"When is the best time to schedule a school visit?" A very popular question from authors planning who plan to speak in schools. I book school visits from one month to a year in advance. The reason for a wide range is that most schools have limited budgets and a variety of time frames for scheduling. The best time for me to schedule is six months ahead.
When planning spring visits, send contact emails starting December 1st. The holidays are a rushed time. Many educators are planners and respond immediately. Follow up emails can start after January 15th. This gives the staff time to settle in after the new year. Non planners will find an urgent need to book an author visit.
If planning fall visits, send contact emails before May 1st. Emails after this date educators are in holiday mode mindset and ignore the email. I don't start emailing educators until a week before school starts in the fall.
Booking schools means planning life one year in advance. Middle and high schools may be different. No matter what age group, get your official fingerprint ID done. You can register at the county courthouse.
A great resource for scheduling is Jane Wood's Schools: A Niche Market for Authors.
Mark Wayne Adams
Award-winning illustrator of Jilli, That's Silly!: A Story About Being a Girl
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