0 If Carslberg Did School Events by Tamsyn Murray

OK, OK, so maybe that title isn't the best on to associate with schools but you get the idea: if Carlsberg did school events did, they'd probably be the best school events in the world. And that got me thinking about what constitutes the Perfect Author Visit. Here's what I came up with:

• Reserved parking space if needed (Desirable)
• Office Staff are expecting you (Desirable)
• Offer of (non-alcoholic) drink on arrival (Desirable)
• Staff member who booked you or their counterpart is available to meet you when you arrive and to guide you to where you need to be. (Essential)
• Children are expecting you (Essential)
• Children have been reading your work and looking at your website (Desirable)
• Someone introduces you to them (Desirable)
• IT works OK - Powerpoint works (Essential)
• Pupils as questions (Desirable)
• Cake in staffroom (Desirable)
• Regular offers of tea and coffee (Essential)
• Breaks (Essential)
• Parents are aware you are coming in - have had letters sent home for WEEKS (Essential)
• Pupils are aware they can get a personally signed book of their very own (Essential)
• Someone on the staff thank you to you (Desirable)
• Pupils listen and say thank you (Desirable)
• More cake (Desirable)
• If you're doing workshops, pupils have time to finish the work in subsequent lessons (Essential)
• Pupils buy all the books you have (Desirable)
• Pupils get in touch afterwards to say how much they loved the book (Desirable)
• Prompt payment if not part of book promo (Desirable)
• Happiness all round! (Desirable)

 And then I woke up and it had all been a dream...

So what are your must-haves for school visits? All of the above? None of the above? Let me know!