Anyone know procedure/protocol regarding an author coming from Europe...

[OneGrassRoot]

to the US for a book tour? He is published by a small independent publisher in the UK but is responsible for this tour himself; it's not funded by the publisher, in other words.

He's asking how a self-employed person applies for a permit -- for a work-related visit -- and what the terminology may be which applies to this visit.

I'm an idiot about these matters and the official websites can be challenging to navigate.

I'm hoping one of you brilliant people could point us in the right direction. I'd appreciate it. :)

:hi:

[Orrex]

1. Will he be touring one state or several?

And it is necessary for him to get a work visa, or can he just considered a visitor?

[OneGrassRoot]

3. Here is what he wrote...

(It will be several states, btw.)

"I have been told that I need a permit if my income exceeds my expenses. I have looked into this and found out that to get a permit I need an employer to do the paperwork and apply on my behalf. If I am touring around giving workshops and book events and getting paid for this I do not have a permanent employer as such. How do I proceed? Do I need an agent? Do I need any other kind of flexible permit?"


It seems that he could simply apply as a visitor, doesn't it? Although the fact that he will be generating an income is the sticky point. :shrug:

[Orrex]

4. Tell him to register as a Republican and to claim that he works for KBR

They don't have to pay any taxes at all.

And then if he wants to rape/murder while he's here, he's covered.

[OneGrassRoot]

5. LOL!

:rofl:

but then, it's not really funny at all. :(

Bastards. :cry:

[Orrex]

7. I know--I wasn't even sure about posting it

I didn't want to appear to be mocking either crime--just the criminals.

[Statistical]

2. Which country in Europe?

How long will he be coming to US?

If it is <90 days likely the easiest cheapest (and least hair pulling method) would be to simply get a tourist Visa.
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1262.html

If tourist visa won't do a Business visa (B-1) is the easiest to acquire.

If the author is from one of the following countries there is even a visa waiver program:
Andorra Iceland Norway
Australia Ireland Portugal
Austria Italy San Marino
Belgium Japan Singapore
Brunei Latvia Slovakia
Czech Republic Liechtenstein Slovenia
Denmark Lithuania South Korea
Estonia Luxembourg Spain
Finland Malta Sweden
France Monaco Switzerland
Germany the Netherlands United Kingdom
Hungary New Zealand

[OneGrassRoot]

6. Thanks very much for that. :)

That seems like the perfect link to answer his questions.

:hi:

[peacetalksforall]

8. Tell him to read this first. If his mind is set on touring - make sure to tell

him to access Publisher's Weekly. There should be a section withe all the whowhatwherewhen (schedules) of authors who will be touring - seems important to be listed here. There should also be advertisements for people who make these arrangements. Best yet - he should find out who arranges tours in the UK and attempt to get them to talk to him about recommendations for agents. There are chains of people who will make arrangements in many cities.

Publisher's Weekly is the tops in news, lists, articles, book expositions coverage, ads about new books.

Enter 'author' and 'tours' on Google or some search engines - there is plenty of info.

Here is the link I referenced first:

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1130/p12s02-bogn.html

Author Ian Ewan - it's about alternates he used.

"Why books are passe"

[OneGrassRoot]

9. I personally think "virtual tours" are the best way to go...

Just as corporate meetings are being done virtually, why not virtual author tours via Skype?

Thanks for this. :)