Tuesday, June 18, 2013

School Visits 101 by Caroline Starr Rose

Having only published my first book in January 2012, I'm still a very new at this author thing. This is especially true in terms of establishing myself as a speaker available for school and library events. I have, though, had a number of opportunities locally and several out of state (thanks to my sister, who arranged two visits for me while I visited her in Atlanta last year).
Here are some things I've learned from my experience:

If You Build It, They Will Come
It's not exactly like Field of Dreams, but kind of. Teachers and librarians first need to know you exist. The most helpful, easiest way for them to learn about you is through some sort of permanent web presence online -- that's your field. It doesn't matter if it's a blog or official website, but you do need to include some key things:
  • contact information
  • an overview of presentations 
  • (optional): speaking fees*
How do you determine presentation topics? Start with your own writing process. Teachers are especially interested in having their students hear from a real, live author that writing is not a one-time event but a slow unfolding that requires multiple drafts, feedback, revision and editing, and lots of hard work.

There will also be topics that naturally grow from what you write. Do you focus on fairy tale retellings, like Liesl Shurtliff? Magical realism, like Kimberley Griffiths Little? Historical fiction, like meUse your knowledge as a spring board for topics.

Reach Out to Your Community
Beyond establishing a web presence, it's wise to actively seek out opportunities in the connections you've already formed.
  • Get to know your local independent bookseller(s), who often have connections with local schools
  • Introduce yourself to the children's librarian at your local library branch
  • Tell friends, family members, and those you know in your general community that you're interested in setting up visits, and ask them to spread the word (contacts from your church, your daughter's soccer team, your son's scout troop, your husband's office -- anywhere)
Be Willing to Offer Free Visits...
...but not forever. I know authors who've offered free visits for a month. Others who've offered for a year. For me, I offered free visits for about six months (though I am happy to continue to offer once-a-year free visits to my boys' schools, if they're interested). While it's a great way to spread the word, hone your skills, and build contacts, I strongly recommend you begin to charge speaking fees at some time. Why? You're a professional. SCBWI says you should. You will be taken more seriously. Schools will prepare for something they've invested in.

Other Ways to Spread the Word
Several months before MAY B. released, I sent postcards to all elementary and middle schools in my city. For a handful of schools I sent packets which included bookmarks and a listing of presentation topics (places I'd attended as a child, schools where my children attended, the middle school were I did my student teaching and taught my first year).

Because MAY B. has been selected as a 2013-2014 New Mexico Battle of the Book title (yay!), I've decided to do a selected mailing for next year, too. This time, I'll include this wonderful Author and Illustrators on Tour booklet. SCBWI's Inter-Mountain Regions (Arizona, Colorado/Wyoming, Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Southern Idaho/Utah) recently asked members if they'd like to buy space in this publication, a resource book for schools and libraries looking for speakers. Choosing to be included -- and adding it to my mailing packet -- was an easy way  for me to spread the word.
 Resources for School Visits
And don't forget Skype!
Skype is a wonderful, quick, convenient way for authors and schools to connect. I suggest setting up a free account with the Skype an Author Network. Here's my page there.

Any questions, comments, or things that have worked for you? Share below!


*Though some authors choose not to do this, I'm most comfortable with having this information available upfront. After studying what other authors charge for visits I settled on my rates (which are on the mid-to-low end, in comparison).

15 comments:

  1. Wonderful info and suggestions! Thanks for sharing, and congrats on MAY B. being a New Mexico Battle of the Books title!

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  2. Great stuff, Caroline! I wish I'd had this kind of knowledge waaaay back in '86 when I first started doing school visits. I highly recommend a book by Toni Buzzeo and Jane Kurtz: Terrific Connections with Authors, Illustrators and Storytellers: Real Spaces and Virtual Links. This is a great guide for educators (*and* those of us who write/illustrate children's books) on how to bring authors/illustrators into classrooms and create successful programs for young readers. Toni is a children's librarian and an award-winning children's book author; Kurtz is also an award-winning author, so they both know their stuff!

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    1. Lee, what a great resource! I'll have to look into it.

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  3. Great stuff, Caroline! I wish I'd had this kind of knowledge waaaay back in '86 when I first started doing school visits. I highly recommend a book by Toni Buzzeo and Jane Kurtz: Terrific Connections with Authors, Illustrators and Storytellers: Real Spaces and Virtual Links. This is a great guide for educators (*and* those of us who write/illustrate children's books) on how to bring authors/illustrators into classrooms and create successful programs for young readers. Toni is a children's librarian and an award-winning children's book author; Kurtz is also an award-winning author, so they both know their stuff!

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  4. Great information, Caroline! I have done a fair bit of presentation for younger kids and for educators and writers, and so forth, but now I need to retool for the YA gig. It's challenging to come up with a narrative drive to fuel those speaking engagements. I will dig into the resources you suggested!

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    1. I say start with what you know and things will naturally grow from there.

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  5. Great information, Caroline! I'm bookmarking this!!

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  6. Great information, Caroline! Book signings and school visits top the list of things I'm scared to do. Your suggestions are really helpful.

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    1. I hope this will come in handy when you reach this point, Natalie.

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  7. Nice tips! I've never done a school visit. Living in Spain and writing in English isolates me from a lot of that. I can't decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing. It makes me focus more on my writing but it's good for a write to get out and about and interact with readers.

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    1. I'd encourage you to look into the Skype an Author Network. It's a great way to connect with readers all over the world. One of the most fun "visits" I've ever done was with a small class in Indonesia.

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  8. Great information. I do school visits and enjoy them, but have only done ones in my city. I'd like to expand out.

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    1. When you learn the secret formula for securing (non-family related) out-of-city visits, let me know. ;)

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Thanks for adding to the mayhem!