Writing-for-Hire FAQS

From the web archives: Writing for Hire and updated Jan 2026.

Since I'm smack dab in the middle of a very fun WFH project I thought this would be a good time to resurrect this post.


What is Work-for-Hire?Work-for-Hire (WFH) is work that a writer is hired to do.  The writer prepares a manuscript to fit the publisher’s specifications.  The author is typically given a flat fee.  The rights belong to the publisher.  That means that even if a particular title becomes a best seller, you won’t get any extra money.  Of course, there are exceptions.  Some publishers give royalties and retain rights to your manuscript.  Read your contract carefully.

WFH comes in many flavors to suit your taste.
•   Fiction or nonfiction for magazines
•   Test passages and questions for educational publishers
•   Teaching or technical manuals
•   Captions for museums, zoos, etc.
•   Series books (both fiction and nonfiction) for book publishers and packagers
•   Ghostwriting

How Do I Get Started Writing WFH Nonfiction Books?

Many publishers cater to the school and library market.  These nonfiction books are for children to read by themselves to gain information, either for pleasure or for book reports.  You cannot find these books at bookstores, but you can buy them directly through the publisher.

Go to your library and read many of these nonfiction books.  Pick out the ones that you like.  Could you write some of these books?  Note the name of the publisher.  Check their guidelines either in a market guide or their web site.

Most WFH publishers require you to send a resume, writing samples and a list of references along with your cover letter.  Do let them know what kinds of books you would like to write, whether you have any expertise in specific areas.  Perhaps you are a former scientist or history teacher.

If they like your work, you will get an assignment.  Generally, you have to submit an outline.  Once that is approved, you can begin writing.  Work-for-hire is usually on a tight schedule.  You must be able to write quickly and to specification: grade level, word limits, etc.

Is the Process Similar for Writing WFH Fiction Books?

Yes.  You send in samples of your writing.  If your style is a good match for a particular series, and if the timing is right, you will be hired.

What About Magazines?

Depending on magazine guidelines, you propose an idea in an outline form or submit a complete manuscript, either fiction or nonfiction.  If the magazine buys all rights to your manuscript, it is considered WFH.  Many magazines have wide readership and you can be sure that your story will be read by tens of thousands of children.  It is also an excellent way to learn to write to the publisher’s specifications in a timely fashion.

WFH is not always glamorous.  Sometimes you don’t even get a byline.  However, if you enjoy writing about various topics and in different styles for children, WFH can allow you to earn a living from it, especially if you have several different publishers that you work with.  This may take away time from your own creative projects.  It’s a decision you have to make.


Book Resources:
Writing for the Educational Market by Laura Purdie Salas
Anatomy of Nonfiction: Writing True Stories for Children by Margery Facklam et. al.
A Treasure Trove of Opportunity by Melissa Abramovitz
Children's Writer's Word Book by Alijandra Mogilner

Yes! You Can Learn How to Write Children’s Books, Get Them Published, and Build a Successful Writing Career by Nancy Sanders

Online Resources:

Evelyn B. Christensen - Award-Winning Author & Puzzle Creator

Writing for the Educational Market

5 Things You Need to Know about Pitching Book Packagers - I Just Want To Write!

    American Book Producers Association ABPA Online
    Literary Marketplace ITI's LiteraryMarketPlace.com ™
    Writer's Market Writer's Market - The Most Trusted Guides to Publishing

I offer in-depth workshops on magazine writing, nonfiction, and writing for hire. Contact me for rates and availability.

I Sold a Book Today!

Yeah!

"Oh yeah? Just what kind of a book?" asks this feline.

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Okay, it's not a book that I wrote, but a textbook from last year that my son was using. A very nice lady called and we had a great visit talking about schools and camping and summer programs for kids at the community college. I might have to check out their continuing education series because this is how I fell into writing. A writing class always stretches me.

Lest you think I jest too much, I have new books coming out. I'm not at liberty to say much right now, but these will be my first fiction books. There's also nonfiction in the mix. It's been a very interesting experience because I've had to write stories to match the pictures. I didn't think I could do it, but I've done it a few times now and enjoyed it very much. I also like doing layout and design and have loved doing the photo research. I've also had the chance to write some original stories and I can't wait to see these in print. And my fifth grade history teacher would be proud. I finally *know* some Indian history. I had to learn it to write the book! I don't know why I was always day-dreaming, but every time a fact was tossed out about some war or the other, I wondered about the common people. What did they do? How did they survive? What did they eat? This is why I love historical fiction. It brings the common, the mundane to life.

I am so close to finishing my book, I can't hardly stand it. I can almost taste victory. I don't really want to rewrite any more scenes, but send it off to my readers, but that would be premature. In my heart and my mind, I've already sold this book. Is it strange to think like this when I don't even have an agent, and only three people have read it (one being my son)? We were talking about making book trailers today ... I showed him Lori Mortensen's and Maggie Stiefvater's trailers for their books, and his head of full of ideas! Of course, my daughter has asked me when she can read my book, and she is waiting patiently for me to finish "Mommy's book."

So I'd best finish. So that I don't have to cry wolf again ... and this is really a street in our neighborhood. I think someone ought to set up shop, printing chapbooks or something.

Adios my friends.

MuttCracker

Friday night we got to see the Nutcracker. Sharing the stage at the very beginning were three dogs. This is the first time for my daughter to see the Nutcracker and she was delighted. I will forever think of it as the Muttcracker from now on. Adopt a mutt from the shelter if you're thinking of getting a furry companion.

The music of course, is wonderful, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself, marvelling at the pirouettes, the jumps and the beauty of the dance form, and remembering my own days taking dance classes during graduate school. Nope, it wasn't part of the biochemistry curriculum and I even had to have a talk with the head of the department to okay it, but it was great fun.

The last time I'd gone to see a ballet was nearly twelve years ago. My neighbor had an extra ticket because her husband was travelling out of town. My son was just a few months old and I was still nursing him every 2-3 hours. I thought I'd be fine. I'd pumped milk beforehand for the baby. I was excited to go out without a diaper bag. However, after intermission, the top of my dress began to strain to the point I feared the buttons would pop. And to my horror, I was leaking milk. My neighbor wanted to take me out to eat since I didn't get out much, but after seeing the state of my dress, we came home. I don't think I ever went to any ballet after that.

Until now ...

Methinks we'll have to do this again sometime.

Here's a video of our sweet mutt (thanks to my son).

The video gives me a taste of what I missed. My husband took the kids to the beach on Saturday so that I could finish up a work-for-hire project. And as my friend Marcia would completely understand, to reward myself for finishing, I'm going to spend some more time writing! And baking, cleaning house, and putting up more pictures on the wall. And let's not forget singing Christmas carols.

So tell me, what are you doing this last week right before Christmas?
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SCBWI Seattle Writing-for-Hire / Agents

I haven't been here in ages and missed you all. So, if folks are in the Seattle area, please come and join us Wed. Apr. 8th at Seattle Pacific University - Demaray Hall, Room 150 at 7:00 pm. Please do say hello if you come.

I will be speaking along with two of my critique partners about writing-for-hire. It's an excellent way to keep writing and getting some cash flow. I have updated my website to add my handouts. See: http://www.vijayabodach.com/For_Writers.htm

Here's the blurb from the website: http://www.scbwi-washington.org/

April 8, 2009 Mini-Session: WHOSE BOOK IS IT? THE PROS, CONS, AND HOW-TOS OF WRITING WORK FOR HIRE with panelists Molly Blaisdell, Vijaya Bodach, and Allyson Schrier. A publisher has a topic, a concept, maybe even a title. Now all they need is a writer. How can that writer be you? Our three panelists, who have written over 70 work-for-hire books in total, will share their collective insight in cracking this fun and lucrative market. When you can write to specifications and on tight deadlines, the results can include beautiful fiction and nonfiction books that children read, a real paycheck, and the boost of confidence that comes from being published.

Main Program: HOW TO HOOK A HOTTIE: LANDING THE AGENT OF YOUR DREAMS with Holly Cupala. Think getting an agent is a waste of time? Impossible? How do you find the right agent for you? Holly decided to find out the hard way, the easy way, and every way in between before receiving two offers of representation. She’ll spill her secrets to help you find an agent, too. Holly wrote and illustrated many stories, articles, and crafts for publication before turning to writing for young adults. Her first novel received an SCBWI Work-in-Progress grant, and her dream agent sold it in a two-book pre-empt deal to HarperCollins for publication in 2010.

Speaking Engagements

Last year, I spoke to a small group of very talented writers in Bellingham, WA about writing nonfiction. I loved the responsive audience. This year, I spoke about magazine writing at one of *my* regional SCBWI monthly meetings (picture). Again, I was delighted with a wonderfully attentive audience. And the best part was seeing them again a month later at the annual conference and hearing some of their success stories.

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I am so pleased to be invited to speak again in the area. The first one is coming up in November, on magazine writing, at the University of Washington Extension class on Writing for Children and the second is coming up much later in April on work-for-hire writing as part of our local SCBWI monthly series. I'm pleased that nonfiction writing is getting some attention.

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I know that people almost always think of writing The Great American Novel when they think of writing at all (myself included when I was a newbie writer), and many of the classes are geared towards novel writing. However, it's much easier for writers to break into the magazine market, particularly with nonfiction. What's fascinating is that children begin writing with nonfiction. I do lots of class visits and the majority of children write about their families, pets, friends, etc. Towards the end of Grade 1, I see fictionalization of real events. I wonder why writers shy away from nonfiction ... it is truly in our bones.

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When I first started writing, almost everything was geared towards fiction. I love reading and writing nonfiction and told myself that I would try to bring it more attention in our area. I doubt I can ever make it as sexy as fiction, but again, I revel in these small successes.

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Write-for-Hire

The gift of time followed by a multitude of writing assignments: test passages, magazine articles, sample chapters for books. I've put aside my novel for these wonderful projects. I know many people who wouldn't touch these types of writing gigs because it would take away from their own ideas and projects, but for me, it's a win-win situation. Not only do I get to work on fascinating topics, which means I learn all kinds of new things, my writing improves under the guidance of an editor, and I get paid for all of it.

My pet projects wait patiently and when I return, some of the pesky problems are already solved (thanks to the subconscious that never stops working) and the time away means I come back with a fresh perspective.

So, do you write-for-hire? And how do you feel about it?

This weekend is our local SCBWI conference. Time for shop-talk, visiting with writing friends, and soaking up all that inspiration and wisdom. I hope to see some of you there.

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