How does an author get to speak in the US - Resending

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Dear Mr. Ingram- 
I heard you on the CBC this morning and thought you might be a good person to contact with an inquiry that actually applies to several other people I know as well as myself. I am an author (best known for children's books - I have a dozen novels out and several more on the way) and am being asked more and more often to speak south of the border. However, writers (as far as I know) are not included on the NAFTA list and I am not sure of the best way to obtain a visa that would allow me to:
a - speak at professional conferences
b - do school presentations for a fee
As my next series of books will deal with American history themes, I anticipate that I will be offered many more opportunities south of the border and would very much like to do this. I am not the only author in this position - I know that The Writers Union of Canada has been unable to find a satisfactory solution so authors often do not travel to the US for business as a result. 
I have also been told that I should apply for a PTIN for any income earned in the US (e.g. freelance articles or book contracts with US publishers). Is this difficult to obtain? What is the cost of applying for a PTIN?
Thank you very much for any information you have available on these matters. I would consider moving to the US (if such a thing would be possible!) if immigrating would be easier than arranging legal cross-border business travels. 
Additional background:
I hold a BSc, have been writing professionally since 1987, full-time since 1999. Have 12 books out, three more under contract, a US literary agent (in Satna Fe) who will be marketing my US history series, have written hundreds of freelance articles for markets in Canada, Japan, and the US - All of my books are available for sale in the US, several are award nominees in Canada, and my recent novel, XXXXX XXXXXXX, has been nominated for a Spur Award by the Western Writers of America. 
Cheers, 
TXXXXXX  
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david ingram replies:
You already understand that you do not fit into the pattern but you could consider having your Sante Fe person apply for an O-1for you.
The following comes from my web site at www.centa.com - click on the "entering US" button for 25 pages on most of the rules and possibilities. 
O-1 - Alien with Extraordinary Ability in Sciences, Arts, Education, Business, or Athletes under 101(a)(15)(O)(i)
Your Sante Fe person should be able to hire you as the employer.  They could then "charge out" your services for speaking, etc.
Failing that, you can certainly do book signings in the US for a CANADIAN book provided you are not taking money and only paid from / by a Canadian Publisher.  This would be under a B-1 status.  However, you can NOT do this if you are representing a US distributor or if the books are printed in the USA. 
I have sold some 450,000 copies of 4 different books in about 24 editions all together but quit writing in 1991.  You email is stimulating me.  Maybe I will update that Border Book after all. 
I apologise for taking so long. However, April 1 to June 15th is the busiest time of my year and it was further complicated by over 2,000 magazine and newspaper articles and a couple of dozen radio and television interviews and about 500 questions and comments that came in during March and April.
I am going to disguise your question and add it to the newsletter group which I have also added your name to.
David Ingram of the CEN-TA Group
US / Canada / Mexico tax and working Visa Specialists
108-100 Park Royal South
West Vancouver, BC, CANADA, V7T 1A2
(604) 913-9133 - Fax 913-9123 [email protected]
www.centa.com www.david-ingram.com
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