New York Times-bestselling author April Henry knows how to kill you in two dozen different ways. She is known for meticulously researching her novels to nail those bone-chilling details:  how to escape handcuffs or duct tape, how to pick locks, steal cars, photograph crime scenes and disarm attackers in close quarters.

As the author of 21 mysteries and thrillers, April has accumulated not only an eclectic skill set, but also an impressive list of accolades, dating back to her very first: a glowing review from Roald Dahl of a short story she wrote at age 11. Her latest YA thriller, Count All Her Bones (2017), is the highly-anticipated sequel to the YALSA Award-winning Girl, Stolen (2010).

April lives with her family in Portland, Oregon, where she trains in kung fu, Brazilian jiujitsu, and other martial arts systems to become as fierce as the fictional protagonists in her novels.

School Presentations

How I Quit My Day Job and Became a Killer and Thief: and How You Can Too

• A Look at How Authors Get Their Ideas and Shape Them into Stories
• How Tenacity is as Vital as Talent
• How to Start a Story
• The Importance of Re-writing and Editing
• The Fun of Research – Including Lots of Real-life Adventures: Being “Kidnapped” in an urban escape and evasion class, attending the Writers Police Academy, and taking part in the FBI Citizen’s Academy

April’s programs can be adapted to any audience or occasion.

Keynotes and Workshops

For Teachers and Librarians:
Mysteries and Thrillers: The Gateway Drug for Reluctant Readers

For Adult Audiences:
What Doesn’t Kill You:  One Writer’s (Sometimes Crazy) Dedication to Getting it Right

• Is it really possible to get out of handcuffs using the prong on your watch band?
• What should you do if someone pulls a plastic bag over your head?
• Learn how April Henry does her research.

For Writers:
Plot Your Way to Success
Writing Mysteries and Thrillers
How to Start a Series
Creating Kick-Ass Characters
46 Ways to Turn Up the Tension

Testimonials

“April captured the attention, enthusiasm and imagination of my middle school students.  They enjoyed reading her books and being part of our April Henry Book Clubs!  They LOVED meeting her and finding out about her, how she writes, and where she gets her ideas. Besides the obvious thrill of watching students get excited about books I found there was another great perk to having April Henry visit my school. My supervisor, my principal and assistant principal have each sent me congratulatory notes commending me on the great opportunity I provided for all of our students.”—Karen Martin, Librarian, Jarrett Middle School, Springfield, Missouri

“April’s visit was one of the best author visits I’ve had at my school.  I have 99 copies of her books in my library – ALL have been checked out since her visit and there are still holds on them.  It was a joy to work with April in planning her visit. Her presentation covers her experiences as a writer but also the research she has done to prepare for her writing.  She easily grabbed and held my students’ attention with stories of her personal experiences learning about escape, evasion, martial arts, and police training – even with an audience of 250 students!—Jennifer Ashby, Librarian, Shirley C Heim Middle School, Stafford, Virginia

“April, Recently you spent an afternoon with students from Frank L Smart Intermediate School in Davenport, IA.  Your time with us was not only entertaining and informative, but you were also impactful.  Your influence has led to new dreams of being a writer or even one boy who now wants to design book covers. You were engaging and respectful and an excellent storyteller (go figure).  Your time with us is greatly appreciated, and we wish you all of the best in your career.” —Principal James A. Caparula

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Availability and Honorariums