Why scary stories?

An excited reader is a better reader. The more enthusiasm a student feels toward books, the more he will read. The more he reads, the more he improves. It’s not rocket science. But how do we get students excited about reading?

Just ask any school librarian. Ask R.L. Stine. Ask Alvin Schwartz. (Okay, you can’t ask Alvin Schwartz – he’s dead. Ask his ghost.) They’ll all tell you that nothing has the power to get children excited about reading like scary stories.
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Why O. Penn-Coughin?

O. Penn-Coughin always leaves his audiences screaming… for more! He has an easy-going style that makes children feel safe even while listening to the scariest story. Now, O. Penn-Coughin cannot guarantee that no one will have a nightmare following one of his presentations. Children, much like administrators, have nightmares over the darndest things. But he can guarantee no one will be bored and that it will be one of the most popular author visits your school has ever had.

Most children’s authors live in fear that when they go to a school, students won’t be familiar with their book. Many of them even demand that teachers force students to read their book. O. Penn-Coughin laughs in the face of this terror. He knows it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter because his stories and presentations are so entertaining. Whether students have read his book before a visit, they are sure to read it after one.

O. Penn-Coughin is coming to a school near you. Why not get your students in on the fun and the reading? But book early. Plots, er, slots are going fast.

(References available upon request.)

See an O. Penn-Coughin video clip and read a sample story

Presentations

All presentations can be in English or Spanish:

Storytelling and Readings

Grades K-2: A highly entertaining, age-appropriate presentation emphasizing fun over frights with short stories, poems, and audience participation (30 minutes).

Grades 3-8: A terrifyingly delicious sampling of They’re Coming For You: Scary Stories that Scream to be Read. Humor and horror come together and sometimes go their separate ways in this heart-pounding program that also includes a discussion of the author’s writing process (45-50 minutes plus time for questions and answers).

Writing Workshops

Grades 3-8: The Flesh and Bones of Writing takes students on a harrowing journey through the scary world of writing, from inspiration to perspiration, from the terror of the blank page to bringing a story to life... much like Dr. Frankenstein. Writing is not for the faint of heart, but O. Penn-Coughin can help students live to tell – and write – their tale (45-50 minutes plus time for questions and answers).

***Any size audience***

Ask about parent and teacher presentations and author-in-residence programs.

Fees

One Presentation, Grades 3-8... $300 (includes 20 FREE autographed copies of They’re Coming For You: Scary Stories that Scream to be Read, a $120 value)

One Presentation, Grades K-2… $300 or $200 when paired with an upper-grade visit

Additional Presentations... $300 each

Evening Presentation... $300

Click here for A More Affordable Option

***Any size audience***

No lodging or meal expenses. Travel expenses not to exceed $600 anywhere in the United States, Mexico, or Canada. Schools can reduce travel costs significantly by partnering with other schools in the area or by booking a visit when the author will already be in your area.

Contact Wendy at Wendy@CoughinBooks.com
or call (541) 317-4912 with questions or to arrange a visit.