WAIS

Wisconsin Authors and Illustrators Speak

2009-10 Grant Recipients:

  • Abraham Smith at Racine Public Library 11/6/09
  • Terese Allen at Verona Public Library 12/1/09
  • Thomas W. King at Burnett Public Library 4/10/10

2010-11 Grant Application Information: Wisconsin Authors and Illustrators Speak
Communities can celebrate and explore the literature of Wisconsin authors and illustrators through a grant from the Wisconsin Center for the Book. The grant policies stipulate that organizations and groups receive the award but funding goes directly to the author or illustrator. The Wisconsin Center for the Book will award up to eight grants of $300 each.

  • The event must be free of admission charges.
  • The honorarium will be paid directly to the speaker.

This program is made possible through the cooperation of Woodland Pattern Book Center and generosity of donors.

Wisconsin nonprofit organizations interested in books and reading are eligible to apply. Collaboration among groups is preferred. Such groups may include, but are not limited to, public libraries; public and private elementary, secondary, and post-secondary schools; community organizations; and places of worship. Libraries are encouraged to look beyond their Friends groups for partnerships.

Applications will be judged on the basis of community outreach and collaboration, thoroughness of planning, and rationale for the choice of speaker.

Time line
July 1, 2010: Applications due; if mailed, they must be postmarked on or before this date.
July 30, 2010: Winners will be notified by this date.
September 1, 2010 – April 30, 2011: Programs must be scheduled between these dates. A final report must be submitted within 10 days of the event or the honorarium will be forfeited.

Definition of a Wisconsin author or illustrator: Any author or illustrator who has lived in Wisconsin for a significant period of time, including someone who may no longer be living in the state.

Send six completed copies of your application to Sarah McGowan, WAIS Chair, Wisconsin Center for the Book, 674 Emerson Avenue, Ripon, WI 54971. If you have questions, please contact her at 920-748-2784 or windsong@centurytel.net.

APPLICATION – Wisconsin Authors and Illustrators Speak 2009 – 2010

Date:

Name and Address of applicant organization:

Contact person:

Telephone:

Telephone evening:

E-mail:

Carefully and thoroughly address each of the following 8 questions in your application:

  1. Who is the writer or artist you have chosen to speak and why did you choose this individual? (Tentative agreement should have been reached with this person before submitting your application.).
  2. What has this person written or illustrated? List one or more titles giving publishers and dates of publication.
  3. What is the background of this writer or artist? Provide biographical information.
  4. What organizations are your partners in planning, presenting, and promoting this event?
  5. When and where do you plan to hold this event?
  6. Who are you trying to reach with this program?
  7. How do you plan to promote your event? How will you call attention to the Wisconsin Center for the Book’s sponsorship?
  8. How did you hear about the Wisconsin Authors and Illustrators Speaks program?

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Why can’t we have the honorarium check in advance of our program?
    In accordance with accepted practices and tax considerations, checks are written only after an event’s conclusion and upon receipt of a report on the activity.
  2. We appreciate the Center for the Book’s grant but would like to be able to offer our speaker additional funds; can we combine the grant with other resources?
    Yes; be sure the speaker understands the various sources and that public recognition is given to all sources.
  3. Do we need to have confirmed a specific date for our event before we submit our application?
    While that is desirable it is not essential. You should have a tentative date or dates in mind and, should your application be successful, be ready to notify the Center for the Book immediately when a firm date is agreed upon.
  4. What kind of collaborative partnerships are possible?
    Over the years, collaborating local sponsors have included public libraries and their Friends organizations; regional library systems; elementary and high schools; university campuses; historical societies; poets’ and other writers’ groups; literacy councils; craft and garden clubs; museums; theater organizations; literary festivals; health centers; banks; service clubs and volunteer fire departments; senior centers; and book stores. Forms of cooperative effort have included coordinated planning, joint programming, funding, publicity distribution, use of physical space, and hospitality.
  5. Where can we get information about Wisconsin authors and illustrators?
    The Center for the Book is not able to supply a speakers’ list. Most authors and illustrators can be contacted through their publishers. Among the resources you might wish to examine are the online “CCBC Directory of Wisconsin Children’s Book Creators” (www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/authors/directoryInfo.asp) and the Wisconsin Library Association Literary Awards Committee web page (www.wla.lib.wi.us/lac/index.htm).