Speaker Info
Education & Background
Amanda Trumpower is a Christian children’s author, podcaster, speaker, and librarian.
With over 15 years of experience leading programs for children of all ages, she brings expertise and contagious enthusiasm to every presentation.
Today, Amanda is the author of the Collar Cases Universe, as well as a homeschool mom and small business owner.
Her goal is to inspire kids to grow in their love for reading, pursue their God-given gifts, and trust the good plan God is writing for their lives.
She is the co-host of Ice Cream with Authors, a book podcast for kids.
Let's Chat!
Want to discuss an workshop or talk for your students? Email me at [email protected]. I’d be delighted to talk with you!
The Trumpowers, circa 2022: Jayce, Amanda, Josiah, and Justine
Elementary Students
Inspirational
The Girl Who Loved Stories & the God Who Had a Good Plan
In this engaging and heartfelt author visit, Amanda Trumpower shares her journey from a story-loving child to published author today.
Through stories and personal photos, students see how God guided her through different seasons, including years when writing took a backseat to life.
Students are encouraged to see their own lives as part of God’s bigger story.
While they may not know their future yet, they can trust that God’s plan is good, meaningful, and uniquely theirs. She challenges students to focus on growing in their relationship with God and pursuing a strong education so they are ready to follow wherever He leads.
- 45 min author talk
- 30 min overview of publishing process with interactive student participation (optional)
- Time for student Q&A
- Cost: $100
- Cost is waived if visit generates $100 or more in book orders
“Our students loved this visit!”
Middle School & Up
Writing workshops for student authors
Called to Write: Thoughts for the Young Christian Writer
If so, they might be called to write.
This talk speaks encouragement, advice, and inspiration into the hearts of Christian kids who know, deep in their bones, that writing is their future. Drawing on over twenty years of …
- specialized education
- professional mentorship
- personal experience
- plus hundreds of thousands of hours of practice …
I distill everything I know about what it takes to be a writer, who should pursue it, and how to use it as an opportunity to share the gospel with others.
- 1 hour + 30 min for student Q&A
- School Cost: $100
- Homeschool co-op cost: $45
$1K in 6 Weeks: How to Make Money as a Writer
This talk includes an overview of income-generating options for writers outside of book sales alone, including:
- speaking
- freelance editing
- graphic design
- book cover design
- audiobook narration
- working as a virtual assistant
Learn how to ease the financial burden of getting a book off the ground by developing skills that can add to your income stream without relying on book sales.
- 1 hour + 30 min for student Q&A
- School Cost: $100
- Homeschool co-op cost: $45
“THANK YOU! This [was] most informative!”
Start It Like You Mean It: 10 Things You Can Do Now To Start Your Writing Career
This talk includes an overview of skills, habits, and specific actions student writers can pursue today to prepare for their future writing career.
- regular writing habit
- finding your genre
- public speaking practice
- building your faith
- tech skills
- planning for future decisions
Learn how to give yourself an advantage before you’ve even begun.
- 1 hour + 30 min for student Q&A
- School Cost: $100
- Homeschool co-op cost: $45
Solo Warrior vs. the Wheel of Chance: Indie and Traditional Publishing Differences (and How to Pick Your Path)
An overview of the two major paths in publishing. We’ll discuss:
- requirements for success
- what to expect
- pros and cons
- how to choose which path is best for you
- 1 hour + 30 min for student Q&A
- School Cost: $100
- Homeschool co-op cost: $45
Fantasy Worldbuilding 101: How to Design a Map and Plan Your World
This hands-on workshop takes you through the motions of designing the geography, weather, politics, and cultures of your fantasy world.
Recommended Resources
- How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card
- 1 hour + 30 min for student Q&A
- School Cost: $100
- Homeschool co-op cost: $45
Fantasy Worldbuilding 102: The Hero’s Journey
The Hero’s Journey is the most common storyline of fantasy novels everywhere.
In fact, it’s almost impossible to write a fantasy or soft sci-fi without borrowing from this trope at least a little.
All fantasy writers should know this structure so they can help their stories stand out from the crowd.
Recommended Resources
- The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers by Christopher Vogler
- 1 hour + 30 min for student Q&A
- School Cost: $100
- Homeschool co-op cost: $45
You’re Killing Me: How to Commit Crimes (and Then Get Caught)
Let’s talk the basics of mystery fiction!
From plotting a crime to slapping the handcuffs on, we’ll talk about the basics of writing mystery and crime fiction. Plus, we’ll talk about the One Sacred Rule of mystery fiction that you absolutely must follow … or risk dire consequences!
Recommended Resources
- Police Procedure & Investigation: A Guide for Writers by Lee Lofland
- Forensics: A Guide for Writers by D. P. Lyle, M. D.
- Book of Poisons: A Guide for Writers by Serita Stevens and Anne Bannon
- The Crime Writer’s Reference Guide: 100 Tips for Writing the Perfect Murder by Martin Roth
- Talking About Detective Fiction by P. D. James
- How to Write Killer Fiction by Carolyn Wheat
- Agatha Christie: An Autobiography by Agatha Christie
- 1 hour + 30 min for student Q&A
- School Cost: $100
- Homeschool co-op cost: $45
“This was a great class, thank you.”
Adults
Books for kids
Ice Cream with Authors Presents “Books Without Yikes: How to Find Great Books for Christian Families”
Presented by Amanda Trumpower and/or Becca Wierwille, hosts of the book podcast for kids Ice Cream with Authors!
Need helping finding good books for your kids? Let us help!
As two award-winning Christian middle grade authors, we know how challenging it is to find awesome stories for your kids to enjoy filled with the themes and messages you want as parents.
In this presentation for parents, we discuss:
- the two definitions of Christian fiction
- how to determine your entertainment boundaries
- where to get good book recommendations!
“This was my favorite session of the entire conference.”