Book orders are not required with my presentations, but offering your students a signed, limited edition copy of the books will encourage reading and inspire their writing journey. Previous hosts have even applied for and received grant money to purchase these as educational materials. I will work with you to supply any information necessary to aid in any grant requests.
Signed, limited edition copies of book one or two:
$10 per copy (plus local tax), includes a $2.95 discount (retail price is normally $12.95 + tax)
More about Glenn Somodi
Author bio
Olly & the Spores book website
Visit me on Facebook
Visit me on Instagram
Visit me on TikTok
Book Illustration – Book One, Book Two
Other art: Book Cutouts
Book me for a speaking engagement
Interested in discussing a speaking engagement at your school, organization, or event?
Simply shoot me an email or call me at 216-533-2520 (please leave a message as I do not usually answer calls from unknown numbers). I look forward to speaking with you!