Arriving at a school for an author visit is always a bit strange. Everything is all hustle and bustle with students and teachers coming and going. I usually quietly search for the office or library seeking out my contact person and looking quite lost. Guideposts are always welcome. As you can see from the photo on the right, er the other right (see bigger), the students at Ramer Wood certainly outdid themselves in letting me know I was welcome at their school.
The welcome sign was the first thing I was when I entered the school and it was great to see. Immediately, I knew where to go and that the students were excited to see me and learn about comics.
When I got into the library, I saw a second pleasant surprise:
A second welcome sign and this time my main man Max Finder has his flashlight out in an homage to the design for the solutions in Owl magazine. Very cool.
Even cooler were the kids I met that day. They were all eager to see how a comic is put together and how a writer comes up with ideas for stories (click on the images for a closer look.)
Both sessions of the Max Finder Mystery Theatre were huge successes, thanks to the fine reading by the students. 
Our actors threw themselves into their roles and brought Max, Alison and all the other characters to life. After we read the mystery together, the students used their detecting skills to crack the case. There were many guesses and in both sessions a few smart sleuths figured out whodunnit.
With our detective work finished, I took the students through the steps of creating a comic from an idea in my head all the way to a finished strip in full colour.
After we’d finished, the students and teachers of Ramer Wood had another surprise for me:
An acrostic made out of my own name! Behind each letter were accolades that I am much too modest to repeat here. It was a fantastic way to end a great school visit. Thanks to the students of Ramer Wood for all your enthusiasm and thank you to Deborah Jestin, the amazing librarian who organized the whole day (and took all these photos too!)
Hey – good for you . That must feel like the real measure of success when young people take to your work with such enthusiasm. Congratulations.
Hi Liam,
Our school really loved your visit! You have inspired many children to think about being an author. One parent came to tell me that their child came home and said, “I want to write a book!” and starting that evening!
P.S. My two sons loved the books that I purchased from you. My oldest finished it in one night!
Thanks again,
Richard Erdmann
Principal
Ramer Wood Public School
You shouldn’t be too modest, look at the amazing things you did, just by talking to us for an hour. We just wanted you to know, that R.W.P.S cares for whoever comes to our school. I’m already haveing asked to borrow my max finder book. Have a nice day writing more stories. P.S my teacher can totally relate to you about you writing down but not having enough room. She says “I have the same problem when writing report cards.”
Thanks for coming to our school! you were great! thanks for the bookmark 2! i enjoy max finder!
I’m so glad that you came to our school, since that was a nice change from having other authors that wrote fiction and non-fiction books, while you write Graphics. I’d learned so much about Graphic Novels ever.
Ps. I love the final epsoide you wrote for the OWL magazine! It’s really good!
Hi Liam!
Thanks for coming to Ramer Wood! Although T haven’t read any of your max finder books, I really enjoyed your presentation and all the “inks” and “pencils” and the script you showed us. You made the “author visit” very fun and it was very enjoyable. Next time I get my hands on an Owl Magazine, I’ll definitely flip to the max finder comics first!
Thanks, again!
Anna
Student
Liam, this is fabulous! What a lovely welcome. I’m glad for you 🙂
Thanks for dropping by everyone – I’m so glad you guys learned something about comics and writing during my visit. And thank you Mr. Erdmann – it’s good to hear that I might have inspired a few new writers at your school.
Sounds like Ramer Wood earned the big smile on your face!
Thanks for sharing this, Liam!
Haha, I had a great time at Ramer Wood with your visit. Your presentation was FABULOUS, not to mention the “Max Finder Theatre” was very creative. I’ll begin to read your stuff, so keep up the awesome work.
keep up the good work, and you’ll become a famous graphic novel writer. remember, this is just one school, visit other places, write more books and who knows. good luck to you!
Will you produce anymore Max Finder Mystery books? I’m dying to get my hands on them!
…just for the record, Ms jestin did all the painting
=]
hey liam.
you have earned so many comments!
you deserve them.
when is your next max finder book going to be published?
i wanna check it out.
anyway, i hope you keep on writing FANTASTIC BOOKS!
THANKS!
Anna
Student @ Ramer Wood Public School
this is kinda late cuz i just found u on google and i’d like to say, i dont really read much but this comic is….AWESOME!!!
THANKS FOR COMING
wow this is REALLY LATE but i loved the visit from like 1 year ago lol ty for comming
Hi liam 🙂
It was really cool having u visit our school. I was interested in your books and the way you showed how to draw ’em I hope to read your books foe I like love comics P.S. I know its like kinda late anyway halla bye 😉
Better late than never, Monique. Thanks for dropping by and saying hi and I hope you keep reading my books too!
Thanx 4 the reply 🙂
Hi Liam,
I was working as a teaching assistant last year when you went to Ramer Wood to do the author visit. I also went and watched the conversation and I, too learned a lot from it too! It was amazing to see how many kids you’ve inspired.
Thanks so much Jadyn! Inspiring kids is what it’s all about. I’m always happy to hear that students have built on some of the things I talk about in my presentation and made it their own, either through creating their own comics or just getting excited about reading.