While I have been fairly successful as a writer of technical books, the projects don't always flow as evenly and steady as I would wish. So, I've had to look around for freelance writing projects, which can be a bit like begging and pleading, only not as pathetic as it would be in-person.

About a year ago, while looking around for freelance work, I discovered an opportunity that allows me to submit work when I want, on what I want, and, to a certain extent, how I want. Too good to be true? Commonly, something this good would be that, but not this.

The website I discovered www.goteachit.com is constantly looking for contributors to develop teaching lesson plans for K-12 teachers on a variety of subjects and topics. While I've chosen to concentrate on American literature, their most prolific area, there are several other subject areas needing contributors as well.

So, what's the catch? Well, none that I've discovered, at least not yet. To get started, I registered as an author (for free!!!), downloaded looked over their template, wrote to them with a few ideas for curriculum on a couple of K-6 and 9-12 books, and, after getting approval to proceed, followed the template to develop my curriculum.

To date, I've done curricula on a variety of books, including
A Week in the Woods, An Incident on Hawk's Hill, and A Catcher in the Rye. I'm now working on The Crucible and have four or five on the ready to work on.

What's great is I work on my timeline and submit the final product when I am able to complete it. The really cool part is that I get a significant percentage of the sale, when a teacher buys the curriculum for use.

I guess it may be the teacher in me, but I've really enjoyed these projects and have gained a sense of real accomplishment from them.

So, how would you get started on something like this? First of all, visit GoTeachIt's website, register as an author, and download the template. After looking over what the format and style is, suggest a book, a math lesson, or a fun activity, and you'll be on your way. I hope you do, but stay away from my book list ;-).

If you'd like to learn more, after visiting their website, feel free to drop me a line. Always glad to help a fellow writer.