 Chandra Sparks Taylor is the author of the young adult novels Spin It Like That and The Pledge. She is also a contributor to the updated Souls of My Sister anthology.
She owns Taylor Editorial Service, which specializes in line editing and ghostwriting manuscripts by aspiring and established authors. Her clients have included E. Lynn Harris and Michael Baisden. In addition to serving as consulting editor for Arabesque romance line, Taylor has done editing for a number of publishers and served as senior copy editor for Good Housekeeping magazine.
Chandra Sparks Taylor can accommodate a wide range of audiences -- from elementary school students to bible study groups to adults interested in writing a book or landing a book deal. If you would like to inquire about an available date, (adults only) please fill out the form by clicking on this link, and you will be contacted about the possibility of scheduling a visit.
February 9, 2010 |
| Author Visit -- Hoover High School, Hoover, AL |
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| February 16, 2010 |
| Writing Workshop* -- Smithfield Public LIbrary, Birmingham, AL |
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| February 17, 2010 |
Author Visit -- Hoover High School, Hoover, AL
Writing Workshop* -- East Ensley Public Library, 3:30 p.m., Birmingham, AL
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| February 18, 2010 |
| Writing Workshop* -- Pratt City Public Library, Birmingham, AL |
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| February 26, 2010 |
| Writing Workshop* -- Avondale Public Library, 3:30 p.m., Birmingham, AL |
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| March 2, 2010 |
| Writing Workshop* -- Slossfield Public Library, 3:30 p.m., Birmingham, AL |
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| March 3, 2010 |
| Writing Workshop* -- Inglenook Public Library, 4 p.m., Birmingham, AL |
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| March 4, 2010 |
| Writing Workshop* -- North Avondale Public Library, 3:30 p.m., Birmingham, AL |
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| March 6, 2010 |
| Sigma Gamma Rho youth symposium, 10:15 a.m., Bessemer, AL |
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| March 8, 2010 |
| Writing Workshop* -- Titusville Public LIbrary, 3:30 p.m., Birmingham, AL |
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| March 9, 2010 |
| Writing Workshop* -- Birmingham Public Library, 3:30 p.m., Birmingham, AL |
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| March 10, 2010 |
| Writing Workshop* -- Wylam Public LIbrary, 3:00 p.m., Birmingham, AL |
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| March 11, 2010 |
| Writing Workshop* -- 4:00 p.m., Birmingham, AL |
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March 20, 2010 |
| Alabama Bound * -- Central Library, 1-2 p.m., Birmingham, AL |
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| March 24, 2010 |
| Writing Workshop* -- Southside Public LIbrary, 4:00 p.m., Birmingham, AL |
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March 25, 2010 |
Author Visit -- Booker T. Washington High School, 8:30-10 a.m., Montgomery, AL
Author Visit -- Lee High School, 11:45 a.m., Montgomery, AL |
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| March 31, 2010 |
| Writing Workshop* -- Woodlawn Public LIbrary, 4:00 p.m., Birmingham, AL |
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| April 6, 2010 |
| Writing Workshop* -- Five Points West Public Library, 3:30 p.m., Birmingham, AL |
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| April 8, 2010 |
| Writing Workshop* -- West End Public Library, 3:30 p.m., Birmingham, AL |
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| April 12, 2010 |
| Meet and Greet* -- Springville Road Public Library, 3:30 p.m., Birmingham, AL |
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| April 13, 2010 |
| Book Signing* -- The Bookseller at St. Vincent's, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Birmingham, AL |
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| April 14, 2010 |
| Author Visit -- Wenonah High School,10 a.m., Birmingham, AL |
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| April 20, 2010 |
| Meet and Greet* -- West End Public Library, 3:30-5 p.m.,Birmingham, AL |
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| April 23, 2010 |
| Author Visit -- Ramsay High School, 9-11 a.m., Birmingham, AL |
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| April 26, 2010 |
| Writing Workshop* -- Springville Road Public Library, 3:30 p.m., Birmingham, AL |
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| April 27, 2010 |
| Book signing * -- Little Professor Bookstore, 6-8 p.m., Homewood, AL |
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| April 28, 2010 |
| JCPLA Readers' Advisory Roundtable -- Emmet O'Neal Library, 9 a.m., Mountain Brook, AL |
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| May 1, 2010 |
| Gadsden Library event * -- Details TBA |
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| June 12, 2010 |
| Go On Girl! awards -- Wynfrey Hotel, Birmingham, AL |
| * Public Events |
Libraries |
| West End Library |
Smithfield Library |
| Southside Library |
Woodlawn Library |
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Conferences |
| Blossomin' Diva conference |
Alabama Bound |
| Alabama Media Specialist conference |
Alabama Library Association Conference |
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Schools |
| Hillcrest High School |
Bottenfield Middle School |
| Bumpus Middle School |
Tarrant Middle School |
| Maplesville High School |
A.H. Parker High School |
| Hemphill Elementary School |
Minor Elementary School |
| Jackson-Olin High School |
North Birmingham Elementary School |
| Ramsay High School |
Putnam High School |
| Wilkerson Middle School |
W.J. Christian K-8 Elementary School |
| Woodlawn High School |
Sardis Christian School |
| Ephesus Academy |
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Churches |
| Forty-fifth Street Baptist Church |
Clavary Resurrection |
| First Baptist Church, Fairfield |
First Missionary Baptist Church, East Boyles |
| Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church |
Sixth Avenue Baptist Church |
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Organizations |
| Girls Inc. |
AKA-LINKS |
| Parker Cares |
Saturday School |
 “If anyone ever has the opportunity to hear Mrs. Taylor speak, it would behoove him or her to go wherever she will be speaking, and hear for himself or herself the stirring and motivational message she has to offer!” -- Jacqueline S. Sullivan, Reading/Language Arts Teacher, Maplesville High School
“We really enjoyed Chandra’s visit. She is so personable, and I know she will be a great success.” -- Stephanie Hickman, former media specialist, Hillcrest High School
"Please accept a heartfelt thanks from all of us for sharing your reading expertise with us." -- Rosemary Thomas, media specialist, A.H. Parker High School
“In today’s society of violence, Taylor’s writing is a bridge for me to talk to women I care about on issues most won't admit are happening daily.” -- Alike A. Johnson, former reading coach, A.G. Gaston K-8 school
“Thank you for taking the time to work in a small group setting with the students who have expressed an interest in becoming authors. Your testimony serves as an inspiration to those who have a desire to express themselves through words. We look forward to you visiting again.” -- Tamala R. Maddox, assistant principal, R. F. Bumpus Middle School
“After hearing your presentation at Wilkerson Middle School, the most refreshing testimonial was the boys who made a special visit to the library in search of the book Spin It Like That. It is not often we get a chance to see boys who have a yearning for reading, especially if it is not required. We do hope you will continue connecting with us. We do look forward to your next visit.” -- Yolanda Hardy, Smithfield Public Library
“Chandra Sparks Taylor is an excellent author and her commitment to her readers is extraordinary! She is more than happy to meet with her readers and since we were not located close enough for her to come out and meet with us personally, she agreed to do a phone speaking engagement with our girls which excited them to no end.” -- Qiana Smith, P.I.N.K. Girlz Teen Book Club
“I recruited a group of seventh graders to meet to discuss The Pledge and we had lively discussions. Our culminating activity was a live interview of the author using Skype; the students really enjoyed discussing the book and questioning her about how she writes. Ms. Taylor was very gracious and participated in a lively dialogue.”--Karen Bessey, media coordinator, Darden Middle School (North Carolina)
“Chandra has been a presenter at several library programs. It is because of dedicated people like Chandra Sparks Taylor, I feel fortunate to express my sincere appreciation.” -- Denise Ford, Library Assistant III, Birmingham Public Library, West End branch
"We had such a wonderful time visiting with you and hearing about your writing career and your book. Thanks for being so personable and for relating so well with the students." --Stephanie Hickman, Hillcrest High School
"I congratulate you on you ability to intergrate current teen issues and realistic life experiences in you writing. I am looking forward to reading your next novel and sharing it with our students." --Rosemary Thomas, A.H. Parker High School
Although Chandra tries offer a variety of options to fit most budgets, finding funds might be difficult.
Here are a few ideas:
- Rather than opting for an in-person visit, consider a phone call or online chat.
- Partner with a business or community group to see if they will foot the cost. Also consider partnering with another school or organization in your area to split the cost of travel fees. I will spend a half day at each school or church, and you can split my fee and travel expenses.
- Do a fundraiser.
- Ask your PTA to sponsor the event.
- Ask your local library to sponsor the event.
- Ask a local church or two to sponsor the event.
- Offer an adult writing workshop after hours. I can offer a sixty-minute adult workshop for my current rate per participant. If you guarantee twenty participants, I’ll do a free, single-session half-day visit to your school, if you pay my travel expenses. If you guarantee thirty or more participants at my current rate, I’ll visit for the whole day, if you pay my travel expenses.
- Apply for a grant. Here’s a wonderful place to start: http://www.leeandlow.com/p/administrators_grants.mhtml
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