For Authors: 7 Ways to Cultivate More School Visits
Where Fleur goes back to school and shares a bit of advice.
It’s been cooler here for the past week or so, and I instantly feel better. Of course, now the hot temps are back with a vengeance, so now I’m back to complaining. Apologies, readers. Hot tip from Fleur: do not go to Home Depot when it’s a hundred degrees out…
While it was cool, I did some DIY and started filling in my new planner. Is there anything more fun than that? It’s back to school here in Colorado and many other states, which means my calendar starts filling up with school visits. I love seeing kids and educators, so this makes me very happy.
I get asked a lot by author friends how to cultivate more school visits. I thought I would share what has worked for me.
How to Cultivate More Author School Visits
As kidlit or middle-grade authors, school visits are the best way to reach kids directly—a classroom or auditorium full of potential readers.
But they’re hard to come by. Simply offering your services is not going to be enough. It took me some time to figure out how to generate more interest and build the trust needed to get more school visits on my calendar. I now have hundreds of visits under my belt, both in-person and virtual, but it took me years to get to this point.
Here are a few things that have worked for me:
1. Connect with independent bookstores
Independent bookstores often connect with local educators and sometimes have teacher events or offer discounts. Some even organize school visits or other literacy events. Your local indie is your best friend when it comes to school visits. To encourage a mutually beneficial relationship, offer to direct sales to the store or use their order form if you have a local visit. You’ll build some goodwill by directing the school to the store.
2. Post on social media posts and join chats
Twitter is dying a little, unfortunately, but many educators can still be reached on social media. Make sure you join chats and use the right hashtags or tags. Don’t look at this as a sales opportunity but try to solve an educator’s problem instead (maybe they’re looking for books on dealing with anxiety and you happen to have written one of those). Book recommendations and resources are always welcome on the web. Many of my librarian and teacher friendships started on some kind of social media platform.
Focus on fostering relationships rather than selling books.
3. Join World Read Aloud Day or Read Across America, etc.
Kate Messner opens up her list of authors who do free visits for World Read Aloud Day (WRAD) around November; I usually fill up WRAD (it’s in February) within a week once she puts the list out. The contacts sometimes lead to other virtual authors visits outside that particular holiday. They’re fun, and a good introduction to virtual author visits for new authors.
4. Team up with other authors
I’m part of the Spooky Middle-Grade Authors group. We do free author visits (simple Q&As) as a group, which is nice because you make author friends, plus you’re not the only one who is ‘on’ during the visit. I love the virtual author visits we do as a group, and it’s honestly just nice to make new author friends and support each other.
5. Create Literacy Conference Talks
Aside from school visits, I also do literacy talks at conventions for teachers and/or librarians; I’ve developed a very popular talk on how to reach reluctant readers. This took me some time to create and refine but was worth it for the relationships I build at each convention.
When in doubt, focus on helping a teacher or librarian solve a problem. What knowledge or experience do you have that could help someone?
Your book will sell if you show up as a helper rather than a salesperson.
6. Offer free virtual Q&As
I have several longer virtual school visit presentations that link to my background as a mystery writer, but my free virtual 15–20-minute Q&As are the most popular. I simply introduce myself, read a chapter of my book and answer a few questions. It’s quick and fun.
7. Practice routine outreach: guest blog articles, teacher shout-outs
There are a ton of other things you can do simply to get your name out there. Guest blog articles, teacher shoutouts, giveaways… Seeing your name reminds people that you are an expert in your field (writing for kids, whatever else you do), which is like free advertising.
The one thing I realized not too long ago is that it takes time to build the trust it takes to be invited for school visits.
If you’re an author trying to book more school visits, focus on trying to be nice, positive, and helpful to teachers and librarians. Build your reputation and the trust that goes with it. The school visit invitations will follow.
What I’m Writing
I’m back to revising my middle-grade WIP, a mystery with a bit of a nature slant. I’m writing every day again, usually revising about two chapters a day. This project also involves a good amount of research, which I love.
Where I’m Going
I just attended a very inspiring librarian event (for near-to-me Douglas County). I’m all pumped to get back to work. Librarians are my favorite people.
Otherwise, it’s school visits and writing for me. I love my job.
Your Weekly Floof
I’ve been doing some DIY while the weather was cool, which Floof loves. The minute I crack open the toolbox she comes running. I feel like there’s a picture book idea in there somewhere…
This is very helpful, Fleur. Thanks for the great tips.
Super helpful. And World Read Aloud Day is incredibly fun and rewarding:)