February 3, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - February 5, 2026 @ 7:00 pm
Online
$59Overview
A Two-Night Mini Online Course
Writing for the educational market offers authors purpose, creativity, connection to readers, and a way to establish themselves in publishing. But how do you break into educational market? Join Sandra Athans, seasoned educational writer, trade author, teacher and national literacy and standards expert, and Mike Downs, series author in both educational and trade markets, to explore the process interested authors can take to make their way into the market.
Sandra Athans and Mike Downs teach both this short course on introductory pathways into the educational market as well as an in-depth online course for those seeking ways to create their submission packets for the educational market. This mini course includes two, 75-minute sessions with limited interaction with the community and instructors and loads of information. The in-depth online course will be available for registration in 2026.
- Tuesday, February 3, 2026 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Thursday, February 5, 2026 (7pm – 8:15pm Eastern)
- Webinar-style program with closed captioning available and limited interaction in the chat
- You’ll have access to the recordings through March 31, 2026.
Why This Workshop?
The educational market is a rewarding place for authors to break into the children’s book industry. Along with fine-tuning your writing skills, the educational market exposes authors to the collaborative process of publishing and the impact that books have on educational settings. Plus, this market offers an abundance of opportunity and a chance for authors to get paid for their writing.
But how do you go from being interested in the educational market to understanding what it takes to break into the field? In this mini course, two veteran educational market authors demystify the process and outline a plan that can help early-career, freelance, and established authors find their first writing opportunities in this market.
Sandra and Mike will share:
- An overview of the educational market and its opportunities,
- Tips for researching educational publishers and their submission guidelines,
- Ways to bring your expertise (or temporary expertise) to educational market assignments,
- Solutions to unpacking educational standards and publisher guidelines,
- and more!
It’s a Great Fit If…
- You are a writer who wants to work in the educational market. Educational publishing companies need you!
- You’re an educator with experience in sharing books from the Educational Market with your students. We’ll show you how you can play to your strengths when writing for this market.
- You are seeking ways to break into publishing and want to learn more about the exciting opportunities that educational markets have to offer.
- You’re looking for something short, sweet, and smart! This is not a full workshop. Instead it is two, 75-minute sessions meant to engage and build your knowledge of the educational market and where your strengths may fit into this field.
Tentative Agenda
At registration: You will receive a Zoom link to use each night of the course.
Note: Sessions take place via Zoom. It is a good idea for you to install Zoom prior to the workshop. As a mini, this course will ask you to mute your microphones and hide your video to maximize time with the faculty lecture. THE SESSIONS WILL BE RECORDED.
All Times are Eastern Time.
Click on the headings below to explore the agenda in more detail.
Part One: Tuesday, February 3, 2026 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
What is the educational market?
- An overview of the educational market in today’s publishing business.
- Researching educational publishers and guidelines.
- Handout review.
- Q & A
Part Two: Thursday, February 5, 2026 (7pm-8:15pm Eastern)
Exploring why the educational market might be a fit for you:
- Reviewing submissions, helpful resources & educational standards.
- Ways to celebrate your expertise (or temporary expertise) in subject matter.
- Viewing assignments.
- Q & A
Learn More About Breaking into the Educational Market
DUMMY ROW - WILL BE HIDDEN
What Level of Feedback Can I Expect in This Course?
In this short mini course on educational market writing, you can expect this level of feedback:
- None included in the course. There will be limited interaction in the chat feature of the webinar-style program.
If you’d like to learn more, see our note on feedback in our programs.
How Does This Workshop Support Our Mission?
Our mission is to positively impact children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves. Great educational market writing inspires and informs, it engages young readers, and helps them explore new topics. This mini workshop helps writers learn to create great reading resources for the educational market.
Do You Have More Educational Marketing Writing Resources?
If you’d like to learn more about trade and educational market writing, see these blogs and articles on our site:
Will This Workshop Be Recorded?
IF YOU CAN’T ATTEND LIVE:
If you are unable to attend either session for any reason, you’ll have access to the recordings (with closed captioning) through March 31, 2026.
- Please note that if you cannot attend live but you’d like to receive recording links by email, you must register for this course. Recordings are not sold separately; they are only available to those who register.
- Please also note that if you register for the course after the start of the first session, you will not receive recordings immediately. You’ll receive both recordings after the close of the last session, usually within 24 hours.
