School visits are a lot of fun, and a way to connect with your readers. I found that by connecting with local children's literacy groups, I got a lot of word-of-mouth referrals to do school and event visits. One reading led to another, which led to more and more. I booked out nearly a year in advance with very little legwork on my part. Still, I was prepared in advance of my book's release with the following:
- A book flyer
- A large 15"x24" book mock-up
- A Powerpoint book presentation
- A simple memorandum of understanding
- A template book order form
My book flyer is of tri-fold design on heavy paper, with a picture of the book on the (outside) front. Inside, my author bio on the left panel, in the center I describe what I do in my author visit (reading, craft or activity, and an estimate of the time required for the presentation) and my contact information for booking. In the right panel, I include the book facts: a summary, ISBN, price, and other book information.
I carry my book flyer with me everywhere, and occasionally hand them out when asked about my book. (You never know when someone may be looking to book an author for a school visit.)
The book mock-up I created was done for a special event, one where I had no computer or other projected presentation means. I expected a fairly large crowd, and so I made enlarged color copies of my book pages and pasted them to poster book using photo-mount spray glue. The result was a "big book" that I had a helper hold up during presentations so that the kids could see the pictures while I read from my regular-sized book copy. This worked extremely well, and I ended up using the "big book" method in most classrooms because it seems to engage the students more readily than me holding up the regular-sized book for the kids to see the pictures.
The Powerpoint presentation was for longer visits, where I was asked to tell the students about being a writer. It takes time to put together an interesting 15 minute presentation, so start putting it together well in advance of when you actually will need it.
I also put together a very simple memorandum of understanding, something that would spell out what I would provide and what the school would provide. I ask that the school's representative read it, sign both copies and return one to me. (Note: I sign both copies in advance of sending to the school, leaving the space blank where the school's rep is to sign.) A template of the memorandum is available to download here; you must customize it to fit your needs. Disclaimer: have your own legal representative review it to ensure that it suits your own individual needs, I make no claim as to its standing. I only state that it works for me, your mileage may vary.
I supply the school with a sample book order form that I tell them they can customize and use. If they have their own distributor that they work through, they can send the order form home for parents to see, and then collect the returned orders and buy the books through their distributor. In the event that they don't have a distributor and prefer that you, the author, handle book sales, you can go that route by customizing the order form appropriately. The book order template is available to download here. Disclaimer: have your own legal representative review it to ensure that it suits you individual needs. I make no claim as to its standing. I only state that it works for me, your mileage may vary.
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