Knowing how beneficial an author visit can be for children, the next step is securing a budget to make a visit possible. Since most authors charge at least $200 for their time and go up from there, depending on their name recognition, it’s important to have a budget source ready to go before reaching out to make a booking.

            When reaching out, understand that there may be room for negotiation with some authors. Check to see if it’s possible to save on their booking fees if they will be able to appear at multiple venues, or if they have a discounted rate if you can guarantee a minimum number of book sales.

            Since there are often monies dedicated for enrichment activities at individual schools, start there. Check if the school library has a budget, or the principal is aware of discretionary funds. If those aren’t available, branch out to try the following sources:

1)    PTA/PTO

These organizations oftentimes have an enrichment budget available to help teachers and schools book an author for a visit.

2)    Bake Sales/Book Sales/Readathons

Raise money with the help of the PTA/PTO by hosting various fundraisers. Parents and children can get involved making this a school project.

3)    Grant Programs

SCBWI: The Society for Children’s Writers and Illustrators has a grant program known as the SCBWI Amber Brown Fund. ( https://www.scbwi.org/awards-and-grants/community-grants/amber-brown-grant ) This grant program aims to help underserved, Title 1, or rural schools have access to author visits. Their application is generally in the fall. Applications close as early as mid-November for grants awarded in the following calendar year, so check their website for more details at the beginning of the school year.

DonorsChoose.org is a website where teachers can request various things for their classrooms, including books and author visits.

Other Grants: Check to see if there are any local or state grants available from art councils, humanities commissions or educational foundations.

4)    Coordinate with Neighboring Schools

It can work to pool resources with neighboring schools so that an author can visit two or more places in one day, essentially splitting the costs for the schools.

5)    Local Businesses/Rotary Clubs: Some local business and community organizations may have budgets for community enrichment. Reach out to your local Kiwanis, Rotary Club or Lions Clubs. Also, some local businesses and city libraries may have budgets for this.

6)    University or Community Colleges: Check to see if the author might be able to add a speaking engagement to help their education students and their budget may stretch to cover speaking at K-12 schools.

7)    Crowdfunding: Use GoFundMe or Kickstarter to raise funds from the general public.

Most authors are more than delighted to have the opportunity to speak, read their books to children, and interact with them. As the saying goes, where there’s a will, there’s a way. An author visit is a worthy goal for a school to pursue.