EDUCATIONAL CONTENT DEVELOPMENT
Wrote a non-fiction book for the American educational market
that is available in all major book stores world-wide
Project
RedLine Editorial hired me to write and develop "Diwali" for ABDO Publishing
Goal
Publish a book on Diwali for the American Educational Market
Role
Writer, Researcher, Content Developer & Designer, Editor
Collaborators
Subject matter expert, Lavanya Vemsani, PhD (Department of Social Sciences Shawnee State University) and two editors
Research and Discovery
1. Understanding the Audience:
-
The audience was between grades 4-8, the reading level should fit the ATOS readability for this group
-
Analyzed existing educational materials on holidays and cultural celebrations to identify content gaps and opportunities
2. Content Research:
-
Collaborated with cultural historians and experts on Indian traditions to gather accurate information about Diwali
-
Reviewed academic articles, books, and online resources to ensure the historical accuracy and cultural sensitivity of the content
Content Strategy and Design
1. Structuring the Content:
-
Divided the book into clear sections
-
Included sidebars with fun facts, important terms, and key figures related to Diwali
-
Created a glossary and an index to help students navigate the book and understand unfamiliar terms
2. Writing and Tone:
-
Used a friendly and engaging tone appropriate for young readers while maintaining educational standards
-
Incorporated storytelling elements to make historical events and cultural practices relatable and interesting
-
Included quotes and anecdotes to add depth and context to the factual content
3. Visual and Interactive Elements:
-
Added vibrant images, diagrams, and maps to complement the text and enhance visual learning
-
Designed interactive elements such as reflective questions, activities, and project ideas to encourage active learning and classroom discussions
-
Developed supplementary online content, including videos and URLs
Challenges and Solutions
1. Ensuring appropriate reading level:
-
Challenge: Finding a balance in reading level that's suitable for grade levels 4 to 8 (not too difficult for 4th graders and not boring for 8th graders)
-
Solution: Shortened sentence lengths, consulted the Children's Writers' Word Book, and checked the ATOS reading level to ensure the content was accessible and engaging for the target age range
2. Balancing Detail with Engagement:
-
Challenge: Providing sufficient historical detail without
overwhelming young readers
-
Solution: Prioritized essential information and used sidebars
for additional interesting facts and deeper insights
3. Finding source materials:
-
Challenge: Finding relevant research materials in German libraries
-
Solution: To address this challenge, I took memberships in online libraries such as the Queens Library in New York and other similar resources. This approach allowed me to access a wide range of digital books, articles, and databases that provided the necessary information for the project
Outcome and Impact
"Diwali" was successfully published as part of the History of Holidays and Festivals series by ABDO Publishing on December 2023
Key Metrics:
-
Adopted by numerous schools and 96 libraries worldwide within the first year of publication【Worldcat】.
-
Achieved a Best Sellers Rank of #20 in Teen & Young Adult Hinduism Books, and #78 in Teen & Young Adult Anthropology【Amazon.com】.
You can find the book on Barnes & Noble, Hugendubel, Dussmann, Amazon, and other book stores.
Accessed on 09.07.24