August 15 - September 19
Online
$499Overview
Multi-Week Online Course
Whether you’re an emerging writer, a seasoned educator, or someone looking to expand your reach in the educational market, this multi-week program will equip you with the knowledge and resources needed to navigate the ed market landscape and effectively submit work to educational publishers. Led by professionals in the educational market (Sandra Athans, Mike Downs, and their special guests), this online program will offer group and individual support to help you navigate educational publishing opportunities with confidence.
- Live sessions (with closed captioning available) on Thursdays from 7:00pm – 8:30pm Eastern (August 15, 22, 29 & September 5*, 12, & 19)
- *Please note that Thursday, September 5th runs from 7pm – 9pm, though you will only report to class for your 15 minute 1:1 consultation (Remaining time that week should be spend independently working on your submission packet.)
- Recorded content and resources in the virtual classroom throughout the course
- Weekly assignments August 15 – September 12 (posted in the virtual classroom)
- Optional written critique of your completed submission packet (at an additional cost after the program)
- 30 participants max
Why This Workshop?
Discover opportunities in the Ed Market for children’s book writers with this 6-week online program, hosted by professionals who both write and edit for the educational market. Projects explored during the program include photo-illustrated picture books, fiction, nonfiction, poetry, memoirs, reader’s theater skits, lesson plans, and much more.
Dig into:
- Educational vs. Trade Markets
- Types of Curriculum Projects
- Academic Standards
- Preparing your submission packets, résumés, and query letters
- Types of manuscripts: fiction, nonfiction, poetry
- and more!
You’ll engage in faculty lectures, and Q&A sessions, explore resources, and complete writing exercises. You’ll have access to an abundance of pre-recorded lectures and resources in the virtual classroom. Additionally, you will find robust weekly discussions in the virtual classroom related to your writing exercises.
This workshop includes a 1:1 consultation, where you’ll ask individual questions about your journey into the educational market, and share materials that you’ve crafted for your submission packet.
Feedback Expected
- Informal written feedback from faculty and peers in the virtual classroom following each assignment.
- A 15-minute, one-to-one consultation with your faculty to discuss your questions and review your writing samples so far (see consultation details below).
- Optional post-course paid written critique of your completed submission packet.
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 have a passion for education and/or teaching and wish to ignite a love of learning in readers.
- You are seeking ways to break into publishing and want to learn more about the exciting opportunities that educational markets have to offer.
- You like the structure of weekly lectures and writing exercises. All sessions take place via Zoom, with community building within the virtual classroom.
Note: Live sessions take place via Zoom. It is a good idea for you to install Zoom prior to the workshop and review the Zoom tutorials for “meetings” if this will be your first time taking a course on Zoom.
Detailed Agenda
All Times are Eastern Standard Time. Click on the headings below to explore the agenda in more detail.
Pre-Workshop
- One week prior to your course, you will receive a link to our virtual classroom where you can introduce yourself to fellow writers and engage in Highlights Foundation related resources (including our Community Standards). This classroom will be our hub throughout the program where you will post weekly assignments.
Week 1: Today's Educational Market
- Course Overview
- Introductions
- Write for the Educational Market Today! with Mike, Sandra, and guests
Throughout the Week: Virtual Classroom Work
- Pre-recorded video: Ed Market Writer Experiences
- Assignments: Review Action Plans & Educational Market Publishers
- Discussion board: List Questions and/or reflections of the writing exercise
Week 2: Finding Your Fit & Getting the Work
- Intro to Your Ed Market Résumé & Getting to the Gist of Your Query Letter with Mike and Sandra
- Q & A
Throughout the Week: Virtual Classroom Work
- Pre-recorded video: Ed Market Editors
- Assignments: Researching Publishers; Résumé & Query Drafts
- Discussion board: List Questions and/or reflections of the writing exercise
- Additional Resources: Sample Résumés & Queries
Week 3: Writing Samples
- Intro to Writing Samples with Mike and Sandra
- Q & A
Throughout the Week: Virtual Classroom Work
- Pre-recorded video: Beyond the Ed Market
- Assignments: Writing Sample (Submission Packet); Preparing for consultations
- Discussion board: List Questions and/or reflections of the writing exercise
- Additional Resources: Sample Writing Pieces; Sign Up for 1:1 Consultation
Week 4: One-to-One Consultations
- Please note extended time to accommodate all 1:1 meetings (15 minutes each); but you online need to be online for your meeting time
- You’ll be placed in a break out room with your mentor for a 15 minute session to discuss your writing assignments and questions (arrive 5 minutes prior to your scheduled meeting time)
Throughout the Week: Virtual Classroom Work
- Pre-recorded video
- Assignments: Writing Sample Revision (Submission Packet)
- Discussion board: List Questions and/or reflections
Week 5: Landing and Writing Your First Assignment
- Landing Your First Assignment with Mike, Sandra, and guests
- Q & A
Throughout the Week: Virtual Classroom Work
- Assignments: Drafts & Revisions (Submission Packet)
- Discussion board: List questions for next week’s visiting editor
Week 6: What Happens Next?
- Visiting Editor Discussion
- What Happens Next? with Mike and Sandra
- Open Q & A
Throughout the Week: Virtual Classroom Work
- Review resources
- Discussion board: List Questions and/or reflections
Post-Course (OPTIONAL)
Commitment Required for the Best Experience
This multi-week course is best if you attend or watch all lectures. We recommend setting aside time to do the writing exercises. We strongly recommend taking advantage of the 1:1 consultation to ask your questions, and share your work. (Note: If your schedule does not allow you to attend the live sessions and you would still like to register, that’s OK! You’ll have access to the recordings with closed captioning. They’re posted the day after the session, and they’ll be available through October 31, 2024.)
The Highlights Foundation strives for a safe and inclusive environment. You will have access to our Community Standards prior to the workshop where we ask for your respectful engagement with fellow creatives, including our faculty and staff.
How It Impacts Kids
The Educational Market puts books into kids hands all around the world. Your books can connect with kids and enrich their learning experience at school and home.
Testimonials from Our Community
“I appreciated the time given to discuss my resumes, samples, and introduction letters. The feedback was awesome, and such a great learning tool.”
“I feel much more confident with my submission packet to publishers. The individual consultations were also very helpful!”
“I had no idea there were such opportunities in the education market. Providing the samples was a huge benefit, the speakers you chose were excellent, the break outs and individual conference with one of you to critique my work was icing on the cake. ”
“The faculty was outstanding! They are organized, helpful, thoughtful, and caring.”
Resources
- Sandra K. Athans website
- Mike Downs website
- Meeting the Needs of 3 Different Audiences for the Educational Market
- Putting the Fun In Educational Writing
- Educational Publishing: Have You Considered Hi-Lo?
- Those Pesky Specs: Writing for the Educational Market
Looking for an In-Person Experience?
Check out the Working Retreat: Writing for the Educational Market, June 20-23 at our Retreat Center.
