My favorite time of the school year, hands down, was an author/illustrator visit. Getting my kids excited about the visiting author, learning about their life, sharing books, getting them reading, playing games with book give-aways, and the all-important, securing funding. Making all the arrangements for location, sound checks, choosing kids to introduce the guest, alerting media.
Then the actual event day came with the welcome banners, kids stopping in awe, or running up to the author with a burning question, listening to them speak with riveted looks on their faces, and those long autograph lines. And the follow up after the visit! Discussing what they learned, recaps for the school news, buying extra copies of the speaker’s books (because the students who didn’t want to read one before the visit, sure do now!), kids writing letters to the author/illustrator, and continuing the conversation into the classrooms for the rest of the school year and beyond!
Those of you who have done this know that it’s valuable work beyond words and leaves a lasting impact on your kids, both readers and non-readers. In this time of virtual and hybrid classes, author visits are more important than ever in staying connected with students, motivating reading and writing, providing differing voices and perspectives, and creating communities of learners.
Here are a few things to consider as you navigate this “new normal” and provide a meaningful virtual experience.
Pre Virtual Author Checklist:
- On average cost is less, but budgets have also been cut. So your hunt for funds is still a critical piece. Start early, and cover many bases. Submit paperwork early for the approval process and also to ensure the speaker receives payment in a timely manner.
- It’s more crucial than ever to prepare your students well.
- Make eBooks available, either through purchase or access through a public library card.
- Continue to provide paper books, both to borrow and give away.
- Include author books in read-alouds, classroom/library activities.
- Find a student or two willing to write and deliver an introduction.
- Brainstorm questions with kids to ask the author/illustrator. Who will ask the questions during the presentation? Determine the best set-up and if you can designate children to ask the questions, make them part of the process.
- Your venue is now a computer screen using Internet connectivity. Be sure you have a stable connection, platform, and enough bandwidth. Practice ahead of time with the guest.
- Be absolutely certain all students have the means to connect and can hear and see. Test this out in advance.
- Be sure your platform is secure for the authors and the children. Webinars offer the most security versus a meeting-type setting. Consider pre-registering attendees before the event, it makes “zoom-bombing” and hacking less likely. Be sure to work closely with your tech experts. There’s nothing more startling or inappropriate than a hacker appearing or receiving alarming comments in the chat box.
- Review “virtual author event protocol” with kids and how it’s even more important that they keep themselves present.
- Ask the author in advance to sign enough book plates (that you have provided) for kids to stick in their books.
After Virtual Author Checklist:
- Gather comments, questions, and thank you’s from kids and email them to the speaker.
- Keep books available, both paper and eBooks.
- Provide media sources with screen shots for an article.
- Keep the author and book discussions going through the learning management systems that deliver classes.
- Ensure speaker received payment for the visit.
- Consider booking author for a return visit.
It’s all joyful work that will guarantee a lasting impact for your students. Got questions? Feel free to email Carmen or Christina via the contact form on our website and we’d be happy to assist you in booking your favorite author or illustrator for your next event.
Christina Dorr, The Booking Biz!