Events | writer

Virtual Author Visits with Kirsten McDonald

During the COVID pandemic, I was able to connect with students in elementary schools from North Carolina to California. These Zoom sessions included read-alouds, insights into my creative process, and a Q&A session with the students. If your school would like to book a virtual author visit, please email me at kkirstenmcd@gmail.com.

Behind the Scenes with Kirsten McDonald

During the "Stay Home, Stay Safe" weeks during the spring of 2020, North Buncombe Elementary School celebrated Young Authors' Day. The school asked me for a behind the scenes look at being an author and my Carlos and Carmen series, so I created a short video for them. Students and teachers from North Buncombe Elementary School contributed the questions that I address in the video.

Enjoy learning more about me and my writing.

Young Authors' Day at Barnardsville Elementary School

In early June 2016, I was the guest author at Barnardsville Elementary School's Young Author Day. I met with students in grades K-4 and discussed the writing and publishing processes. I talked about where I get my ideas and the sorts of things that inspire me to write, and I told the students about the value of a good editor, reading the types of books that you write, listening to suggestions for improving your writing, and persevering in the world of publishing. I also described what happens in each of the first four books in the Carlos and Carmen series and then read aloud the book that each group chose as the one they wanted to hear. After the presentations, parents and other visitors joined in for the whole school picnic where I signed copies of my books as well as the books that the students had created.

Book Signings at Independent Book Stores

In August 2016, I signed books at a special event at Highland Books in Brevard, NC. Guests at the event got to hear select chapters from each of the books in set one of my Carlos and Carmen book series. The session ended with a lively question and answer session. If you're in Brevard, be sure to stop in Highland Books and pick up a copy of one of my Carlos and Carmen books. They are currently stocking all eight titles and can arrange for special orders.

In November 2016, Spellbound Books in Asheville, NC, invited me to read one of my books at their Indies First Day story time. Guests at the event got to listen to one of the newer Carlos and Carmen stories and pick up Carlos and Carmen bookmarks and activity sheets. If you missed the event, you can still purchase copies of my books at Spellbound, and they can also arrange for special orders if there's a Carlos and Carmen book that is out of stock on their shelves.