Writing for the Educational Market 2019

What You’ll Learn

Join us for

• Market-specific information;
• Techniques for meeting specs and leveling text;
• Plenty of hands-on writing; and
• Practice at producing submissions packages.
• BONUS: Opportunities to interact with editors at educational publishing companies

Who Should Attend

Anyone who is interested in finding out how to work in the educational market.

Agenda

Sample Schedule (from 2018)
SUNDAY
Appetizers/Dinner
Welcome

MONDAY
Nonfiction Opportunities in the Educational Market
Nonfiction Steps to Success
Preparing for Success: Building Your Introductory Packet/Writing Samples
Guest Editor Session
Crafting Your Resume/Cover Letters
Free Time (Writing, Informal Group Critiques, or Networking/Socializing)

TUESDAY
Adding Humor to Fiction and Nonfiction
Responding to Editorial Feedback; Adjusting to Specs
Guest Editor Session
Small Group Writing Exercise, Nonfiction
Private Writing Time; One-on-one Consultations
Free Time (Writing, Informal Group Critiques, or Networking/Socializing)

WEDNESDAY
Fiction Opportunities in the Educational Market
Fiction Steps to Success
Poetry in the Educational Market
Small Group Writing Exercise, Fiction
Private Writing Time; One-on-one Consultations
Free Time (Writing, Informal Group Critiques, or Networking/Socializing)

THURSDAY
Series Writing for the Educational Market
Understanding and Applying Curriculum Standards as a Writer
Open Q&A
Lunch & Farewells

Resources

Thinking for Three
Putting the Fun In
Choose Your Own Writing Adventure
Breaking Into the Educational Market
Energize Your Articles With Interviews
Those Pesky Specs! Writing for the Educational Market

Testimonials

“Great opportunity to hear from a variety of experts and specialists who had so much to offer including concrete support and contacts.”

“Jan and Paula were the best. They were a great balance, both knowledgeable, approachable and obviously the best in the business.”

“The perfect tag team! Infinitely qualified and approachable.”

“Jan and Paula are wonderful speakers, teachers, mentors, and fun to hang out with. I absolutely loved my time with them. I could not have asked for better speakers.”

“This is a fantastic workshop. I came not knowing how the educational market works. And now I know exactly what to do to find work for hire, write book proposals, work for book packagers, etc.”

“Since last summer, I have been following Jan and Paula’s advice. Many of the other participants had been honing their writing careers for years in the industry before coming to the workshop. I came to the workshop for a career pivot from instructional design to freelance writing. While this has been slower than anticipated, my year has been productive. I began submitting my packets in late July. By March, I have been assigned to a project with A Pass Education. I’ve heard from editors and joined writing groups.”

“I attended the Writing for the Educational Market workshop in 2016. I learned everything I needed to know about breaking into the educational market. After researching publishers, I sent out my writing samples and the specialized resume I learned to write at the workshop. Right away, I was hired to write for a book packager. Engineering AT&T Stadium was published by ABDO Publishing in 2017. ABDO is one of the largest educational publishers. I have also written six books for Black Rabbit Books, three were published in 2018 and three more will be released this fall. These seven books were the result of attending the workshop.”

“At the workshop, I learned a great deal starting with the difference between publishers and packagers. There were also two interesting guest speakers, but Jan and Paula were fantastic. They each worked with me personally on strengthening my resume and samples. They gave encouraging advice and extensive lists on where to send my material. They were full of information on publishing trends, writing possibilities, pitfalls to avoid, and so much more. In the three years since, I have published a five book fiction series for High Noon, four nonfiction books for 12 Story Library, and I have two additional nonfiction books awaiting publication. That’s 11 books in three years. I am extremely glad I took the workshop and very grateful to the two of them for opening this market to me.”

“One measure of success for me is making money as a writer. I had a paying contract when I left the workshop! I revised my submission packet in the weeks following the workshop and sent it out on a regular basis. By October, I had my first non-fiction educational publishing book contract. After those two projects, I had made more than the cost of the workshop. In March, I signed a contract for a textbook chapter for double the cost of the workshop.”

“Jan Fields and Paula Morrow gave exactly the knowledge required to enter the educational market. Paula’s experience provided a great editorial background. Jan’s insider knowledge and insight, along with her wonderfully dry wit and engaging delivery, provided the step-by-step guidance needed to become a success. Since the workshop (7 months ago) I have written 6 educational books, three for Rourke Educational, two for ABDO (Redline Editorial) and one for North Star Editions (Red Line Editorial). I only queried three publishers and have been writing for two of them. I haven’t queried any more because (this will be unbelievable, but a true part of educational publishing), I don’t need more work!”