Authors Online: New online listing to connect authors with libraries for paid gigs

17.04.20

Calling all members who conduct library and school visits! No doubt you’ve watched in dismay as library and school bookings disappear in the wake of Covid-19. We’re delighted to tell you about an opportunity to obtain bookings for online appearances, supported by our friends at ALIA. 

The ASA, the Australian Publishers Association (APA) and the Australian Libraries and Information Association (ALIA) have collaborated to develop a new online listing to connect libraries and schools with authors / illustrators for paid virtual appearances.

Our organisations are conscious of the impact that COVID-19 has had on Australian writers and illustrators, many of whom have lost paid gigs. We are also aware that writers and illustrators are adapting their services for online delivery, and are keen to find new ways to connect with audiences.

Australian libraries are in a similar situation, adapting their programming to focus on online delivery, rather than using physical spaces. Many have already established online Storytime programs, and are now investigating options for delivering their event programs online, such as book clubs and author talks.

In order to connect these two communities, an online listing has been set up on the ALIA website to facilitate libraries connecting with authors and illustrators who want to do ‘online visits’ to libraries and schools. This listing includes a headshot of each author, information about who they are, their work, the online services they offer, and how to book them for an online event.

We encourage all of our members who have online event capabilities and are interested, to contact ALIA at advocacy@alia.org.au to be added to the listing.

Please note that ALIA does not take responsibility for managing bookings, facilitating program delivery or negotiating appearance fees. These will need to be arranged directly between participating parties, and the ASA recommends that appearance fees are set in line with our current recommended rates of pay for virtual appearances. We also encourage authors to fill in our rates tracker to help us to accurately record trends and monitor rates that are being paid during this time. 

We hope that this will be an excellent opportunity for authors and illustrators to pick up some more paid work during this difficult time, and for libraries to engage with their communities. Our huge thanks to ALIA for their support in setting up this free online listing.