THE PUBLISHING WORLD’S BEST KEPT SECRET: THE EDUCATIONAL MARKET

by Annette Whipple

 

For writers who want to break into the publishing world or supplement their writing income or write regularly, the educational market may be great to consider. Never heard of it? That’s okay. I call it the publishing world’s best kept secret.

Educational publishers create materials used in educational settings like schools and libraries. (These books and materials are not typically available at your local bookstore or Barnes and Noble though other work-for-hire projects may be.) The educational market is one type of work-for-hire writing where publishers come up with ideas and hire writers like you to write the project to their specifications for a predetermined audience. And they pay.

Educational publishers publish books, school curriculum, online resources, assessment materials, and more. Many publishers focus on the students. Some create teacher materials as well. Some educational publishers are exclusively online. 

 

Educational publishers typically:

·       Welcome first-time writers

·       Don’t require a platform or agent

·       Keep all rights while crediting the author

·       Publish book series

 

Educational market projects are for children (grades K-12). Books and articles are designed to go with school curriculum, so projects have a specific grade or age range. Nonfiction and informational projects tend to be the most common, so research skills are important.

 

Benefits of Educational Writing

Since no platform or marketing is typically required, educational market writers can focus on writing. Though some educational authors and writers make a career from this writing, others use it to supplement their income. For writers wanting to write trade books, the educational market can build publishing credits and can be used to build a platform. It can also lead to school visits (potentially an important part of a kidlit writer’s platform and income). And your words will inspire and educate children! (See below to learn more about trade vs educational publishing.)

 

Finding Educational Market Work

If you’re interested in educational projects, you’ll want to find publishers. You might study a market guide, look in SCBWI’s The Book, or (my favorite) visit your local library. Projects vary. You might write books, religious curriculum, decodable readers, assessment materials, and more.

Once you have an idea of some publishers, you’ll want to contact them. First you need to create an introductory work-for-hire packet. This typically includes a cover letter, resume, and two writing samples. You would treat this like any submission. It should be thoroughly revised and hopefully critiqued before sending it to a publisher.

 

The Writing Samples

My big tip for creating your writing samples is to use a mentor text to guide you. If you want to write for Capstone or Lerner or Mitchell Lane, borrow some of their recently published books—or a whole series—from the library. Then study the text closely and create a manuscript that would fit into the series.

If you want to write for new readers, don’t just say it in your cover letter. Writing for young readers is challenging, so be sure to show your skills in a writing sample.

 

Want More Info?

NF Fest has more information for you.

• Writing for the Educational Market: A Research Junkie’s Dream by Carol Kim
• Which Category of Nonfiction Is Best by Lionel Bender 

I’ve written some blog posts, too.

• Writing for the Educational Market
• What Are Educational and Trade Publishers?
• Writing for Grade Levels

If you still want more information, keep an eye on my schedule because I’m teaching a workshop soon. I also highly recommend Laura Purdie Salas’s book called Writing for the Educational Market.

 

Ready to dive into the publishing world’s best kept secret? Choose an age-appropriate topic. After researching, use a published mentor text to create a writing sample. Do that again for a different topic for your second writing sample. Finish your introductory packet with a cover letter and resume and get it all critiqued.

About the Author: 

Annette Whipple celebrates curiosity and inspires others through her words. She is the author of more than 20 children’s books including The Laura Ingalls Wilder Companion: A Chapter-by-Chapter Guide (Chicago Review Press), Whooo Knew? The Truth about Owls (Reycraft Books), and Quirky Critter Devotions (Tyndale). Annette is a former teacher, nature lover, and chocolate chip cookie baker who lives in Pennsylvania. Learn more about Annette and her free writing resources at AnnetteWhipple.com.