• Send directions to your author about how to get to your school a few days in advance. 
• Please mention any access problems and where to park if the writer is driving.  Also the give your author the name of the area of a larger town or city, rather than just a road name, as some towns have several roads with the same name. 
• If the author will be selling books on the day, you might want to send out letters to parents so that the children can bring in money.
• You may also consider taking orders in advance. 
• Discuss with the writer whether they would be able to bring copies of their books into school to sell or whether you should order them yourself.    This may need some advance preparation.  
• Organise time in your day for book signing if you want it to be part of the day. 
• Make sure your school library has copies of the author’s books for children to enjoy. 
• Discuss with the author whether they are willing to sign autographs.   
• Check with the author what equipment they might need – e.g. photocopies/whiteboard/microphone etc.  
• Check whether they have any dietary requirements for lunch.   
• Give them a contact number/name in case they have a transport problem en route to your school.  
• Let author know if any children with special needs have particular requirements. 
• Make sure you discuss with the author in advance any extra things you’d like them to do e.g. giving out prizes, opening a new library etc.  
• Plan so that the rooms where and around  where the writer will do workshops will be as  quiet as possible on the day.  
• Ensure that the office staff know in advance that the writer will be visiting and that they know which member of staff will be looking after them.   

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