Textbook Writing

[SallyD]

Hi all...I'm hoping to be able to supplement my magazine writing by possibly doing some textbook writing. I was a high school English teacher for 5 years, I have an M.A. in English Education, so I figure my experience/knowledge may help me land gigs in this field, as opposed to a field like medical writing.

The problem....getting the work. I have no contacts in educational publishing; should I just cold call/send letters to educational publishers I'd like to work for? If so - I guess I'd include a cover letter, resume, writing sample(s) from my professional portfolio?

Any insights/tips/experiences would be appreciated!! :snoopy:

[Tish Davidson]

Check out the textbook writing thread in the nonfiction forum

[Hyperbole]

Check out the textbook writing thread in the nonfiction forum

Hello - I'm feeling like an idiot because I can't find this forum. But then I can read a paragraph six times and not see that I've repeated "the" either.

Please help guide me to this forum;)

Thanks!

[Tish Davidson]

I went back to a list of all my posts and tried to find it, too and couldn't. it was right about the time that AW was making some technical changes, so perhaps that is why it disappeared.

[Hyperbole]

Thanks Tish - I appreciate you looking for me.

Maybe I'm not an idiot after all;)

[editingisme]

i think there are many educators wishing and willing to make a career transition into publishing, or editing.

even if you don't want to give up your tenured classroom position, you could always freelance. the best thing to do is obtain some formal instruction at your local college, or major university. there are many ceritifaction programs available, seminars etc. also, start a small home library of resources & texts. considering you are an englisher you may already have chicago manual, mla style guide, and others.

furthermore, try to immerse yourself in the business throught establishing contacts: join a local writers group, visit mediabistroDOTcom, etc.