I asked some author friends for some advice on what to do. Most say Q&A sessions are the way to go.
My YA paranormal CROSSED OUT was the school's book club pick of this month.
I'm excited to see the girls and hear what they have to say about my book.
How did the school find me?
Fab YA/MG author Kate Messner has a list of authors who give Skype visits. I'm on that list.
http://www.katemessner.com/authors-who-skype-with-classes-book-clubs-for-free/
Also the email, asking if I could do a Skype visit, came through the contact through my website. **Another reason to have and maintain a website.
Doing the Skype visit helps verify that yes, I'm an author! Very cool, huh?
**Will report back on how it goes!
***Also a couple other librarians found me through my website and in March I'm going to be teaming with another YA author to give a writing bootcamp for teens.
Sounds like fun. Have a great time. I know nothikng about Skype. It's on my computer, but I've never tried it.
ReplyDeleteIt was fun! My first visit and I hope not my last. The girls had some very interesting questions to ask about me and my book. Some really got me thinking like this one girl who told me she would have had a different cover as the girl on the cover? Well, it wasn't what she pictured as Stephanie and just looked like any girl. Other questions involved what was my take on the hereafter? My favorite scene in the book. Also when did I decide to start writing and why?
ReplyDeleteAfter the visit, the librarian told me they had a meeting after lunch discussing how to decorate their own crosses.
Very fun!
It's fun to hear success stories like yours. I've done in person school visits but with Skype you could reach anywhere. Any tips?
ReplyDeleteI've done several Skype visits as well as using google talk - I don't have a webcam so my visits are limited to voice only. I love it when authors connect with their readers and promising writers. Once word gets out, you will be popular for school visits via Skype - but remember most authors don't make their money from book sales (unless you are Stephen King, or the like) so we have to charge for school visits including virtual visits. It is our time we are charging for and you are worth something, especially if you have a full time job and are taken away from that job to participate in a virtual or live visit. Glad the visit went well. I know some authors who charge very high prices for Skype visits and even higher, exorbatant fees for live visits. Some of them are worth it for what you do get but some of them are just charging way too much and they offer nothing. Thanks for sharing with us - E :)
ReplyDeleteElysabeth Eldering
Author of Finally Home, a middle grade/YA paranormal mystery
http://elysabethsstories.blogspot.com
http://eeldering.weebly.com
S., First off I'd make sure my webcam is working and find a place in your house that will work. I ended up practicing with a couple author friends who also gave me some great advice on what to do. It seems Q & A is the popular one.
ReplyDeleteI'd also make sure info is available on your website for schools to find out about you.
I'm a member of SCBWI and that's helped get work of my work out there.
Elysabeth,
ReplyDeleteMy book was chosen as the school's book of the month so the librarian purchased numerous books. When I was Skyping I saw some of the girls with the books in their hands. I ended up asking other SCBWI authors their take on how much to charge for a school visit. That helped. I think the bigger the name of the author, the more they do charge but even then I know of some that will do 'free' ones especially with all the budget cuts.
To me it was exciting to actually talk to my audience. I loved the interaction and to be able to see the girls. I was on cloud 9 for the day especially when one girl came up and shyly said, "I just want you to know I really loved your book." So beyond cool. Even my 11 year old, who helped me with the webcam, was impressed with the Skype visit.
ReplyDelete**Plus, the questions the girls asked? I could tell they read my book.