7 Ways your School can Make the Most out of Author Visits
Inviting a professional writer into your school will prove a lot more effective if you follow these simple guidelines, says Sarah Govett (and she should know…)
- by Sarah Govett
In those cases, a few ice-breaker questions from the teacher can really help relax the young people and make them feel more confident. It also helps engagement if students who have read the book(s) before the event prepare some questions in advance.
7 | Plan a book sale
Students tend to be very excited about the opportunity to meet the author and buy a signed book at the end of a visit. Some authors might prefer to bring their own books, but ideally they should be ordered by the school with several weeks’ notice.
Books can be obtained through local bookshops, online suppliers, travelling booksellers such as PeaGreenBoat Books, or direct from the publisher.
In addition, letters or emails should be sent home to parents at least ten days in advance with a second reminder the day before the event itself, or the students invariably forget to bring in money and then look terribly disappointed on the day.
Sarah Govett is an Oxford-educated private tutor and author of the award-winning YA trilogy The Territory (FireflyPress). She can be contacted on social media at @sarahgovett and at sarahgovett.com.
Most YA authors are active on social media and will help promote the event. Let the visitor know in advance if there are any photography restrictions at the school, or of the students, as most are likely to take pictures when they are there.
6 | Prepare Q&As
Although the author naturally will do most of the talking, pupil participation helps keep interest levels high. Understandably, some students might be reluctant to speak in front of their peers, particularly in a whole year group setting.
In those cases, a few ice-breaker questions from the teacher can really help relax the young people and make them feel more confident. It also helps engagement if students who have read the book(s) before the event prepare some questions in advance.
7 | Plan a book sale
Students tend to be very excited about the opportunity to meet the author and buy a signed book at the end of a visit. Some authors might prefer to bring their own books, but ideally they should be ordered by the school with several weeks’ notice.
Books can be obtained through local bookshops, online suppliers, travelling booksellers such as PeaGreenBoat Books, or direct from the publisher.
In addition, letters or emails should be sent home to parents at least ten days in advance with a second reminder the day before the event itself, or the students invariably forget to bring in money and then look terribly disappointed on the day.
Sarah Govett is an Oxford-educated private tutor and author of the award-winning YA trilogy The Territory (FireflyPress). She can be contacted on social media at @sarahgovett and at sarahgovett.com.
Many authors will wish to use ICT such as powerpoint presentations. It is worth asking him or her to email this across a few days in advance so that the school can check that it works properly. Remind the writer to bring a backup USB on the day, too.
5 | Promote the event
Posters around the school and library in combination with letters and emails home can really help create a buzz before an author event. Some schools even run competitions such a flash fiction piece based on a theme that ties in with the writer’s work.
All this may inspire pupils to read the book(s) before the author arrives, and allows them to ask any burning questions that arise as a result.
Most YA authors are active on social media and will help promote the event. Let the visitor know in advance if there are any photography restrictions at the school, or of the students, as most are likely to take pictures when they are there.
6 | Prepare Q&As
Although the author naturally will do most of the talking, pupil participation helps keep interest levels high. Understandably, some students might be reluctant to speak in front of their peers, particularly in a whole year group setting.
In those cases, a few ice-breaker questions from the teacher can really help relax the young people and make them feel more confident. It also helps engagement if students who have read the book(s) before the event prepare some questions in advance.
7 | Plan a book sale
Students tend to be very excited about the opportunity to meet the author and buy a signed book at the end of a visit. Some authors might prefer to bring their own books, but ideally they should be ordered by the school with several weeks’ notice.
Books can be obtained through local bookshops, online suppliers, travelling booksellers such as PeaGreenBoat Books, or direct from the publisher.
In addition, letters or emails should be sent home to parents at least ten days in advance with a second reminder the day before the event itself, or the students invariably forget to bring in money and then look terribly disappointed on the day.
Sarah Govett is an Oxford-educated private tutor and author of the award-winning YA trilogy The Territory (FireflyPress). She can be contacted on social media at @sarahgovett and at sarahgovett.com.
Be realistic about the timings, and if the author is at the school for most of the day, factor in short breaks for him or her to catch a breather in between talking enthusiastically to the students.
4 | Organise ICT in advance
Many authors will wish to use ICT such as powerpoint presentations. It is worth asking him or her to email this across a few days in advance so that the school can check that it works properly. Remind the writer to bring a backup USB on the day, too.
5 | Promote the event
Posters around the school and library in combination with letters and emails home can really help create a buzz before an author event. Some schools even run competitions such a flash fiction piece based on a theme that ties in with the writer’s work.
All this may inspire pupils to read the book(s) before the author arrives, and allows them to ask any burning questions that arise as a result.
Most YA authors are active on social media and will help promote the event. Let the visitor know in advance if there are any photography restrictions at the school, or of the students, as most are likely to take pictures when they are there.
6 | Prepare Q&As
Although the author naturally will do most of the talking, pupil participation helps keep interest levels high. Understandably, some students might be reluctant to speak in front of their peers, particularly in a whole year group setting.
In those cases, a few ice-breaker questions from the teacher can really help relax the young people and make them feel more confident. It also helps engagement if students who have read the book(s) before the event prepare some questions in advance.
7 | Plan a book sale
Students tend to be very excited about the opportunity to meet the author and buy a signed book at the end of a visit. Some authors might prefer to bring their own books, but ideally they should be ordered by the school with several weeks’ notice.
Books can be obtained through local bookshops, online suppliers, travelling booksellers such as PeaGreenBoat Books, or direct from the publisher.
In addition, letters or emails should be sent home to parents at least ten days in advance with a second reminder the day before the event itself, or the students invariably forget to bring in money and then look terribly disappointed on the day.
Sarah Govett is an Oxford-educated private tutor and author of the award-winning YA trilogy The Territory (FireflyPress). She can be contacted on social media at @sarahgovett and at sarahgovett.com.
Also discuss the general level of attainment of the participating students and how long each session will last. The author should be able to help the school create a productive programme.
3 | Stick with the plan
When a programme and timings have been agreed with the author, avoid making any changes. Don’t be tempted to squeeze extra students into a workshop setting, for example, as these work best when they are truly interactive and there is sufficient opportunity for individual participation.
Be realistic about the timings, and if the author is at the school for most of the day, factor in short breaks for him or her to catch a breather in between talking enthusiastically to the students.
4 | Organise ICT in advance
Many authors will wish to use ICT such as powerpoint presentations. It is worth asking him or her to email this across a few days in advance so that the school can check that it works properly. Remind the writer to bring a backup USB on the day, too.
5 | Promote the event
Posters around the school and library in combination with letters and emails home can really help create a buzz before an author event. Some schools even run competitions such a flash fiction piece based on a theme that ties in with the writer’s work.
All this may inspire pupils to read the book(s) before the author arrives, and allows them to ask any burning questions that arise as a result.
Most YA authors are active on social media and will help promote the event. Let the visitor know in advance if there are any photography restrictions at the school, or of the students, as most are likely to take pictures when they are there.
6 | Prepare Q&As
Although the author naturally will do most of the talking, pupil participation helps keep interest levels high. Understandably, some students might be reluctant to speak in front of their peers, particularly in a whole year group setting.
In those cases, a few ice-breaker questions from the teacher can really help relax the young people and make them feel more confident. It also helps engagement if students who have read the book(s) before the event prepare some questions in advance.
7 | Plan a book sale
Students tend to be very excited about the opportunity to meet the author and buy a signed book at the end of a visit. Some authors might prefer to bring their own books, but ideally they should be ordered by the school with several weeks’ notice.
Books can be obtained through local bookshops, online suppliers, travelling booksellers such as PeaGreenBoat Books, or direct from the publisher.
In addition, letters or emails should be sent home to parents at least ten days in advance with a second reminder the day before the event itself, or the students invariably forget to bring in money and then look terribly disappointed on the day.
Sarah Govett is an Oxford-educated private tutor and author of the award-winning YA trilogy The Territory (FireflyPress). She can be contacted on social media at @sarahgovett and at sarahgovett.com.
When looking for an author to visit your school, find out as much as you can about who is available by asking for references from other schools and reading reviews on social media. Some writers are willing to visit a school for a relatively modest fee in return for a well-promoted book sale.
2 | Set expectations
Once an author has been invited, liaise internally so that the English department is completely on board with the aim of the event, then communicate with the visitor and set expectations early.
Some writers enjoy talking to whole year groups of 200 pupils, whereas others only feel comfortable interacting with a smaller group of students within a workshop setting.
Explain to the author what the school is hoping to achieve with the visit and decide which year group(s) the talk or workshop will be aimed at.
Also discuss the general level of attainment of the participating students and how long each session will last. The author should be able to help the school create a productive programme.
3 | Stick with the plan
When a programme and timings have been agreed with the author, avoid making any changes. Don’t be tempted to squeeze extra students into a workshop setting, for example, as these work best when they are truly interactive and there is sufficient opportunity for individual participation.
Be realistic about the timings, and if the author is at the school for most of the day, factor in short breaks for him or her to catch a breather in between talking enthusiastically to the students.
4 | Organise ICT in advance
Many authors will wish to use ICT such as powerpoint presentations. It is worth asking him or her to email this across a few days in advance so that the school can check that it works properly. Remind the writer to bring a backup USB on the day, too.
5 | Promote the event
Posters around the school and library in combination with letters and emails home can really help create a buzz before an author event. Some schools even run competitions such a flash fiction piece based on a theme that ties in with the writer’s work.
All this may inspire pupils to read the book(s) before the author arrives, and allows them to ask any burning questions that arise as a result.
Most YA authors are active on social media and will help promote the event. Let the visitor know in advance if there are any photography restrictions at the school, or of the students, as most are likely to take pictures when they are there.
6 | Prepare Q&As
Although the author naturally will do most of the talking, pupil participation helps keep interest levels high. Understandably, some students might be reluctant to speak in front of their peers, particularly in a whole year group setting.
In those cases, a few ice-breaker questions from the teacher can really help relax the young people and make them feel more confident. It also helps engagement if students who have read the book(s) before the event prepare some questions in advance.
7 | Plan a book sale
Students tend to be very excited about the opportunity to meet the author and buy a signed book at the end of a visit. Some authors might prefer to bring their own books, but ideally they should be ordered by the school with several weeks’ notice.
Books can be obtained through local bookshops, online suppliers, travelling booksellers such as PeaGreenBoat Books, or direct from the publisher.
In addition, letters or emails should be sent home to parents at least ten days in advance with a second reminder the day before the event itself, or the students invariably forget to bring in money and then look terribly disappointed on the day.
Sarah Govett is an Oxford-educated private tutor and author of the award-winning YA trilogy The Territory (FireflyPress). She can be contacted on social media at @sarahgovett and at sarahgovett.com.
1 | Do the research
When looking for an author to visit your school, find out as much as you can about who is available by asking for references from other schools and reading reviews on social media. Some writers are willing to visit a school for a relatively modest fee in return for a well-promoted book sale.
2 | Set expectations
Once an author has been invited, liaise internally so that the English department is completely on board with the aim of the event, then communicate with the visitor and set expectations early.
Some writers enjoy talking to whole year groups of 200 pupils, whereas others only feel comfortable interacting with a smaller group of students within a workshop setting.
Explain to the author what the school is hoping to achieve with the visit and decide which year group(s) the talk or workshop will be aimed at.
Also discuss the general level of attainment of the participating students and how long each session will last. The author should be able to help the school create a productive programme.
3 | Stick with the plan
When a programme and timings have been agreed with the author, avoid making any changes. Don’t be tempted to squeeze extra students into a workshop setting, for example, as these work best when they are truly interactive and there is sufficient opportunity for individual participation.
Be realistic about the timings, and if the author is at the school for most of the day, factor in short breaks for him or her to catch a breather in between talking enthusiastically to the students.
4 | Organise ICT in advance
Many authors will wish to use ICT such as powerpoint presentations. It is worth asking him or her to email this across a few days in advance so that the school can check that it works properly. Remind the writer to bring a backup USB on the day, too.
5 | Promote the event
Posters around the school and library in combination with letters and emails home can really help create a buzz before an author event. Some schools even run competitions such a flash fiction piece based on a theme that ties in with the writer’s work.
All this may inspire pupils to read the book(s) before the author arrives, and allows them to ask any burning questions that arise as a result.
Most YA authors are active on social media and will help promote the event. Let the visitor know in advance if there are any photography restrictions at the school, or of the students, as most are likely to take pictures when they are there.
6 | Prepare Q&As
Although the author naturally will do most of the talking, pupil participation helps keep interest levels high. Understandably, some students might be reluctant to speak in front of their peers, particularly in a whole year group setting.
In those cases, a few ice-breaker questions from the teacher can really help relax the young people and make them feel more confident. It also helps engagement if students who have read the book(s) before the event prepare some questions in advance.
7 | Plan a book sale
Students tend to be very excited about the opportunity to meet the author and buy a signed book at the end of a visit. Some authors might prefer to bring their own books, but ideally they should be ordered by the school with several weeks’ notice.
Books can be obtained through local bookshops, online suppliers, travelling booksellers such as PeaGreenBoat Books, or direct from the publisher.
In addition, letters or emails should be sent home to parents at least ten days in advance with a second reminder the day before the event itself, or the students invariably forget to bring in money and then look terribly disappointed on the day.
Sarah Govett is an Oxford-educated private tutor and author of the award-winning YA trilogy The Territory (FireflyPress). She can be contacted on social media at @sarahgovett and at sarahgovett.com.
