Picture Book Writer wanted | $500 per manuscript

COMPANY/PUBLICATION: FLY FIVE

JOB TITLE: Picture Book Writer

DEPARTMENT: Program Development

SUPERVISED BY: Director of Content and Curriculum Development

RATE OF PAY: $500 per submitted and completed manuscript

Fly Five Program Development is seeking a contractual Picture Book Writer to join its vibrant team. Fly Five is a standards- and research-based social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculum for grades K–8. Learn more about us here: https://www.flyfivesel.org/

The Picture Book Writer reports to the Director of Content and Curriculum Development and has the primary responsibility of developing, writing, revising, and proofreading content for social and emotional learning (SEL) picture books. We are looking to develop classroom book sets for kindergarten, first grade, and second grade teachers and students. These books will tightly align with our curriculum and introduce social and emotional skills at a developmentally-appropriate level.

In general, the Picture Book Writer must be able to adhere to style guides set forth by the department. The Picture Book Writer must also be able to prioritize their workload and oversee their own projects with clear, and sometimes short-term, deadlines. Flexibility, attention to detail, growth mindset, and the ability to collaborate with team members to create original, creative book manuscripts are required. This is a remote position and grants writers the exciting opportunity to develop multiple picture book manuscripts from preliminary draft to final publication.

PRIMARY DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops original, imaginative, and developmentally-appropriate stories that also teach SEL skills
• Drafts preliminary manuscripts within the designated time frame and ensures they meet all standards and guidelines of book development
• Aligns written manuscripts to lesson materials and strategies, character backgrounds and settings, and program style and tone
• Prepares accompanying written illustration descriptions to pair with approved manuscripts
• Meets deadlines for drafted, revised, and edited manuscripts and illustration descriptions
• Collaborates with members of our matrixed team, including directors, leads, writers, researchers, developers, editors, and designers
• Attends prerequisite trainings and virtual weekly meetings and is available during work hours by phone, email, and video conferencing

ABILITIES:

• Implements feedback to elevate work
• Maintains a growth mindset throughout the creation process
• Develops and works on multiple stories at the same time
• Prioritizes workload and meet deadlines
• Creates clear, relevant, and engaging text and reading materials for K–2 learners
• Creates stories that can be easily read aloud by teachers
• Uses the rules for written language in an effective and concise manner
• Operates within the team to maintain a positive culture, climate, and communication
• Promotes and models the agreed-upon group norms of the department and all matrixed teams

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in English, creative writing, journalism, or related field preferred
• Professional experience writing and editing for an organization, preferably with publication experience
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrates relevant, up-to-date knowledge of children’s book literature, child development, and writing mechanics
• Adept at crafting compelling stories and characters
• Demonstrates a strong knowledge of story elements (plot structure), character development, dialogue and literary devices
• Showcases an understanding of how 4–8 year-olds talk, speak, think, and act
• Direct experience with young children (such as as a teacher, librarian, parent, coach, tutor, etc.)

Applicants are required to submit a short writing sample and send to janessa@flyfivesel.org to showcase their ability to write for:

• this target audience (4-8 years old)
• this specific genre (picture book)
• this specific focus (social and emotional learning)

Please Note: This is a work-for-hire position. All manuscripts (drafted, revised, and completed), illustration descriptions, and all accompanying written work will become the property of Fly Five: The Social and Emotional Learning Curriculum, a program of the Center for Responsive Schools, Inc.

This is a project based position.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Questions / applications: janessa@flyfivesel.org

Website: https://www.flyfivesel.org/