Author headshot
★ Grant visits open
Poetry · Middle Grade · Cultural Stories
Derek Washington
Poetry & spoken word for young readers
3–56–8📍 In-person💻 Virtual✓ Published & vetted
Based in
Atlanta, GA
Local zone
60 mi · no fee
Books published
2 titles
Schools visited
67+
About Derek
Derek brings the energy of spoken word to school visits that leave kids wanting to write their own poems. His debut collection won the Coretta Scott King Honor.
Books
Words That Break Walls
Lee & Low Books, 2021
Every Poem Is a Fist
Lee & Low Books, 2024
Visit formats
📍
In-person · Local
Local visit
$750 / day
- ✓Spoken-word performance
- ✓Poetry writing workshop
- ✓Group share-out
- ✓Signed copy for library
✓ No travel fee — within 60 mi of Atlanta, GA.
🧳
In-person · Out of Area
Out-of-area visit
$750 / day + travel
- ✓Full performance + workshop
- ✓Travel arranged together
✈️ Travel costs apply. Split it by booking with neighboring schools.
💻
Virtual
Virtual visit
$300 / session
- ✓45-min performance
- ✓Writing prompt + share-out
- ✓Q&A
✓ No travel — connect from anywhere.
What a visit includes
✓Pre-visit planning call
✓Customized for your grade
✓Q&A with students
✓Live reading or demo
✓Signed book for library
✓Optional writing activity
✓Post-visit reflection guide
✓Parent follow-up note
Volunteer visits
Derek offers 4 free visits a year
4 of 4 remaining this year. Qualifying schools receive a fully-funded in-person or virtual visit.
1
Show the need — Title I, under-resourced, or stretched budget.2
Name a staff lead who will own the day.3
Put books in hands first — students read at least one book beforehand.4
Keep it going — share a plan for sustaining reading excitement.Availability
$750 / in-person day
$300 virtual · out-of-area adds travel
★ 4 free grant visits remaining
Grade levels3–5, 6–8
Local zoneFree within 60 mi
LanguagesEnglish
Typical response2–3 days
✓ Background-checked & publisher-verified
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