I love doing school visits. I had never met an author as a student and just assumed writing was some other fictional journey not available to someone like me. I thought that had changed until, as an adult, I heard a local student say the same thing.
So I’m happy to fly out and meet your students. I love explaining that writing is an adventure that doesn’t need to lead to publishing. Telling stories, even orally, is how people pass on information and traditions. Writing is also associated with strong reading skills and strong problem solving skills. I don’t care if students go to college. I just care that they qualify because those students go on to make great contributions in the world. I love showing how my job is very similar to their objectives in writing assignments for class. But as a former college interviewer, I’m also happy to talk about that process as well. Let me know what you need.
Some notes.
Most publishers do not pay for the expenses when authors visit schools or literary festivals or provide free books. That’s a myth. As a result, most authors and illustrators have to charge an appearance fee. When they are at a school, they aren’t working on that next book deadline that looms. The fee also helps to cover hotel and airfare (or gas if we are driving).
Here are tips that make for a successful school visit:
- Have copies of the book available. A school reported, for example, that the Lost Tribes was their most requested title after a visit was completed. One librarian has reported that a student doubled his reading score in one semester by reading the series.
- Consider using Title 1 funds for a school visit and/or to buy books. I was recently invited to speak at a school that used their funds.. I reduced my fee in exchange for them purchasing books for the library. The school then purchased more books to give away to students. I signed those books during my visit. I taught the students how to draft their own stories and the librarian reported that students continued to bring in copies of what they wrote the next day.
- Consider reaching out to other local schools to see if they can help split the costs of travel. I once took several days to visit each elementary school in a district. The cost per school was lower because the travel was split between them.
- Feel free to invite parents. I have tips for them too.
Cost of an in-person visit is $1,000 for a half day (two visits of up to 55 minutes). $1,500 for a full day (four visits). The fee includes travel costs.
Virtual Visits
Virtual visits are now a good option. The costs are lower and the topics are still the same. Many schools are using Title 1 funds and the students/teachers/librarians can still ask questions.
This is also a good option for writing groups interested in having a speaker for an affordable cost.
Cost of a virtual visit is $250 per hour.
