You've decided you'd like to try your hand at writing a graded reader. What's the next step? If a friend asked you for advice on how to become a marathon runner, you'd tell him to go running. Likewise, if you'd like to write graded readers, it's time for you to start reading and researching graded readers.

Choose one type of reader

Until you've had some experience writing at different language levels, choose just one type of reader you'd like to experiment with. Are you more comfortable with creating an original story or with simplifying an existing text? Once you've decided, ask yourself:

- What are the defining characteristics?

- How is it different to a novel you would read in your native language?

- How long is each chapter?

- What devices does the writer use to tell the story?

- Which level do you think you'd prefer writing at?

Do your research

Before pitching your talents to a publisher, you should:

- Study different publishers' catalogues to get a feel for the type of readers they publish

- Read a few books on your chosen publisher's list

- Prepare a pitch showing how your idea will fit into their range

Know your audience

There are graded readers for all age groups, from children through to adults, but think carefully about your topic when writing for younger readers. Although a lot of individual people buy graded readers in bookshops and online, a large number are bought by teachers and librarians for schools or educational institutions. Teachers almost always choose books which don't focus on taboo cultural issues in a classroom situation. This means that publishers will not normally accept stories dealing with sex, drugs or violence. Don't waste your time pitching an idea they will never publish.

Approaching a publisher

As is the case with mainstream publishers, educational publishers also have submission guidelines on their website. If not, contact the series or commissioning editor. You will never be asked to submit a finished book, but be prepared to send in an outline of each chapter or a description of the book. Most publishers will ask for at least one sample chapter to gauge your ability to write at a certain language level. When sending in the proposal, make sure to include the working title, the intended level, the number of words and a short synopsis.

Write what you love

Aside from the technical aspect involved in writing graded readers, there's not much difference between this type of literature and the type you're used to writing. If you're not sure what to write about, think about what you love. The stories you like reading are also those you'll prefer writing. More often than not, you love reading about subjects you are familiar with. If a publisher offers you the opportunity to write about a subject you're not really interested in, research the subject and you may be surprised that learning something new has made you a better writer.

The next article will deal with the nuts and bolts of writing a good story within the structural and lexical constraints of a graded reader.