Award Winning Author

Where Dollology Meets History

Karen B. Kurtz reads Sophia's Gift aloud while sitting at a desk with a laptop. She is in front of a window with closed blinds. A glass of water and decorative items are on the desk.

Author Visits with Karen

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Karen B. Kurtz loves to connect from her office virtually with readers in their classrooms, libraries, bookstores, conferences, and conventions.

The virtual author visit experience includes handouts and a book for every participant.

Karen schedules virtual readings and programs at least three to six months in advance, so early notice is crucial. 

Topics

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Choose a topic below or develop a new topic tailored to your needs:
A display featuring a doll in a red dress, a children's book titled "Sophia's Gift," a thank you card, and a colorful flower arrangement in a vase on a wooden table.
Sophia Leeann doll by artist Denis Bastien for Dollology Doll Club of Washington, D.C., dressed and accessorized by club members.

Unfurling Sophia’s Gift

Description: Karen discusses her award-winning book Sophia’s Gift (its focus, research, publishing journey, praise from readers) and then takes questions from the audience.   

Audience: Adults.

Reading Sophia’s Gift ​

Description: Karen introduces the china doll Grace Darling’s provenance (history of ownership), explains that everyone has cherished heirlooms, examines a few dolls with provenance from her own collection, reads from Sophia’s Gift, and then takes questions from the audience.  

Audience: Children to Young Adults, Adults.

Prairie View Elementary School Career Fair with Indiana Fourth Graders.

A Conversation with Karen B. Kurtz

Description: An interviewer of the host’s choice talks with Karen about the scope of her work, and then takes questions from the audience. Elementary school students, for example, like to ask “What is the name of your career? What words explain your job? What education do you need? What do you love about your work? What tools do you use?”

Audience:  Elementary School, Middle Grade, Young Adults, Adults.

A Reading with Karen B. Kurtz

Description: Karen reads a selection, or a series of themed selections from her published works or works-in-progress, and then takes questions from the audience.

Audience: Children, Adults.

FAQs about Author Visits

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What ages/grades is this best for?

Ages 8 and up. Sophia’s Gift makes a great read-aloud experience with a younger child and individual reading by a child or adult.

Multiple books purchased in quantity for virtual programs are discounted.

Please book at least 3 months ahead or longer. 

Yes! Every registered or actual participant receives one author-signed book at a discounted rate. More than one can be requested.

Advance preview is required, as well as adequate internet connection, large viewing screen, good audio. Author visits usually run 45 minutes, followed by audience questions and Karen’s answers.

Karen will make every effort to tailor her program to the host’s needs and expectations. At the time of scheduling, Karen and the host will work up a complete description of the intended program and follow it. Author visits can be individually tailored to fit the host’s audience, like the writing life, Jewish families, unfolding Sophia’s Gift, Civil War dolls with provenance, a doll collecting life, paper doll play and collecting, or another topic that the host suggests.

Karen B. Kurtz reads Sophia's Gift aloud while sitting at a desk with a laptop. She is in front of a window with closed blinds. A glass of water and decorative items are on the desk.

Author Visit Request

Interetested in scheduling a virtual event with Karen? Please reach out below.