How to Book an Author Visit

It sounds an easy task, doesn’t it? Find an author to bring into school. But is it? Being given the responsibility of organising a school visit can be enormously stressful, especially if it’s your first time. Budgets are tight and visits can seem shockingly expensive. Authors can be unexpectedly fierce or demanding. Expectations run high, especially if it’s a once-a-year-only event. Someone has to ‘deliver.’ It all adds to the pressure.

So where do you begin?

First – put the kettle on! If you’re like me, you’ll find any task easier with a mug in one hand and a plate of biscuits within reach. Then begin with your budget.

We all like to dream, and occasionally a famous author will visit a school for little more than a slice of cake (to try out ideas, for example) but being realistic will save you a great deal of time, effort and disappointment.

Therefore, the first question to ask yourself is how much money have you been given for the day? I have separated potential budget into three categories:

• £££ = £700+
• ££ = £300 to £700
• £ = Expenses only up £300