Booking WITS Visits

We regret to inform you that we have stopped taking requests for the 2011/12 WITS program as our funding is now spoken for.

Browse the list of participating writers to plan your WITS booking request. On THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2011, starting at 9am you may complete and submit the simple online booking form. PLEASE NOTE: early requests will not be considered.

Important Information

Demand for WITS is so great that WFNS takes bookings on a first-come, first-confirmed basis.
One school may request up to five full days of subsidized WITS bookings.
Bookings may be composed of any variation of full and half days that adds up to no more than five full days (e.g. You could book a single writer for five full days, or a combination of up to ten writers for ten half days, etc.) Do not book more writers than you are able to accommodate into your school programming year.
Session length and the total number of sessions varies by writer. We ask that the following guidelines be adhered to: a full day WITS visit includes 4-5 sessions, with each session being approximately 45-55 minutes. A half day WITS visit includes 2-3 sessions, depending on the session length and time of day. For schools with class times longer than one hour we ask that the teacher be prepared with a related activity for the end of the session such as writing thank you notes or feedback for the visiting writer.
Talk to your visiting writer well in advance of the scheduled visit to avoid confusion and disappointment.
One teacher or school representative should make all WITS bookings per school. Requests from multiple contacts will not be accepted.
There is a cost to the school. WFNS - with the support of the Department of Education; the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage; and fundraising efforts - subsidizes each WITS booking, paying for the writer's transportation and the whole fee. Each school must pay one half of the fee to WFNS: $150 for a Full day booking; $75 for a Half day booking. Schools are also responsible for providing lunch during full day visits. Accomodation may be required depending on the distance travelled by the writer.
When a writer has reached their maximum number of bookings (usually eight full days), WFNS moves to th enext writer on your wish list. You may still book a writer who has reached their WITS limit, but you must do so independently and make arrangements to provide the writer with the full fee and travel expenses: $250 + $.35/km travel for a Full day; $125 + $.35/km for a Half day.

Please note: Schools in arrears from last year may not use this program. Schools that have cancelled past bookings without good reason or without notifying the Federation may not use this program.

To Book

1. Have a look at the list of writers and carefully read our 'Hosting' page. There are over 90 participating writers with very different programs for a wide range of grade levels and interests. Tips & guidelines for your writer's visit(s) under 'Hosting'. Make your wish list in priority order.

2. On Thursday, September 15, 2011 fill in the form (link below) with all of the required information. NEW!! Please read and agree to the terms at the bottom of the form and then click "submit" on or after 9am. Please submit only once. Early submissions will not be considered.

3. Confirmation: WFNS will contact you by email to confirm that we have received your request.

4. Once we have worked out the details of the booking (within 3-4 business days), we will contact you again by email, with a list of the writers approved for visits at your school, contact information for each writer and the details of the agreement. The email will include an estimate of the costs for your visits (not including accomodation or meals). Please note: the estimate is not an invoice.

5. We will issue an invoice via email. Invoices will be sent by email in October and may be paid upon receipt or within one week of the writer’s visit.To request hard copies of invoices by mail, please contact Heidi at: wits@writers.ns.ca

6. You must contact the writer(s) within one month to discuss the specifics of your booking, regardless of whether the visit is happening immediately or next May.

If you have questions about any aspect of booking WITS this year, please contact our office (in advance of the booking date) at 423-8116 or wits@writers.ns.ca

Please click HERE to complete and submit the online booking form.