Tips for Hosting an Author

The end of the year is near and I am looking for another author to visit Newberry High. We have hosted both Alex Flinn and Sharon Draper in the last two years and there is no better way to kick off your literacy campaign.

Before you rush out to book your author visit, here are some lessons that I've learned. Learn them here and save yourself some time and heartache.

~ Plan in advance. Popular authors are booked a year or more in advance. You may be let down early on if you aren't thinking about next spring already.

~ Know the author. Sharon Draper is probably the best author to ever visit a school. (Note that she is starting to limit her travel a little bit.) She was a school teacher in her former life and she brings that aura onto the stage with her. Some authors are not very good public speaker, and that does not make for a good visit with your students.

~ Know your students. You don't necessarily want to put all the sweat and tears into bringing in someone like Carl Hiassen when your kids are more like the Bluford Series. Realize what they like to read and find an author that will deliver--the visit is for them after all.

~ Be ready to spend some money. There are grants out there to help you with this, but be prepared. The author alone is going to cost anywhere form $1,500 to $3,000 just to darken your door. Now add in travel cost. Don't forget the hotel. And if you really want to make the visit a huge success, add in the cost of the book for every student in your school. For our Sharon Draper visit this year, each student got a copy of one of her books (determined by their grade level and curriculum). This set our students on FIRE about the visit. And it ensured that every student had the opportunity to read one of her books before she came on campus, a must for a successful visit.

~ Study the contract carefully. Most authors come with a contract for their visit and some very particular requests. The water may need to be room temperature. They may not be willing to speak to gyms. Study this contract so that both of you have a nice day with your students.

~ Bask in the glory of a literacy revolution at its heyday. An author visit can really set your school on its ear about reading and you can't replicate those benefits.

Now that I've imparted my little bit of knowledge, anyone have any recommendations? I'm strugging to find someone for next year!