How to Write a Text Book
Academia requires a constant infusion of updated information in order to teach and prepare students. Scholarly topics that present new and innovative ideas, theories and practices are sought by textbook publishers. Offer a straightforward approach to subjects and offer clear guidelines for students to follow. Your final product will be fit to print with the aid of an experienced editor and successful publishing company.
Instructions
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Know the competition. Find examples of current texts being used in local classrooms for the grade level your book is targeting and evaluate the style and approach the writer(s) employed to present the information.
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Peruse your personal body of notes, charts, studies and articles and assess the amount of background material you have collected. Do additional research to flesh out the topics that appear to be weak or deficient.
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Construct an outline that guides the student from theory to practice. Outline drafts must include a section on past approaches to and accomplishments in the topic as well as offer an explanation as to why new methodology is necessary. Add topic-focused chapter titles to the outline and arrange so that the reader can progress from rudimentary data to more in-depth instruction.
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Continue to work on the outline until it depicts a complete picture of what your text will cover; this will assist the editor with assessing the material. Draft a table of contents and attempt writing one complete chapter to demonstrate the presentation of your written material to the publisher.
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Use "Writer's Market" or another guidebook to research publishers (see Resources). Approach publishing houses that specialize in the area you are writing about. Prepare a formal proposal, consisting of a cover letter that explains your book and provides reasons as to why it is new and different. Include a copy of the outline, draft chapter and academic credentials you have earned that support your claim as an expert on the topic.
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Begin drafting chapters while your proposal circulates. You do not need to work in sequence, but you should follow the outline. Include graphics, charts, anecdotes and summations to prove to publishers, teachers and students that your textbook is the best teaching tool available.
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Submit completed chapters to Fog Index for evaluation (see Resources). This tool examines text to determine grade level, and guides the textbook writers to keep the book's structure at the target reader's grade level. Expanded or shortened sentences and/or word length adjustments may be suggested if the book does not meet the standards for its intended grade.
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Keep track of material that instructors will need to formulate lesson plans as you draft textbook copy because most publishers require a teacher's guide. The teacher's guide should also include answers to quizzes and exercises that are included in the student version.
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Commit to your goal even if rejections from publishers are received. Work on the reasons given for your work being returned; revise the outline and text accordingly. Editors agree that rejected books tend to be too difficult to follow or had been carelessly prepared, so make sure your work is clear and straightforward--just the way your favorite school texts proved to be.
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Tips & Warnings
Find information on Fog Index evaluation on the Internet. Some sites allow a writer to paste text into a template whereupon it's subjected to algorithms to determine grade level.
