1.0 How can I arrange an author visit to my school/library/bookshop?

Write to your preferred author/illustrator at the following address:

[Name of author/illustrator here], c/o Puffin Marketing Department, Penguin Books, 80 Strand, London, WC2R 0LR

Please do not email your request.

Although we will forward your letter we can not supply authors' addresses for privacy reasons. Similarly we are unable to act as booking agents for events; arrangements for school/library events are entirely between yourselves and the author/illustrator concerned. However, if you are a school with a planned author visit please contact Puffin DK Schools Direct on 0500 807 981.
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1.1 Which author should I choose?

1.2 How much will an author visit cost?

1.3 When should I approach the author and what information should I give them?

1.4 How should I prepare the children before an author visit?

1.5 How do I organise books for sale at an author visit?

1.6 How do I get local press coverage for the visit?

1.7 How shall I look after the author on the day?

1.8 Useful contacts for author visits

1.9 How can I get information on Puffin authors for school projects?

1.1 Which author should I choose?
The most successful visits are those where the children are already fans of the author. You can approach any of the authors/illustrators that feature on our web site or in our printed catalogue, although we cannot guarantee their availability - please check with the author/illustrator you would like to visit.
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1.2 How much will an author visit cost?
The Society of Authors recommend minimum rates of #200 for a day and #150 for half a day, but an author is entitled to propose a different fee. The standard charge is #100 pounds in Scotland. Remember also to budget for travel expenses.

Regional Arts Associations often have Writers in Schools Programmes and may help with payment. Contact Book Trust for further information, address below.
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1.3 When should I approach the author and what information should I give them?
The earlier, the better - that way, you can always approach someone else if your first choice can't make it. Four to six months ahead is about right. Give as much information as possible about your plans: 

• How many sessions are planned?      
• What is the duration of each session?      
• What is the size and age-group of the audience?      
• Are there any particular books you'd like the author to focus on?

1.4 How should I prepare the children before an author visit?
Make sure they are familiar with the visitor's work beforehand and start them thinking about questions to ask. What about creating a display to welcome a favourite illustrator to your school? In some cases posters are available from Puffin.

Puffin can provide further information about the author - check out the Author Zone for our handy Author I.D. Cards, complete with a photograph, plus full biographies to read on screen or print out.

You could also discuss the publishing process and how a book is made from start to finish. For more information take a look at How a Book is Made in the Kid's Zone.
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1.5 How do I organise books for sale at an author visit?
At least a month before the visit, contact your local bookshop or regular supplier. If you experience any difficulty, contact Puffin on 020 7010 3000. Check with the author which books they plan to talk about and order more copies of those.

Let parents know that books will be available for sale. Send out a list of titles and prices (check current prices with your bookseller) so the child can bring in the right money. Alternatively, if children already have a copy of the author's book they can bring that in for signing.

Build time for bookselling and signing into your timetable for the visit.
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1.6 How do I get local press coverage for the visit?
Two weeks before the visit, contact the local newspapers. If they are interested in sending a photographer and reporter, fix a time which won't disrupt your schedule.
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1.7 How shall I look after the author on the day?
When they arrive, offer a drink and quickly run through the plan for the day. Most speakers welcome a glass of water, and perhaps a few biscuits! Give the author at least fifteen minutes break between each session and, if they're with you for a full day, give them a proper break at lunch.

Most authors are not trained teachers, nor are they insured to look after school classes, so there should always be a teacher around during the sessions.
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1.8 Useful contacts for author visits
Speaking of Books
Speaking of Books is a service which was set up to provide assistance in the organisation of author visits. They give advice, support and back-up that benefits schools, libraries, publishers and the writers themselves. Many leading authors, illustrators, poets and storytellers can be reached through Speaking of Books.

For more information contact:
Jan Powling
Speaking of Books Ltd
Room 105
John Humphries House
4-10 Stockwell Street
Greenwich
London  SE10 9JN
T/F: 020 8858 6616

Young Book Trust and Book Trust Scotland
The Young Book Trust provides useful help and advice on all aspects of children's books, runs a successful membership scheme for schools and administers the annual national Children's Book Week.

For further information please contact:
Book Trust
45 East Hill
London
SW18 2QZ
T: 020 8516 2977
F: 020 8516 2978
www.booktrust.org.uk

Book Trust Scotland
137 Dundee Street
Edinburgh
EH11 1BG
T: 0131 229 3663
F: 0131 228 4293
www.scottishbooktrust.com
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1.9 How can I get information on Puffin authors for school projects?
Visit the Author Zone where you will find I.D. Cards complete with a photograph, full biographies to read on screen or print out, a link to the author's website, and interviews with selected authors and illustrators.
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2.0 How can I order booklists/catalogues and posters for my school?

2.1 Booklists
2.2 Catalogues
2.3 Posters

2.1 Booklists
To help you with book selection we've compiled a number of booklists on special themes. All the lists have been compiled independently by reviewers who have selected freely from the children's books published by Puffin, providing a review of every book chosen.

View our selection of booklists at booksondemandonline.co.uk.
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2.2 Catalogues
Our online catalogue contains all Puffin titles, including new and recent releases plus hints and tips on how to use the online catalogue and browse facility.

You can view our most recent catalogue at puffincatalogue.co.uk.

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2.3 Posters
We are happy to provide posters free of charge to decorate classrooms, libraries and other reading areas.

Please email posters@penguin.co.uk with your request, stating your name, address and the age group of your class. Due to the amount of requests we receive please allow 28 days for delivery.

If you are a bookseller and require posters or items for an event, then please contact your sales representative, or booksellerinformation@penguin.co.uk
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3.0 Where can I find information on the Puffin Book Club?
Visit the Education Zone where you'll find all the information you need on what the Puffin Book Club can do for your school, plus how to join.
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4.0 What is Books on Demandt?
Books on Demand is the convenient way to order books for your school. With 20% discount on all orders, it's also an economical way to meet the demands of the curriculum. To find out more, visist booksondemandonline.co.uk. You can view booklists which include titles chosen by eductional consultants to meet curriculum requirements (for both primary and secondary schools), plus you can view and order any Penguin Group book. 
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5.0 Are Puffin titles available as 'Big Books'?
The following Puffin titles are available as Big Books for group reading from Pearson Education.
To order or for more details please call Customer Services on 0870 607 3777:

6.0 How can I contact Customer Services?
For any enquiries regarding ordering Puffin books, please contact the Penguin Group (UK) Customer Services team: 

Penguin Group (UK) Customer Services
Edinburgh Gate
Harlow
Essex
CM20 2JE

Telephone: 0870 607 7600
Fax: 0870 850 1115

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7.0 Can I hire costumes for events?
Yes, we have the following costumes available for bookshops and libraries: 

• Puffin      
• The Snowman      
• Spot

Please allow plenty of advance notice when booking a costume - they are very popular! To book a costume for an event please call 020 7010 3386. We do not charge for costume hire, but ask that you pay the courier charge to return the costume to us, or send it onto the next event where it is required.
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8.0 How can I get my work published?
Many people have e-mailed us asking for advice on how to get their book published. Hopefully, the details outlined below will provide some useful information.

Unfortunately, we are unable to enter into individual e-mail correspondence about book proposals. We do not accept unsolicited manuscripts via post or email.

If you are interested in writing and are asking for general information and advice, it is a good idea to look in your local library for books that will tell you how to get started. Penguin Books does itself publish a number of such books which may be useful to those of you enquiring from the UK:

The Way to Write by J Fairfax #8.99
0241105579

The Way to Write Novels by P Kitchen #8.99
0241106494

The Way to Write Crime Fiction by L Radice #8.99
024112462X

It is best to approach a literary agent who will be able to advise you on your work and will know the most suitable publisher to whom you should submit it. Names and addresses of UK literary agents (including children's agents) can be found in The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook, published annually by A&C Black and available from most libraries.

Publications
Writing Magazine (Bi-monthly. Available on news stands)
Writers News (By subscription from PO Box 4, Nairn IV12 4HU)
Books for Keeps (Bi-monthly by subscription from 6 Brightfield Road, Lee, London SE12 8QF, Tel 020 8852 4933)
Carousel (three per year by subscription from 7 Carrs Lane, Birmingham B4 7TQ)
Signal: Approaches to Children's Books (three per year from Lockwood, Station Road, South Woodchester, Stroud, Glos GL5 5EQ)

Organizations

The Writers Advice Centre for Children's Books
Palace Wharf, Rainville Road, London W6 9HN Tel/Fax 020 8874 7347
www.writersadvice.co.uk Offers individual editorial and marketing advice by editors currently involved in children's publishing. Also day conferences and courses. S.A.E. for details.

Young Book Trust Book House,
45 East Hill, London SW18 2QZ Tel 020 8870 9055
Offers a free book information service to the public.They also hold a reference library of every children's book published in the past two years.

The Children's Book Circle
Jo Williamson, Children's Publicity Manager, HarperCollins Publishers, 77-85 Fulham Palace Road, Hammersmith. Provides a discussion forum for anybody interested in children's books. Monthly meetings are addressed by a panel of invited speakers.

The Federation of Children's Book Groups
9 Westroyd, Pudsey, West Yorkshire LS28 8HZ
An organization for all those involved in children's books.

The City Literary Institute
16 Stukeley Street, London WC2B 5LJ Tel 020 7242 9872
A college for adult education. Provides a wide variety of writing courses including writing for children. Daytime and evening.

Arvon Foundation
Totleigh Barton, Sheepwash, Beaworthy, Devon EX21 5NS Tel 0140 923338
Offers people the opportunity to live and work with professional writers. Runs residential writing courses, including writing for children. Also centres in Yorkshire and Scotland.

We wish you luck in placing your work.
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8.1 How can I get my illustrations/artwork viewed by Puffin?
Please send copies of your work (no original a/w) by post to:-
Anna Billson - Art Director
Puffin Art and Design
Penguin Books 
80 Strand
London
WC2R 0RL

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9.0 What will I find in the online catalogue?
You will find up-to-date information on all Puffin titles in print in the online catalogue. You can search by title, author or ISBN in the Advanced Search at the top of the page. Alternatively browse the catalogue by age, subject or genre by selecting Browse by Subject at the top of the page.
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10.0 How to order
Puffin titles are available at all good bookshops in the UK. All orders must be in UK pounds sterling. To place an order, simply click on the order button against the appropriate book title. Use the shopping basket to select further titles and see the contents of your shopping basket. When you have finished shopping, click to pay, and you will be asked to enter your delivery information and your credit card details. All orders must be in UK pounds sterling. If you have any questions regarding your order please email us at: customer.service@penguin.co.uk

Safe Shopping
We encrypt all transmission of sensitive data and secure all of our repositories of data. When you use your credit card to shop at www.penguin.co.uk, your transaction is secure. Our servers use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), an advanced encryption technology that works with Netscape Navigator (versions 2.0 and above), Microsoft Internet Explorer (version 3.0 and above), and AOL (AOL 3.0 and above). This technology safeguards your personal information and privacy.

Shipping Information
Delivery Charges: these are www.puffin.co.uk's delivery charges in UK pounds sterling (#). To work out your total delivery charge, add up the Charge per Order and the Charge per Item columns for your region.

Where applicable, VAT will be charged at a local rate. Delivery is normally within 7 working days. The availability and published prices are correct at time of going to press but are subject to alteration without prior notice.

Returns
If you are unhappy with your purchase from www.puffin.co.uk for any reason, you can return it to us in its original condition within 14 working days, and we will give you a full refund. If the return is the result of our error, or if the item was damaged before it reached you, we will also happily refund the postage costs.

To make a return please send back the item securely wrapped, along with your packing slip and a letter giving the reason for the return.

Please send the package to the following address:
Online Customer Service
Penguin Books Ltd
Edinburgh Gate
Edinburgh Way
Harlow
Essex
CM20 2JE
We recommend that you use a recorded delivery service.

Teachers
Books on Demand is a free resource for teachers, where you can order any Puffin, Penguin or DK title direct, take advantage of exclusive discounts and get free advice from qualified educational advisors. For more information on Books on Demand visit the Education Zone.

Booksellers
You can now order your Puffin books online! http://pubeasy.books.penguin.co.uk provides booksellers around the world access to order status, title, price and availability information and order placement.
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11.0 How can I get review copies of Puffin titles?
If you are a reviewer interested in Puffin titles, please visit our Online Press Office for more information.
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12.0 How can I get work experience with Puffin?
If you would like to undertake work experience at Puffin please send in your CV with a covering letter, stating which department you would most like to work in and what dates you are available to:
Human Resources
Penguin Books Ltd
80 Strand
London
WC2R 0RL

Candidates are selected by the relevant department, but all correspondence will be via Human Resources.

Placements with Puffin are usually for one or two weeks. We are only able to accommodate one person at a time, so please try to ensure you offer a selection of possible dates. Computer literacy is a distinct advantage to your application.
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