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Thank you for your interest in hosting a Scholastic author or illustrator for your event! To ensure a smooth and successful event, please review the information and resources below, including a planning timeline and tips, a list of available authors and illustrators, book ordering details, and more. Please keep in mind that the process of planning and coordinating an author visit should begin 8-12 months ahead of the preferred event date.

Author Visit Quick Links

How to Plan Your Author Visit

Before You Request an Author or Illustrator | 8-12 Months Out

  • Think about the type of event you're planning: consider the number of presentations, age and size of audience, and the venue. 

  • Choose a date. Please provide at least three specific date options.

  • Secure an appropriate budget. Speaking fees are established by the author/illustrator and can range from $200-$5,000+ per day. Unless your event is virtual, you are also responsible for the author’s travel (airfare, taxi, and/or parking), lodging (if needed), and related expenses (meals or other necessities). Additionally, consider your budget for a bulk order of the author/illustrator’s book(s) for the event.

Requesting an Author or Illustrator | 6-8 Months Out

  • Find the right speaker for your event! Browse Scholastic's robust list of authors and illustrators who actively participate in school visits here.

  • Do some research. You may not be familiar with an author or illustrator who might be perfect for your school. Check out authors' websites, social media presence, and books to learn more about authors who may be within your price range or geographical area.

  • Submit a Scholastic author visit request using the online Author Visit Request Form, or the contact method listed in the author grid. Please allow 7-10 business days for a response to form submissions. In some cases, your request will be forwarded directly to the author or their staff.

  • If you don’t see your top choice author or illustrator on our list, you may still submit an Author Visit Request Form for them. We will confirm whether they are available.

Getting Students and Teachers Prepared | 4-6 Months Out (or More)

  • It's important that as many students as possible read at least one of the author’s books before the visit. This creates a better atmosphere for engagement and great discussions. 

  • Share details about the author and their books with students through library book talks, class read-alouds, and in-class or extracurricular book discussions.

  • Students can create visual or dramatic displays by:

-Dressing as characters from the book.

-Assembling collages representing scenes from the book.

-Outlining a character's journey on a map or timeline.

-Creating welcome posters featuring characters from one or more of the author's books. (Consider having these signed by the author for display after the event.)

  • Help students prepare questions to ask the author during any planned open discussion time. 

  • Discover free lesson plans, discussion guides, and educator resources you can use with Scholastic Trade authors’ books here. 

Booking Author Travel and Coordinating Logistics | 3-4 Months Out

Once a confirmation is provided, you will communicate directly with your guest author or illustrator (or their staff) to determine the details of the visit. Make sure you've considered, discussed, and planned all of the following: 

  • Hotel/lodging/accommodations — it's important for your author to be well-rested.

  • Transportation — flights or travel, as well as coordinating booking, ground transportation, and/or travel reimbursement.

  • On-site contact information, including cell phone numbers and arrangements for whoever will greet them the day of the visit.

  • Presentation information (if not included in the confirmation), including: length of presentation, audience information (grade level, size), and number of presentations.

  • Any equipment needed for presentations (Be sure to test any electronics before the event.)

  • Breaks, meals, or receptions. (Be sure to ask about any dietary restrictions.)

Making Final Preparations | 1-3 Months Out

  • Send a final schedule, including any travel/lodging booking information, to your guest author or illustrator.

  • Prepare your school and/or community by publicizing the event. 

  • Order books for the author or illustrator to sign. Scholastic offers a 40% discount on books purchased for author visits! Learn more about ordering books for Scholastic Author Visits here.

  • Arrange a space and adequate staffing for book sales and autographing.

  • Ask your guest author or illustrator for a W-9 and any other forms your school may need to process their reimbursement. This should be done well in advance so that you can provide the author or illustrator with their honorarium check on the day of the appearance.

Quick Tips for a Great Author Visit

  • Prepare students for the visit in advance! The more prepared the students are for the visit, the more excited they'll be to meet the author and the more engaged they will be during the event. Consider having students serve as ushers or photographers at the event.

  • Make sure to greet the author when they arrive at the school or event location.

  • Provide water and tissues for the author during their presentation.

  • Have fun and take pictures!