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Many well-known children’s authors began their careers writing for the education market and continue to do so alongside successful trade careers. Education publishing offers wonderful diversity and scope; it is also one of the best training grounds for emerging writers. But what exactly is it?

Is this course right for you? Read our FAQ before enrolling>>

Education writers are paid to create resources that support the Australian primary school curriculum. If you think this sounds limiting, think again! An education writer can find herself knee-deep in a historical fiction novel one moment and a biography of a famous inventor the next. It is engaging, varied and exacting all at once. Education writing is crafted to tightly written briefs and is heavily affected by editorial and design concerns, offering the perfect training environment for career writers. Writing for the education market sets writers up to spread their wings.

Find out how to get started in this introduction to the field. You’ll learn about education briefs and guidelines, how to accommodate editorial considerations, and the basics of education publishing contracts. You’ll find out what makes a winning manuscript, and you’ll learn skills easily transferable to trade publishing.

This course involves submitting short writing exercises, and giving and receiving peer feedback. Participants will receive limited tutor feedback.

Expected Learning Outcomes

1. Participants will gain an understanding of the scope of the education market: its publishers and publishing.
2. Participants will learn how to submit a manuscript: what to include and what to avoid.
3. Participants will learn about education briefs and writing guidelines.
4. Participants will learn how to apply education writing fundamentals to writing for the trade market.

 Participant Requirements

Internet access and confidence using basic computer software are essential for this program. Please read our FAQ before enrolling.

You do not need to log into the course at a specific time and there are no live meetings. By 10am on the day this course starts, you will receive an email with an invitation link to join the online classroom.

• Participants will work through several lessons, which will open sequentially over the first few days of the course (see course dates in the blue box above).
• You can complete the lesson material in your own time.
• This course includes short writing assignments and the opportunity to give and receive peer feedback. Some assignments will receive tutor feedback if completed by the deadlines provided.

Please expect to spend a minimum of six hours on the course, noting that the amount of time needed to read, respond to discussions, write, revise and critique will vary from person to person. We recommend allocating an hour a day to the course while it is running. By setting aside this time, you will get the most out of the course, and be able to engage with other participants and the tutor.

You can find out more about the course by reading our frequently asked questions. If you have any questions, please contact us.

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