Updated April 23, 2014

Calling all authors: IRA is currently seeking you! Whether you're new to publishing or a seasoned vet, whether you have a teaching tip to share or the results of a research study to present, IRA has a publication venue for you—and we want to hear your voice.

IRA E-ssentials

Not ready to commit to a book-length manuscript? IRA E-ssentials are short, engaging articles that bring cutting-edge strategies to classroom teachers in an easily accessible PDF format, downloadable to any reading device.

IRA is seeking E-ssentials submissions on topics such as “Common Core in Your Classroom,” “Teaching with Technology,” and “Motivating Readers, Inspiring Teachers.” We also seek E-ssentials that include new ways to teach old things, including informational texts, content area literacy, and literature-based instruction.

Submissions should be based on solid research but focused on practical applications of best practices, written in an approachable voice and tone, and include plenty of visual elements such as sidebars and helpful figures. Electronic publishing allows for multimedia, too, such as hyperlinks to video or podcasts. See the E-ssentials author guidelines for more information.

Journals

IRA journals are peer reviewed, edited by leaders in the field, and produced by a professional publishing staff:

• The Reading Teacher (RT) provides research-based teaching ideas to literacy educators working with children up to age 12. You can view a sample issue of RT to familiarize yourself with each type of submission, and check the RT author guidelines for more information.
• The Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy (JAAL) highlights research-based practice aimed at improving engagement and achievement among literacy learners aged 12 and older. You can familiarize with JAAL by viewing a free sample issue. For more information about preparing your manuscript, see JAAL’s author guidelines.
• Reading Research Quarterly (RRQ) publishes the highest quality research on reading and literacy for and by scholars throughout the world. Familiarize yourself with RRQ by reviewing a free sample issue, or see the author guidelines to submit your manuscript today.

Reading Today

IRA’s bimonthly member magazine provides valuable tips for the classroom, children’s book reviews, and author interviews, plus keeps educators apprised of current trends in literacy education. The magazine accepts submissions of articles from 300 to 1,500 words. Click here to see the submission guidelines and read a sample issue, or e-mail questions to readingtoday@/.

Reading Today Online/Engage Blog

Posts in IRA's daily online magazine, Reading Today Online, run anywhere from 500 to 1,250 words. Please visit the site (including the Engage blog, which is part of the online magazine) to see the kind of content we look for. Pitches should include a couple sentences about your idea; if you know the type of content you’d like to submit—say, book reviews or a Teaching Tip—please put that in the subject line of the e-mail. Submissions should be directed to readingtoday@/ or engage@/ (depending on the feature).

ReadWriteThink.org

For those who wish to share practical ideas widely, ReadWriteThink.org is an excellent choice. This freely available website publishes peer-reviewed lessons, strategy guides, videos, and other resources that reach thousands of educators each day. See Writing a Lesson Plan for ReadWriteThink.org, or direct questions to Becky Fetterolf at bfetterolf@/.

IRA Bridges: Instructional Units for the Engaging Classroom

IRA Bridges are cross-curricular units are designed to support Common Core success; each is authored by a team that includes at least one classroom teacher and one researcher. The project, spearheaded by IRA’s Literacy Research Panel, aims to “promote highly engaging research-based classroom practices and rich student learning,” not to mention illustrate what CCSS-based classroom instruction looks like. These PDF publications, offered as an exclusive member benefit, were first published on Reading.org beginning February 2014. You may view a free sample unit here. We’re accepting units on all topics and levels, but there is a high demand for units that emphasize project-based learning, as well as units geared toward secondary students. Review the submission guidelines here. (Please note: The next deadline for submissions is June 15, 2014.)

Whether you’re based in the classroom or rooted in the research community, you too can become a part of the growing community of IRA authors. Submit today to the IRA publishing outlet that is right for you!

Wendy Logan is an editorial assistant at the International Reading Association.