The Perfect Primary School Author Visit Example
The perfect primary school author visit example for me, R.K. Alker Children’s Author, was at the lovely Our Lady of St Paul Primary School in Heywood.
In the weeks and months before this well-planned visit, there was great communication between this funny kids’ author and the English lead at the school. She had read my School Author Visits Page, FAQs and watched the video. We both knew what to expect and the day ran smoothly without a hitch!
Pre-Ordering Books
The English lead visited my School Author Visit Timetable FAQ page (CLICK HERE) on my website WWW.RKALKER.COM and had seen the short 8-Point Plan video explaining how to generate a buzz and supply the book pre-order forms early to parents.
School Technology, Software and PowerPoint Presentations
We discussed technology in advance of the visit. I sent my presentations to the primary school. They were loaded on the system, checked for compatibility and tested to ensure they were working properly. Technological hiccups on a tight school author visit schedule can rob the children of limited time with an author.
School Author Visit Social Media, Photography and Safeguarding
This step-by-step school author visit timetable includes photography taken by school staff showing the school author visit at every point. The images were used effectively by the school in their newsletter and social media. The response from parents and other schools was fantastic.
If there are safeguarding concerns at your school, it is important to check which children are in the photographs before publication and gain consent from the parents and guardians for the use of all the children’s images.
Book Sales After the Successful Author Day
Children will be enthused and excited by the author day. It will inspire them to take part in the workshop competition. Children will also be interested in buying a book.
Our Lady of St Paul Primary School arranged for a teacher to rendezvous with me to collect extra books ordered after the author day.
Circumstances Prevent Some Children from Buying the Book
Some parents or guardians are last-minute with book orders. Some forget, or do not have the money available.
Unfortunately, some children will have a renewed thirst for reading and desperately want the book. However, their home circumstances may dictate that they are unable to purchase a copy.
Therefore, I always recommend buying extra copies for the school library.
Book Copies for the School Library
Reading is important. I provide a free copy of my book for the school library with every paid visit. That book is for everyone, especially those children who find themselves in circumstances beyond their control and cannot purchase a signed copy of my latest book.
Many schools increase the number of books in their school library to a minimum of three copies to help with the high demand from eager readers.
“My invoice had been paid in full in advance. Trust, and a perfect start to…”
The Perfect Primary School Author Visit Example Timetable
08:30 Arrive Early
- Despite the snow and freezing temperatures! I transported my books, workshop materials and assembly display equipment inside the primary school.
- I passed through good security.
- Received a warm welcome.
- The key fob-operated security doors were well manned, which meant I did not have to stand out in the weather and risk getting my books and primary school author day equipment wet… Or have my arms, carrying heavy boxes, feel like they would explode or fall off whilst waiting to get in!
09:00 Sign-in and Orientation
- Show RK Alker Children’s Author the key places in school and technology.
Children’s Author School Visit Orientation
- The English lead had read my School Author Visit Timetable FAQ CLICK HERE and watched the short video.
- I was shown the staff room, toilets, somewhere to hang my coat and get changed, and
- Then taken around the assembly hall and classrooms with a perfect example of the planned classroom timetable route.
- We then discussed technology and ensured my presentations were working correctly.
- I would need someone to click a button on the assembly PC to advance my PowerPoint presentation.
- I set up my display equipment in the school assembly hall.
09:15 KS1 Assembly (Optional)
- I delivered my presentation.
- Someone volunteered to operate the PC and advance the PowerPoint presentation slides.
(Optional) Our Lady of St Paul Primary School is a faith school. I included religious elements and inspiration. They were very interested, grateful and kind in complimenting me about the very inspiring talk I gave the children about my triumph over tragedy and positive mindset in writing my latest book for my children, whilst recovering from career-ending injuries on the 999 emergency ambulances.
09:30 Reception Workshop
- I gave an engaging performance of my Fangazoo poem, which was the genesis for my 30,000-word funny kids’ book: My Grandad vs The Fangazoo. They loved it! (and so did I!)
- Reception (EYFS) children are lovely, but they have a limited attention span and 10 minutes was perfect.
09:40 Year 1 Workshop
10:05 Year 2 Workshop
- I performed very animated readings from My Grandad vs The Fangazoo!
- Followed by a workshop focussing on the reading, development of the book and characters, and
- A school-wide competition to develop something of their own based on the workshop.
10:30 Break
Time to reset. Have a quick brew (cup of tea) and prepare for the next assembly…
10:45 KS2 Assembly (Optional)
- I delivered a similar assembly to KS1, with more advanced elements.
- (Optional) As discussed above, Our Lady of St Paul Primary School is a faith school. I included religious elements and inspiration.
11:00 Year 3 Workshop
11:30 Year 4 Workshop
- More engaging readings from My Grandad vs The Fangazoo!
- Followed by a more advanced workshop focussing on the reading, development of the book and characters, and
- A school-wide competition to develop something of their own based on the workshop.
12:00 Lunch
Another opportunity to reset. A great lunch and discussion with very committed staff members.
13:00 Year 5 Workshop
13:40 Year 6 Workshop
- I performed a very animated reading from My Grandad vs The Fangazoo!
- Followed by 2 more advanced workshops focussing on the reading, development of the book and characters, and
- A school-wide competition to develop something of their own based on the workshop.
14:20 Q&A Session and Book Signing
The Q&A session was fun and engaging. The children’s questions were searching and some brutally honest—I loved them! Covering everything from:
- The Fangazoo book, motivations and how long to write, edit, illustrate and publish; to
- The ambulance service, saving lives, resuscitating people and my injuries; and even
- Pets—should I get my children a dog?… and what breed it should be?
HILARIOUS!
The Book Signing had an eager queue of avid young readers itching to get a signed and dedicated copy of:
- The Fangazoo Colouring & Activity Book for ages 4 to 8 (KS1)
- My Grandad vs The Fangazoo for age 7 upwards (KS2)
A perfect school author visit example ended on time.
Payment for Pre-Ordered Books
- My invoice had been paid in full in advance.
- The school office staff provided me with the remaining funds for the pre-ordered books.
Help to Transport My Equipment to My Vehicle
The English lead helped me take my remaining book stock and equipment back to my vehicle. The door monitoring staff would be busily engaged at the end of school. Entry and exit to schools can sometimes become delayed at this point without staff accompaniment.
I left OLSP elated and was so impressed that I wrote an article to commemorate The Perfect School Author Visit Example!
I hope you liked it😊
Thankyou x
R.K. Alker
Children’s Author
Who is RK Alker Children’s Author?
R.K. Alker Best-Selling Children’s Author was born in the UK, but he was MADE IN LANCASHIRE!
He is famous as the TV & Radio ChilliMan aficionado and a champion of local producers or “Food Evangelist!”
R.K. Alker has a career spanning more than 3 decades of university lecturing, content writing, UK 999 emergency ambulances, media and entertainment as the colourful TV ChilliMan which contributed to this hilarious children’s adventure book written for his kids.

Read RK Alker Funny Kids’ Author’s amazing story in the PRESS SECTION CLICK HERE
RK Alker is an author of funny children’s books from Chorley, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom, Earth!
His little girls think RK Alker is the Best Funny Kids Author in the World.
Find RK Alker Children’s Author Events, Book Readings, Children’s Bedtime Stories, Kids’ Storytelling, School Author Visits, Children’s Book Signings and more on Eventbrite.
R.K. Alker is also The Chilli man from Little Green Men, a master of The Ancient Lancastrian Art of Ecky Thump! and can be found on Instagram, Blogger.com & Yell