What is the most effective way of having my educational book published?

Twenty years ago the answer was simple: authors would just send their ideas for a book to a few publishers, and then wait to see if any of the books were published.

Digitalisation changed all that. Today fewer and fewer publishers are taking on new authors, and it can be a fruitless task to send out an idea to all the relevant publishers listed in a trade directory.

But there are still some publishing companies that are looking for books from writers. These tend to be specialist publishers, working with a specific audience in one specific field, and they tend to be publishers that are embracing the new media as well as publishing in printed form.

First and Best is one such publishing company, and we are indeed seeking authors who can produce volumes that will be purchased by teachers in secondary schools.

The books we publish often move across various media – they can be sold as printed copies, on CD with permission for the schools to put them on their learning platforms, and as downloads. But the one thing that all our books have in common is that they are copiable under licence by the school.

You can see exactly what we currently publish by going to www.shop.firstandbest.co.uk and look at the category headings down the left of the screen. From there you’ll be able to read some details about any of the books that are of interest. However I must stress that although we have some books for primary schools listed there, we are not currently looking to expand that range.

Our books are advertised through direct marketing – which means that we write to teachers who might be interested, telling them of the items on sale. We also advertise on www.ukeducationnews.co.uk and other websites of a similar type. Our authors receive a royalty of 10% on the price of each sale.

If you have a book that is ready to be published or if you have an idea for a book, we’d like to hear from you. Just email Anne@firstandbest.co.uk with the following information:

The proposed title of the book
The target audience (eg GCSE history teachers, senior managers, administrators…)
A contents list and outline of the book’s coverage
A short extract from the body of the book (ie not the introduction).
I’m sorry to say that it is very hard indeed for us to make a judgement about a book just by hearing about it on the phone, so if you have any questions please do email me at the above address. If you prefer you can submit your proposal by post, but please note we can’t return any materials unless you provide a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

You can write to me at Anne Cockburn, First and Best, Hamilton House, Earlstrees Ct., Earlstrees Rd., Corby, Northants NN17 4HH

I look forward to hearing from you.

Anne Cockburn

What is the difference between a CCTV system upgraded this year and one that has been left untouched?

CCTV has developed. The quality of the pictures has massively improved, the coverage of each camera is broader, and the reliability of each part of the system is greatly enhanced.

As a result, whatever you want CCTV to do – whether it is to monitor a corridor that otherwise would be a focal point for bullying or keep a check on who comes into the school grounds – a recently upgraded system will do it far more effectively than an older system.

What’s more, equipment that is perhaps no longer up to requirements in certain key locations can still be used to enhance your view of less sensitive areas.

And so sometimes it is helpful to have a rethink: to consider adding one or two new elements and to look at upgrading any parts of the system that are now not delivering the results that are needed.

Of course, in such circumstances one normally returns to the firm that did the installation originally, but it can also be helpful to get another company to look at the installation as well.

The reason for this is simple. The company that installed the system in the first place will probably see the school and its CCTV challenges from the same perspective as they did when they first came to look at the school.

On the other hand, a different company taking a look at the school might well come up with something different – something more effective and, quite possibly, less expensive.

If you would like to know what Schoolwatch would recommend, please do contact us and we’ll give you our thoughts. To book a free, no obligation survey of your school, click here.

You can also find more information on our website at www.schoolwatch.co.uk

Alternatively, please do call us on 0845 519 3990 or email us at info@schoolwatch.co.uk

Whether it is concentric circles or a Matisse collage, the issue in art lessons is always the same

Creativity and exploration in all the arts have two key components for children: fun and control. Both are needed; one without the other means that both enjoyment and the artistic merit of the child’s work will suffer.

The question then has to be, how can we ensure that we strike the right balance of enjoyment and control? And how can we do so without taking up endless hours with planning and preparation?

There are many different solutions to this problem. For example, when thinking of visual art one can explore the patterns that emerge from concentric circles and use primary colours to fill these patterns.

On a different level one can look at pictures by Matisse, discuss which pictures are liked and why, examine the themes within the pictures and then work towards making a collage in the style of Matisse.

These are just two of the many ideas to be found in 100+ Fun Ideas for Art Activities.

This book contains a collection of tried and tested art activities that are easy to prepare, designed to be fun for the children, whilst at the same time fulfilling many of the requirements of the National Curriculum.

The activities introduce a wide range of art skills, ranging from how to use different colours and techniques to create shading and perspective, designing a banknote, painting glass jars, and printing on fabric.

Although the activities are aimed primarily at Key Stage 2 pupils, most can be adapted to suit the abilities and engagement levels of younger children.

Samples of the activities and the contents pages can be viewed on our website.

You can order 100+ Fun Ideas for Art Activities in any of these ways:

• On our website
• By phone on 01449 766629
• By fax on 01449 767122
• By email to orders@tradecounter.co.uk

Brilliant Publications,
Mendlesham Industrial Estate,
Norwich Road,
Mendlesham,
Suffolk,
IP14 5ND.website: www.brilliantpublications.co.uk
email: orders@tradecounter.co.uk

phone: 01449 766629
fax: 01449 767122