Getting Kids Writing Published
Tips for Getting Children's Creative Written Work in Print or Online
Ideas to help children submit writing and become published writers or artists in magazines, on websites, and in other publications.
Tips for Getting Children's Creative Written Work in Print or Online
- Before submitting something creative to a magazine, website, or journal, young writers need to make sure to find out what the publications are like in style and content so that they will know if their style fits with the publication. All writers need to read and study the magazines to which they plan on submitting. (Most will be available at your library, bookstore, or online.) What kinds of articles and sections are there? What sort of tone do they take? Is it literary, funny, serious, or free-spirited? Really getting to know a publication before submitting work is an important step many unsuccessful adult writers skip.
- Most publications have writing guidelines available on their web sites or by mail. Click on the publication name links below for submissions pages. Writer's Guidelines will explain their needs, how to submit, what length and kind of work they print, and rate of pay (if any). A smart writer will read and pay careful attention to the needs of each individual magazine, journal or site. No matter how good a piece is, an editor can't use anything that doesn't fit the style of the publication.
- Following is a list of markets, or publications that might publish children's writing (or other creative submissions). Searching online using the words like kids writing published, children's poetry published,submit written work children or such will find many more sources. There are also books for children on submitting writing at the library.
Some Markets Accepting Children's Writing
(Please note: These publications have NOT been completely reviewed for content, so adults should check them over to decide if they are appropriate for young writers to read. Again, it is always wise to know your market well before submitting work, anyway.)
- CyberKids: This online publication prints funny stories, poems, articles, pictures or other creative work on any topic that is appropriate for their audience (ages 7 to 12). In addition to art and writing, they also publish games, puzzles, brain-teasers, jokes, and multimedia creations by kids.
- Cyberteens: Online publication which prints teen-written stories, articles and poetry on any subject appropriate for teens. Illustrated stories and articles are especially likely to get published.
- KidPub Web Site: It's free to read kids' stories or poems on this web site but it costs $6.95 a year to post an unlimited number of a child's writing (so no rejection letters here, folks!). Work is published unedited. One neat feature is that the number of times an item has been read is counted on the page. This could be especially valuable for homeschool children to show off their writing.
When Working with Creative Children Remember They may have Fragile Egos
Every writer gets many rejection slips. The trick is to keep on trying and not take it personally. Editors see a lot of work. Only so much fits their publication. If a child's work gets a rejection slip, call it "wallpaper," start a collection box for such form letters, and have a small celebration for making the attempt. Then start looking for another place to re-submit.and
After all, 12 agents refused to represent J.K. Rowlings before she finally found one to market her first Harry Potter book!
(Source: The Writer's Book of Hope: Getting from Frustration to Publication by Ralph Keyes. Owl Books, 2003)
For reluctant writers, see Synonyms for the word "Said", Easy Games to Teach Writing Skills, and Teach Writing Without Handwriting.
