Color Me a Kidlit Writer
  • About Me
  • Mama's Chicken & Dumplings
  • Reviews
  • Other Books & Stuff
  • Magazine Work
  • Work-For-Hire Books
  • School Visits
  • Events
  • Interviews, Blog Parties & More

Interviewing Angie Smibert: WFH Pro

12/23/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
(C) OLGA M. HERRERA, olgachildrensillustrator.com

Welcome, Angie!


Thanks for stopping by!

Happy to be here!

As a work-for-hire (WFH) author for publishers like Abdo and Capstone, you've written nearly thirty nonfiction books, many covering STEM topics like robotics and space travel. How did you come across this kind of work?   

Through my agent(s), I had unsuccessfully tried out for a few fiction WFH projects. Then I discovered the educational WFH market, STEM nonfiction in particular. That seemed a natural fit for me. Before writing fiction (and teaching), I’d been a science writer for over twenty years, working with NASA, the Department of Energy, and the Environmental Protection Agency. 

How would you suggest an author break into educational (or trade) market WFH?

First of all, book packagers and publishers typically have a pool of writers to which they assign books or other projects. Some publishers use packagers or producers. Others work directly with writers. Either way, to get considered for upcoming projects, you need to get yourself into one or more of those pools. You need to find your niche.

How did you find your niche?

My niche wasn’t too hard to figure out. I wrote about space, the environment, and technology for adults for years. Plus, I also did a little coding. So my niche became STEM for elementary and middle school readers. For this age, most of these books are what’s called high interest. Wrapped in glossy covers, high-interest books are chock full of visuals and sidebars. Most include activities, prompts, discussion points, and/or other special features. Often, publishers try to correlate those special features to align with Common Core and/or other standards.

What if STEM is not an author's thing? 

If STEM is not your thing, don’t worry. The educational market spans many, many nonfiction topics, formats, and age ranges. For instance, sports books are huge. (I even wrote a STEM sports book.) So are history, biographies, animals, health and fitness, careers, crafts, and social studies, to name just a few. And publishers need these books at all reading levels, including hi-lo and leveled readers. (Many publishers put out these books in Spanish too.) The most important thing is being able to research a certain topic and then be able to break down the concepts without writing down to young readers.

How might authors find a potential market for their WFH services, even if they don't have an agent?
​
You can find educational publishers and book packagers through a number of resources. Once you find publishers and/or packagers that interest you, study their catalogs, and double-check their websites for submission guidelines for freelancers. You can also check out Molly Blaisdell’s work-for-hire select educational publishers list.

Once you’ve decided who you want to work for and in what areas, you need to send them a cover letter as well as samples of your work. If you don’t have any samples, you may have to write some, depending on the publisher/packager. Some might request a resume instead. Most publishers and producers include freelancer or work-for-hire information on their websites. 
What should authors include in their cover letters, and should they expect a reply?

​The cover letter is really the critical element. In it, describe your experience, areas of expertise, education, publication history, availability, and so forth. Be specific! Don’t just say your expertise is STEM. For instance, I usually say my areas are space, environmental science, computers, and internet technology. Your specific expertise and experience may get you the gig. 

Send out the samples and cover letter—and wait. You may not hear anything until the publisher or packager has a project that fits your skills and interests. This could be a week or two—or many, many months. 

​Do you enjoy doing work-for-hire projects and does it pay well?

I enjoy the work, but to be brutally honest, the pay rates can be very low ($300 for a 500–750-word book, for example) and the turnaround times can be extremely tight (as little as one month!). So you need to be able to research and write quickly and efficiently—not just to meet the deadlines but to also make it worth your time. However, I would say that WFH can be a solid way to fill in pesky income gaps. And I know some WFH authors who do school visits to help generate revenue. But I think you should do WFH only if you love writing about science and technology—or whatever your niche is. 

Thanks again, Angie, for stopping by and for sharing your WFH know-how!

My pleasure, Dionna.

Picture
​Angie Smibert, a Mid-Atlantic SCBWI member, has penned several YA and MG science-fiction and fantasy novels. So far, she’s published twenty-six educational work-for-hire titles. As a science writer for adults, Angie received NASA’s prestigious Silver Snoopy award. Many of her work-for-hire books for younger readers are published within award-winning science series. Angie teaches writing for Indiana University East and for the online MFA program at Southern New Hampshire University. Find her online at angiesmibert.com.

0 Comments

    About Me

    I am a children's book author who loves learning about lesser known individuals shining in the margins of African American history. My debut novel for young readers, Mama's Chicken & Dumplings (Margaret Ferguson Books, 2024), received a starred review from Shelf Awareness and is a Junior Library Guild Gold Selection. I am 
    represented by Kelly Dyksterhouse of The Tobias Literary Agency.


    Copying, reposting, or otherwise republishing anything on this blog without permission is strictly prohibited.

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Picture

    Archives

    June 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    January 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    February 2021
    December 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    December 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    February 2017
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    February 2015
    May 2014
    March 2014
    September 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013

    Categories

    All
    1935 Labor Day Hurricane
    1935 Vinegar Hill Charlottesville VA
    Abigail Halpin
    A Big Mooncake For Little Star
    Abrams Books For Young Readers
    Adriann Ranta Zurhellen
    African American Business Owners 1930s
    African Art By Children
    Aladdin Pix
    Albert Whitman & Company
    Alexandra S.D. Hinrichs
    Alfred A. Knopf
    Alice Ratterree
    Alvina Ling
    Alyssa Bermudez
    Amanda Vacharat
    Amy Harding
    Amy Lee-Tai
    Andrea Beatriz Arango
    Andrea Brown Literary
    Angela Dominguez
    Angie Arnett
    Angie Miles
    Angie Smibert
    Anna Lapera
    Anna Staniszewski
    Anne Marie Pace
    Anne Moore Armstrong
    Annual Virginia Book Events
    A POEM GROWS INSIDE YOU
    Arrows
    Arthur Levine Books
    Art-Themed Challenges
    Ashley Spires
    Ashley Walker
    Autism Picture Book
    Bagram Ibatoulline
    Balzer + Bray
    Barb McNally
    Barb Rosenstock
    Beach Lane Books
    Ben Franklin's Big Splash
    BIRD NERD
    Blink YA Books
    Blog Hop
    Blog Parties
    Board Books
    BO AT THE BUZZ
    Book Launch
    Book Launch Parties
    Book Trailers
    Boyds Mills And Kane
    Boyds Mills Press
    BRAVE BALLERINA
    Brenda Woods
    Brian Rock
    Bright Literary Agency
    Brown Books For Young Readers
    Busy Eyed Day
    Busy-Eyed Day
    Calkin's Creek
    Callie C. Miller
    Candlewick Press
    Capstone
    Carina Povarchik
    Caroline McPherson
    Cetologist
    Changes In Publishing
    Charlie & Frog
    Charlottesville Illustrator
    Charlotteville
    Chronicle Books
    Clarion Books
    C. M. Surrisi
    Colleen Muske
    Colleen Paeff
    Comic Book Creator
    Confetti Kids
    Content Editor
    Coping Skills School-aged Children
    Copyeditors
    Cover Reveal
    Coyote Moon
    Craft Of Storytelling
    Craft Of Writing
    Crenshaw
    Cricket Magazine Contributor
    Critiquing
    Crossover
    Cyndi Marko
    Cynthia Cliff
    Daniel Bernstrom
    Daniel Nayeri
    Dave Mottram
    Dawn P. Noren
    DC KidLit Events
    Deaf Main Characters
    Deborah Diner
    Deborah Lakritz
    Deborah Prum
    Diana Ma
    Dionna Mann
    Dish Up A Reading Delight
    Disney-Hyperion
    Dolores Andral
    Donna & Libby Farrell
    Don Tate
    Doris Kutschbach
    Ebony Glenn
    Eerdmans Books For Young Readers
    Elliott Smith
    Engaging The Audience
    Erica Perl
    Erin Murphy
    Erin Murphy Literary Agency
    Ethan Suspended
    Eucalyptus Tree
    EVELYN DEL REY IS MOVING AWAY
    Farrar Straus And Giroux
    Fearless Public Speaking
    Feiwel & Friends
    Felicia Macheske
    Fine Art Raven Photographer
    Flashlight Night
    Fort Building Time
    Foundry Literary + Media
    Four Beautiful Picture Book Biographies
    Fran Cannon Slayton
    Frann Preston Gannon
    Frann Preston-Gannon
    Fred Koehler
    From My Notes
    Garvey's Choice
    Getty Publications
    GIFTS OF THE MAGPIE
    Good Illustration Ltd.
    Grace Lin
    Grammar Tip
    Great Nocturnal Book For Kids
    Growing Up Pedro
    Hannah Barnaby
    HarperCollins
    HB Steadham
    Heather Brockman Lee
    Heather Mullaly
    Highlighter SCBWI Mid-Atlantic Newsletter
    Holiday House Books
    Holly Webb
    Holt Books For Young Readers
    Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
    How To Draw A Lion
    I Love My Library
    Interviews
    Iris Deppe
    IVELIZ EXPLAINS IT ALL
    Jacqueline Jules
    Jacques Kaufmann
    Jacqui Lipton
    Jefferson School
    Jen Malia
    Jennifer Ann Richter
    Jennifer Elvgren
    Jennifer Laughran
    Jennifer Unter
    Jen Shulman
    Jess Brailler
    Jessica Sinsheimer
    Jewell Parker Rhodes
    Joanie Stone
    Joanne Lew-Vriethoff
    John Parra
    John-platt
    Joy-jones
    Julia-kuo
    Julie-matysik
    Jump-back-paul
    Jumpy-jack-googily
    June-hunter
    Kara-reynolds
    Kar-Ben Publishing
    Karen-kane
    Karen-nagel
    Kate-testerman
    Katherine-applegate
    Kathleen-kellett
    Kathleen-rushall
    Kathryn-erskine
    Katrin-dreiling
    Kell-andrews
    Kelly Dyksterhouse's Crew
    Kellye-crocker
    Kidlit411
    Kidlit-agent
    Kidlit-agent
    Kidlit-art-director
    Kidlit-artist
    Kidlit Author
    Kidlit-author-illustrator
    Kidlit-author-illustrator
    Kidlit-book-designer
    Kidlit-coauthors
    Kidlit-cville-blog-party
    Kidlit-editors
    Kidlit-editors
    Kidlit-events
    Kidlit-events
    Kidlit Love
    Kidlit-reviews
    Kid-reviewer
    Kids-can-press
    Killer-whales
    Kristenpaige-madonia
    Kwame-alexander
    Kweli-the-color-of-childrens-literature-conference
    Ladybug-magazine
    Laura-lyn-disiena
    Law-and-authors-a-legal-handbook-for-writers
    Leah-henderson
    Leaving-room-for-the-illustrator
    Lee-low-books
    Lerner
    Leslie-stall-widener
    Less-is-more
    Levine-querido
    Lilliput
    Lilys-new-home
    Linda-pratt
    Lindsey McDivitt
    Lion Of The SKy
    Lions-cheetahs-rhinos-oh-my
    Lisa-bronson-mezoff
    Literary-agent-interviews
    Little
    Little-brown-books-for-young-readers
    Little-brown-books-for-young-readers
    Liza-wiemer
    Lois-sepahban
    Lois-sepahban
    London
    Lynne-chapman
    Madeline
    Madelyn-rosenberg
    Making-it-not-too-personal-query-etiquette
    Mama's Chicken And Dumplings
    Mani-semilla-finds-her-quetzal-voice
    Marc-boston
    Marfe-delano
    Margaret-ferguson
    Margaret Ferguson Books
    Maria-gianferrari
    Marvelous-cornelius
    Marvelous-cornelius-blog-party
    Mary-amato
    Mary-jane-penny-candies
    Maryland-kidlit-events
    Mary-rand-hess
    Matt-forest-esenwine
    Maverick-childrens-books
    Megan-wagner-lloyd
    Meg-medina
    Meg-medinas-oneminute-writing-tips
    Melissa-gorzelanczyk
    Melissa-manlove
    Michael F. Stewart
    Michael-j-rosen
    Michelle-meadows
    Middlegrade
    Moira-donohue
    Monica-mancillas
    My-work
    Nancy-carpenter
    Nancy-paulsen-books
    Nedda-lewers
    Nfpost
    Nikki-grimes
    Noaa-scientist
    Olga-m-herrera
    Olivia-hinebaugh
    One-day-in-the-eucalyptus
    One-good-deed
    Only-my-dog-knows-i-pick-my-nose
    Orcas-by-dionna-l-mann
    Orchard-books
    Pam-ehrenberg
    Paper-wishes
    Paper-wishes
    Paper-wishes-blog-party
    Paper-wishes-blog-party
    Paula-yoo
    Peachtree-publishers
    Penguin-workshop
    Personal-rejections
    Phil-bildner
    Picture-book-about-change-and-grief
    Picture-book-biography
    Picture-books
    Pj-books
    Planting-parsley
    Poet-remarkable-story-of-george-moses-horton
    Pottypartybydionnalmann
    Pov
    Preorder Campaign
    Prestel-junior
    Proofreading
    Queries
    Query-kombat
    Query-kombat-2018-grand-champion
    Race-car-dreams-blog-party
    Random-housedelacorte
    Rashin-kheiriyeh
    Raven-quill-literary-agency
    Rejections
    Renee-graef
    Return-to-the-secret-garden
    Ritu-hemnani
    Roberta-pressel
    Rosie-mccormick
    Running-press
    Ryan-hayes
    Saffron-ice-cream
    Sairom-moon
    Sam-gayton
    Sam-hundley
    Sampsons-happy-pals
    Sarah-jane-freymann-literary-agency
    Sara-holmes
    Sarah-whang
    Sase
    Scholastic-press
    School-visits
    Scott-dubar
    Scrap-artist
    Sd-schindler
    Sensory-issues
    Seth-fishman
    Setting
    Sharon-chriscoe
    Shirley-ngbenitez
    Short-pump-bump
    Simon-schuster
    Sing-it-like-celia
    Sleeping-bear-press
    Slush-piles
    Solo
    Sonia-sanchez
    Sourcebooks
    Sparknotes
    Spencer-hill-contemporary
    Spooky-cheetah-press
    Stan-fellows
    Stephanie-fitzgerald
    Susan-bartoletti
    Susan-batori
    Susan-vanhecke
    Susan-wood
    Suzie-townsend
    Swenke-elementary-book-trailer-crew
    Sylvia-liu
    Tag-your-dreams
    Tami-traylor
    Teresa-bonnadio
    Terrible-typhoid-mary
    Terri-fields
    The 24/7s
    The-amazing-age-of-john-roy-lynch
    The-boney-hand
    The-crossover-review
    The-great-stink
    The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music
    The-innovative-press
    The-most-magnificent-thing
    Therese-makes-a-tapestry
    The-tale-of-rescue
    The-unbeatable-lily-hong
    The-wild-garden
    The-word-a-storytelling-sanctuary
    THINGS THAT SHIMMER
    This-little-piggy-an-owner-manual
    This-little-piggy-has-a-blog-party
    Thread-of-love
    Tillmon-county-fire
    Tips-for-book-events
    Tom-angleberger
    Tom-birdseye
    Towers-falling
    Trombone-shorty
    Uwe-stender
    Va
    Vinegar-hill
    Virginia-festival-of-the-book
    Virginia-kidlit-events
    Virginia-kidlit-events
    Virginia-literary-events
    Virginia Readers' Choice Primary Selections 2024-2025
    Want-to-play
    Wendy-shang
    Wordsong
    Work-for-hire
    Writing Advice
    Writing-process
    Writing Quotes
    Yaroslava-apollonova
    Zara González Hoang
    Zoe In Wonderland