America Writes For Kids: search for information about authors and their books alphabetically or by state.

Authors & Illustrators from the virtual Sharyn November (children's book editor). Huge listing of links by name only with additional links to related resource pages.

Author Name Pronunciation Guide from TeachingBooks.net. Wondering how to pronounce my name or lots of others? Find out!

Authors Who Skype with Book Clubs from Kate Messner, Children's Book Author at Kate's Book Blog. Peek: "I am starting a list of authors who offer free 20-minute Skype chats with book clubs." Note: opportunity for traditionally-published authors and book club coordinators. See initial list.

CHILDREN’S AUTHORS AND ILLUSTRATORS TOO GOOD TO MISS: BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES AND BIBLIOGRAPHIES by Sharron L. McElmeel (Libraries Unlimited, 2004).

Host a Jewish Book Author: lists Jewish book authors worldwide, searchable by name, location, or genre. Each listing includes the author's city, book titles (up to four), lecture topics, areas of travel, along with contact information. Note: this is not a booking agent. It's a clearing house for JCCs, Federations, synagogues, book clubs, libraries, bookstores, and others who want to arrange visits and signings with authors. Authors themselves decide on the contact information to be listed on the site.

Index to Internet Sites: Children's and Young Adults' Authors & Illustrators from the Internet School Library Media Center's index to author and illustrator Internet sites. Includes curriculum-related sites.

Marilee's Picture Book Links includes recommended book lists, on-line picture books, and other stories, legends, and poems.

Profiles and Stories Behind the Stories: interviews with writers and illustrators for children and young adults, from Cynthia Leitich Smith.

Texas Children's Authors and Illustrators from Cynthia Leitich Smith. Includes bibliography with links to author and illustrator sites.

ABCS OF AN AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR VISIT by Sharron McElmeel 2nd ed. (Linworth, 2001). Focus on traditional planning issues. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

The ABCs of School Visits – A Primer for Authors and Illustrators by Gail Langer Karwoski. Courtesy of Sylvan Dell.

AN AUTHOR A MONTH FOR PENNIES by Sharron McElmeel (Teacher Ideas Press, 1988). Read a review from Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Site.

HAVE TALENT, WILL TRAVEL: DIRECTORY OF AUTHORS, ILLUSTRATORS AND STORYTELLERS WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI by Gwynne Spencer (Linworth, 2002). Listing alphabetically and by state of residence of potential speakers includes names, contact information, presentation sketches, grade levels, costs, and more. Features talent from the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

TERRIFIC CONNECTIONS WITH AUTHORS, ILLUSTRATORS AND STORYTELLERS: REAL SPACE AND VIRTUAL LINKS by Toni Buzzeo and Jane Kurtz (Libraries Unlimited, 1999). Unlike other author visit guides, this book goes beyond nuts-and-bolts planning to illustrate how to create the best accessible encounters between students and authors. Choosing the guest, guidelines for successful visits, making curriculum connections, using e-mail to connect with bookpeople, having live chats in virtual space, taking advantage of ITB and satellite technology, and using such props as realia and curriculum guides are covered. Grades K-12. To order call: 1.800.237.6124.

Advice from the Trenches (for Schools on Planning Author Visits) from Barbara O’Conner.

Authors And Illustrators Who Visit Schools from author Toni Buzzeo.

Author-Booking Agent Interview: Susan B. Katz of KatzConnects from Cynsations.

Author-Illustrator Source: a listing of writers and artists who visit in schools (regional directory).

Author & Illustrator Visits from Toni Buzzeo: Author, Library Media Specialist. Features include author wish list, visit tips, article links, resources, contacts, and more. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Read The Stories Behind The Stories: Author Toni Buzzeo on DAWDLE DUCKLING and THE SEA CHEST.

Authors and Illustrators Who Visit Schools: "the source for qualified, bona fide professional authors and illustrators who present school programs." Offers handful of speakers.

Author-Librarian Interview: Toni Buzzeo on school visits, part one and two.

Author School Visits by State: a state-by-state listing, not a booking service, from Kim Norman, author of Jack of all Tails, illustrated by David Clark (Dutton, 2007). Note: traditionally published authors may write Kim for a free listing; see details at blog.

Author Studies by Carol Hurst from Carol Hurst's Children's Literature site (first published in Teaching K-8).

Author Visits by State by Kim Norman from The Apple: Where Teachers Meet and Learn.

Balkin Buddies: for appearances in schools, libraries, and at conferences. Promises "the best speakers who are also fabulous authors and illustrators," efficient service, and expert advice.

Bringing An Author to Your School by children's book author Rick Walton.

Event Planning by Kelly Bingham at Through the Tollbooth. Peek: "We have noble intentions through our visits, and it is true that many authors do them for free. But most authors get paid, and to be frank, many authors earn up to half their annual income from school visits. So that is something to consider as well."

For Children's Authors: Need a teacher's guide for your book? Ideas for school visits? from Natalie Dias Lorenzi. Peek: "I'll show you how to present your book as an essential link to learning, not merely an 'extra.'" See sample guides, highlighting A Sock is a Pocket for Your Toes by Liz Garton Scanlon, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser (HarperCollins, 2004) and My Father The Dog by Elizabeth Bluemle, illustrated by Randy Cecil (Candlewick, 2006), both PDF files.

Grants for School Visits from Cynsations, as compiled by Jennifer Ward

KatzConnects: connecting authors, illustrators and musicians to school and library events.

McBookWords: information for schools, educators, and librarians about children's/YA book authors and illustrators who make appearances. 

"Meeting" the Author by Melissa Stewart from I.N.K. Interesting Nonfiction for Kids. Peek: "Seeing someone on screen isn't quite as powerful as a live visit, but videos are a great option for schools that lack the time, resources, or funding to bring in authors and illustrators. They're also a great way for any school to increase their students' exposure to book creators."

Skype an Author Into Your Library or Classroom from library media specialist Sarah Chauncey and author Mona Kerby. Peek: "This Wiki provides a page for each author who joins the network. A template has been designed to ensure consistency of content among authors and to keep things simple for authors, teachers, and librarians. The author pages provide procedural and contact information."

Speakers Bureau from the Children's Book Guild of Washington, DC (not all members are from the DC area).

Virtual Author Visits: The Good, the Bad, the Ugly, & the Awesome from Kate Messner at Kate's Book Blog. Peek: "Talk to your students about etiquette for a virtual author visit. In many ways, it's just like having a guest speaker in your auditorium or classroom in person, and kids need to know that all the same rules about courteous behavior apply. It will also be important for them to know that technical issues are a possibility and that their quiet cooperation will help you get things fixed more quickly."

VisitingAuthors.com: "one-stop shopping for anyone interested in hosting a children's book author or illustrator."

Wide-Eyed and Curious: Working with Young Children in Groups by author Shutta Crum. Some great advice for public speaking. Read The Stories Behind The Stories: Shutta Crum on WHO TOOK MY HAIRY TOE? and SPITTING IMAGE.

Winding Oak: offers promotional and booking services for children's book authors and illustrators. Publicist Interview: Aimée Bissonette of Winding Oak from Cynsations.