by Heather Tomasello

Created on: January 14, 2009   Last Updated: August 11, 2011

Writing for children's magazines can be a great way to break into the children's publishing industry for several reasons. Magazines need new content frequently -many are distributed monthly -and often have a small staff and rely on freelance writers' submission to fill their pages. Most include a balance of fiction, high-interest nonfiction articles, puzzles, games, craft ideas, and poetry, so chances are you can find a category to fit your writing interests. Many magazines circulate to millions of children, so if your goal is to see your story reach a wide audience, magazines may be the answer! The response time is often shorter than that of book publishers. Selling pieces to magazines also builds your writing credentials and may lead to greater success with future publications.

As a writer who has sold stories, poems, crafts, and other pieces to "Highlights for Children," "Guideposts for Kids," "Hopscotch," "Pockets," and other magazines, here are tips for preparing your work to submit to children's magazines.

WRITING FOR MAGAZINES: PREPARING

• Read, read, read back issues of the magazine to get a good picture of style, tone, audience, and length of articles. You may also want to note if an idea you have is similar to something they've already published (and submit it elsewhere.)

• Ask for writer's guidelines - some of these list them on the web, others will send them to you if you request them along with an SASE. Pay attention to the magazine's target audience, particularly the age, gender (if targeted) and other characteristics.

• Buy a copy of the Children's Writers' and Illustrator's Market (Writer's Digest Books) edited by Alice Pope. This is the "Bible" for children's writers and is updated annually. It contains contact information for magazines and other trade publications, what they're looking for, what they pay for various pieces, etc.

• Be certain to follow the magazine's guidelines! (For example, keep your word count in-line with their requirements, etc.)

• Some magazines have themes and deadlines for themed submissions. Be timely!

WRITING FOR MAGAZINES: CREATING

• Choose something you are very passionate about or interested in. Your work should convey that excitement and interest to the reader.

• Start your story or article strong and finish with a bang!

For nonfiction, hook your reader's interest with:

- Questions

- Dialogue

- Anedcotes

- Humor

- A Mystery

Nonfiction may be easier to break into for an unpublished writer. What kinds of nonfiction pieces do children's magazines need? Biographies, how-to articles, science-related articles, pieces about holidays, history, craft ideas, simple recipes, puzzles, games, and spotlights on real kids who have done extraordinary things or helped their community in some way.

If you write an article that requires research, be certain to keep good records. use primary sources whenever possible and submit the article with a list of sources.

Here are some great links to get your started. Happy writing and best of luck as you submit your work!

Magazines:

• Highlights for Children www.highlights.com

• Wee Ones online mag at http://www.weeonesmag.com

• Pockets This is a Christian magazine for kids ages 6-12, themed each month: http://www.upperroom.com/pockets/

• Cobblestone Publishers, produce Babybug, Appleseeds, Ask, Spider, Cricket, and more. Writer's guidelines at: http://www.cobblestonepub.com/guides.html

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