Children love to meet the writers and illustrators behind their favorite characters. Find out how to host a visit.
Requesting a Visit
For more information on specific authors and their presentations, please email the Children’s Publicity Department.
To request an appearance, write to the author/illustrator in care of Publicity at Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Children, 3 Park Ave., New York, NY 10016, or email the Children’s Publicity Department.
Note: At this point, it’s critical that you have all the necessary funding approvals from within your organization.
Request Timing and Requirements
Get your request in as early as possible; many schedules are booked six to 12 months in advance. Late spring tends to be particularly busy. If the requested author/illustrator is unavailable at that time, we will do our best to suggest a similar speaker who would fit the needs and interests of your group. Your letter should be as specific as possible and should include the following information:
Once we receive your request, we will forward it to the author/illustrator for consideration. The author/illustrator will then correspond with you directly. Please keep in mind that the particulars of your request (dates, number of presentations, etc.) are subject to alteration by the author/illustrator.
When you invite an author/illustrator to visit, you will be responsible for the following expenses:
Honorarium*: This is a per diem fee paid for the author’s/illustrator’s professional expertise and time spent away from work. This fee should be paid at the end of the visit (or on the final day of a multiday visit).
Fees range from $300 to $4,000 per day and are subject to change without notice. Many speakers offer half-day fees. It is reasonable to expect that the more celebrated an author/illustrator, the higher the fee will be.
*All honoraria are subject to change. Honoraria figures for traveling appearances do not include expenses such as airfare, accommodations, ground transportation, parking and meals. Many authors/illustrators offer half-day fees for visits that are within easy driving distance and can be completed in one morning or afternoon.
Transportation: You will be responsible for round-trip air/train fare and the cost of a taxi or car service to and from the airport (if necessary). In cases where the author/illustrator drives to/from the event, you will be responsible for mileage reimbursement at a rate of $0.445/mile.
Lodging: You are responsible for making all arrangements for the author/illustrator if they will be staying in the area one or more nights.
Miscellaneous Expenses: The author/illustrator will also incur other expenses, such as meals and carfare during the visit. Typically, upon the speaker’s return home, they will submit an itemized bill for any such expenses. Please reimburse them accordingly (and promptly!).
Book a Costumed Character
If you are interested in having a trademarked Houghton Mifflin Harcourt character at your event, please contact Costume Specialists at 1.800.596.9357. They will answer all questions concerning availability, delivery and pickup. Costume selections include:
Curious George, The Man with the Yellow Hat, Lyle the Crocodile, Tacky the Penguin, George and Martha, Martha the Talking Dog, Rotten Ralph, Stella Luna, Auntie Claus, Chet Gecko, Oliver K. Woodman
Please note that these costumes are not available for private functions, such as birthday parties.