authorsbooking (![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} authorsbooking) wrote,@ 2007-11-03 21:53:00 |
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Thank you for your interest in representation by Authors’ Booking Service. We ask that you read through the following information carefully.
This agency has grown very quickly since its formation in 2006 and currently represents about seventy Canadian authors/illustrators from across the country. After experiencing a much more rapid growth and demand than anticipated, we have found it necessary to create a waiting list for new applicants.
That said, there are a few things that you should know about this service before you decide whether or not this is the right time for you to apply. The first is that authors who are presently represented by other agencies for bookings anywhere in the province of Ontario are not eligible. (This does not apply to any of the Writers in the Schools Programs.)
We also do not represent authors who, personally or through any means, offer lower rates than those they have listed through ABS. (We have had to let a few members go for this reason.)
Here is some background information as well as a few general operational details about Authors' Booking Service.
Over a number of years we had both experienced a good deal of frustration over our inability to properly manage school bookings. During that time we hired two different booking agents - neither of whom delivered a service that was actually beneficial to us. (Incidentally, we brought two very different perspectives to this, as Marsha lives in Ontario while Valerie lives in New Brunswick.)
Early in 2006 we talked about the problem and decided that we were going to take it on ourselves. (I think the correct phrase is "fools rush in") We worked like mad for months, setting up a database of contacts and ironing out the wrinkles. And during that process, we realized that what we'd accomplished, mainly in order to solve our own problems, would work for other authors as well. So, we began to expand.
And that, in a nutshell, is the background.
How we operate is actually quite simple. We set up an information page on each author we represent, and this is posted on our website. (www.authorsbooking.com) The page includes all of the general information that teachers and librarians would need to access in order to plan an author visit.
Once weekly, we send out a newsletter to a large number of educators, via our announce-only listserv. The listserv took off and continues to expand like crazy as word of our service spreads. It is also passed along by librarians to three other listserv groups, thereby blanketing the entire province.
For out-of-province authors, we usually promote specific tour dates and locations. For Ontario authors, it lets educators know when an author may be visiting another part of the province, when an author is doing presentations somewhere and has time slots open on that date and other details that will help an author manage his or her booking schedule. For example, some authors may only want Wednesday bookings in a certain area.
Basically, we get the word out. And of course we promote our authors through the "Meet the Author" column, by announcing nominations and awards and new releases ... that sort of thing.
We also promote Professional Development Workshop sessions for educators, offered by our authors.
Knowing that many authors struggle financially, we do all of this at no fee. Nothing for set-up, nothing for promoting. The only time a fee is due to us is when we secure a booking as a result of our efforts. (Bookings that are made independently of our efforts are not affected.)
Many of our authors charge a standard $250.00 per session, although new authors are well advised to offer a lower rate, and higher profile individuals sometimes charge more. Some authors offer a discount for multiple sessions at one location.
We encourage, but do not insist upon, the standard rate for established authors, especially if they have had a significant number of award nominations.
Please note that our role is to promote and to accept and forward inquiries. We do not schedule for any of our authors. We do not plan routes, nor do we arrange transportation or accommodations. It is up to the author and hosting agency to work out the time and other details. We may, however, offer assistance if there are negotiation/arrangement difficulties that would benefit from third party intervention.
In addition to promoting, we do field questions about dates, discounts, expenses beyond the author fee and many other things that can become bothersome. It's our hope that our agency will help establish a decent standard fee for authors and illustrators.
So, if you feel this service would be a good fit for you, just send us an email confirming that you would like to proceed. At that time we will formally process your application after which we’ll be in touch again to advise you of our decision.
As stated earlier, we have found it necessary to keep our author list to a manageable number, in order to provide a high quality of service and promotion for our members. There are a number of things that we consider when we look at each new applicant.
One of the most important considerations is the author's publishing background especially over the past five years. This includes the number of published works and any award nominations (and of course wins). It has been our experience that without a solid history in these areas, it is very difficult for us to obtain bookings.
The simple fact is that with so many high profile authors, as well as authors who currently have titles on one or more award lists (especially national or Ontario), the educators we serve are passing over less established writers when they are arranging school visits.
Keep in mind that if you do not meet the above criteria, it is unlikely that we will be able to place you on our list at this time.
Successful applicants will be advised that they have met our criteria and will be sent a file to fill out as soon as there is an opening for them.
All the best,
Marsha & Valerie
