Funded by the Ontario Arts Council, the Union’s Writers-in-the-Schools program provides funding for author appearances in Ontario’s schools. This program allows students and authors to connect while providing an honorarium to the author for their time. Please read the information below carefully before applying.
Applications for school presentations taking place between September 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024, are now closed. Applications for Spring/Summer readings will open in January 2024.
Writers-in-the-Schools Across Canada
Click here for information about similar programs that cater to schools outside of Ontario.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE
Authors participating in this program must be members of the Union. Each member is eligible for up to four visits for the 2023 fiscal year (April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024).
Each school is eligible for three presentations for the fiscal year (April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024). Funding from the Ontario Arts Council supports presentations for elementary and secondary schools in Ontario. Post-secondary institutions are not eligible.
Please note: Applications usually exceed available funding and it may not be possible to fund all applications. Do not submit more applications than you are eligible for.
Authors participating in this program must be members of the Union. Each member is eligible for up to four visits for the 2023 fiscal year (April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024).
Each school is eligible for three presentations for the fiscal year (April 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024). Funding from the Ontario Arts Council supports presentations for elementary and secondary schools in Ontario. Post-secondary institutions are not eligible.
Please note: Applications usually exceed available funding and it may not be possible to fund all applications. Do not submit more applications than you are eligible for.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Participating authors will deliver an in-person or virtual presentation (with audio and video) as agreed upon with the teacher.
The Union pays the author’s fee of $300 per school presentation. A school visit is considered 1-2 hours of professional time for an author, presentation time included.
When applying for funding, authors must have an arrangement with the school to participate in the program but are not required to have an exact date confirmed in advance.
Please note that in-person visits must follow all local public health restrictions. The Union does not in any way encourage public gatherings outside of personal comfort and public guidelines. Writers-in-the-Schools funding is provided to encourage classroom engagement with literary work, and is in no way an endorsement of opinions or activities of anyone accessing the funding.
Participating authors will deliver an in-person or virtual presentation (with audio and video) as agreed upon with the teacher.
The Union pays the author’s fee of $300 per school presentation. A school visit is considered 1-2 hours of professional time for an author, presentation time included.
When applying for funding, authors must have an arrangement with the school to participate in the program but are not required to have an exact date confirmed in advance.
Please note that in-person visits must follow all local public health restrictions. The Union does not in any way encourage public gatherings outside of personal comfort and public guidelines. Writers-in-the-Schools funding is provided to encourage classroom engagement with literary work, and is in no way an endorsement of opinions or activities of anyone accessing the funding.
INFORMATION FOR CONTACTING AUTHORS
There are two ways for schools to contact authors:
- Use the list of participating authors to check the author’s profile for an email address.
- Send an email to the author care of The Writers’ Union of Canada to info@writersunion.ca.
Please note that author contact information is intended for the purposes of booking only. Please respect authors’ privacy.
There are two ways for schools to contact authors:
- Use the list of participating authors to check the author’s profile for an email address.
- Send an email to the author care of The Writers’ Union of Canada to info@writersunion.ca.
Please note that author contact information is intended for the purposes of booking only. Please respect authors’ privacy.
AUTHOR FUNDING
TWUC members apply directly for funding for school presentations. The Union pays the author’s fee of $300 per school presentation. A school visit is considered 1-2 hours of professional time for an author, presentation time included.
Participating authors will be required to complete an online Final Report that includes the date of the presentation to the school and the number of students who attended the presentation.
Fees are paid directly to the author following the successful completion of the presentation and receipt of the author’s Final Report.
Please note that funding for this program is non-transferable, due to large demand on the Union's funding programs.
TWUC members apply directly for funding for school presentations. The Union pays the author’s fee of $300 per school presentation. A school visit is considered 1-2 hours of professional time for an author, presentation time included.
Participating authors will be required to complete an online Final Report that includes the date of the presentation to the school and the number of students who attended the presentation.
Fees are paid directly to the author following the successful completion of the presentation and receipt of the author’s Final Report.
Please note that funding for this program is non-transferable, due to large demand on the Union's funding programs.
TRAVEL
Travel reimbursement is available for readings taking place more than 100km from the author's home to a maximum of $100. TWUC's travel contribution is capped in order to maximize the number of readings available for members.
If you are planning a visit to a northern or remote school in person and you are seeking additional travel reimbursement, please contact Program Manager, Kristina Cuenca, kcuenca@writersunion.ca to discuss.
Travel reimbursement is available for readings taking place more than 100km from the author's home to a maximum of $100. TWUC's travel contribution is capped in order to maximize the number of readings available for members.
If you are planning a visit to a northern or remote school in person and you are seeking additional travel reimbursement, please contact Program Manager, Kristina Cuenca, kcuenca@writersunion.ca to discuss.
EQUITY INITIATIVE
As part of the Union's Equity Implementation Plan, a portion of funding will be allocated to applications for readings by members who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, racialized, LGBTQI2S, or living with a disability.
As part of the Union's Equity Implementation Plan, a portion of funding will be allocated to applications for readings by members who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, racialized, LGBTQI2S, or living with a disability.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Author presentations should acknowledge funding support from the Ontario Arts Council through The Writers’ Union of Canada.
Author presentations should acknowledge funding support from the Ontario Arts Council through The Writers’ Union of Canada.
HOW TO APPLY
Applications are now closed.
Applications are now closed.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information contact kcuenca@writersunion.ca.
This program is funded by the Ontario Arts Council.
For more information contact kcuenca@writersunion.ca.
This program is funded by the Ontario Arts Council.
