Michelle is a dynamic, engaging presenter who has experience speaking to audiences of all ages.
She has done visits to schools from K-12, and has been a featured speaker and panelist at conferences, book festivals, and other industry events across the country. With her combined twenty years’ experience as a children’s book editor, concept creator, ghostwriter, and bestselling author, Michelle brings a unique perspective and a wealth of knowledge to her talks about story, the writing process, and writing across many genres of literature.
School Visits
Michelle loves speaking to young people and inspiring them to both write their own stories and develop a passion for reading. She is currently available for both virtual and in-person visits (traveling from Maryland) for middle and high school students. Her visit includes:
30-minute Power Point presentation about becoming a writer and the writing process
15-minute Q&A
Signed/personalized books for each student or staff member who orders
Custom programs can also be created for your audience as needed. For more information and visit requests, please contact Lia Ferrone at Sourcebooks.
Testimonials
“When Michelle visited our high school library, she wove together her story for the audience, taking us on her writing journey and sharing what inspired her to write her Throne of Khetara trilogy, both from her previous work and her connections to Egypt’s history and culture. Michelle graciously answered questions about her approach to writing and provided advice to aspiring student writers. Everyone left her company wanting to read her books and feeling as though they could write their own! Michelle’s author visit was a gift, and I hope to host Michelle again in the future.” –Kate Mills, Media Specialist, Oakdale High School, Ijamsville, MD
“It was a pleasure to have Michelle Corpora visit our school, and we would invite others to do the same! Her engaging presentation might inspire your students to take their own writing to the next level.” –Jason Bowser, Principal, New Market Elementary School, New Market, MD
Watch Michelle’s visit to Oakdale High School (conducted as an interview by HS students) here!
Conferences, Festivals, Book Clubs & More
Michelle has extensive experience speaking at industry-facing conferences for booksellers, librarians, and writers; regional book festivals; book clubs, and other special events. In addition to being a versatile speaker and panelist who can discuss a variety of topics (Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction, editorial work and concept creation, the writing process, and multiple genres, including: epic fantasy, historical fiction, horror, and mystery), Michelle is an expert at catering talks to specific audiences and their interests.
For all speaking requests, please contact Lia Ferrone at Sourcebooks.
Events & Panels
Public Library Association Conference: “YA Authors with Adult Crossover Appeal” Panel (April 2026)
Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo: “Escape Reality with YA” Panel (March 2026)
NAIBA/NEIBA 2026 Children’s Book Buyers Retreat: Featured Speaker (January 2026)
YALLFest: “Plotting and Losing the Plot” Panel, “The Vibes Are Immaculate: The Aesthetics of Storytelling” Panel (November 2025)
SCBWI-IL Near West Suburban & Chicago’s Southland Network Event: Featured Speaker (November 2025)
Decatur Book Festival: “Swoon at Your Own Discretion” Panel (October 2025)
Patapsco Literary Festival: Women Authors Panel, Featured Author Talk (September 2025)
YAMFest (Young Adult Midwest Book Festival): “Fantasy as an Allegory” Panel, “Witches, Warriors, and Monarchs” Panel, “A Seat for Everyone: Writing Stories for All Voices” Panel, “Talking about History” Panel (July 2025)
American Librarians Association Annual Conference: Book Lounge by Libby Panel (June 2025)
Texas Librarians Association Annual Conference: “Sci-Fi and Fantasy Authors in Conversation” Panel (April 2025)
Frederick County Young Authors Award Ceremony: Guest Speaker (April 2025)
