W.R.I.T.E. brings the power of writing & publishing to students everywhere. From writing workshops & virtual author visits to our 18 day ‘Self Publishing School for Young Authors’ – students who participate leave with the knowledge & confidence to bring their ideas to life.
PAST PUBLISHING PROGRAMS
ITHACA, NY - SOUTH HILL ELEMENTARY - 3RD GRADE - 2020 -
YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE
Students from South Hill Elementary planned to work with Alex in class but then the Pandemic hit... Students now not only had to research and write about their favorite activists but they also had to learn how to work together in a virtual environment. We utilized tools like Zoom, Google Classroom, Youtube, and others to bring our project to life. In the end, we created something everyone could be proud of and students left with a more profound understanding of American politics, history and the important of their own voices.
- 25 THIRD GRADERS
- VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT
- ONE BOOK PUBLISHED ON AMAZON
- FUNDED BY $5K GRANT
- REAL LIFE EXERCISES – UNFAIR VOTING
- PROGRAM GREW, REPRODUCED AT MORE SCHOOLS
ITHACA, NY - SOUTH HILL ELEMENTARY - 3RD GRADE - 2021 -
Amazing Activists
This time around we were prepared! We all worked virtually to write biographies about some well known and some not so well known activists. Our illustrator helped us create some visuals for our words and we even had some current activists visit our class to tell them about their experience. Students found their own research materials and presented why their sources were important and credible. This years program culminated with the students publishing their book on Amazon and hosting a book signing at local book shop, Buffalo Street Books.
- 20 THIRD GRADERS
- COLLECTION OF BIOGRAPHIES ABOUT ACTIVISTS
- ONE BOOK PUBLISHED ON AMAZON
- FUNDED BY $10K GRANT
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SUMMER CAMP - 2013 -
UPTOWN MUSIC THEATER
In the summer of 2013 I had the pleasure of bringing W.R.I.T.E. to 13 wonderful young ladies at the Uptown Music Theatre Summer Program. We met once a week for six weeks as the girls wrote, edited and shared their stories with each other.They were challenged to create the entire concept and theme of the book on their own. With the help of some amazing online artists, we were able to illustrate their books and bring them to life. On top of writing, the students also got to meet two special local authors who encouraged them along the way.
Different Shades of Brown is a collection of stories & essays from each of the girls that touches on what it means to be a person of color in this world. Our other two published books from this program, Rockstar and The Best Sleepover Ever were solo efforts from two of our top authors who wanted to go the extra mile!
- 15 STUDENTS
- 3 BOOKS PUBLISHED ON AMAZON
- SUMMER CAMP & PARENT FUNDED
- DIFFERENT AGES & ABILITIES
NEW ORLEANS, LA - CARROLTON SUMMER CAMP - 2016 -
DISCOVERY FEST NOLA
This summer I had the pleasure of teaming up with Discovery Fest NOLA to help kids at Carrollton Summer camp write and illustrate their first book, Superhero Stories. Author Megan Braden-Perry acted as the kids instructor and worked with the young authors and illustrators for two weeks as they brainstormed, wrote, edited and illustrated wild, imaginative, unstructured stories about superheroes, super powers and the larger than life figures in their world. Kids also had the opportunity to work with filmmaker and artist, Samantha Aldana. Sam took the kids’ work and turned it into a great looking book. She also designed and illustrated the cover.
- 15 STUDENTS
- 1 BOOK PUBLISHED ON AMAZON
- SUMMER CAMP & PARENT FUNDED
- DIFFERENT AGES & ABILITIES
NEW ORLEANS, LA - 5 YR OLD - WRITING COACHING - 2016
SEASONS
We are PROUD OF THIS ONE! Our youngest Author, Anna Borecki, wrote, illustrated and published her book SEASONS... all before the age of 6 years old. With the help of one on one coaching from Alex McConduit, Anna was able to publish her book over the course of 6 weekends sessions. Anna's book is available on Amazon and she is donating all of the money to the Northshore Humane Society to help care for our animal friends.
NEW ORLEANS, LA - Sci Tech Academy - 3RD GRADERS - 2012
Sci Tech Academy
Our first ever W.R.I.T.E. publishing program. We didn't raise enough money to have books professionally illustrated so the students illustrated their own. Local printing company, Marchand Printing, sponsored the production of the books and the kids were tasked with writing and illustrating their stories. Aside from learning about the writing and illustrating process, Students were also visited by three local authors to learn more about their experience and their books. Artists B-Mike also paid the kids a visit to show off what
- 75 STUDENTS – 3 SECOND GRADE CLASSROOMS
- 4 INSTRUCTORS
- 75 BOOKS PUBLISHED
- RAISED $6500 THROUGH CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN & IN KIND DONATIONS
- AUTHOR & ARTISTS VISITS
LIVERPOOL, U.K. - 2ND GRADE - 2015 & 2017 - READING & WRITING WORKSHOP
MONKSDOWN PRIMARY
Students were treated to a few of Alex's books and were able to learn about the culture of New Orleans. Students were also instructed to focus on specific aspects of Alex/s books as they would be working on their own stories for the rest of the week. After his reading, Alex visited several classes to give writing workshops and to inspire kids to find their voices through their pencils. The W.R.I.T.E. program has been invited back twice since the origin of this workshop.
LONDON, U.K. - 2017 - READING & WRITING WORKSHOP
AMERICAN SCHOOL OF LONDON
Alex recruited a cast of New Orleans artists and writers to convey the culture of NOLA through an online visit with the entire school. Students were gifted books from NOLA authors and got to ask questions about their careers, their city and their life. Alex read a few of his books in person and closed the show with a performance on his horn! After the presentation, Alex visited with the 7th and 8th grade students to teach them about the power of self-publishing!
DEN HAAG, THE NETHERLANDS - WRITER'S ROOM WORKSHOP - 2017 -
FREE SCHOOL OF DEN HAAG
This visit was special because we were able to work with students in their "Writer's Room", who were in the middle of their very own writing project. The purpose of the visit was to show students where their hard work could take them. Alex read a few of his books, talked to the young writers about his experiences and gave critiques to the young writers who wanted to share their stories with the group.
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC - WRITING & SELF PUBLISHING WORKSHOP - 2017
CHRISTIAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF PRAGUE
Alex hosted a 3 day workshop with the students of CIS Prague which focused on two days of writing and one day of self publishing. Students enrolled in the "Writer's Club" at CIS were treated to the workshop where they learned the basics of writing an engaging picture book while also learning about the tools that can bring their picture book to life. Alex shared his tips and tricks with the young writers and they were all gifted copies of his books.
PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC - CHANNEL CROSSINGS LANGUAGE SCHOOL - 2017 -
CHANNEL CROSSINGS
One of the most unique writing programs W.R.I.T.E. has ever been apart of. We worked with the team at Channel Crossings, an English school in Prague, to help them create programming for their youngest language learners. In an attempt to recruit more young students Channel Crossings hosted a free storytime featuring Alex and his books. During the reading, students had to respond to certain parts of the story in English and certain parts of the story in their native langue. After the reading, instructors worked with the students through worksheets themed around Alex’s books. The exercises helped them practice speaking and writing English in a fun and unique way.
READING PROGRAMS
NEW ORELANS, LA - VELA - 4.0 Schools - 2021
Science Says
Inspired by McConduit's latest book, "Bloom", Science Says is a virtual platform that aims to bridge the gap between what students are learning in science class and what’s actually happening in today’s world. Science Says allows students to gain access to top minds in science through virtual forums accompanied by multimedia resources created by our journalist and storyteller hosts. During our virtual forums students have the opportunity to ask questions and engage scientists from the comfort of their own home. This allows students and schools to access engaging state of the art science anywhere there is an internet connection! All students who enroll are provided with scientific books, magazines and articles that highlight each month's scientific focus.
NEW ORLEANS, LA - NBA - NEW ORLEANS PELICANS - 2015 -
Pelicans Kid Literacy Night
The New Orleans Pelicans and Acme Truckline invited Alex to be apart of their annual "Pelican's Reading Time Out", a program that creates an interactive reading experience, bringing together the worlds of sports and literature. Each school visit is a collaborative effort featuring Pelicans basketball players, Pierre the Pelican and members of the Pelicans dance team. At the end of each Reading Time Out, students receive a book, bookmarks and 2 tickets to a Pelicans game.
Usually the program features some of the players favorite books but this year they recruited Alex to create a book about something very special to everyone in Louisiana... COASTAL EROSION. Alex wrote and published a new book titled, Peter & the Pelican and the book was shared at local schools and given away to kids who attended the game on Pelicans Literacy Night.
NEW ORLEANS, LA - SNOLA - READINGS & GIVEAWAYS - 2019
The Magic Snoball
Author Alex McConduit and Sno-La Snowballs teamed up to launch their first annual Magic Snoball Giveaway. Each Saturday in August kids were able to visit SNO-LA Snowballs for free readings from two local authors, snoballs, gumbo, prizes and their chance to find The Magic Snoball and win a year of free snoballs from SNO-LA!
This program was designed to create fun for kids around reading and meeting new authors who live in their city. Our lucky winner received free snoballs for a year, a copy of all of Alex's and each guest author's book, a free reading at their school and a chance to be on the local news! The program attracted over 150 kids, featured five local authors, gaveaway over 100 books and LOTS OF FREE SNOBALLS AND GUMBO!
LOUISIANA - READING PROGRAMS
LOUISIANA PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Alex teamed up with libraries all over the state to bring reading and writing programs to local branches each summer.
NEW ORLEANS - B.Y.O.B.- STORYTIME & BOOK SHARE
BRING YOUR OWN BOOK
Book club created by my Alex McConduit & Fatima Waheed. Kids are encouraged to join each month for a free story time and to bring their own favorite books to share with each other. Each meet features a new story read by different local authors and then kids go through guided exercises to facilitate the sharing of their favorite parts of their favorite books. Kids who don't come with a book are able to enjoy great books provided by the New Orleans Public Library. The goal is to create a fun and enthusiastic environment around reading for some of NOLA's youngest literature lovers!
Free Virtual Visits during 2020 Pandemic
VIRTUAL VISITS DURING PANDEMIC
In 2020, when we didn't have the option to get together in person, Alex offered free virtual visits to all schools, libraries, educational organizations and museums. Over the course of 6 months, Alex along with the help of other authors were able to visit over 50 groups of students from ages 4 to 18 at no cost to students, parents or organizations.
BOOK GIVEAWAYS
NEW ORLEANS, LA - READING PROGRAM - 2018
NOPD & G.W. FINS YOUTH LITERACY PROGRAM
The NOPD and local restaurant G.W. Fins launched a joint community outreach program designed to decrease crime, encourage reading and foster good will between children and police officers. Utilzing books written by Alex McConduit, officers will visit local schools with McConduit and read his books to students. Each student will receive a complimentary copy of Alex's book, "Snoballs for All". The NOPD will also work with local literacy orgs to ensure that all registered tiny libraries in the city continue to be stocked with picture books for kids to access for free anytime they want. Officers will also be armed with copies of McConduit's books in their patrol cars to give to kids who end up having unfortunate encounters with officers due to no fault of their own. Also the department will build a few tiny libraries at select precincts around the city.
NEW ORLEANS, LA - BOOK GIVEAWAY - ANNUAL -
SNOBALL DAY
Each year Alex selects a lucky local school to giveaway free snoballs and books to make NOLA's hot summers a little cooler!
150+
PUBLISHED AUTHORS
80+
BOOKS PUBLISHED
5000+
BOOKS DONATED
10,000+
STUDENTS SERVED