Topic: Do any publishers publish fictionalized nonfiction these days?

[Betsy]

I have a friend who's written a nonfiction book on a scientific topic--except that it's fictionalized.  Two boys explore the woods and conduct simple experiments to learn more about insects--that kind of thing.  There used to be a rule that you never did this.  No publisher wanted a story that was a thinly disguised nonfiction essay in the form of a story.

Is this still the case?  Or do some publishers want this kind of material?  Thanks.  Any and all answers would be much appreciated.

[JulieM]

I'm not sure whether this is exactly what you are after, but The Magic School Bus (Scholastic) sounds like it is in the ballpark.

http://www.scholastic.com/magicschoolbus/

[JodyJS]

Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but Sylvan Dell publishes essentially fiction books with a touch of nonfiction.

[Betsy]

Thanks, Jody.  I'll take a look at their list again.

Julie--I forgot about the Magic School Bus.  Obviously there are a few out there...

[Vijaya]

Picture Window (divison of Capstone) also publishes these sorts of books, but they are all WFH and the publisher gives you the topic. I've seen these type of stories in Ladybug.
Vijaya

[Pam]

Charlesbridge...that's how I broke in. I sent them a bunch of fictionalized nonfiction (on science topics) and then they asked I write math. Worth a shot.

[literaticat]

Kate Messner's OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW is about a girl and her father who are cross-country skiing, and as they go over the snow, she observes the animals burrowing and living under the snow in the 'subnivean zone' -- then there is backmatter about each animal -- i think this counts!  Chronicle is the pub.

[Betsy]

Duh!  You'd think I'd remember Charlesbridge, seeing as how I've published 14 books with them.  And one, for sure, is fictionalized nonfiction (TURN OF THE CENTURY).

Thanks, Literaticat, Pam and Vijaya.  Much appreciated.  A lot of old rules seem to be breaking down.

[HaroldU]

Ellen, I'd look to the school end of the market generally--where Charlesbridge and Capstone direct at least some of their books. Lerner, etc.

[terri]

Betsy,

Just wondering if you ever sent your fictionalized non-fiction in to Charlesbridge, and if so, what happened.