Wednesday, March 19, 2014

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.



42 comments:

  1. It's nice to hear from such a pro, Tina!

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    1. Thanks, Kirsten. You're quite a pro yourself now. It's been fun seeing you blossom as a writer!

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  2. Great info for anyone- you got me interested. I'm a former teacher/school librarian & w/a masters in Curriculum, I am going to look into this.

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    1. Yes, Kathy, you have a wealthy of info and would be great at this.

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  3. Congratulations on your exciting project you showed us in the picture...and on ALL your success stories. I know there will be many more to come! Hugs to you, Nancy

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    1. Thanks, Nancy! Thanks again for mentoring me!

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  4. Great info, Tina. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Dana! I appreciate it.

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  5. Killer post, Tina! You certainly provided a road map to get started. Thank you.

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    1. Thanks, Donna! I wish you the best in this market.

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  6. Lots of food for thought, here. Helping children learn is a worthwhile endeavor.

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    1. Indeed, Sherri. We have to keep our focus on the end result--the children!

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  7. Terrific tips and information, Tina. You have piqued my interests. ~Suzy Leopold

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    1. Thanks, Suzy! Maybe you'll find a niche here.

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  8. Fascinating information. Thanks for the links. I have done teaching ideas and activities for a bunch of magazines, but never tried the book publishing companies.

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    1. Yes, I'm sure you'd be great at this, Genevieve!

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  9. I'm terribly impressed! Great work Tina. I can learn a lot from your post.

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    1. Thanks, Cathy! Let me know if you find a place to write for.

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  10. Thanks for the tips, Tina! I also found Laura Purdie Salas' book helpful - WRITING CHILDREN'S NONFICTION BOOKS FOR THE EDUCATIONAL MARKET (http://www.laurasalas.com/present/WCN_SG/desc.html).

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    1. Yes, Laura's book is a great resource. I'm subscribed to her blog and newsletters as well.

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  11. Thanks, Tina, you've provided some really helpful ideas for getting started in this market -- I'm game!

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    1. Best wishes in this market, Christy. Let me know if you find a publisher to work for.

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  12. Yes, thanks Tina . . .this was a great introduction to the educational market, and food for thought!

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    1. You'd be great at the homeschool market! I know you've done some articles for it.

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  13. This is very interesting! I never thought about writing like this. :)

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    1. Yes, Erik, maybe you could come up with ideas for teachers to use or ideas for little kids. Your museum experience is helpful.

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  14. This is great, Tina! Thanks so much. As a teacher, I was just thinking about exploring opportunities such as these. Best, E

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    1. You'd be fantastic at this, Elaine! Go for it!

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  15. Wonderful article, Tina! I've been so impressed with how you've tackled this writing area and had so many successes with it. Congratulations on your current project! (That Lakeshore Learning resource looks awesome. I always always drooled over their catalog when I was a teacher.)

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  16. Thanks, Ev! Me, too, I loved the Lakeshore catalog. Thanks again for your wonderful resource (web site) for writers!

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  17. Tina, great post. Looking forward to part 2. Yippee, for your new project!

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  18. Thanks, Janie! Now to plan the post...

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  19. Tina, great information! I will be checking out some of the sites.

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    1. Let me know, Gloria, if you find anything!

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  20. Great post Tina. Look forward to reading more.

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    1. Thanks, Diane! There is a part 2 coming.

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  21. Thanks, Tina. This is great information. I'm bookmarking this!

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  22. You are very knowledgeable about this topic, Tina! I so appreciate you sharing your expertise and I keep promising myself I will check into this...it sounds like something I would enjoy doing. :)

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  23. Yes, Vivian, I can definitely see you tapping into this market!

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