Spotlight Author Visits

SAL’s Spotlight Author program brings nationally renowned visiting writers to local K-12 public schools for free, one-time visits.

Visits can take place in small, intimate classroom settings or in large auditoriums, with students of all ages. Spotlight Author Visits are usually about 45 minutes long and can include some combination of a brief reading, a talk on the writer’s life in reading and writing, a mini-workshop, and a Q&A. These visits often have a powerful impact on the students and provide a valuable window into the life of a professional creative 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

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 OrcaK-8 School

Ways to Get Involved

For Teachers and Principals

Spotlight Author Visits can happen at any K-12 public school in the region. Your school does not need to be a WITS partner school in order to participate.

Interested in learning more about our Spotlight Author program and/or bringing an upcoming visiting SAL writer to your school? Please reach out to Director of Youth Programs, Jennifer Lobsenz ([email protected]).

For Parents

Interested in learning more about our Spotlight Author program and/or bringing an upcoming visiting SAL writer to your school? Please reach out to Director of Youth Programs, Jennifer Lobsenz ([email protected]).

Author Jason Reynolds with students from Washington Middle School.
Poet Jenny Xie and Youth Poet Fellow Diane Sun both read at an event following Jenny Xie's visit at Seattle World School.
Ross Gay reads at Town Hall after visiting Alan T. Sugiyama High School

Upcoming Youth Programs Events

2022/23 Youth Poet Laureate Release Image

2022/23 Youth Poet Laureate Release

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Youth Programs

Join SAL for the release of LOVELIKE, a debut collection of poetry by the 2022/23 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate, Sah Pham! Published by Poetry NW Editions, LOVELIKE is the eighth in SAL’s series of Seattle Youth Poet Laureate books. Sah will read from her new book alongside three 2022/23 Youth Poetry Fellows at Third Place Books Seward Park. At the reading, there will be a ceremonial passing of the laurel to Mateo Acuña, who is the incoming 2023/24 Seattle Youth Poet Laureate. We will also welcome and celebrate the nine other 2023/24 fellows. This event is free and open to the public.

Event Info