Author Experience Program

The AU Author Experience Grant Program was created to provide underserved and/or underfunded schools and youth programming organizations the opportunity to host an author, regardless of their resources or funding. Our authors have agreed to donate one 45-minute virtual visit per year, which AU will arrange at no cost. A wide selection of children’s and young adult Authors Out Loud authors and illustrators are available for this program. We ask that each hosting organization facilitate the webinar interface by providing join links, and limit participation to a single school or district (no public streaming or recording without prior permission).

How Do I Know if My School Qualifies?

Author Experience is based on need. Prior to filling out the application, please take a moment to determine if your school is eligible for this gratis program by reviewing the qualifications below. A note that you do not need to meet all qualifications, but you are required to provide evidence of need. Please use the most recent data available.

Qualification options:

You receive Title I funding.
65% or more of your students participate in the free or reduced lunch program.
You can provide alternative data showing a majority of your student population are persons experiencing poverty. An explanation of this data will be required.
Your students are below your state average for meeting state grade-level English Language Arts standards.
**Your budget for an author event is $500 or less, and confirmation there is no budget with a PTO program, PTA, and/or social and emotional learning development funds

** This is a mandatory requirement.

What's Next?

If you have determined that your school is likely to meet eligibility requirements, wahoo! You may apply for this program using the application form below. Please be prepared to provide a link to the data confirming your eligibility.
We will review your application within 14 days and let you know if we are able to proceed.
If you qualify, Authors Out Loud will provide a list of available authors/illustrators who fit your target audience. You can then select your top three choices, and we’ll negotiate dates with you and the author.
We also ask that you provide a culminating group assignment based on age level of students to reflect what the Author Experience meant to them.