How Do You Get Started Giving Author Presentations?

How Do You Get Started Giving Author Presentations?
by Mary Emma Allen

"How did you begin doing school visits?" I'm often asked, when other authors find that I give presentations in schools.

I enjoy doing author visits in schools and began years ago by volunteering. Offer to read your stories to individual classes and share with them some writing ideas and techniques. Teachers usually are excited about the opportunity to have a writer work with the class.

This also is a good way to publicize your books and stories, even if they're not published yet. Nowadays, if you're publishing e-books, here's a great opportunity to share this informatiion with teachers and students, too.

As you become established as a writer and feel comfortable providing school programs, work up a fee schedule for your presentations.

I give a fee for a 45-1 hr. presentation, another for 1/2 day, and another for a full day. If I travel any distance, mileage is added to this. I have a suggested fee, but if a school has a very low budget, I'll try to work with what they can afford. I do find, as I've become more recognized as an author, no one suggests a lower fee.

If you're interested in giving presentations in schools and teaching workshops, start now. Begin with small groups until you gain confidence and experience. This is a very enjoyable way to share your knowledge and encourage young readers and writers.

(Mary Emma Allen is a children's author/illustrator, columnist, travel writer, book author, and writing teacher.
For more information about her school visits and the list of topics she can offer, e-mail her at: me.allen@juno.com
Visit her web site: http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/jetent/mea