A Step-by-Step Guide to Author School Visits
The KidLit Creator’s Chronicle – Issue #22
Hi,
Imagine this: you’ve just finished reading your book to a room full of primary students. You’ve talked about how you made it, answered their questions, maybe shown them your sketches or notes. Then a hand goes up with the question, “Could I write a book too?”
These are stories I hear often from the authors I work with. Most of them were nervous about doing their first school visit, unsure how it would go or whether they could pull it off. But afterwards? They loved it!
The kids were interested and loved the book. They asked questions, joined in conversations, and threw themselves into the activities. And for the author, all the hard work of writing suddenly felt incredibly worthwhile now that they experienced this tangible moment of sharing their story with children. This is part of why I believe school visits can be such a powerful part of your author journey.
CBM Author Coaching members on school visits. From left to right: Sandy Ecker, Diane Klein, Kathy Dye.
Why School Visits Are a Cornerstone
School visits are more than appearances, they’re powerful catalysts for your author journey. You’re not just reading your book, you’re showing kids what it looks like when someone follows through and finishes a story, and what’s possible for them, too.
School visits are the best of both worlds. You get paid to share your books, while encouraging a love of reading and creativity in children and having fun. Plus a well-run school visit ticks off several core goals that most authors dream of reaching:
1. You showcase your books directly to your ideal audience.
You’re reading your book to a room full of children, often with teachers and librarians looking on. These are the exact people your book is meant for. And they get to experience it through you, your voice, your presence, and you get to see their reactions!
2. You earn income through appearance fees and book sales.
Yes, you can (and should) charge for school visits. And yes, schools do pay authors, even newer ones, when the offering is clear and well-framed. Plus, many authors report that school visits are one of the most consistent ways to sell their books in bulk. When children connect with your story in person, they want to take it home, and schools often help coordinate sales before or after the visit.
3. You build your platform in a natural, lasting way.
Every school visit raises your visibility with students, teachers, parents, librarians and community organisers. A great visit often leads to repeat bookings, word-of-mouth referrals, and opportunities you hadn’t planned for. It’s about becoming known, trusted and valued within the circles that matter for your books.
Yes, school visits take planning and work, but what they give back is far greater. They combine creativity and community impact in a way that few other activities do, and that’s why they’re worth learning how to do well.
How to Plan and Offer School Visits
1. Make a List of Schools
Start by listing schools in your local area. Aim for around ten to begin with. Include both public and private schools, and think about which ones might be a good fit for your book’s age group or theme. You’re not reaching out yet, this is just to give yourself a clear starting point.
2. Designing the Visit
Work Out the Format
Before you can pitch a school, you need to decide what your visit will look like. Ask yourself:
- What age group is this for?
- Will it be a single class visit, an assembly, or a full day of sessions?
- What will you actually do? Read the book, answer questions, lead an activity?
- Will you do visits in person, virtual, or both?
Younger students usually enjoy shorter, high-energy sessions with visuals and storytelling. Older students might like a behind-the-scenes look at how a book is made, or a short writing activity.
Keep things simple. You don’t need a dozen options. One strong, well-thought-out visit plan is enough to get started.
Use Props and Visuals
Props don’t need to be fancy. A drawing demo, puppets, behind-the-scenes materials from your book–all of these make the experience more memorable and help kids engage.
CBM Author Coaching member, Dorenda Doyle, wears a fun dog outfit that matches a character in her books.
Prepare Teachers and Students
If you can, send a few things ahead of time, like a brief bio, discussion questions, or a one-page classroom activity. It gives teachers a way to tie the visit into their lessons and builds excitement among students.
3. Create a Convincing Pitch
Before you reach out, take time to define what you’re offering and what you’ll charge. The clearer you are, making it easy for a school to understand how your visit would work for them, the easier it will be for them to say yes.
Write a short paragraph introducing:
- Who you are
- What your visit includes (for example, a reading, Q&A or workshop)
- How long it lasts and what age groups it suits
- Whether it’s in person or virtual
- Any curriculum connections or creative themes
Include your pricing. For example, $150 to $250 for a 30-minute virtual visit, $300 to $500 for a 45-minute in-person visit, and around $1,000 for a full day of in-person sessions. If you’re just starting out and building testimonials, you might offer a few free or discounted visits. Just be sure to present these as limited availability or pilot sessions, so you still communicate value.
Keep it short, friendly and clear.
D. Reach Out
Now that you’ve got everything ready, it’s time to make contact. Start by emailing the school’s main office to ask who handles author visits or literacy programming. It’s usually the school librarian or media specialist, but can also be the literacy coach or reading specialist. If you personally know a teacher at the school, they can propose the idea to administrators.
Once you’ve got the right contact, send a friendly, clear message with your pitch and a simple ask: would they be open to a visit? Keep it light, respectful, and easy to respond to. One short paragraph and a few bullet points is often enough to start the conversation.
E. Logistics & Tech
Confirm Details in Writing
Once a school expresses interest, clarify the practical details such as date, time, session format and any special needs. Send a simple agreement to confirm everything in writing. It does not need to be a formal contract. Even a short email that recaps your visit, fee and expectations can help avoid confusion later.
Prepare Your Tech
If the visit is virtual, test your platform ahead of time and check your lighting and sound. If you’re visiting in person, ask what equipment the school can provide and bring backups just in case, such as your own laptop, adaptors or a USB copy of your slides. Being prepared helps you feel confident and lets you focus fully on the students. (And I’ve heard quite a few stories of schools’ AV systems not working, and the like, so be prepared!)
F. Book Sales and Follow-Up
Coordinate Book Orders
Some schools will help with advance book sales, while others may prefer you handle it directly. Offer a simple process: a short order form, clear deadline, and an option for signed copies. Sending the order forms prior to your visit can ensure more sales by giving parents advance warning, and gives you a chance to sign copies ahead of time too.
Build the Relationship
After the visit, send a thank-you note to the organiser or teachers you worked with. If they were enthusiastic, you can gently ask if they’d be willing to share a testimonial or refer you to another school. These small steps help your reputation grow over time.
If you’re looking for examples of how other authors present their visit offerings, the listings at BookAnAuthor.com can be a helpful resource. It’s a directory where children’s book authors share their visit formats, pricing, and contact info, so it’s great for getting ideas and seeing how others frame their sessions. (and you can get yourself listed there too!)
Yes, You Can Get Paid for School Visits
One of the misconceptions I hear fairly often, especially from newer or self-published authors, is that you can’t really make money from school visits unless you’re famous. That schools have no budget for this, or that only “big names” get invited or paid. But that’s simply not true.
Schools bring in all kinds of authors, and many of those authors are earning steady income from visits, growing their readership, and making a real impact too.
Being local, relatable (and affordable) can work in your favour. Schools want authors who are easy to work with, who connect with students, and who offer something valuable. If your visit is structured well and clearly presented, many schools are happy to pay for it. Especially when the outcomes are strong and the logistics are easy.
You might not command high fees at first, but many authors, even those just getting started, charge $250 to $800 per visit depending on the format, and schools will pay it.
Yes, budget can be a barrier. But there are ways for schools to cover the cost. Here are several smart strategies they use (or that you can suggest to them):
- Read-a-thons or Write-a-thons: Students spend a day focused on reading or writing activities, raising money through pledges collected ahead of time. It’s a great way to celebrate literacy while building excitement for your visit.
- Local business sponsorships or PTO funding: Parents or community groups chip in.
- Book fairs and orders: Funds from student book purchases help cover fees.
- Grants and Title I funds: Many schools apply for arts grants or use literacy funding.
Plus, some authors help schools by offering flexible pricing or pilot visits, so even small-budget schools can say yes. It can also be well worth your while to do a free or deeply discounted visit, so long as you may sell books.
Don’t assume you need a big following or a well-known publisher behind you. You just need a solid visit plan, a clear pitch, and a willingness to offer real value.
The takeaway is simple: You can get paid for school visits without being a famous author. Armed with a clear plan, transparent pricing, and a few creative funding options, schools will take you seriously and pay you what you’re worth.
Dorenda Doyle , one of our very own CBM Author Coaching members, has been racking up school visits! She regularly visits schools, where she shares her THE KID & THE DOG books, leads interactive readings, and provides teachers with ready-to-use lesson plans and activities. Her background as a curriculum writer and educator helps her tailor each session to what teachers and students really need.
Recently, she even took her enthusiasm abroad. During a vacation to Costa Rica, Dorenda arranged visits at a couple of local schools, delivering author sessions in costume and engaging children across language barriers through humour, visuals, and story.
Dorenda also makes sure every child gets something to take home, even if they can’t buy a book. She’s created colourful literacy handouts and activities, branded with her characters, to support learning and leave a lasting impression.
Her story is a great reminder: if you’re prepared, proactive, and passionate, there are all kinds of ways to share your work in schools, wherever you are.
CBM Author Coaching member, Dorenda Doyle, has been very successful with school visits.
Over To You!
If school visits feel big or distant, start simple. Here’s a doable mission for this month:
- Make a list of 10 local schools you might want to visit
- Plan a simple visit format that suits your book and energy
- Write a short, clear pitch email
- Draft a basic agreement and book order form
- Map out a follow-up step to keep the relationship going
- And, if you’re ready, reach out!
You don’t need to get it perfect. Just get it going. School visits start with one message.
Reply and tell me where you’re starting. I’d love to hear it.
You don’t need bells and whistles to make a school visit matter. You just need a good book, a little prep, and a genuine willingness to connect. The rest builds from there. Go for it!
