“I just experienced a day of utter magic as a school librarian. It was so moving, even now I tear up at how special it was. I’ve hosted authors in public library settings before but this was the first time I was ever able to host an author as a school librarian (yay! check that off the librarian bucket list!) Children and young adult author John Coy of Minneapolis came to my school and walked 3rd grade through 8th graders through the process of making a book: how it starts with a blank page, writing it, revising it, getting rejections for it, working with the publisher and securing the book contract, and even how much he gets paid for each book. It was a creativity lesson, a financial literacy lesson, a business sector lesson, and a self-empowerment lesson all in 45 minutes for each grade lesson. My students were completely rapt as John shared about making books up out of his head. Knowing how boys are not keeping up with girls worldwide in literacy at every grade level made the day extra special as there was ‘male energy’ in the library about a subject boys care about deeply: sports. John reinforced my school librarian message about the importance of reading widely so beautifully to students.” Karen Van Die, Head of Libraries, International School of Myanmar, 2025
“John’s presentation was interesting, the kids were engaged, and the teachers were happy! I’ve also never seen an author so completely comfortable with the students. Most authors might view the students with a bit of stress, but John was so relaxed and happy with them; and they certainly responded to him, raising their hands, answering questions, contributing – fantastic!” ― Minnetonka Middle School West, 2025
“John Coy was amazing! He keep our middle school students engaged by asking them questions and having them vote on a short list of possible answers. The correct answers made them focus on his writing and publishing stories. Because he grew up near our area, his statement that anyone can be an author if they work hard to make their best story possible resonated with our students. He especially emphasized the need to draft, edit, get feedback, edit, and edit some more which was greatly appreciated. His story of determination and grit to be an author will influence our students long after this school year ends.”― Cameron Middle School, 2024
“John Coy is a great writer and a natural teacher. He builds a powerful connection with students in a short amount of time. He recognizes young writers as individuals and encourages them to write from the heart while also improving their writing skills and experimenting with new techniques. He is cheerful and positive and has excellent classroom management. He plans his sessions to have a nice balance of creative writing exercises as well as plenty of time for students to write and apply what they have just learned. In short, a dream presenter!” ― Colleen Feller, Director, Success Beyond the Classroom, 2023
“John is simply the best! The way he connects with our students year after year is remarkable. He engages them in conversation about his own experiences as an author having to persevere through revisions and rejections, and then he inspires them to believe in themselves as writers capable of doing the same thing. Even our most reluctant writers put pencil to paper with John’s encouragement and finish believing they, too, can be authors. I cannot recommend John highly enough!” ― Laurie Holland, Media Specialist, Concord Elementary School, 2023
“John is a cornerstone to our conferences. He is always ready to engage and support our students and finds time to connect with each and every one of them individually. His personal touch helps our conferences stand out and gives students memories and motivation alike.” ― Phillip Olsen, Student Academics Coordinator, Sourcewell, 2023
“John is a thoughtful, clear, and engaging presenter. I appreciate his rare talent for bringing people together as a group and at the same time treating them as individuals. He engages listeners’ senses and awareness of themselves in the world, making the experience wonderfully memorable.” ― Natalie Rusk, Lifelong Kindergarten Group, the Media Lab, MIT, 2023