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School Talks

LIFE AS WE KNOW IT
AND THEN THERE IS TOMORROW


by Kim D. Nelson
author of "Raff's Magic Touch," and "Raff and the Magical Tour"

Authors, I applaud you on your ability to put your thoughts in print and for enduring the publishing process, if published through a publishing house or self-published. I remember when the first edition of "Raff's Magic Touch," was released, I asked my illustrator, "What do we do now?" We agreed we needed to get into the schools. "But how?"

Before becoming a full time mom, I was a teacher and I knew I had what it took to speak to young audiences, but did my illustrator? Getting in the door for your first presentation is often based on who you know. I went to my children's school and asked if I could give a presentation for the student body. The vice-principal called in the PE teachers and asked them what day would be good. Obviously, I did this one for free, trial run. I read my book six times to six different groups. It's a wonder the physical education teachers didn't have it memorized!

Communication: Where Are You?

Ask yourself, "Are you able to communicate with an audience? What type of audience is right for you and your book? Is your book appropriate for children?" If your book is for children, you must be able to work with children. Connecting with your audience at their cognitive level is crucial. In the beginning, I remember how difficult it was to connect with kindergarteners and how exciting it was when it came together. Then I had to take that same program and enhance it to use for older audiences.

School Scheduling 101

This year is going on my sixth year as a visiting author. Today I am still seeking out schools, working to expand and grow. To tell you the truth, it's a hard road doing it yourself; but very rewarding. If you don't have a Public Relations agent, get yourself an address book or database to keep all your school listing contacts in. Although this information may change over the years, it is a good source to start with. Begin with your neighborhood schools and start with individual classes. Listed below are some ideas for building your own school mailing list.

• Register with SchoolBookings.com
• Search the Internet for schools
• Contact schools in your area
• Contact schools first by phone to get the contact name and then mail out information about your book and yourself
• Find out who schedules presenters such as the author committee, principal, librarian, media specialist, PTA, PTO, PARP, etc.
• Build a website for educators to visit
• Exhibit at art/craft festivals

You're Scheduled: Now What?

Well before getting scheduled, you need to know what to charge for your services. As I said, I did my first presentation for free. My illustrator and I charged only a minimum fee thereafter. We were told by several author's committees that our program was worth a lot more than we were charging. Over the past five years, I have increased it somewhat, but not tremendously. I'm still a small fish in a big pond; I know I have a lot of learning and growing to do. Speaking of small, there are a lot of schools on very tight budgets and bringing in an author is unspeakable. Some schools however do find the money, even if they have to save for two years. Many times schools have other resources to cover the author's fees, such as PTA, PTO, PARP, BOCES organizations, or grants. When exploring your options, see what other authors are charging and then see why they can charge what they do. Look for their credits. Many authors are worth the big bucks and others are working to gain the notoriety so they can get the big bucks

How Many Sessions, Schedules, and By What Means?

Deciding on how many sessions to present for a school body is a personal decision. Many authors do only three sessions a day. I personally wanted to be given the opportunity to speak with every child in the school. Up until this year, I presented up to six - 45 minute sessions per day. Last year, my voice started giving out, so I now do up to five - 45 minute sessions per day. Let the schools know how many sessions you can do per day. They will work the day's schedule around this number; they are the experts when it comes to scheduling sessions around lunch, specials, field trips, etc. Remember to be patient.

In addition, schools periodically host evening programs. This gives you, the author, the opportunity to speak with your young audiences and their parents. At the conclusion of the presentation, arrange for a book signing.

Being given the opportunity to share your material with young audiences is one of the greatest privileges that an author can receive. To have smiling faces looking up to you as you walk them through your stories and experiences. How and what you give the schools and their students is very important. Schools want material that they can implement or use to enhance their own curriculums. When planning your program keep in mind that teachers don't need extra work, but something that they can use in conjunction with their existing curriculum. Although I wrote my stories from the heart, I included within the storyline multiple facets of character education. Using this as a base, I built a character education program around my storyline.

I feel honored to have had the opportunity to self-publish my books, work with an illustrator, and a printing company. I became a part of the publishing and illustrating process. I talk about my experiences with my audiences because they too are learning and growing from similar experiences such as teamwork, sharing ideas, compromising, respecting one another, being honest, and kind. It's good to let them know that we are human. Someday, I hope to be working with a publishing house and have a PR scheduling my school visits; until then, I will continue learning and growing.


Do you have varying degrees of your program? So you're prepared for a fabulous day where everything goes right, but are you ready in case everything goes wrong? As you may recall, I read, "Raff's Magic Touch," six times during my first presentation. Today, I animate the stories while discussing the many concepts of character education as they appear. If you do anything, enhance your program to include a visual aid. During the three years we used an overhead projector; it worked fairly well, until someone told me I should have a Power Point presentation. My response to them was, "What's Power Point?" Within two weeks I learned and converted my educational programs to Power Point; it has improved the overall quality and presentation of my programs. Remember though, all good things may have a snag or two. Listed are some things to keep in mind when using a visual aid.

• Not all equipment is compatible with your personal equipment and/or programs. If in doubt, use the school's equipment.
• When possible, download your programs onto their computer system.
• Always arrive early to properly set up the equipment. Be extremely nice to the technology personnel.
• Arrange ahead of time for a back up plan in case the first plan backfires.
• Plan to have your backup ready to go, regardless. I have my entire program on 35mm slides set up in a carousel tray and on overhead film, and thank goodness I do!

Where will your presentations take place? Not all grade levels come in the same size. A library of kindergarteners may look spacious, but when you put fifth graders in that same space they are cramped and uncomfortable. Many schools are tight for space and they must be creative in their selection. Don't be surprised if you are using a gym at one school and a cafeteria at another or both in the same day. You must be flexible and willing to work with the schools. Be patient. Keep in mind some important tips:

• Find out prior to your visit where your presentation will take place
• Give them a list of the equipment you will need as soon as possible, then check to be sure all requested materials will be ready for you, such as tables, a chair, an easel, dry erase board, screen, computer, infocus projector, slide projector, microphone, etc. Don't wait until the day of the presentation, many times the equipment must be ordered in from the district.
• Locate the restrooms for quick trips between presentations.
• Have a schedule with you and wear a watch to help keep track of your time.
• To use or not to use a microphone that's the question. If your host school has a cordless microphone, use it, it's the best. Its hands free and a great tool for using your voice volume and saving your voice. A whisper can be heard from the back.
• Make sure all members of your audience can see and there are no external distractions.

Book Signings

Schools can be a great venue for selling your books. You may choose to presale your books, sell them on the day of your presentation, or afterwards. I have found that presales are the best. Over the course of time, I have learned a few things about promoting my books to the parents and packaging them for the ride home.

First, send a copy of the order form in to the school for approval. Next, find out the allotted number of order forms that need to be printed. After receiving the orders, personally sign all the books with an inspirational message. On the day of the presentation, deliver the books in ziplock bags ready to go home. The child's order form, receipt, and name can be seen through the bag; saving the teachers precious time. Always bring extra books, just in case.

Presentation Day: Lights, Camera, Action

Arrive early to set up - be prepared to adjust
Find out where the restrooms are and have water to drink
Find out who will be accessible if trouble occurs

During a presentation, you want to have the captive attention of your audiences. It is important to let them know what is expected of them during the presentation. I play a rule game with my younger audiences beforehand. Listed are some important tips that I have learned over the years to keep an attentive audience:

• Let them know you are excited to be there
• Keep eye contact with your audience
• Control the pitch of your voice (this is a wonderful tool)
• Don't just stand in one spot, move from side to side and kneel down to their level
• Keep your presentations cozy- don't stand on a stage
• Invite with control your audience to be a part of your program

There are so many things to discuss. Getting tips from those who have experienced author visits are wonderful tools, but I feel it is the actual personal experience that matters most. I hope this information is helpful; I wish you great success.

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Kim D. Nelson is the author of Raff's Magic Touch, Raff and the Magical Tour, and Snowmen (2005 release). She resides in East Amherst, NY with her husband and her three school-aged children. She graduated from Georgia Southern College in 1985 with a Bachelors of Science degree in education with an emphasis in Special Education. She taught for seven years in California and Georgia. It was through teaching, coaching, and raising her own children that she started writing children's stories, plays, and poems.

Her author programs are more than just telling her stories to the students, but a very well rounded program that emphasizes that everyone is special and everyone is gifted in one way or another. It is our winning attitude, to never give up when things get tough, and to act on things in a positive responsible fashion that make us who we are.

Her first book, Raff's Magic Touch, is about a chameleon that learns that his vibrant colors are actually a gift rather than a disability. Just like Raff, we all have a little magic within ourselves. She emphasizes that we all have strengths, weaknesses, and problems; but the willpower to never give up is the key to success.

In her second book, Raff and the Magical Tour, Raff must learn to believe and find the courage from within to face his problems. Ours is a diversified world with a goal to live in peace and harmony, and Raff along with his friends believe in this too. For her younger readers, she has Raff and Friends Coloring/Activity Book, which follows the storyline of Raff and the Magical Tour.


She invites you to visit her website at www.raffandfriends.com and e-mail her at KDNelson21@aol.com with your questions and comments. Make the best of every day, and then strive for a better tomorrow. Our youth deserve it and so do you.