About AMS
Authors on Main Street (AMS) is a program for groups and organizations interested in hosting Utah's authors to engage readers through dialogue and discussion about the ideas raised in books. As UHC connects contemporary Utah authors with an audience eager to hear about their works, we invite thoughtful conversation and encourage people to read books by Utah authors. Authors of fiction, non-technical non-fiction, poetry, young adult and children's books are featured.
Registry of Authors
A registry of Utah authors with recent publications based upon a strong humanities theme is listed below. AMS authors have expressed a willingness to travel statewide to share their work and to provide communities with the opportunity to discuss humanities-based themes.
Humanities Themes
The humanities--anthropology, archaeology, art history/criticism/theory, comparative religion, ethics, history, jurisprudence, languages, linguistics, literature, philosophy--are the tools with which human beings understand themselves and their world. They help us comprehend the past and put the present within a larger context. AMS authors have been selected based upon their keen understanding and presentation of humanities issues.
Thematic Calendar
Program hosts may book authors any time during the year according to their own programming needs. They may also book authors based upon established literature and reading themes. Here are some nationally-publicized celebrations that can be recognized with local author appearances: February – Black History Month; March – Women's History Month; April – National Poetry Month; May – National Get Caught Reading Month; September – National Literacy Month; October – National Book Month; and National Arts & Humanities Month (Authors booked during October will be considered as part of Utah Humanities Book Festival); November – National Novel Writing Month.
AMS Program Content
The program will last an hour to an hour and a half. Each presentation may vary slightly depending on the program host's needs. AMS programs are not "readings," though an author may occasionally illustrate a point with a brief excerpt from his or her work. Program attendees will be invited to engage with the author through discussion (questions, comments, responses) to explore ideas brought forth.
Eligible Program Hosts
Program hosts interested in booking an author may include libraries, public meetings, community centers and/or clubs, schools, and book clubs meeting in public venues, among others. An AMS author may be scheduled as long as the event is free, is open to and is advertised to the public, and involves an audience of at least fifteen people. You don't need to be an established organization to schedule an author; ad hoc groups are fine.
We limit each group/organization to hosting three authors per year. If you anticipate difficulty guaranteeing an audience of fifteen, we suggest you consider co-hosting the program with another group/organization to help publicize the event.
How Do I Become an AMS Author?
To submit your application for consideration to be added to the AMS Registry, click here for an Author Application Form.
How Do I Schedule an Author?
At least thirty days prior to the date you wish to present an author, contact that author via phone or email (contact information is posted for each author) and set a program date. Once a date has been agreed upon, submit your Program Request Form to UHC. Once we receive the application, we send a confirmation to the author and to the program coordinator. UHC pays an honorarium and travel expenses directly to the author once we have received evaluation forms from both the author and the program coordinator. Your responsibility is to publicize the event, provide one night's lodging (if travel exceeds more than 150 miles one way), and send UHC evaluations from both audience members and your program coordinator after the program.