Writing for Children's Magazines

Did you know there are over 500 magazines for kids and families? And they all need material: stories, nonfiction articles, crafts, games, puzzles, poems, devotions, poems, recipes, action rhymes and short plays. Writing for a magazine is a great way to break into publishing. You get a faster response, some income, and a publishing credit you can "crow about" in your next cover letter. It's even helpful to publish in a non-paying market if you get a credit.

I've published in a a dozen different publications over the years but most of my work has been in Highlights for Children and their preschool magazine, Highlights High Five. They have even pitched me work I didn't solicit once I was part of their stable of regular writers. It's been a great source of income AND my work is read by millions (yes, millions) of readers...even in China and Thailand where Highlights does special editions.

But before you rush to send off your work to a magazine, take time to study several back issues so you get a feel for their tone and focus. Read the magazine's guidelines, most of which can be found online at the magazine's website. Note what age reader they target, what their focus is (general, religious, sports, animals, history, health, etc.), and what the word limits are. Note what kinds of material they are looking for and who to send to. Here's a listing of Highlight's current needs:

https://www.highlights.com/current-needs

Notice, too if a magazine uses theme lists for each issue. You might get an idea just from reading the upcoming themes. One publication that uses themes is Pockets. They'll post a new list of themes soon for future months.

http://pockets.upperroom.org/write-for-us/themes/

Keep in mind that magazines plan their issues several months in advance. Don't send a Memorial Day story now and expect it to appear this year. It won't come up until next year, or the next. Holidays are a slim window, and unless your story is quite unique, it may take a while to show up.

This website gives you links to magazines so you can read their guidelines and samples:

http://www.evelynchristensen.com/markets.html

If the library or the bookstore doesn't have and copy of a magazine you're interested in and you can't find samples online, then send for a copy of the magazine by writing to the editor and enclosing a check for a copy plus postage. Look in the magazine section of a used books store like Bookman's. You'll save yourself hours of time and avoid frustrations if you READ, READ, READ several copies and analyze the magazine before submitting. Note that some features in the magazine are written in-house by staff and are not open to freelancers.

So, dig into your brain and find those ideas lurking in there and write them up!