The document provides information about the Wisconsin Center for the Book Speakers Bureau grant program. It describes the grant program which provides $300 stipends for Wisconsin authors and illustrators to speak at events hosted by nonprofit organizations. The summary includes details about the application process and timeline, eligibility requirements for applicant organizations, and guidelines for using the grant funds.

1. Wisconsin Center for the Book—Speakers Bureau
2014 Grant Application and Information
Wisconsin Center for the Book invites communities to celebrate and explore the
literature of Wisconsin authors and illustrators through a Speakers Bureau grant.
The Speakers Bureau grant funds a stipend for a speaker hosted by a non-profit
community organization. Organizations sponsoring a talk by a Wisconsin* writer or
book artist (illustrator, designer, etc.) are eligible to apply. The application process
is simple; we encourage applications from all corners of the State.
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; nature centers; 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.
Wisconsin Center for the Book will award up to four grants of $300 each in 2014.
Once a grant is received these are the important things to remember:
• Events must be free.
• Organizations will receive the award, with the funding going directly to
the speaker.
• Wisconsin Center for the Book’s sponsorship must be acknowledged at
the event.
• Funds are released after receipt of an event report.
Time Line
June 15, 2014
Applications due; if mailed, they must be postmarked on or before this date.
July 1, 2014
Winners will be notified by this date.
October 1 – December 31, 2014
Programs must be scheduled between these dates.
10 days after your event
A final report must be submitted or the honorarium will be forfeited. Please
send your report to the same address you used for applying.
*Definition of a Wisconsin author or book artist: someone who has lived in Wisconsin for a significant
period of time, including someone who may no longer be living in the state.

2. Wisconsin Center for the Book—Speakers Bureau
Application
Date:
Name and address of applicant organization:
Contact person:
Telephone (day and evening):
E-mail:
Carefully and thoroughly address each of the following (nine) questions in your
application:
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.)
What has this person written or illustrated? List one or more titles giving publishers
and dates of publication.
What is the background of this writer or artist? Provide biographical information.
What organizations are your partners in planning, presenting, and promoting this
event?
When and where do you plan to hold this event?
Who are you trying to reach with this program?
How do you plan to promote your event?
How will you acknowledge the Wisconsin Center for the Book's sponsorship?
How did you hear about the WCB Speakers Bureau grant?
Send three completed copies of your application by mail to:
Chuck Stebelton, Speakers Bureau Chair
Wisconsin Center for the Book
c/o Woodland Pattern Book Center
720 East Locust Street
Milwaukee, WI 53212
or submit a PDF of your application by email, with ―Speakers Bureau Application‖ as
the subject line, to: chucks@woodlandpattern.org
Questions by phone may be directed to Chuck Stebelton at 414-263-5001.

3. Wisconsin Center for the Book—Speakers Bureau
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.
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 Wisconsin
Center for the Book
immediately when a firm date is agreed upon.
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.
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 web pages for the Children’s Cooperative Book Center
(CCBC) and which has a Directory of Wisconsin Children's Book Creators
(www.education.wisc.edu/ccbc/authors/directoryInfo.asp)and the Wisconsin Library
Association’s information on their Literary Awards Committee:
(http://wla.wisconsinlibraries.org/read/awards).