The Wisconsin Center for the Book’s 2010-2011 "Wisconsin Authors and Illustrators Speak" program will award up to 8 grants of $300 each to qualifying organizations wishing to bring a Wisconsin author or illustrator to their community to speak at a public event.

Applications will be judged on the basis of community outreach and collaboration, thoroughness of planning, and rationale for the choice of speaker. Application information is at the WAIS page.

Application deadline: July 1, 2010.

The event must be free of admission charges and be scheduled between September 1, 2010 and April 30, 2011. Organizations and groups receive the award, but the $300 honorarium is paid directly to the author or illustrator.

Any Wisconsin nonprofit organization interested in books and reading is eligible to apply for one of the grants. Such groups may include libraries, schools, community organizations, and places of worship. Collaboration among groups is encouraged, and libraries are encouraged to look beyond their Friends groups for partnerships.

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.

[source: Wisconsin Center for the Book Wisconsin Authors and Illustrators Speak]