Frequently Asked Questions

and tips for supporting BIPOC authors, illustrators, and readers

  • In 2021, out of an estimated 5,000 children’s books published, only 99 were by Black creators. For that same year, 96 were by Asian authors, and 77 were by Latinx authors. To see the data on diversity in children’s publishing, check out the CCBC’s Diversity Statistics: https://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/literature-resources/ccbc-diversity-statistics/

  • Minnesota is home to highly talented BIPOC authors and illustrators who create books for children, from board books to picture books, from middle grade to young adult. They write books that are both windows and mirrors to young readers from all backgrounds and life experiences.

    See reading lists of books by Minnesota-based authors.

  • Members of the MN BIPOC Kidlit Creators are a mix of traditionally published and independently/self-published authors and illustrators who come from a variety of backgrounds. They possess a wide range of career and life experiences, talents, and skills. They have been recognized both nationally and regionally through awards and organizations such as:

    -American Library Association

    -Bank Street Best Books

    -Bush Foundation

    -CCBC Choices

    -Loft Literary Center

    -McKnight Foundation

    -Minnesota Book Awards

    -Minnesota State Arts Board

    -National Book Critics Circle

    -NEA

    -Printz Award

    -Society of Midland Authors Awards

    …and so many more!

  • Yes! Inviting authors to visit your school benefits students and staff in a number of ways:

    -Meeting authors promotes literacy by bringing to life the writing and publishing process.

    -Authors are writing experts!

    -Many authors, especially those who write nonfiction, are also subject-matter experts and can share their experiences as researchers.

    -Students learn that authors are real people!

    -Improves the reading and writing culture in a school.

    -Sparks more reading and inspires creativity.

    -Seeing authors that represent students’ cultures validates their lives and learning experiences.

    -Seeing authors from a range of cultural backgrounds expands both students and staff views of the world.

    -Author visits reinforce learning strategies and can motivate students to pursue literary pathways.

    How to Host an Author Visit:
    Learn more about planning, funding, and hosting an author at your school or organization.

  • Authors love to meet readers of all ages! Most of the authors listed on this site are available for in-person and virtual visits for schools, libraries, books clubs, and more. Contact the group or reach out to an individual author for rates and details.

  • Unfortunately, most children’s authors do not make enough through book sales alone to support their livelihood. Yet they devote a significant amount of time perfecting their craft to create books that will engage young readers because they believe in the power of literature to educate, uplift, and entertain. Just as educators expect to be paid for teaching, authors and illustrators need to be paid for educating students about the writing and publishing process and sharing their work, talents, and skills.

    MN BIPOC KidLit Creators understands that funding is a critical and sometimes complicated aspect of school, program, book club, and community visits. However, we are also living the effects of ongoing intergenerational economic racial disparities, and defunding of arts nationally. As BIPOC artists, we believe and strongly advocate for organizations and individuals to approach writers and illustrators with fair wages for school visits, keynotes, and community events, and to include this information at the beginning of any email inquiries.

    Individual artist rates will differ, of course, and artists will sometimes make accommodations depending on their situation and the community an event will be serving, but a good model to follow is:

    • Minimum $500 for a basic school visit.

    • Minimum $1000 for school visit including assembly and visits to individual classes.

    • Minimum $1000 for local keynote.

    • Minimum $3000 for out of state keynote.

    • Minimum $250 for book club (ask individual members to contribute $10-$30 directly to author.)

    • Sponsoring organization or individuals should cover costs of all travel, room and board.

    • Apply for a state arts board grant Partner with a Nonprofit

      Arts Midwest provides grants to nonprofit organizations in the Midwest to bring professional artists into their community and host creative, engaging public activities. They can apply to help bring authors to your school here.

    • Apply for a state arts board grant

      Many state arts boards provide grants to organizations such as libraries and schools to help pay for an author visit. In Minnesota, check out the grants available from the Minnesota State Arts Board. Be sure to check out additional grants in your region by clicking on this map.

    • Apply for a Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund grant

      Proceeds from the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund, generated by a sales tax approved by voters in 2008, pay for arts, arts education and arts access and to preserve Minnesota’s history and cultural heritage. Check out open grant opportunities.

    • Apply for a state humanities council grant

      Your state humanities council will often cover the cost of the author visit for you. Contact them to see if programs like this exist in your state. See the open grant opportunities in Minnesota.

    • Apply for funding from SCBWI’s Amber Brown Fund

      This grant from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators is solely for the purpose of paying for authors to visit schools.

    • Partner with your PTA/PTO

      Ask your PTA/PTO to fund your next author visit. PTOs often use book fair proceeds to fund author visits.

    • Partner with other schools in your district

      Coordinate a visit with several schools in your district to split the costs. We are always happy to visit several schools in a district to help keep your costs affordable.

    • Partner with your public library or local bookstore

      Public libraries often have grants and other sources of funding to pay for an author visit. We can add a library visit or reading to your visit to help partner organizations share costs.

    • Partner with your local college or university

      Authors can include a public reading or a presentation to university writing students as part of a visit to your school or library.

      Other funding options

      ·       Educators Making a Difference Grants through WNDB    

      ·       Maureen Hayes Author/Illustrator Visit Award through AASL   

      ·       SCBWI Amber Brown Grant      

      ·       Innovative Reading Grant through AASL               

      ·       Adopt-a-Classroom.org  

      ·       Local business sponsorship

      ·       Local literacy and writing organizations