Since there has just been a posting asking for advice on author visits, I guess
this is the time to post my Hit. I truly appreciate all the advice I received from
experienced compatriots and hope others benefit from my compilation of the
responses.
1. You can get a listing of local authors on the SCBWI (Society of Children's
Book Writers and Illustrators) at
http://www.scbwi.org/Speakers-Listings.aspx Once you find a name you like
just Google them for the contact address.
http://authorbystate.blogspot.com/
2. The best place to see/hear a variety of authors/illustrators is at the Mazza
Institutes (Weekend one is in November and the Summer one is in July).
www.mazzamuseum.org<http://www.mazzamuseum.org> This is the best thing I have
done as a librarian. You
can take these for credit or just for enjoyment and you will never be without an
idea for an author/illustrator visit.
3. I don't know if you know about Balkin Buddies, so in case you don't, I
thought I'd let you know about my little company. Balkin Buddies represents about
100 authors for school visits and also for online chats. All the authors we
represent are listed on www.BalkinBuddies.com<http://www.balkinbuddies.com/>, which
also features lots of information about the authors - their bios, their
presentations, honorariums, references, lists of books, contacts at their
publishers for ordering books, and much more. I used to work at HarperCollins
setting up author visits for virtually hundreds of authors for over 15 years, but I
know it's changed in recent years and that it's a bit harder to get information
from them. So if you have any questions about HarperCollins' authors, especially
backlist authors, I might be able to help. Also, as you can imagine, I handle
author visits for a number of Harper authors.
4. I work with a small group of authors, available at
http://www.mcbookwords.com -- you are looking at about $1000-$1600 for honorarium
depending on who you choose; most are around $1200-1400. Can sometimes make it a
little lower if multiple days. Then plus expenses. We work with host schools to
make it the best author visit all around.
5. I think you might find some help in my book ABCs of an Author/Illustrator
Visit, Second Edition (Linworth) http://www.mcelmeel.com/writing/page_lin.html --
hopefully you can find the book in a nearby library.
6. Do you have any local bookstores that have an "in" with authors? We have one
here in Doylestown who works with our district librarians and reading specialists
to get some authors.
7. Google author websites.
8. Check the major publishing houses' websites for listings under Author
Visitations or Appearances. There are tips for setting up Author Visits on many of
these sites also.
If upon reading this list you are inclined to add to it, please do. Thank you
again for all those who responded.
Kate
Katherine Stehman
Elementary Librarian
Lampeter-Strasburg School District
Lampeter, PA
katherine_stehman@l-spioneers.org
"You see, I don't believe that libraries should be drab places where people sit in
silence, and that's been the main reason for our policy of employing wild animals
as librarians...." Monty Python
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