How to Write for the Educational Market Part 1

How to Write for the Educational Market 

Part 1

Have you ever considered writing for the educational market? It’s a great way to bring in some extra income and get published quickly, to build up your resume!

I started in 2008 writing for a private school’s reading curriculum and then went on to write for Lakeshore Learning, simply by answering an ad in Career Builder! Since then I’ve written guided reading books, reading passages and questions, lessons and activities for teachers to use with their students, and even distance learning curriculum. I have a few clients that I write for each year. In fact, I just started a new project that will last until May.

You might be thinking—do I have to be a teacher? Absolutely not! In fact, my writing mentor who taught me, Nancy I. Sanders, hasn’t been a teacher at all. (Her husband is.) And Nancy wrote one of Scholastic’s best-selling workbooks for teachers!

If you’re organized, flexible, able to follow strict deadlines, and somewhat knowledgeable of curriculum, then writing for the educational market might be for you, too.

First, think about the grade level you’d like to work with. Then think about the kinds of products you could write. Lesson plans? Books for the educational market? Guided reading books? Assessments (reading passages and questions)?

One of the best ways to begin is to check out my writing friend, Ev Christensen’s web site. She lists all kinds of educational publishers and updates the list frequently. One time I actually skimmed through the whole list, wrote down the publishers that interested me, checked out their web sites, and then queried the ones I liked. One publisher followed up, and I’ve written lesson plans for two of their anthologies.

Another way to find projects is to subscribe to the blog: Writing for the Educational Market. They send emails of new freelance jobs. I’ve found work this way, too.

There are also educational content/design companies that support educational publishers by helping them write and design curriculum. I’m working for one right now. Usually, you submit your resume and sometimes take a test. Then when they have a project that matches your skills, they’ll contact you. Some of these companies are Quarasan, QBS Bill Smith, Six Red Marbles, and Tighe…Check out their web sites and apply.

The next time you're at a teacher supply store or even look at your child's curriculum, check the publisher. Look them up, and see if they need writers!

I hope this gives you a starting point in the educational markets. I have much more to share with you in part 2. If you have any questions, let me know.

By the way, in the photo is a product I helped write for 4th/5th graders, writing questions that correlate with Common Core Standards for Lakeshore Learning.