Ø   SCHOLASTIC EDUCATION CALL  FOR MANUSCRIPTS

Ø       

Ø     
> Early Readers, Chapter Books, Non-fiction and Information Texts.
>
> Scholastic Education seeks original stories and non-fiction texts for use
in
> a school reading program for children in grades one to three (ages six to
> eight).
>
> General Manuscript Criteria: FICTION
> Compelling stories in a variety of genres, including mystery, adventure,
> science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, humor, and traditional
tales
> from all cultures. Stories should be told mainly through action and
> dialogue. Stories should feature: a strong beginning and a satisfying
> conclusion; a clear and focused plot in which there is conflict and
> resolution; one or more obstacles for the main character(s) to overcome;
> realistic dialogue; believable characters who grow, change, and learn;
> characters that children can identify with and care about; unusual
subjects
> and situations OR common subjects and situations with a unique slant or
> conclusion.
>
> Additional features:
> - Stories can be set in towns and cities across Canada and can feature
> regional landmarks, but these should not be used perfunctorily. Specific
> regional settings should be integral to the story in some way. Stories set
> in a specific place should accurately portray and reflect life in that
> setting. - Stories should be reflective of a variety of cultures and
social
> situations. - Stories should feature children and adults in different
> relationships, e.g., parents, aunts and uncles, neighbours, teachers,
> caregivers. - No rhyming stories or pattern books; stories should not
> include repeated or predictable sentence patterns. - Multiple stories that
> feature the same character(s) and/or setting may be submitted, but they
must
> be written at different reading levels. That way, children can encounter
the
> same character or setting at different times, as they progress in their
> reading. - Please avoid sending stories that feature dogs, cats, mice, or
> rats as main characters. (Other animals would be a welcome change!)
>
> NON-FICTION & INFORMATION
> Texts to feed children's interest in the world around them. We are looking
> for a variety of text types (e.g., biographies, procedures, explanations,
> narrative non-fiction) and text features (e.g., maps, labels, diagrams,
> pronunciation keys). - The text type can vary within a manuscript but it
> doesn't have to. For example, the biography of a scientist or explorer may
> include an explanation (e.g., how a particular instrument works), a
> procedure (e.g., the steps for making or doing something), and journal or
> diary entries. The text type(s) chosen should be appropriate to the
> content. - Text features such as maps, glossaries, charts, and diagrams
> should be included only where they clarify, enhance, or otherwise add to
the
> information in the main body of text. - All manuscripts should feature
> compelling, evocative language. No lists of facts or dry reports. - Topics
> should be meaningful and interesting to children. Subjects and topics of
> particular interest include - history, especially Canadian; social and
> physical geography, especially Canadian; sports & hobbies;  the
environment;
> government and community services; health;  scientific explanations, e.g.,
> how things work.
>
> Specific Manuscript Criteriaz
> EARLY READERS (fiction)  - 500-2000 words
> Early readers are for children who are beginning to rely less on
> illustrations when they read. Although illustrations will be included in
the
> published books, the text must carry the story. - Suggestions for art or
> illustrations may be included but are not required. - Stories may be
broken
> into short chapters, but chapters are not required. - You may submit a
> complete manuscript OR a complete story outline with 1-3 sample chapters.
>
> CHAPTER BOOKS (fiction) - 1000-6000 words
> Chapter book stories are longer and meatier than early reader stories.
> Sentences and plots can be more complex, but paragraphs are still fairly
> short. Stories are divided into chapters and chapters often end in the
> middle of a scene to keep the reader turning the pages. - Suggestions for
> art or illustrations should not be included. - You may submit a complete
> manuscript OR a complete story outline with at least 2 sample chapters.
>
> NON-FICTION & INFORMATION - 500-5000 words
> - Manuscripts may or may not be divided into chapters, depending on the
> length and subject matter. - Manuscripts should include a partia lor
> selected bibliography, if applicable. - Manuscripts should include a short
> list of additional referencesfor children-books, articles, Websites,
and/or
> other materials that children can refer to for more information on the
> subject in question. - Specific references for non-text materials (e.g.,
> art, photos, maps, charts) are appreciated but not required. Please do not
> send any original materials! Submission Information - This call for
> manuscript is open until April 15, 2004. - We will not accept stories that
> have been submitted to any other publishers. - We will not return any
> manuscript. Send copies, not originals. - We will respond to received
> manuscript before the end of October 2004. We will only contact you if
your
> material has been accepted. - No telephone inquiries please. - Acceptance
of
> manuscript is not a guarantee of publication. - Publisher reserves the
right
> to make any changes deemed necessary to make manuscript appropriate for
> publication. - A flat fee of  $600 to $2000 will be paid if your piece is
> accepted for publication; the exact fee will depend on the length of the
> piece. (No royalties will be paid.) - In order to meet government
criteria,
> the books in this program must be written by Canadian citizens. We can
only
> accept manuscript from Canadian citizens or landed immigrants.
>
> Submission Procedures
> 1.      Manuscript should be typewritten and double-spaced with your name,
> phone number, and the page number on each page. If you submit multiple
> pieces by e-mail, please save each one in a separate attachment.
>
> 2.      Include a cover sheet with your name, address, telephone number,
> e-mail address if applicable, and manuscript title(s). If you submit
> manuscript by e-mail, please include this information in the body of the
> e-mail message.
>
> 3.      Submissions may be mailed to: Education Manuscripts 2004,
Scholastic
> Education, 2nd floor, 175 Hillmount Road, Markham, Ontario, L6C 1Z7  or
> e-mailed to: edu.ms@scholastic.ca