Spotlight Author Visits

Spotlight Author Visits bring SAL speakers to local K-12 public schools for free, one-time visits.

Spotlight Author Visits (SAV) bring SAL speakers to local K-12 public schools for free, one-time visits. Visits can take place in small, intimate classroom settings or in large auditoriums. SAV are usually 45 minutes long and include some combination of a brief reading, a talk on the writer’s life in reading and writing, a mini-workshop, and/or a Q&A. SAV often have a powerful impact on students and provide a valuable window into the life of a professional writer.

Recent Spotlight Author Visits

Chris Abani at Orca K-8 School

Raymond Antrobus at TOPS K-8 School

Ross Gay at Alan T. Sugiyama High School

Jason Reynolds at Evergreen High School

Jenny Xie at Seattle World School

Jane Hirschfield at The Center School

Joy Harjo at Franklin High School

Roger Reeves & Anastacia Reneé at Washington Middle School

Eric Kim at Cleveland High School

Matthew Desmond at Nathan Hale High School

This opportunity for students to hear from a brilliant and compassionate thinker and ask questions about writing or life in general is such a privilege. I really want to thank Seattle Arts & Lectures for initiating this and making it happen! They are such a wonderful gem of an organization here in Seattle!

-Teacher from Orca K-8 School

Ways to Get Involved

For Teachers and Principals

Interested in learning more about Spotlight Author Visits and/or bringing an upcoming visiting SAL speaker to your public school? Please reach out to Director of Youth Programs, Jennifer Lobsenz (wits@lectures.org).

For Parents

Interested in learning more about Spotlight Author Visits and/or bringing an upcoming visiting SAL writer to your local public school? Please reach out to Director of Youth Programs, Jennifer Lobsenz (wits@lectures.org).