Author Visits

CJ’s sessions encourage students to explore their creativity by providing them with actionable tips, insights into the writing process, and opportunities to develop their storytelling skills.

CJ’s presentations are tailored to engage students directly, whether through hands-on workshops, group writing exercises, or Q&A sessions where they can ask their own questions.

CJ provides an authentic look at the challenges and rewards of becoming an author, sharing hard-won wisdom about perseverance, balancing creative passion with practical steps, and navigating the journey to publication.

Join award-winning author CJ Milacci as she shares her journey from aspiring writer to published author. In this encouraging and practical session, CJ breaks down the essential building blocks every writer needs, including:

• Discovering your “why”
• Mastering the craft
• Embracing different seasons of growth
• Building meaningful connections in the writing community

Whether your students dream of writing novels or simply want to improve their storytelling skills, they’ll learn valuable insights about the writing and publishing process. CJ shares hard-won wisdom about balancing creative passion with practical steps, the importance of perseverance, and how to maintain vision through challenges. 

How does an author turn a dream into reality? In this heartfelt and inspiring session, CJ shares her journey to becoming a published author and explains why hope is at the center of the stories she writes.

• A behind-the-scenes look at CJ’s path to publication
• Insights into her creative process and the themes of her stories
• Encouragement for students to find hope and resilience in their own lives
• A motivational presentation that leaves students inspired to tell their own stories

What inspired the Talionis Series? In this engaging session, students will hear a short reading from Recruit of Talionis(book 1 in the award-winning series) and learn how CJ developed the story, the characters, and the world they inhabit.

• A reading from Recruit of Talionis to bring the story to life
• CJ’s behind-the-scenes journey of creating the Talionis Series
• The inspiration and process behind crafting characters and plot
• Encouragement for students to explore their own creative process

What’s it like to write a book? How do authors come up with ideas? In this interactive Q&A session, students take the lead in asking CJ their burning questions about writing, creativity, and storytelling.

• A short introduction to CJ and her journey as an author
• Extended Q&A time for students to ask their questions about books, writing, and the creative process
• Teachers are encouraged to help students prepare questions in advance for a productive session
• CJ will bring backup topics or commonly asked questions to ensure a lively conversation

Everyone has a story to tell—whether it’s rooted in real life or born from their imagination. In this dynamic and engaging session, CJ guides students through her own story creation process and inspires them to craft stories of their own. Though it can be adapted for larger groups, this presentation is best suited for smaller groups (50 students or fewer). This hands-on workshop includes:

• A behind-the-scenes look at how CJ creates her stories
• Writing tips and techniques for aspiring storytellers
• An engaging group writing exercise
• Time for students to share, collaborate, and refine their ideas
• A Q&A time at the end

I offer author visits to both public and private schools and can adjust content accordingly. (In other words, a presentation at a public school will differ from a chapel presentation.) Please note that while my books contain elements of faith, unless otherwise requested, I do not include overt faith content in presentations to public schools or non-Christian private schools.

Have something particular in mind for a school visit? Contact CJ Milacci to discuss at cj@ccjmilacci.com