How to approach publishing companies?

Myself and 3 others have a very unique fresh idea for supplementary educational materials. We have our first product completed and are ready to take it to the next level. We need all the advice we can get. Thanks. Ideally we are looking for a mentor to help us along.How to approach publishing companies?
Hi, I am a former school librarian as well as a traditional author.



From grades K thru college, the field you are interested in 'educational materials' is very specific to guidelines. You must first determine if your idea fits the guidelines for supplemental materials pertinent to the grade level topic/subject they are meant to supplement.



I suggest you talk with teachers in the grade level and topic area before you go further along. If the teachers think your concept is good, then ask to see the text books for the subject and find out the publisher of the text books (inside the books on the title page). As a school librarian, I know that nearly all the supplemental materials were published by the same publishers who did the text books for the subject area.



Remember that supplemental materials must pass state/county school district educational guidelines. Educational publishers for text books and supplemental materials usually have their own web sites and often they post submission guidelines on the sites.



I hope this helps ;-)How to approach publishing companies?
Normally authors of non-fiction, approach a publisher with a book proposal BEFORE commencing a project, because an interested publisher might wish to have an input on length/ design/ layout.



I must also point out, that if a piece of work is considered to be 'specialized', proof of authority will probably need to be established. For example, I have a degree in science and technology, but few publishing houses would consider me qualified to write a text book on the subject - I have insufficient 'authority'.



However, having said that, if your idea is sufficiently different, which you indicate it might be, and your background is considered appropriate, they might easily be interested in what you have to offer.



Try one of the writer's manuals such as http://www.writersandartists.co.uk/ for reputable publishing houses and agents, and submit a letter of proposal.



Anthony James Barnett - authorHow to approach publishing companies?
With pessimism.
My favorite 'mentor' (besides my editor) is a copy of The Writer's Market, the first section, which is all about how to properly go about getting fiction or nonfiction published.



Suggest you study that as educational material... study that first section a lot. You'll see how and when and to whom to write a book proposal, queries, and book synopses. If you don't need to write a proposal, get right into polishing queries and book synopses like they are of tremendous importance, because they are.



The Writer's Market has 'good' and 'bad' examples of these things as well as tips from those in the business, and links you can use to check the reputation of any agent or publisher you may deal with.



You'd do well to get a current copy of this book, and work on publishing every bit as hard as you worked on writing your 'product.' Expect rejections, even from those who take unsolicited queries and synopses, and follow the book's advise: keep sending them to those who will read them, and perservere.

Good luck.