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Status: Drafting the fourth book in the PERILOUS series!

Monday, March 5, 2012

Middle school or high school visits

I have spent the past month doing a tour of local schools to sell books and introduce myself as an author. I found something that rather surprised me:

Middle school/junior highs are more supportive than high schools.


Here's how:

1) While some high school teachers handed out my order form before my visit, others felt their students wouldn't order any books and so did not. Middle school/junior high teachers handed my order forms out to students to take home.

2) All teachers promoted me, but middle school/junior high teachers took their kids to my website, watched my trailer, put me on the morning announcements, etc.

3) The high school students were not as interested. Of those who received order forms, only a few brought them back. They also were less attentive and didn't participate as much in the presentation.

4) The majority of high school teachers didn't even respond to my offer. Many middle school/junior high teachers did.

The difference in sales was so huge that I'm debating whether or not I should continue visiting high schools. I think for the middle school/junior highs, I am more of a novelty, and perhaps they simply have more time in their busy curriculum to fit in an unnecessary visit like an author. High school teachers probably get everyone and their dog offering a visit.

I still have three more months of this before school lets up, so I'll inform you of how it ends up being at the end.

School visits. Have you done them? What worked? What didn't?

7 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow. I'm surprised there's such a huge difference between the two. I've never done school visits. I have done a lot of library visits though and they differ a great deal too. Some are very welcoming and have all my books on show while others don't seem to care at all.

Unknown said...

what a great idea! Way to be so proactive, girl. you really earn your pay, that's for sure!

Tamara Hart Heiner said...

@shirley, yeah libraries can be interesting. I haven't yet had one be as productive as a school visit or book signing though.

Julie Daines said...

When I did my student teaching I had to teach at junior high and high school.

I dreaded the junior high. To my surprise, I found it 10 times better than high school. High school kids just can't be bothered.

Anonymous said...

Mrs. Schories' Literacy League (1/2 period)class would just like to say:

See you tomorrow! Trenton

Thank you for taking time to come. Brooke

Thank you for the discount on your book. Jake

We are super excited! Tiffany

I liked the "blurb" on your book. Dakota

I can't wait to meet you. Desiree, Trevor, Casey, Grayson, Brianna,and Elle

You are pretty. Kenzie

Can't wait to read "Perilous!" Tia, Chase, Brady, Ashley, Stormi

What made you want to be a writer?
Isaac

I like the trailer of "Perilous." Matthew

Do you like cookies? Grace

Anonymous said...

Mrs. Schories' Raging Razorbacks (5/6 periods)would like to say:
Tabitha: what made you become a writer?

Josh: How did you come up with the story line?

Sienna: How do you come up with information for a book?

Tiffany: Did someone help you with ideas for your book?

Isaac: What inspired to become a writer?

Brock: Will there be a movie?

Brandi: How did you enjoy revising and editing your book?

Hunter: How did you get your book published?

Kenton: Is it hard to write a book?

Kevin: How long did it take to write the book?

Kelsey: What made you want to write "Perilous?"

Coby: What kind of research did you have to do?

Heath: How did you come up with the characters' names?

We look forward to seeing you at Gravette Middle School tomorrow!: Michael, Makaylen, Lilly, Blade, Kaitlen, Anthony, Sierra, Austin,

Anonymous said...

Mrs. Schories' Literacy Lions class (7/8 period) would just like to say:

Heaven: How old were you when you wrote your first book?

Tori: How old were you when you decided to become a writer?

Amy: How did you feel when you did your first book signing?

Mercedez and Bryce: What made you want to be an author?

Shelby: Was it hard getting your book published?

Rebecca: Did you talk to other authors to get ideas for your book?

Heather: What is your favorite genre to write about?

Millie: If you could go back in time, would you choose to do something else?

Ckyllar: What inspired you to write books?

Kimberly: Did you have fun writing "Perilous?"

Kelsie: Was being a writer your dream while growing up?

Catie: Would you ever write a book that had 60 chapters?

Sydney: Do you like cheese?

Christian: What is your favorite sport?

Aaron, Kalijah,Kenzie, Madi, Jake, Ashley,and Nick all say welcome to Gravette Middle School tomorrow and we look forward to meeting you!

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