Manuscript Guidelines

We are always looking for new and innovative teaching ideas from experienced and dedicated teachers. The materials published by Key Education range from use with infants to primary-aged children and are suitable for regular and special education classrooms.

Key Education welcomes new book ideas for preschool through grade three teachers, parents, Head Start and Title 1 programs, speech-language pathologists, early childhood professionals, and special education teachers.

What would Key Education be interested in publishing?

Learning themed materials
Activity/resource books
Skill-and-practice materials
Instructional methodology
Materials for English as a Second Language learners (ESL) and English Language Learners (ELL)
Ideas for the needs of special learners

Please keep in mind that Key Education does not publish fiction or nonfiction children’s books and will not be able to refer you to any of the fine publishing companies in that industry.

Does your manuscript fit into the Key Education product line?

Before sending us your manuscript ideas, please spend some time researching the topic to determine if your idea complements the Key Education product line and supports current instructional trends in the field.

This process is easy to complete:
Visit some teachers’ supply stores.
Review educational catalogs.
Analyze Web sites.
Then ask, “Is my idea different from other teacher resource materials that are currently being sold? Does it offer fresh ideas for educators?”

What should you include in your submission?
A cover letter should include:
Brief overview of the manuscript
Details about the intended audience
Projected length of the book
Explanation of elements that make the manuscript unique
Summary of any research that supports the instructional objectives of the material
Your contact information (mailing address, phone number, and email address)

The proposal should include:
Table of contents or book outline
Typewritten sample pages from the manuscript, including any pertinent sketches for clarifying your ideas
Résumé about your teaching experiences and/or writing experience (for example, describing any published works)
Self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like your proposal returned

Important Tips
Please do not send the original pages of your manuscript. Send a copy of the sample pages and keep your original. Key Education cannot be responsible for damaged or misplaced materials.

It is not necessary to hire an illustrator for your manuscript when preparing sample pages. Simple drawings are needed only if you think it would help the acquisitions editor understand specific directions for an activity. Key Education will handle all illustration expenses when preparing instructional materials for publication.

Finally, carefully proofread your sample pages to be sure the activity ideas are complete and the organization of the content is clean and easy to follow.

What Happens While You Wait?
The Key Education staff will carefully review your proposal to determine if it supports the vision of this company, fits in the product line, and offers unique, creative ideas that are useful and developmentally appropriate for the intended audience.

The review process may take six to eight weeks due to the quantity of submissions and the acquisitions editor’s schedule. If your proposal is accepted, Key Education will contact you either by mail, email, or telephone, so please let us know in your cover letter the best way to reach you.

If you receive a rejection letter, this does not indicate that your educational ideas are not sound. The decision to publish a manuscript is based on many factors. It may also be possible that the Key Education staff is already preparing book projects that are similar to your proposal. Do not give up—your next idea may be accepted!

Any manuscript not accepted for publication that was submitted without a self-addressed, stamped envelope will be discarded after review.

The staff at Key Education is looking forward to hearing from you!

Sherrill B. Flora
Founder, Key Education

Please send all proposals to:

Key Education Publishing
Acquisitions Department
7309 West 112th Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55438