<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0Contacting the school<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Call or e-mail the individual school to set up a meeting date. You have to contact each and every school, one school at a time.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Call ahead and introduce yourself and ask who is in charge of author visits.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It might be the librarian, principal or someone in the parent council.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Request for a school visit and be willing to donate a book to the school library. Be polite and humble.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sometimes teachers request for individual classroom visits which can work to a self-publishers advantage.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

2. Confirm everything, don\u2019t assume anything or leave it to the common sense of someone else.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Once the date is confirmed engage with the person in charge and start asking questions.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How much time will be allocated for your presentation?<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Where is the presentation held?<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Who is the audience \u2013 which grades will be attending, will there be parents?<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How many people will attend?<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Inform the person in charge of all the things you\u2019ll need.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 How and when the payment should be made.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If a cheque has to be cut to your company\u2019s name inform the person in charge.<\/p>\n

– \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Print out an invoice and deliver\u00a0it personally to the\u00a0person in charge of making payments.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Are pictures and video of the presentation permissible?<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Is the school allowing book sales?<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Is the school going to make a bulk purchase of the books at a discount and resell them to their students at a later date?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

3. Get your Security Clearance<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If you do not have one already, it\u2019s time to apply for one at your regional police service.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Take the original copy with you to all school visits.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Make a copy yourself and give the copy away if anyone at the school requests for it.<\/p>\n

A few years ago I made the mistake of parting with\u00a0my original Security Clearance Certificate, never to get it back again.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I had to apply for a new one at the cost of $15.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

4. Preparing the teacher\/s to inform the students of an author visit.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Teachers are not authors therefore it\u2019s the authors\u2019 job to get the teacher ready for the presentation.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sad to say that if you are not Robert Munsch, Jan Brett or have a few awards under your belt,<\/p>\n

you have to work very hard at\u00a0introducing\u00a0yourself.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You have to start somewhere and this is a good start.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Get the names and e-mail of the teachers and send them the link to the about the author on your website.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ve only met a handful of very organized teachers who were enthusiastic with author visits.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Be in charge and e-mail the teachers a few days before, informing them to prepare the students<\/p>\n

about the author\u00a0and the name of the\u00a0book that will be read.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 To tell the students to prepare questions for the author.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 That signed copies of the book can be purchased from the author.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Send the link of the website to the teacher.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

5. Honorariums and Paying the Author<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Inform the person in charge why you are charging a fee for your presentation. Something along the lines of \u2014 \u201cThe author brings his or\u00a0her gift as a self-published children\u2019s book writer, experience, talents and skills to the presentation. Her presentation adds\u00a0to the school\u00a0curriculum in a positive way. The author connects with the children inspiring them to perhaps someday become successful authors.\u00a0If\u00a0\u00a0you can do it, they can do it too.\u201d<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 They charge for their time and service for a well-put together presentation which will leave a lasting effect in the child’s development.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 As a self-published children\u2019s author I do free author visits to schools in my hometown.<\/p>\n

– \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0I request or mention an honorarium if I feel the\u00a0school can provide one.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Free author visits do come with their benefits so do not decline a free school reading or visit.<\/p>\n

– \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0You are exposed to an audience who will go\u00a0out there and do some promotion for you in years to come.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

6. Make a list of things to request<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Presentation room depending on the audience size<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Microphone depending on the size of the audience<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tables and chairs<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 WIFI access<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Smartboard<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Where can you park?<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Computer access<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

7. Make a list of all the things to take with you<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bookmarks<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Business cards and postcards even though I rarely hand them out these days due to my website.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Books<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Coloring Sheets<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Notebook<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If you are holding a workshop gather all the supplies needed.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Lunch and drinks<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

8. Practice your presentation in front of the mirror.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 You want to give a perfect presentation and leave a lasting impression.<\/p>\n

– \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 You want to leave the schoolyard leaving fulfilled and\u00a0accomplished.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Make a list of all the things you\u2019ll be taking with you and check it twice.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Enter the school\u2019s address into to GPS the day before and get a head start.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Arrive early to familiarize with the surrounding.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

9. Be proactive<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Contact the school or person in charge a week before the presentation to remind them of the author visit.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 E-mail or call back again the day before the visit. Schools are busy and unorganized people tend to forget. It\u2019s your job to be in control.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Post the author reading event on twitter and on your website.<\/p>\n

– \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0However, once in a while you will come to meet a highly organized individual and when you do<\/p>\n

you will recognize\u00a0this person for their\u00a0effectiveness.<\/p>\n

– \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0If this happens leave it in their capable hands to assist you.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

10. Following the presentation<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Send a thank you note to the school.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ask the teachers who were present to write a review of the presentation on your website.<\/p>\n

Most wouldn\u2019t do it and will ignore your\u00a0request. But it\u2019s your job to ask anyway.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, parents who you meet might be eager to leave a reply.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ask teachers and parents to leave an honest review on Facebook.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I\u2019ve had parents who have contacted me for school visits, which was great.<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Post the highlights of the author visit session on your website.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To teachers and educators looking for an author visit please check out my school services on reading and workshop in the link below.<\/p>\n