Ignite Your Writing in the Educational Market! An In-Person Retreat for Children’s Writers

Register Now — Limited Space!

Faculty: Sandra K. Athans, Mike Downs

      

Guest Editors: (see bios below)
Katie Kawa, from Rosen Publishing
Kathy Furgang, from Six Red Marbles
Katharine Hale, from Red Line Editorial

In-person 4-Day/3-Night Custom Working Retreat

The Educational Market is your GATEWAY to INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY! Let’s START with the fact that you’ll meet THREE EDITORS from THREE PUBLISHING HOUSES that need authors now! These editors work with nonfiction, biographies, hi/lo books, novels in verse, series fiction, and every variety of teacher-related-materials (lesson plans, test passages, etc.). Would you like to write biographies, career books, or nonfiction STEM? Maybe a fictional series, a novel in verse, or humorous poetry? Or for those with some background in education, the market for teacher-related-materials is immense! BUT, to break in, you must know the nuances and rules of this rapidly changing market!

That’s what you’ll learn from authors Sandra K. Athans and Mike Downs, who will show you how to catapult your writing career forward. They’ll share up-to-the-minute presentations explaining exactly how to break into this complex, expanding market. Enjoy lively presentations, targeted activities, and a personal 1:1 consultation. You’ll also have time to start your own submission packages and enjoy the camaraderie and community of fellow educational writers. As mentioned, this session includes a fantastic bonus – THREE EDITORS! (One in-person and two via Zoom.) That’s three live sessions with educational editors from companies that need writers today!

• This is an in-person retreat for writers from novice to advanced who want to break into the educational market.
• This is for writers who want to write and sell nonfiction, series fiction, poetry, novels-in-verse, lesson plans, or test passages.
• This retreat is designed to jumpstart writing careers or reignite careers that have slowed over the years.
• Personal 1:1 consultations will concentrate on the actual submission packages you’ll send to publishers.
• Time for writing and socializing is built in, with faculty available for assistance and conversation.
• Three current editors at educational publishing houses will give presentations and be available for Q & A. (One in-person and two via Zoom.)
• No pre-submission required. Bring your computer and get ready to learn!
• Lodging and meals are included.
• Begins at 5:30 pm Eastern on Thursday, August 20.
• Ends after lunch on Sunday, August 23.

Why This Workshop?

Discover a multitude of amazing opportunities in the Educational Market for children. Attendees will learn how to pitch and sell books of fiction, nonfiction, verse and poetry as well as a vast array of teacher-related-materials such as lesson plans and test passages. This 4 Day/3 Night custom retreat is hosted by Sandra K. Athans and Mike Downs – writing professionals who have sold into every facet of this marketplace.

They will explain the current, up-to-date nuances and secrets of this complex and rapidly changing market. They will explain the secrets of this complex and rapidly changing market. You’ll also get up-to-the-minute information from senior editors at three industry leading companies, Rosen Publishing, Six Red Marbles, and Red Line Editorial.

Dig into:

• Educational vs. Trade Markets
• Types of manuscripts: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, novels-in-verse, and more
• Types of manuscripts: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, novels-in-verse, reader’s theater
• Teacher-Related-Materials – a great fit for current and retired educators and librarians
• Preparing your submission packets, résumés, and query letters
• Pitching Fictional Series
• Much More!

You’ll engage in faculty lectures and Q&A sessions, explore resources, and complete writing activities.

This workshop includes a 10-minute 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.

It’s a Great Fit If…

• You are ready to become a book author now! You are seeking ways to break into publishing and want to learn more about the incredible opportunities that educational markets have to offer.
• You’re an educator with any type of background working with students. Current and retired teachers, assistants, and librarians are perfect candidates for entering this market.
• You are a writer who wants to begin or reignite your writing career. Educational publishing companies need you!
• You want to interact with current editors in the educational market. You desire the opportunity to learn a publisher’s perspective and the have the ability to submit your work — while knowing exactly what each editor is looking for!
• You want to interact with current editors in the educational market. You desire the opportunity to learn a publisher’s perspective and have the ability to submit your work.
• You’re searching for other writers like you! Enjoy the camaraderie and support of fellow writers and instructors who are all on the same journey.

You may check into your lodging any time after 3pm on arrival day.  If you arrive prior to 3pm, you may enjoy the grounds and various work and gathering places around the facility as your room is being prepared. The first meal on campus will be appetizers at 5:30pm and dinner at 6:00pm.  If you arrive late, we can save dinner for you with advance notice.

Lunch on the final day of your stay is included, but we ask that you check out of your lodging by 11am. You are welcome to leave your packed bags by the door of your room/cabin while you enjoy lunch and say your goodbyes. Housekeeping may enter your room during this period to begin cleaning and prepping for our next guests.  Thank you for your consideration.

Testimonials

• “I’ve spent decades working to publish a manuscript. With your course, I crafted a pitch for a YA novel-in-verse and now have a Spring 2027 publication date!”—Debra “Mara” Rook
• “Your course really opened up an opportunity for me. I now have 4 titles with Amicus Publishing!”—Deborah Scigliano
• “I appreciated the time given to discuss my resumes, samples, and introduction letters. The feedback was awesome, and such a great learning tool.”
• “Because of the connection I made through the class and knowledge gained, I began writing academic quizzes for Rosen Publishing and authored two books for Mitchell Lane Publishers—the latest of which received a Booklist Review!”
• “I feel much more confident with my submission packet to publishers. The individual consultations were also very helpful!”

Workshop Schedule

Thursday, August 20

3–5:30 pm:  Arrival and check-in

5:30–7 pm:  Appetizers & Dinner

7:15–7:30 pm:  Introductions and welcome

7:30–8 pm:  Your Gateway to INCREDIBLE opportunity!

8–9 pm:  Socializing

Friday, August 21

8–9 am:  Breakfast

9–9:30 am:  What is the Educational Market?

9:30–11 am:  Starting from Scratch: Resumes & Cover Letters

11:15–11:45 am:  Activity – Book Walk

12–1pm:  Lunch

1–2 pm:  Composing a Captivating Writing Sample

2–2:30 pm:  The Importance of Using Mentor Texts

2:45–4 pm:  The Secrets of Pitching and Writing Fiction

4:15–5 pm:  EDITOR. ZOOM. Katie Kawa, Publisher, Rosen Publishing.

5:15–6:15 pm:  Appetizers & Dinner

6:15–8:30 pm:  Free time for personal writing, socializing, informal small groups

Saturday, August 22

8–9 am:  Breakfast

9–9:45 am:  A Deeper Dive into Teacher-Related-Materials

9:45–10:15 am:  The Logistics of Leveling. Writing at the Proper Level

10:30–11:15 am:  EDITOR. ZOOM. Kathy Furgang, Executive Editor, Six Red Marbles

11:15–11:45 am:  Activity – Using mentor texts to improve your submissions

12–1 pm:  Lunch

1–2:30 pm:  The Curious Process of Writing Nonfiction

2:45-4 pm:  Individual Consultations (10 min each) & Writing Time

4:15–5:15 pm:  EDITOR. IN PERSON. Katharine Hale, Senior Production Editor, Red Line Editorial

5:30–7 pm:  Appetizers & Dinner

7–9 pm:  Individual Consultations (10 min each) & Writing Time

Sunday, Aug 23

8–9 am:  Breakfast

9–10 am:  Poetry and Verse

10–10:30 am:  Making Connections and Building Relationships

10:45–11:30 am:  Wrap-up and Q & A

11:30-12 noon:  Break

12–1 pm:  Lunch and Farewells

Guest Editor Bios

Katharine (Katie) Hale is a Senior Production Editor at Red Line Editorial, where she writes, edits, and designs children’s nonfiction books for the school library market. She has written more than a dozen books and edited and/or designed more than 200. Her books have been recognized by School Library Journal, Children’s Bookwatch, and Booklist, including two Booklist starred reviews. She enjoys learning about new topics as well as sharing her favorite subjects with readers. Hale lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband and their goldendoodle.

Katie Kawa currently serves as the Publisher of the Rosen Publishing Group, Inc. In this role, she oversees the editorial direction of the Rosen Publishing Group’s many imprints, including Rosen Publishing itself, PowerKids Press, Gareth Stevens Publishing, Cavendish Square Publishing, Enslow Publishing, KidHaven Publishing, and more.

Katie has been working in educational publishing for 16 years, beginning her career with Rosen upon graduation from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York, in 2010, with a BA in English and Communication Studies. She worked her way up the editorial ladder, beginning as an Editorial Assistant before moving on to positions as an Editor and later an Editorial Director, before taking on the role of Publisher in 2024.

Along the way, Katie has also authored many books for young readers on topics that range from pop culture and sports to presidents and baby animals. Her favorite books to write and develop are ones that explain current events and important social and mental health topics to kids and young adults. She believes books are a key part of ensuring that the next generation has the knowledge, empathy, and sense of self necessary to build a better world.

When she’s not at work, Katie is usually planning her next vacation, and you can often find her enjoying some magic in Walt Disney World. She’s also an avid tap dancer and a passionate fangirl who loves books, movies, TV shows, and boy bands. She lives in Western New York and can neither confirm nor deny that some of those aforementioned vacations are taken to escape the snow.

Kathy Furgang is an Executive Editor and Team Lead at Six Red Marbles. With more than 30 years of publishing experience, she began her career in the children’s trade book market and became a published children’s picture book author before moving into elementary textbook editing. She later spent 15 years as a full-time freelance writer and editor, developing a wide range of materials—including leveled and decodable readers, informational texts, and core curriculum content for ELA, social studies, and science programs across the PreK–12 market. Today, as an Executive Editor, Kathy leads projects with teams of all sizes for the education market, bringing deep expertise, practical insight, and a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach to her work.

Questions?

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team with any questions and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.