Prepare for an Author’s Visit
Author visits give people a unique experience. They provide personal connection, as well as engagement with the content of the book. The author’s personal touch adds a layer of depth to the literary encounter. Maybe you’re a school, a homeschool group, or a private organization. No matter who you are, author visits usually spark interesting conversations and inspire further reading.
Here are a few things you can do to prepare for welcoming an author into your space:
- Read a Summary of the Book: Whether you read the author’s book before or after the visit, it’s a good idea to read a synopsis of the book before the author engages with your group. Check out the book’s sales page, or visit the author’s website to get an idea of what the author will be talking about.
- Have Questions Ready: Formulate a good number of questions to ask the author as a group. Make sure you are serious about asking your question before you submit it. Don’t repeat questions. Make the most of the author visit. A list of about five questions is sufficient, but more are sometimes welcome.
- Research the Author: It is good to know a little about the author’s background before he or she comes to speak to your class or group. This can spark connections between the author and students, as well as provide context.
- Set Up the Space: If the author is coming to speak to a large group, make sure there is a large space to accommodate the students, and prepare AV equipment for the author’s presentation. If the author visit is online, make sure all technological equipment is working beforehand. A “test run” is recommended the day prior to the online visit.
Author visits give depth to a literary encounter, provide personalized interaction with a supposed expert in the field, and deliver further engagement with the content of a book. Make sure to budget for an author visit. It enriches an education!
Literary Observances to Incorporate an Author Visit:
February 1-28/29: Library Lovers’ Month
February 7: Charles Dickens’ Birthday (one of Chesterton’s favorites)
February 14: International Book Giving Day (or Valentine’s Day!)
March 2: Read Across America Day (Dr. Seuss’ birthday)
March 16: Freedom of Information Day (in honor of James Madison’s birthday)
March 21: World Poetry Day
March 25: Tolkien Reading Day
April 1-30: National Poetry Month (U.S.)
April 2: International Children’s Book Day (Hans Christian Andersen’s birthday)
Last week of April: National Library Week (U.S.)
May 1-7: Children’s Book Week (dates vary)
How have you experienced author visits?
Holly Geiger Lee is currently a homeschooling mother to three, wife to Andrew, and writer. She writes biographies and creates resources that help parents connect with their children through living books, so that they can make the most of the meaningful moments in the home.
With experience as a writer on her site My Little Brick Schoolhouse, Holly’s mission is to curate books spanning a wide range of subjects that make it easier for readers to access and think about noble ideas, truth, and beauty. She has lived out her mission by creating a six-episode podcast on classical education, maintaining a vibrant email list subscriber community, collaborating with various homeschooling content creators, appearing on podcasts, and writing a book.
Holly’s first book, a biography on the life of G.K. Chesterton, was published in 2024 by Blue Sky Daisies Publishing.