HOW TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL AUTHOR VISIT: PART ONE

If you've been an author for long you know all about author visits...why writers do them, how to put one together, what makes one successful. But if you are new to the whole published author side of writing (like I am), you just might overlook some important things to consider when putting together an author visit.

Part One of this two part post will look at what a school can do to ensure authors will be interested in visiting your location and Part Two will cover what every author should remember to do to help full participation in their author visits as well as garnishing that coveted return invitation.

While I'm sure every school would love to have someone like J K Rowling drop by to talk about their books, chances are much better for debut to mid-list authors to be available. Depending on how prepared each school is, even a first time visit from a debut author can be a winning event. Here are some areas to consider when putting together a potential author visit:

THE BENEFITS OF AN AUTHOR VISIT

1) Gives young readers a positive experience with reading

2) Supports Common Core as students study connections within universal themes and topics

3) Creates a foundation encouraging an in depth study of literature

4) Develops a respect for the entire writing process

5) Exposes students to different genres and various authors' works

COVERING THE COST OF THE EVENT

1) Create a simple committee to create a plan to cover author visits

2) Determine the budget available for potential visits and honorariums

3) Research grant opportunities to help cover costs

4) Identify possible community cosponsors

5) Look into possible funding from parent/teacher organizations

DETAILS OF THE AUTHOR VISIT

1) Decide what type of visit. One grade level visit? One entire day author visit? A multiple day with multiple presentations event?

2) Determine where event will be held. Individual classrooms? Auditorium? Somewhere else?

3) Researching possible authors to invite

4) Creating a participation environment from entire school

5) Send out invitations with potential scheduling dates to choose from

EQUIPMENT CHECKLIST

1) Adequate table and chairs

2) Microphones and sound systems

3) Audiovisual systems

4) Dry erase boards

5) Easels 

6) Podium

CREATURE COMFORTS

1) Designated breaks and lunch time for all day and multiple day events

2) Lunch catered?

3) Designated restroom

4) Available beverages such as water, coffee, sodas, etc.

5) Designated escort for getting around school campus

PREPARING THE CHILDREN

1) Display posters announcing upcoming author visit

2) Send home flyers with opportunities to preorder author books for author signing during visit

3) Have a contest which children creating a poster based on one of the author's books

4) Have some children put on a play based on one of the author's books

5) Have a contest where children write their own story using characters from one of the author's books

6) Research the author, check out their website, read their books before the visit

7) Create a school wide welcome banner and have all the kids sign it

8) Send out news release to generate publicity for the event

9) Line up a photographer

SCHEDULING A TYPICAL AUTHOR VISIT

8:00 a.m. Breakfast with the welcome committee and school staff

8:45 a.m. Set up equipment and prepare for first session

9:05 a.m. General assembly to introduce author to school. Presentation of special readings, key to the school, etc.

9:30 a.m. First session with 4th and 5th graders (50 minute session & 10 minute break)

10:30 a.m. Second session with 2nd & 3rd graders (50 minute session & 10 minute break)

11:30 a.m. Lunch break

12:30 p.m. Third session with Kindergarten & 1st graders (40 minutes)

1:10 p.m. Break and book signing

1:45 p.m. Classes visit library to have pictures taken with author

3:00 p.m.

AFTER THE VISIT

1) Make sure honorariums and expense reimbursements are paid out in a timely manner

2) Complete author evaluation papers

3) Send a letter/email of thanks to author for their visit

The success of an author's visit lies in both the school committee and the author themselves. A well thought out event will ensure return visits and everyone involved leaves with a positive experience of exploring the pages of a good book!

Don't forget to come back next week for Part Two of how to have a successful author visit!

Blurb:

Addie comes from a long line of readers or "story catchers" as her family likes to call themselves. Every time Addie tries to catch a story on her own the wiggly words play tricks on her. She tries different ways to make those words sit still but it will take a little faith for Addie to become the next STORY CATCHER.

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