So you’re an author and you’re going to do a school visit? No problem, right?

I hear your scream of terror from my desk.

Don’t worry. Unless you have years of teaching experience, it’s normal to be nervous. Maybe you have your own high school trauma and the idea of even walking into a high school is terrifying. Everyone, even seasoned teachers, have first day jitters.

There are a few things you can do to make your school visit is a fabulous success. And talking to the kids is really the big reward.

As a novelist, I have done over 50 school visits, mostly high schools, some middle schools and a few elementary. I do presentations for groups of 50 to 500, and writing workshops for groups of 20 to 200. I have many years of teaching experience, so this helps, but anyone can do what I do with some planning. I’m going to tell you what I do to make sure the visit is uplifting and beneficial for all.

I’ve never had any terrible things happen in a school visit, only incredible and moving experiences with teens from all backgrounds. It’s my favorite part of the job.

However, a lot depends on the set-up and the prep.

Before I go to a school, I make sure I’ve talked to the librarian/head teacher about what they hope to gain from the visit, even topics they want me to cover, and that I have all the equipment I need. It’s especially important to get a mic, unless it’s a small group, even if you think you have a loud voice. It holds their attention better and sets you apart from their regular experience.

Also, as part of the initial communication with the school, think twice before you offer a free school visit. Paid visits always go better for the students and for you. The school gives it the value it deserves, and buy books so students can read your work, and the students have more respect for what you’re about to share. Everyone gets more out of it.

Unless the school has a book order as part of the visit, it won’t result in a bunch of sales. You are really there as a teacher and motivational speaker. You should be paid for this.

If you would like book sales too, sometimes the school will send a letter out to parents to encourage them to buy the book ahead of time and then the school provides a signing time at the visit. Sometimes a bookstore will sell your books at the event. You can also contact local radio, TV and newspapers to let them know you’re visiting their town and they’ll sometimes interview you the day before, which can lead to community sales. All this need to be arranged well in advance of the visit

Below, is a picture taken outside my high school as part of a news story on my school visit there.

Sometimes, it works out and you sell books, but mostly, a school visit is about you connecting with kids and inspiring them.

For your prep, when you communicate with the school, be sure you know exactly what you’re getting into, how many kids, how many presentations/classes, the location and the time period. All of it is negotiable.

Make sure teachers will be in the room and that behavior expectations are set before you arrive. You don’t want to be the one enforcing the rules. Teachers might use this as an opportunity to do marking or take a break, so it’s good to be clear ahead of time. Of course, if you design the presentation or writing workshops well, the students will be riveted and you’ll have no issues!

For writing workshops, I make sure I bring multi-sensory objects/smells/pictures, not just prompts. Don’t be a talking head. Get them writing, preferably as fast as they can, no editing, no going back. Sometimes I challenge them to see how much they can write in five minutes. This can help get them in a flow state, which means they’ll finish the workshop feeling more confident about their writing.

Try to avoid tables in the writing workshop. If it’s a small group, it’s best to get them spread out around the room on the floor, but if it’s bigger, regular desks or chairs pointing forward. They get nervous if others see what they’re writing. Creative writing is not collaborative at this age. No peer editing or critique either. It’s too damaging. If you give feedback, only give positive, and tell everyone that’s what you’ll do before they share. By hearing what others do well, they’ll learn more.

Presentations are an entirely different skill. You are the star of the show and it means a lot of talking in front of a bunch of kids or teens. I know this is tough, especially if you’re afraid of public speaking. However, again, there are some key things you can do to make it go well.

The very beginning of the presentation is key, even what you do before they enter the room.

I make sure I center myself beforehand and think about really loving the kids I’m going to talk to. This helps with nerves and sets my energy in the right direction. I do this for classes/workshops too.

Then, as the kids enter the room, auditorium or library, I walk around the room and talk to them, especially in the back. I find out what they like to do, what they like to read and write. This way, I have a bunch of allies around the room, kids who know me a little and trust me.

Finally I’m introduced and I’m on the stage. Right away, I get the teens to interact with me. For example, I might ask them group questions, like who writes poetry, who writes fiction, who plays an instrument, who likes to sing, who sings in the shower, who plays a sport. Don’t do individual questions yet.

Next, I try to connect storytelling and writing to other activities like music and sports, and talk about how storytelling is used in every line of work, so that I get buy-in. They see why it’s important to them, even if they hate writing. A lot of teens have had any former love of writing ripped away from them. You can ask if they used to write in elementary school and almost every hand will go up. Then, I often talk about the importance of flow, and the problem with fear, for example, when you’re doing anything from writing to skiing. Throughout the talk, I ask a lot of questions, even of individuals, but I don’t let anyone talk too long. I laugh a lot. Which helps them laugh.

Another important thing, maybe you believe you’re there to help them be better writers. You aren’t. You’re there to inspire them to experiment creatively and take risks. So, give some tips on writing, but make sure to limit them to a few unique pointers, not the standard stuff they learn in school.

Also, don’t read more than a page of your book. Unless you’re a picture book author. A fun and risky thing I ask them to do is call out a page in the book. Then, I show them that it’s scary for me. It teaches them to take risks.

So, if you’re not there to read your book or talk about how to write, what are you talking about?

You can talk about the topics of your books. Kids love hearing about covers and seeing ugly potential covers that were rejected. Teachers love it if you talk about revisions and how much it improves your writing. For an interactive element, students love to guess how many times I rewrote Trafficked and This Is Not A Love Letter. Also, I tell true stories about my life connected to my research or writing. The students seem to like these the best. Scary stories especially.

I also use slides, but I don’t go crazy with them. Make sure you have some personal pictures, like your dogs, you as a kid, your workspace, or your favorite books.

Don’t stand behind the lectern. Most of all, don’t sit, even with a small group! Walk around the stage or room. If kids are talking or their eyes are glazing over, you’re talking too much about boring things and you’re losing them, so it’s time to ask them more questions. Aim for a heart to heart connection with the kids.

At the end of the presentation, they love asking questions. Make sure you’re keeping an eye on the clock, or ask the teacher to signal you so you don’t miss this chance. After you ask for questions, be prepared for a moment of silence. Smile. Wait. It always takes a couple brave souls to start. Don’t be worried. They’re getting up their courage up. Praise that courage when it comes. Bring candy or copies of your book to encourage them. Repeat the questions they ask into the mic and keep your answers short.

I hope authors pursue these opportunities to talk to kids, and that teachers and librarians see how life changing these visits can be. Authors can help kids believe that their dreams really are possible, no matter where they come from or what’s happening in their current lives.

An author can be the one who makes the difference for a kid in the audience. Every time I talk, kids reach out to me. It’s so rewarding. I hope you have a wonderful time in your school visit and love the heck out of those kids.