Author Visits – Operation Space Cat

Presentation | Virtual Visits | Pricing | Teacher Prep | Ordering Books

Book me for your next event or author visit! I am fully vaccinated, insured across the US and available most days throughout the year. Presentation info is listed below. Contact mail@operationspacecat.com for bookings and queries.

About the Author

Mike Maihack is a graduate of the Columbus College of Art & Design and is the creator of the Cleopatra in Space graphic novels published by Scholastic/Graphix. The series has earned him a Florida Book Award, a YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers selection, a starred review from School Library Journal, and a wealth of sharable knowledge about sequential storytelling. Mike lives in Land O Lakes, Florida, and his work can be found here on his website.

Presentation

WITH GREAT COMICS…COMES GREAT RESPONSIBILITY!
(50-60 minute visual presentation)

Creating comics takes a lot of hard work, but they can also be a lot of fun! Web-sling your way through time as Mike shares with students how he and his coworkers (AKA: his cats) went from posting free comics online to a professional career as an author/cartoonist; crafting his award-winning middle-grade graphic novel series CLEOPATRA IN SPACE (Scholastic) and more recently his young-reader SPIDER-MAN: MIGHTY MARVEL TEAM-UP series (Marvel/Abrams). Mike will delve into the basic structure of sequential storytelling, reveal how an endless imagination results in endless possibilities, show how even the smallest responsibilities have BIG impact and do some live drawing.

Most of the presentation will focus on both Mike’s CLEOPATRA IN SPACE and SPIDER-MAN series. If your school or library has copies of his graphic novels, please display them before the author visit. If you’d like to have students purchase the books from your school, that info is below.

Mike will happily sign and sketch in all copies of his books for the group. If this is something you feel students will want, please allow time for that as well.

Virtual Visit

Mike is happy to drop in for a 30- to 40-minute virtual visit (using Zoom or platform of choice) with classrooms, book groups, and library groups that have read at least one of his books. The visit will include a short visual presentation, a live drawing demonstration, and time for Q&A afterward. It is always helpful when kids prepare questions in advance!

Mike is also available to speak to adult groups about creativity, art, and storytelling at conferences and libraries. In addition to panels and Q&As, Mike offers a presentation similar to the one he does for classrooms, but with more emphasis placed on the engagement, efficiency, and effectiveness of sequential storytelling and geared toward an older audience with an interest in learning more about creating or reaching out to kids with graphic novels.

Pricing

Tampa, FL area: $700/day (includes up to three sessions and can be split between two locations)
Outside of Tampa area (3 hours away or more): $1200/day + travel expenses (price can be split between multiple locations!)
Virtual Visit (condensed presentation and Q&A): $100

Required AV Tech

Television, screen, and/or projector for images (compatible with a tablet or flash drive)
- A laptop/projection setup is all that’s necessary for the visual presentation
- HDMI access is needed for a more advanced digital drawing demonstration
Large drawing pad and fresh markers
A microphone for groups larger than 75 people
Wi-Fi access (if available)

Teacher Preparation

There will be time for a Q&A after the presentation. Teachers are responsible for deciding the best way for students to ask questions. Examples in the past have included preselected questions students read from note cards, a teacher selecting hand-raisers, and students simply lining up one-by-one. I will do my best to answer every question based on the school’s schedule.

Resources

Scholastic Author Site
Mike Maihack Author Visit Handout [PDF]
Graphix Guide to Graphic Novels [PDF]
How to Order Books for Author Visits [PDF]
Additional Materials

Ordering Books

I ask that any school having me visit allow students to order my books. Scholastic or myself can provide order forms and we will fulfill the orders at the time of the visit. Often following a visit, kids will request the ability to purchase books again, having met me. I encourage orders to be allowed after my visits and will coordinate for delivery of those books.

For your convenience, hosts are eligible for a 40% discount on books when ordering through Scholastic: retailauthororders@scholastic.com

When ordering books, have each ISBN and corresponding full book title, along with the date and the name, telephone number, and address (including zip code) of the person placing the order. Make sure to mention that you are ordering books for an author visit. Please place order AT LEAST 30 DAYS prior to the visit to guarantee delivery.

Cleopatra in Space series