author visits

Authors who visit schools:

• Forge a personal connection between students and the creators of books
• Create a surge in library use
• Reinforce a connection between educational standards and specific content
• Motivate kids to read
• Motivate kids to express themselves with words—writing and revising their own works
• Motivate kids to persist in their dreams and not give up when challenged
• Contribute to improvements in reading scores
• Improve school-wide morale as students and staff work together reading the author’s books and performing classroom tasks

Inquire about the following school-based funding resources at your next staff meeting:

• PTA
• Adopt-a-School Sponsors
• Title I
• Title VII
• School Improvement Plan (SIP)
• Grants (from local nonprofits or your local reading association)
• Grandparents
• Parents

Yes! And by helping you fund an author visit, the organization achieves greater visibility by forging partnerships with neighborhood schools resulting in greater community “buy in” to literacy issues.

• Service organizations: Rotary Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs, Lions Clubs, etc.
• Museums that have a special tie-in to the author’s books
• Major corporations: Target, Wal-Mart, McDonald’s, Burger King, Publix, Home Depot, Lowe’s, etc.
• Friends of the Library organization of your public library
• Local independent businesses that support other aspects of your community (look for plaques in restaurants, libraries, schools, stadiums, law offices, and medical offices).
• Philanthropic groups: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s literacy programs, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, etc.

Good question! The key to a successful event is preparation, and there is no such thing as starting too early. I want to establish a genuine connection with your students–my goal is to supplement your curriculum, not distract from it. I hope to leave your students inspired to create their own work and with a deeper understanding of my process from idea to publication. Read Planning a Successful Author Visit and download these handy tips:  Author Visit Prep Tips

Absolutely! I’ve used most of the popular video chat platforms. Please read my tips for a successful virtual visit. You can download them here:  Virtual Visit Prep Tips