It's no secret that I love to do school visits. The former teacher in me just enjoys being in front of a group of students and sharing my love of the written word with them. Well, this week I participated in an author reading and Q&A session at a school. It was an unpaid visit and not an official author presentation. I spoke with two groups of students. The first was two fourth grade classes, which took place in a classroom. The second was for the fifth and sixth grades in the library. I had a blast reading to the kids and answering questions about being an author.
When the sessions were over, the media special said she felt bad that they didn't have money in the budget this year to pay me, but then she asked if I'd be interested in having the students order my books and coming back to sign them. Of course I said yes. And here's why.
I've been to schools that have healthy budgets for things like author visits and I've been paid very well. I've been to other schools that can't afford to pay me but offer to allow the students to purchase books. Those sales, directly through me, bring in a nice amount of money. So as long as a school isn't too far away and costing a ton in gas money, it's probably in your best interest (and the school's) if you're willing to be paid in book sales when paying for an actual presentation isn't in the school's budget.
Just something to keep in mind. Have any of you opted to be paid in book sales like this?
*If you have a question you'd like me to answer from the other side of the editor's desk, feel free to leave it in the comments and I'll schedule it for a future post.
