Part 2 of a two-part School Visit Series
One of the most rewarding parts of a Kid Lit writing career is visiting children in schools and libraries to get them excited about reading. However, tackling such events can be daunting at first.
In this second of a two-part series about author visits, you'll meet educators and children’s authors who share their top tips to help you create THE perfect author event. From Skype-ing to book signing, these pros have you covered.
In case you missed it, here's Part 1:
Follow These 6 Steps to Ace Your Next Kid Lit Author School Visit
This is an updated version of my school visit series that first ran in 2014
lise chase
Author, Illustrator
nancy kunhardt lodge
Artist, Author
Website
Kentrell Martin
Author
Website
carmela dutra
Photographer, Author, Illustrator
Website
Tracey M. Cox
Author, Illustrator
Website
Rhonda Paglia
Former teacher, Author/Illustrator Website ![]()
Hold a book signing: Meeting a REAL LIVE author is a big deal in the life of a kid! You have an opportunity to create a favorite school memory that children will cherish.
Have plenty of books on hand and schedule one-on-one time with your readers to sign and personalize your books. Find the Literacy Coach and engage the kids: The most important part of Rhonda's day was the excitement over her books, their characters, and the imaginary world in which the characters lived. She created custom printables and arrived dressed in costume on the school's pajama day. She brought her characters to life with activities and engaged students as part of the adventure. The school's literacy coach, Rhonda's contact person, helped Rhonda create the magic. K. Lamb
Author
Website
Jill cofksy
Educator, Professional Voice Actor
Website
Rosie Russell
Author/Illustrator, Former Educator
Website
Rebecca Lyndsey
Author, Artist, Educator
Website
Lots to consider, but YOU CAN DO IT! Most important: enjoy your time with young readers. You'll be engaging young minds and getting kids excited about reading. And you will be amazing!
In case you missed it, check out Part 1 of this author visit series where I share my success tips: Follow These 6 Steps to Ace Your Next Kid Lit Author School Visit Your turn: What author visit strategies help you succeed? Which tips will you add to your writerly tool kit? As a teacher, parent or librarian, what do YOU want to see in a school visit? Please share your thoughts in the comment section, so we can all learn and grow together.
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20 Comments
Thanks for including me in Part II of your series. I truly enjoyed looking at everyone's tips. I think there is always an opportunity for us to learn something new from our fellow author friends, educators, illustrators, parents...the list goes on! It is all about building a community to help foster early literacy.
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Cat Michaels
9/9/2016 05:10:01 pm
K., one of the best parts of this journey is learning and sharing ideas in our community. Thanks for showing the way with your Skype visits and for all you do to get kids excited about reading.
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Lise Chase
9/12/2016 09:23:36 am
Great article Cat Michaels. So much information. Thanks😊
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9/12/2016 12:58:01 pm
Hi Cat! I loved your article today! Such great advice on school visits! I learned a lot from our fellow authors and will keep these suggestions in mind for my upcoming visits!
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Cat Michaels
9/13/2016 12:09:41 am
Rosie, there is always much to learn! It makes the load easier when we pool our learnings and resources. Thanks for sharing your tips for school visits.
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Cat Michaels
9/13/2016 12:14:54 am
Lise, thanks for contributing your school visit tips to my blog. I love my custom tote and its screen-printed book characters that you inspired me to design. Kids love i!
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Lise Chase
9/15/2016 12:11:01 am
I'm happy to hear it works for you!
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9/8/2017 11:01:56 am
Thanks for sharing these again Cat. So much to learn from our fellow authors.
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9/12/2017 12:17:29 pm
Always more to learn, Rosie! It makes the road lighter when we share the load and learnings -:D.
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9/10/2017 11:51:27 am
I still have not gotten up enough courage to even attempt author visits. I would love to visit a school because an author visiting my elementary school is the reason I wanted to become an author. Thanks for the tips for when I finally get enough courage to try a visit!
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9/12/2017 12:16:16 pm
I was really nervous about my first author visit, too, Jessica, even though I worked in classrooms for years. I started small and slow in a space where my nephew was a teaching assistant. After building my confidence, I expanded to places where I didn't know anyone. It takes time, and you will get there, too! Let me know how it goes?
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9/12/2017 10:28:49 pm
Wow, you just about covered everything here. I also use my puppets to help read my stories and engage younger students with songs, as well as fun and unusual facts.
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9/14/2017 05:47:23 pm
Sandra, I *love* that you use puppets with kids!!! When I update my post, I'll be sure to add that tip, if that's ok.
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9/13/2017 11:01:55 am
Hi Cat!
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9/14/2017 05:48:37 pm
Thanks for stopping by AND adding your tips as an author and a former educator who knows her way around the classroom, Rhonda.
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9/14/2017 03:19:23 pm
Saving this one for when it's my turn, Cat. Thanks for all the good ideas. BTW, I've spent the day in a middle school looking through their archived school newspapers. 4 students came in and were so excited to meet an author! Making connections with media specialist and head of LA dept. For future visits, I hope! PS. One of the girls told me to come back here to have a book signing!
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9/14/2017 05:52:03 pm
Many thanks, Carol. Delighted to know you are making contacts in middle school. I've not visited that age group, but I find most students are excited to meet an author, as you mention. I love meeting kids, educators and media specialist in schools and libraries - best part of my work!
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3/6/2019 10:50:38 am
Good information lasts a long time, Nancy. Thanks for stopping by and continued success on your writing journey and school visits -:D
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CAT MICHAELSThe writing journey is a long one. And with all that social media and technology in the mix, it's easy to feel overloaded. To make it easier, I share angst-saving tips found along my way. I'm still learning, so please join me. Let's travel this writing journey and learn together. Join Cat's Readers's Room Team
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