writing short stories for children's magazines

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The Writing Cooperative

Mar 27, 2020

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How to Write and Sell Articles and Short Stories to the Juvenile Market

A complete guide to writing for magazines and websites aimed at children and teens, the challenge of writing well for children and teens.

Any children’s editor will tell you in exasperated tones how frequently aspiring writers say they want to write for children because they think it will be easier than writing for adults. Nothing could be further from the truth. Writing for children and teens is at least as challenging as writing for any other demographic. Good children’s writers are good writers, period.

Have a look at these five reasons aspiring writers often give for trying to write for the juvenile market:

If you think any of the above are good reasons to write for children, you should forget about it. Content for the juvenile market must be of the highest quality to have a chance of publication — at least in the markets that pay professional rates. The subject must be well targeted, the angle fresh and original, and the prose tightly crafted.

While you shouldn’t be put off writing for the juvenile market, you must recognize that it’s challenging and demands not only enthusiasm but a particular set of skills. If you have a passion for writing for children and teens, you can learn the skills that you need to do it well. But if you’re thinking of writing for the juvenile market because you imagine it will be easy, you will only be disappointed.

In this story you’ll learn:

If you think you have what it takes, a career writing for children and teens can be as rewarding — both personally and financially — as it is challenging. Still keen? Let’s examine the knowledge and skills you’ll need to be a successful children’s writer.

The skills you need to write for the juvenile market

Besides the basic abilities all freelance writers need — a creative imagination, self-discipline, a good command of grammar, excellent research skills, and a talent for communicating ideas and feelings in written form — a children’s writer must fulfil a specific set of conditions.

Most of these factors can be learned or developed if you don’t have them already, or the gaps filled in by thorough research. If you’re keen to write for young people, make a start and be ready to learn on the job. But if there’s one essential skill that you can’t learn, it’s a passion for delivering the best quality writing to children. You can write well for several markets — business, technical, marketing, news and current affairs, for example — even if the subject matter doesn’t stir your soul. But to write well for children, you must care.

What editors in the juvenile market look for from freelance writers

The number of magazines and websites catering for kids and teens is bigger than you might think before you begin researching the market. They range from comic books, newspapers, magazines on current affairs, science and nature journals, to pop culture, fashion, music, crafts, fiction, and more. But most juvenile markets fall into one of three basic categories:

Other publications which aren’t specifically designed with the younger generation in mind also accept news stories, articles, and features written for children and teens. Think of history, science, nature, and hobby publications of all kinds. These markets are often overlooked by freelance children’s writers, but they can pay well. It’s always worth picking up the phone and asking the editor if she’d be interested in a pitch.

Children’s and teen publications can also be categorized by the age group of their target audiences. An editor of a publication aimed at kids still in kindergarten or 1st grade will look for subjects and treatments very different from those an editor of a magazine or website targeting freshmen, sophomores, or seniors may want. While you must do your due diligence and research each publication to understand what news items, articles, or features the editor might buy, here’s what publications in the different age groups look for as a general rule:

These categories are not carved in stone. Editors are also aware — as you should be — that many young people “read up” above their age with great curiosity as they try to understand what’s in store as they grow and develop. So, for example, if you write a piece about sex and relationships for one of the older age group magazines, the editor will expect you to take into account the younger children reading it and to use tact and well-chosen vocabulary. But each publication has its specific needs and editorial policy often changes, so you must always research the market before you pitch or submit.

How to research children’s and teen markets

Market research is a vital aspect of freelance writing. In short, those who thoroughly research the markets before pitching or making submissions have a much higher acceptance rate than those who don’t. They get published more often, get better paid, and can build a viable career. Market research isn’t an “optional extra” for the successful freelance writer; it’s the foundation of success.

If you’d like an in-depth explanation of how to research writing markets and a step-by-step process for analysing those markets, you must read The Complete How-to Guide to Market Research for Freelance Writers , which explains everything you need to know. However, there are certain aspects of research which are particularly pertinent to the children’s and teen markets.

Once you’ve completed your first round of research and selected several magazines or websites you’d like to write for, then you must read and examine a handful of recent back issues if it’s a print publication or the most recently published posts or articles if it’s a blog or website. Read critically with the aim of understanding the “nuts and bolts” of the editorial policy. Ask yourself the following questions and note down the answers:

At the end of the research phase, along with editorial and submission guidelines, which you may find online or may need to apply for, you should have a clear image of the “ideal reader” of the publication for which you wish to write. You should also have a good understanding of the “voice” you need to write in — style, tone, vocabulary, sentence length and structure — and a sense of what topics and treatments appeal to the editor. For a full-length discussion of writing style, how to develop it, and how to adapt it to diverse publications, read How to Develop a Writing Style That Sells .

Equipped with the results of a detailed market analysis, you’re in a strong position to formulate an idea for a news item, a feature article, or short story, that the editor is likely to buy.

How to choose a subject to write about

Your research should have stimulated several good ideas for what to write about for a given market. You will also know what the editor has recently bought and published, so you don’t waste time and effort on a story that’s already been covered. When you’re deciding what to write, ask yourself the following questions:

Once you’ve answered these questions and settled on an idea that seems to be a good fit, you can either write it up or send a pitch to the editor. The submission guidelines, which are usually published on the publication’s website or can be requested by email, will tell you whether the editor accepts unsolicited submissions or wants you to make an enquiry first. You’ll often see “does not accept unsolicited submissions.” Don’t be put off by that. It just means the editor doesn’t want finished pieces without commissioning them first. You can still send a pitch for an idea.

Getting the language right when writing for children and teens

Again, each publication has its specific needs, so you’ll need to be guided by your market research. But there are several universal principles you need to understand if you want to write well for children. Study these carefully before you put pen to paper or your fingers on the keyboard.

If you follow these rules, you’ll be off to a flying start. It should go without saying that you should respect your audience’s intelligence and avoid the trap of adult arrogance or moralizing when writing for younger readers. Many of the world’s best children’s writers advise that you shouldn’t “write for children” at all — you should just write. It’s advice worth remembering.

How to approach editors, make a convincing pitch, and sell your work

The rules for selling your work to the juvenile market are the same as those for any other market. You must start with research and market analysis. Then choose a publication you’re excited to write for and find out the editor’s name. In print magazines, it’s usually somewhere on the inside front or back cover. Online, try the “About us” or “Contact us” page. If you need to, don’t be shy about picking up the telephone and asking to whom you should address your pitch.

Write up your idea as concisely as you can. Use bullet points to indicate the content of longer pieces. If you’re providing photographs or illustrations, say so. Include an accurate word count and all your contact details, including email and a telephone number. For fiction, you can usually submit the entire story, but check the editor’s submission guidelines first.

It’s a good idea to work up several pitches before you send the first one. If the editor commissions your work, you’ll have another piece in the pipeline to follow up with. If she rejects the pitch but invites you to send further ideas, you can do so promptly while you’re still fresh in her mind.

Once you get a commission and have agreed a fee, make sure to do your best work and submit it ahead of the deadline. As soon as the editor approves and buys your piece, thank her and mention you have several other ideas she may like. After you’ve sold a handful of articles or stories to the same publication, you may find the editor will commission you directly to do work for which she knows you’ll be a good fit.

To learn how to write articles that sell, read this next:

How to Write Articles That Sell: A Beginner’s Guide to Freelance Writing

Everything you need to write content editors want to buy.

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Austin Hackney

Writing advice, science, philosophy, culture, and the arts. He/him. For writing and editorial services, please send enquiries to mooteditorial(at)gmail(dot)com.

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Lou Treleaven

Children's author and writing coach

Category: short stories

Short stories wanted for new children’s magazine zizzle.

Find out more about the magazine here and send your submissions to Yeutting Cindy Lam via the submissions form .

The Times 50 word ghost story competition

I’ve just heard about this competition which closes in a week, but with only 50 words to write you can hit the deadline easily – can’t you?

Write a ghost story for The Times in 50 words and win £200 worth of books (selected for you, not by you) and a signed set of Susan Hill’s ghost stories. Email or post by 5 pm on Tuesday 23 Oct, UK and ROI residents only. Full details here . For tips from Susan Hill on writing to spook, read her article online .

A fun challenge that may plant the seed for a short story or novel further down the line… Good luck!

Spellbound Magazine looking for fantasy stories and poetry

Spellbound is a quarterly e-zine, also available for download to e-reader, and is produced by small publisher Eggplant Literary Productions. Aimed at children aged 8-12, each issue is themed around a different fantasy element. The next theme if you are submitting between October and December is changelings and doppelgängers. This is an American market and payment is 2.5c a word up to 2,500 words. They also accept poetry. Read the guidelines carefully and submit by email with your story in the body of the email, not as an attachment. This looks like a fun market to try; I like the challenge of having a different theme to write for each quarter. Just make sure you submit inside the reading period for your theme.

Gatwick Airport looking for children’s stories to broadcast

Now this sounds interesting. Gatwick Airport have started broadcasting children’s stories on the audio social network SoundCloud (a sort of audio YouTube) and are looking for children’s authors to send them stories. As far as I can see, they don’t pay, but the author retains the copyright which means you can send it elsewhere afterwards, plus you have, potentially, a huge audience for your work in the form of Gatwick Airport passengers.

They accept submissions by email only and you should specify whether your story is for the under 4s, 4-7, 7-9, 9-12 or 13+ age group. Here are the submission guidelines . You can also send them an excerpt from a novel if it makes sense as a stand-alone piece.

Thanks to Writers Online for the tipoff (like them on Facebook to get market tips and the latest writing news).

Cast of Wonders short story market – and an interview with a successful submitter

I am really pleased to come across yet another market for short stories for children. This one is called Cast of Wonders and it takes the form of a weekly podcast of science fiction and fantasy short stories for young adults aged 12 to 17, read expertly by Graeme Dunlop. They pay £5 per story at the moment but hope to pay more in future to attract good writers, although as listening to the podcasts is free they rely on donations. The exciting thing about this market is that you have flexibility in terms of length and subject, as long as it fits into the sci fi fantasy genre and is suitable for the age group (think Hunger Games as a rough guide to content). They also accept manuscripts from young authors (stage your age when submitting if you are under 18).

Submissions details are here and you need to send through their website.

One person who successfully submitted is Lucy Oliver, who has agreed to answer a few questions on the process and her writing journey.

What prompted you to submit to Cast of Wonders and how did you hear of them? I found Cast of Wonders on Duotrope. I thought the site was very well designed and I liked the idea of Y/A podcasts.

Have you been published anywhere else? I have been published in Take a Break, Fiction Feast, Cafelit, Stories for Children and various anthologies. I also won the Stylist Magazine Microfiction competition.

How important is persistence when you are submitting manuscripts? How do you stay motivated to keep trying? It’s vital. But you do also need to be realistic. Writing is a skill and needs to be learned. It’s a long process. You do need to keep sending work out, but if it keeps coming back – try to work out why. A good critique by a third party can be extremely helpful. The work itself keeps me motivated. If I had nothing accepted, I would still write. I couldn’t give up the sense of exhilaration you get when a story starts to work and suddenly, you’re there with your characters feeling all their emotions.

These new niche markets are exciting opportunities for writers and small publishers. How do you see the future of children’s publishing now that we are moving away from traditional ink and paper? I think there will always be a place for paper and ink. I’ve got young children and they’re not into e-books. They like pictures and the fun of turning the pages. I think teenagers however, would be much more interested. The e-readers are smart and easy to use. A book is a book, no matter what method is used to read it and anything that encourages young readers is good.

And finally, when will your story be on Cast of Wonders and what is it called? It is called, ‘Living Clay,’ and should be on site on the 18th May, but the exact date is still to be confirmed.

Thanks Lucy.

Cast of Wonders is a venture of Wolfsbane Publishing who also produce the horror podcast Cast Macabre . I visited their website/blog but found myself wading through spam comments that outnumbered the content many times over. Get yourselves a spam filter, guys!

Market for children’s short stories – Story Station

Story Station is a part of viatouch.com which is a website of resources for teachers and parents. An American market, they pay 1c per world for short stories for children and young adults of between 1,500 to 3,000 words. Full submission guidelines can be found here , but basically they are looking for quality short stories with strong plot lines, a child protagonist or child character (not necessarily the viewpoint character) and an upbeat ending. If you read a few of the stories on there you will see that there is some quirky, original stuff as well as classic adventures but avoid the nastier end of horror. I was impressed by the quality. Maybe you can do just as well? Email submissions are preferred and they aim to respond within a month.

Another market for children’s short stories – Alfie Dog Limited

New e-publishers Alfie Dog Limited are looking for short stories to make available for download on their website, www.alfiedog.com . Submissions details are at http://alfiedog.com/submissions/ and http://alfiedog.com/submissions/submission-process/ . Authors will receive just under half of the download fee, so for a 39p short story the author will receive 16p per download.

The publisher is aiming at an international audience and is has mentioned that she would love to see more children’s stories, although she considers any age group or genre. If you fancy dipping your toe in the electronic waters but don’t want to go it alone, this could be a market for you.

Knowonder! looking for children’s short stories

Knowonder is dedicated to promoting reading and communication involving parents and children together. Their short stories are designed to be read aloud by the parent. They are looking for exciting, eventful narratives in the third person, past tense only, between 500 and 2000 words long and aimed at children between 3 and 10 years old. A look at previous stories shows that as well as printing original work they also have extracts from Little Women and Anne of Green Gables, retellings of fairy tales and fables, and Beatrix Potter and Hans Christian Anderson stories, which should give you a clue as to the sort of style and themes they are looking for.

You should read the submission information very carefully. Note above all that this is a US site so your work should make sense to American children (eg your character should not be walking along the pavement eating a jam sandwich!). They do not want stories about every day situations (such as walking along the pavement eating a jam sandwich). Stories should be action-driven and dynamic. I highly recommend writing something new for this market rather than trying to use existing material.

With a new story being printed every day, there is a great opportunity to get published here. Payment is between 25 and 50 US dollars depending on length. Submit only through the form on the site. The additional information in the third section of the submission page on writers’ guidelines is well worth a read for any aspiring children’s author.

Children’s publishers accepting unsolicited manuscripts

* UPDATED FEBRUARY 2023 *

You can’t get published without an agent, and you can’t get an agent without being published – or so the adage goes. Thankfully, there are still a few children’s book publishers who are happy to wade through the ‘slush pile’, that teetering tower of manuscripts we imagine fill up a corner of the office, each one representing an agent-less writer who is hoping against hope that they might be plucked from obscurity. So in the spirit of writerly comradeship here is my current list of writer-friendly children’s fiction publishers in the UK who still accept unsolicited manuscripts. Check their website guidelines and submit away, but please do correct me if I’ve made any errors or incorrect assumptions. NB Where there is a link, I have endeavoured to take you, the linkee, to the submissions guidelines page of the publisher’s website; where that is not possible I have linked to the main website page.

Bridge House Bridge House is a small press which specialises in themed anthologies of short stories, often for charity. They are occasionally closed to submissions but check the website for future anthology details. May be unsuitable for ‘darker’ material.

C.A.A.B. Publishing This small indie is open for submissions of children’s books under 25,000, but not picture books, so think chapter book or lower middle grade. Submit via the form, confirming you have read the guidelines, and expect to hear back in about 3 months. Note: UK authors only at the moment, and you should be prepared to be actively involved in promoting your book.

Dinosaur Books Dinosaur Books are a small indie publisher looking for exciting fiction for the 5-12 year old readership with a traditional feel – see their wonderfully illustrated Dinoteks books for an example. No picture books or rhyming books – think fast-paced adventure for 5-8 or 8-12. They prefer email submissions of the first three chapters and synopsis of the book and aim to reply within six months if possible.

Everything With Words is a young indie publisher with high standards established by Danish writer and storyteller Mikka Haugaard. They are looking for books for readers aged 7+, so think middle grade and YA for this publisher with a minimum length of 40K words. They lean towards the literary with a hint of darkness. Email with three chapters or the first fifty pages.

Firefly Press This vibrant Welsh publisher had a short open submission window at the end of August 2020, so worth keeping an eye on for future opportunities – and they publish the wonderful Catherine Fisher! They accept chapter books, middle grade and YA. Make sure you read the guidelines as they have particular requirements for submission. Fledgling Press This is a Scottish company that focuses on debut authors writing a variety of fiction including YA. If you’re Scottish too that will help! You should send three chapters and a short synopsis by email and they aim to reply within 6 weeks. If accepted your book will be placed on a longlist for possible publication. Note they do not want sci fi. Floris Books This Scottish publisher accepts unsolicited submissions for their Kelpies imprint, but only from authors from underrepresented communities. Alternatively you can enter the Kelpies Fiction Prize, where you can submit annually for their Picture Kelpies, and Kelpies range of books for 6-9 and 8-12 year olds. Note: only approach if you are a Scottish writer or your book has a Scottish setting and/or theme. Flying Eye Books Flying Eye Books are an imprint of publishing house Nobrow and are committed to producing a selection of high quality, visually appealing children’s fiction and non-fiction. They are currently accepting picture book and non-fiction submissions. Email your submission as an attachment that includes the synopsis. You will receive an acknowledgement and they aim to reply in 4 months, although that isn’t always possible. Frances Lincoln (Quarto Group) This well-established publisher publishes picture books, young fiction (6-9 years) and novels (9-14 years) and are looking for exceptional writing that really stands out. They are part of the Quarto publishing group so submission requirements are on the Quarto website. Submit by email only with the specific information listed, including a signed submission agreement.

The new, but already rather fabulous, Guppy Books don’t accept unagented manuscripts, but in the last couple of years they have held competitions for new writers with no entry fee, with the winner being published. In 2020 it was young adult, and in 2021 it’s middle grade. See the requirements here and submit between 7-11 June. Fingers (or pens) crossed, this may turn into an annual opportunity.

Hogs Back Books This small publisher specialises in picture books for up to age 10. Send your manuscript by post or email – full text for picture books, first three chapters and synopsis for young adult. Paper submissions will not be returned so just include an SAE or email address for a reply. View the catalogue on the site to get an idea of what they publish. Imagine That Publishing (TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO SUBMISSIONS) specialises in picture books and chapter books for young readers. No middle grade or YA. They prefer email submissions but will accept postal manuscripts with a contact email address (no returns). Email attachments should be under 1MB. If you don’t hear back within 8 weeks then you can assume you have been unsuccessful. No simultaneous submissions (ie don’t submit to other publishers at the same time).

Knights Of are a new, ambitious and diversity-championing publisher with an exciting range of inclusive books that aim to more accurately reflect society. Their submission model is a bit different: go to the guidelines, get prepared to pitch and then hit live chat. You may be asked at some point during the conversation to paste in a short synopsis, and if they want to take your idea further then you’ll be invited to submit via email. Fiction for 5-15 year olds, no picture books or YA/crossover.

Lantana Publishing Committed to publishing books that reflect the diversity of the children who read them, Lantana is keen to see submissions by writers of BAME heritage. They are looking for short picture books, early readers and middle grade. Sign up to their newsletter, then send the whole text and expect to hear back in about 12 weeks; if not, it’s a no this time.

Levine Querido is a new independent publisher that champions high quality literature and picture books by people from underpresented backgrounds and from around the world. You should submit a query letter plus either the full text for a picture book or the first two chapters for a novel. They use Submittable, a manuscript submission system which allows you to track the process, and the waiting time is six months. They can only take on a certain amount of submissions per month so if your Submittable application fails you can try again the next month.

Lomond Books If you have a book with a Scottish theme then Lomond books would like to hear from you. Their submission requirements are quite loose so I recommend the standard package of three chapters plus covering letter and synopsis, or the whole text if a picture book. They aim to reply in 6-8 weeks. Maverick Maverick publish a range of lively and colourful picture books. They are looking for quirky, interesting reads with strong storylines. Note that the maximum length is 650 words and preferably less! Also no illustrations. Unlike some picture book publishers they do accept stories in rhyme. Email submissions are preferred as pdf or Word attachments together with a covering letter or email, but you can also submit by post. Submissions are occasionally closed to allow them to catch up. NOW ACCEPTING JUNIOR FICTION AND MIDDLE GRADE! Mogzilla Mogzilla are an independent publishing company with educational links, currently looking for historical fiction only for age 6-15 years. They ask for proposals to be emailed and they will then request the manuscript if they are interested, either by post or in pdf form, so don’t send them a manuscript unless you have had a proposal accepted. Nosy Crow Nosy Crow is a relatively young publisher that is going from strength to strength and is keen to embrace the latest technologies. Currently closed to general submissions, they are still accepting manuscripts from BAME authors for ages 5-12, but middle grade in particular. Email Tom with the first three chapters and synopsis. O’Brien Press This Irish publisher accepts all age groups from picture books to young adults and they are now taking email submissions. Send a cover letter, synopsis and the full manuscript. They aim to reply within 8-10 weeks. Irish authors preferred as able to do local events.

Owlet Press are a small, family run independent publisher championing diverse creators and books. Check out their submission requirements carefully as they require a certain length of content in the email. They publish picture books, chapter books and graphic novels but are particularly keen to see more of the latter two. Due to the amount of submissions, they will only respond if they like your idea.

Rocket Bird Books are a new imprint launched in 2021 under the Barrington Stoke umbrella. They specialise in picture books and, although they don’t accept unsolicited manuscripts generally, they plan to have an open submission day twice a year and have already had one on 30 November 2021, so keep an eye on their website or Twitter for more opportunities.

Salayira Publishing is a high quality, innovative independent children’s book publisher who are currently accepting picture books and non fiction picture books for their Scribblers imprint as well as graphic novels. Browse their website to get an idea of what they are looking for and submit to the email address provided. Don’t expect to hear back unless successful.

Scholastic – This large, exciting publisher doesn’t usually accept unagented manuscripts, but they have started having small ‘open season’ windows where you can submit picture books to them. For 2021 this was 24-30 April with other dates to follow which will be announced on their Instagram feed. Anything submitted outside that window will be deleted. During the submission window you can submit up to 3 picture books at a time, of under 800 words each, and they will respond within 12 weeks if interested. They are not looking for other age groups at this time. Strident – KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEBSITE FOR SUBMISSION WINDOWS – Strident are looking for books for the 5-8, 7-10, 8-12 and YA age groups. They don’t accept picture books. Do not send the usual submissions package but email with information about your book as outlined on the submissions page on the website. This should include a blurb you have written yourself (imagine the back of a book – how would the book be described which would make you want to read it?). They will then contact you in around 3 months if they wish to take your submission further. Stripes – KEEP AN EYE ON THE WEBSITE FOR SUBMISSION WINDOWS – Stripes are owned by the same company as Little Tiger Press and they publish books for readers aged 6-12 and young teenagers. They have regular submission periods so don’t send anything until you’ve checked the website. They accept email submissions only which should consist of a covering letter, a detailed synopsis and the first 1000 words. Do not send picture books. Expect a reply only if they are interested. Sweet Cherry Publishing – This independent Leicester-based publisher accepts manuscripts for all ages but is ideally looking for potential series or collections. You can submit by post or email, or use the form on the submissions page and upload your manuscript. You should include the first two chapters or 3000 words, a covering letter, a synopsis, and author bio plus brief outlines of future books in the series. They will reply within 3 months if interested.

Tango Books Ltd – NOT CURRENTLY CONSIDERING SUBMISSIONS BUT KEEP AN EYE ON THE SITE – Tango publish novelty books for age 1-8 with an international element. They accept manuscripts by post or email and you should include the full text up to 1000 words and a brief author biography. You should hear back from them within a month.

Tiny Owl – This independent publisher produces beautiful multicultural books and encourages submissions by diverse authors about diverse characters.. Keep an eye on the site for occasional submission windows. Picture books should be below 600 words.

Tiny Tree Tiny Tree is a children’s imprint from independent publisher Matthew James Publishing and they are looking for picture books and chapter books. Submit by post or email with a covering letter, synopsis and author biography. They confirm receipt and aim to reply within 4-6 weeks.

Upside Down Books is the new children’s imprint from mental health/wellbeing publisher Trigger Publishing, who donate proceeds to a mental health charity. They are mainly looking for non fiction, but also accept fiction picture books. Send a cover letter, proposal form, outline and the whole manuscript for picture books (otherwise first 2 chapters) by email only and you should hear back in 12 weeks. (Scroll down in link to find specific requirements for Upside Down Books.)

Wacky Bee Books is a fairly new small publisher that began as an offshoot of the literary consultancy service Writers’ Advice Centre for Children’s Books. Although they prefer authors to have used their services, they are also open to general submissions and are looking for picture books, early readers (4-7) and middle grade books, with a particular interest in the early readers. Submit the whole manuscript to the email address provided. Walker Books A big name in the picture book publishing world, Walker don’t generally accept unsolicited work, but what they will accept is illustrated manuscripts – so if you are a writer/illustrator you have an opportunity to submit. Use the email address given to send the whole document as an attachment using Word for the text and jpegs or pdfs for the pictures. You can also submit by post with a dummy copy and/or typed manuscript but do not send original pictures, only copies. They will only respond if interested.

Zuntold is a brand new independent publisher based in Manchester, looking for children’s fiction from middle grade upward. Submit during their annual submission windows – these are 15-29 June for YA and 1-15 December for middle grade (9-12s). Stories with a strong character journey or that touch on mental health issues would be a good fit for this publisher. Short Stories Cricket Media submissions

The US-based Cricket family of children’s print and digital magazines includes Babybug for up to three years, Ladybug for 3-6 years, Spider for 6-9, Cricket for 9-14 and Cicada for over 14s. They all have different submission requirements so be sure to check out the word counts required by each one. Themes vary each month for every magazine so see what they are looking for and that might inspire you!

The Caterpillar Magazine

This beautifully produced Irish-based print magazine accepts stories up to 1,000 words as well as poetry and art.

Knowonder is an online site that promotes literacy. They are occasionally open for submissions of short stories between 500-2000 words but do not pay.

Alfie Dog Fiction

This small but ambitious publisher aims to be the foremost choice for downloading short stories on the web, and payment comes as a percentage of the small download fee charged to customers. Length is 500-10,000 words.

Cast of Wonders

This site is a little different and features young adult fantasy stories up to 6,000 words recorded as podcasts. See this blog post for more details and an interview with a Cast of Wonders author.

Zizzle is a new online international children’s magazine for 9-14 year olds. They are looking for literary fiction from 500-1200 words and are a paying market. Submit through their website.

Catalogues When submitting to publishers it is worth looking through their current catalogue to see what they are accepting at the moment. If you can’t find a link to a catalogue from the main site, try googling the publisher’s name, “catalogue”, pdf and the current year. I have easily found quite a few catalogues this way.

Studies show that kids who read for pleasure do overwhelmingly better in life than kids who don’t. At U.S. Kids Magazines ( Humpty Dumpty and Jack and Jill ), providing fun, entertaining reading material is our priority. We accept humorous, playful, and witty stories that kids would love to read—not stories that grownups think kids should read.

As part of the Children’s Better Health Institute, we are always in need of high-quality stories, articles, and activities with a broad health and fitness focus. Please keep in mind that we would rather show kids living a healthy lifestyle than dictate a healthy lifestyle to our readers. In other words, health topics should be incorporated into the story or article, not be the focus of it.

If you have a story that fits with the general philosophies of U.S. Kids Magazines, please review the following submission guidelines:

1. Writers should present their material in a way that is appropriate for kids and does not talk down to them.

2. For independent readers (some of the kids who read Humpty Dumpty and all of the kids who read Jack and Jill ), the material should start at a basic level but include a sprinkling of more advanced information.

4. Stories should appeal to a broad audience. Our subscribers are girls and boys located across the United States and beyond.

5. If you are writing a story but have not been around kids in awhile, please make sure your dialogue and characters are up to date. We are looking for stories that appeal to today’s children.

6. Writing for children has the same standards as writing for adults. The rules of good story construction and character development still apply. Make sure you are familiar with quality children’s literature and current market trends before submitting.

7. Seasonal material should be sent at least 8 months in advance.

8. Careful study of current issues will acquaint writers with each magazine’s personality and also familiarize writers with what has already been published. Sample copy requests can be made by writing to U.S. Kids, PO Box 88928, Indianapolis, IN 46208 or by emailing [email protected]

9. If you have not heard from us within ninety days, please assume that we will not be able to publish your manuscript. Submissions sent by regular mail will not be returned, so please do not send original copies of your work.

10. Submit specifically to one of our two magazines– Humpty Dumpty or Jack and Jill –not U.S. Kids.

MANUSCRIPT FORMAT Manuscripts must be typewritten and double-spaced. The author’s name, address, phone number, email address, date of submission, and word count should appear on the first page of the manuscript. If you include a cover letter, please keep it brief. Cover letters are not required.

Mail or email entire manuscript. (See email addresses at bottom of page.) Work is on speculation only. Queries are not accepted except for nonfiction pieces submitted to Jack and Jill magazine. Keep a copy of your work. Submissions sent by regular mail will not be returned, so please do not send original copies of your work.

ILLUSTRATIONS Please do not send artwork. We prefer to work with professional illustrators of our own choosing.

PHOTOS We do not purchase single photos. We do purchase short photo features (up to 8 or 10 images) or high-quality photos that accompany articles and illustrate editorial material. Digital format is best with high resolution (300 dpi in an image size of at least 4×6 inches). We purchase one-time rights to photos but reserve the right to use the images on our websites. Please include captions and signed model releases.

REVIEW TIME Please allow about three months for a response. Do not send status inquiries before that time. Your submission may be considered for the other U.S. Kids magazines depending on content.

RIGHTS We purchase all rights including web use and pay on publication. Simultaneous submission are allowed but should be noted as such. One-time book rights may be returned when the author has found a publisher and can provide an approximate date of publication.

Humpty Dumpty (ages 2-6)

FICTION : Short stories 450 words or less. Payment: $30 and up.

BUILD-A-BOOK : We are accepting short mini-stories of 70-125 words. These should be positive and light-hearted; often humorous. Characters can be children or animals. We welcome material that deals with kindness, love, good manners, friendship, holidays, and seasons.

POETRY : We accept poems 4-12 line poems. Please remember the age of your audience. Payment: $25 and up.

CRAFTS : We accept fun crafts of 250 words or less that young children can make with a bit of adult help. Crafts can celebrate holidays or seasons. Materials should be inexpensive and easy to obtain. Include easy-to-understand steps and directions and, if possible, include a photo of the finished craft. Payment: $40 and up.

Jack and Jill (ages 6-12)

FICTION : We accept full manuscripts of 600-800 words. The tone of the stories should be fun and engaging. Stories should hook readers right from the get-go and pull them through the story. Humor is very important! Dialogue should be witty instead of just furthering the plot. The story should convey some kind of positive message. Possible themes could include self-reliance, being kind to others, appreciating other cultures, and so on. There are a million positive messages, so get creative! Kids can see preachy coming from a mile away, though, so please focus on telling a good story over teaching a lesson. The message—if there is one—should come organically from the story and not feel tacked on. Payment: $25 and up.

NONFICTION : We accept nonfiction manuscripts of 700 words or less. We are especially interested in features or Q&As with regular kids (or groups of kids) in the Jack and Jill age group who are engaged in unusual, challenging, or interesting activities. No celebrity pieces please. Payment: $25 and up.

MAILING ADDRESS

U.S. Kids (Name of Magazine) P.O. Box 88928 Indianapolis, IN 46208 317-634-1100

Jack and Jill : [email protected]

Humpty Dumpty : [email protected]

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Top Tips for Short Story Writers

Over the last few months, I’ve got a much clearer idea of what works for Storytime and I’ve been jotting down tips and advice for short story writers as I go along. If you would like to get your children’s stories published, then I humbly offer these beginner’s tips in the hope that they will help you. Read on!

The Story So Far

I’ll start by sharing what we’ve got coming up in Storytime so far. I can’t give too much away, so here’s a precis for each of our successful submissions:

Common Story Themes

So what do these eight stories have in common? I found five themes:

1. All of the stories have silliness, humour or wit , sometimes warm and gentle wit. They made us laugh or smile.

2. Five of the stories feature friendship and kindness .

3. Four of the stories celebrate childhood imagination and creativity .

4. Three of the stories feature surprises or follow an unexpected path .

5. All of the stories feature characters, setting descriptions or scenes that I instantly knew would look great in illustrations .

Of course, we don’t want every story we ever publish to have all of the themes above, but I do believe that humour in stories has enduring appeal for children – and plays an important role in keeping kids engaged and reading for pleasure. And stories that children can personally relate to (because they act and imagine or feel and behave exactly the same way as the character in the story) have real value too.

So taking the above story types and themes into account and bearing in mind the many submissions I’ve read in recent months, here are some Dos and Don’ts for hopeful Storytime contributors.

8 Top Tips for Short Story Writers

1. Do think visually. You don’t have to be an illustrator to do this. When you’re writing your story, creating its characters and planning the ‘action’ scenes, you will naturally work out and express what it looks like in your writing, so considering how or whether that will work as illustrations in Storytime magazine isn’t a huge leap. An example: we got a story about a baby animal desperate to grow up and be like its father, a stallion. It was told from the perspective of the baby and featured amusing scenes with the baby attempting (but failing) to be taller, which would have looked great. It was well written and I could sense an interesting ending was coming. The baby animal was a kitten – it would never grow up to be a big horse. A lovely idea, but it would have been incredibly hard for us to illustrate several pages of fun attempts to be taller without ruining the big reveal at the end. It was a nice story that we simply couldn’t work with. Another quick point on this subject – don’t litter your writing with visual pointers and directions for illustrations. It makes it difficult to read, and we’re happy to discuss this at a later date if necessary.

2. Do think like a child. Sure, stories can teach valuable lessons and grown-up wisdoms, but they can also speak directly to kids about their experiences – the stuff that makes them frightened or nervous or annoyed or happy or excited. The stuff that makes them tick. There’s no better way to learn this than to spend time with kids and be a big kid yourself. One of the stories we’re publishing next year was written by a dad for his son’s bedtime story and was inspired by his son.

3. Do write a proper story with a proper ending. Quite a few of the stories we get in aren’t fully rounded. Either nothing actually happens or they fizzle out. A short story, like any story, demands a beginning , a middle and an end . Something interesting, challenging or exciting needs to happen to the characters and there needs to be a resolution. 500 to 750 words might seem a challenge, but by writing a captivating story of this length, you are doing a great service to tired parents and children everywhere – you’re giving them a bedtime story they can make time for.

4. Do pay attention to the guidelines . Sorry, but I can’t read stories below 500 words, over 750 words, written in verse, or with illustrations or photographs, because it’s just not what we’re looking for.

5. Don’t be too local. We publish in the UK, but we have subscribers all over the world, therefore, we do our best to feel global. Some of the stories we get in from US writers, for example, are so exclusively American in their references, particularly to food, activities and sport, that they just wouldn’t work for readers outside the US. For a truly great story, I will always try to get around it, but it’s good to think globally in the first place.

6. Don’t be too schmaltzy. Family, friendship and kindness are all subjects that work for children and we welcome them in Storytime magazine, but we do prefer warm-hearted content of this nature to be delivered in way that isn’t excessively saccharine or sentimental, otherwise it can feel a little condescending to children – and to parents too. Tempering emotion with a bit of light humour or raw honesty can help.

7. Don’t end with a dream. I’ve put this in purely because we’ve had so many “and it had all been a dream!” endings in our submissions. To the reader, that feels like being cheated. Dreams are great sources of inspiration, but shouldn’t be used as an excuse for an exciting or surreal setting. Perhaps that stopped being a great idea after Lewis Carroll nailed it.

8. Don’t be different for the sake of it. We often get stories in where animals have a wacky colour or characters have a quirky, over-the-top name – and that difference bears no relation to the rest of the story. Often, it isn’t mentioned again beyond the first sentence or title of the story and it doesn’t add to the story in any way. If you’re going to give your character an interesting, unique quality or name, think about why you’re doing it and what that can bring to your story. Is it a source of conflict, confusion, humour, emotion? Does it form the basis of your story, drive it along or tell us something about the character’s personality? If not, why bother?

Oh, and one more, please don’t ever be sexist, racist or any other outdated -ist in your stories. It’s important to us at Storytime that all humans are treated with respect, fairness and equality. Read about how we feel about diversity here .

Some of these tips might seem obvious, but I’m writing them in direct response to the submissions we’ve had to date. As more submissions flow in and I research more and more previously published short stories for children, I’m building a clearer picture of how the art of short story writing works – and it is an art.

In time, I hope to put together some more specific, constructive and helpful guidelines with more insights and examples of what works and why (and what doesn’t work so well). In the meantime, I hope that these 8 tips for short story writers can offer some guidance.

Do remember, though, that every magazine is different. Every publisher has its own unique requirements and every editor has his or her own taste. I can’t speak for the publishing world as a whole but, for now, I know what works for Storytime .

If you’d like to submit a story, do read the guidelines here ! And please do read Storytime – it’s the only way you’ll ever truly understand what we’re about. I wish you the very best of luck – enjoy the process and keep at it!

The Storytime Blog

Thoughts on stories for kids, illustration, creating a children's magazine, reading for pleasure, improving childhood literacy, and more from the makers of Storytime.

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Discover Your Writing Niche

with Gloria Kempton

March 15th, 2023

Fiction or nonfiction? Article, short story, or how-to book? Do you want to write for children, teens, adults? There is a type of writing that is best suited for you, and the discovery process can be an adventure.

Let It Rip: The Art of Writing Fiery Prose

with Giulietta Nardone

March 22nd, 2023

You'll write prose that gets folks so hot and bothered they won't be able to put it down, even if it isn't about sex.

Flash Fiction: Writing the Short-Short Story

with Barbara Henning

Write 1–3-page flash fiction in this online course with Barbara Henning, drawing on classic, poetic & experimental elements. Read the form’s masters.

Write Your Picture Book!

with Kelly Bingham

Picture books have changed greatly over the last few decades, and the market is wide open for fresh ideas. Join us in this six-week intensive where we’ll take that idea of yours and turn it into a manuscript!

How to Firm Up the “Mushy Middle” of Any Story

with Jeff Lyons

March 29th, 2023

Ensure a strong middle throughline for any story. Say goodbye to the "mushy middle," and hello to stories that work.

6. Dark Magazine

Dark Magazine pays 6¢ a word for horror and dark fantasy fiction. This journal much prefers stories that deviate from an expected ending and play with new styles and ideas. This is a great place for horror short story submissions!

7. Typishly

Typishly accepts short fiction and tries to publish both new and emerging voices. Best of all, they aim to respond to all submitted works in under 24 hours! This is a great journal for both expanding your readership and trying your look at a fast-paced publication.

8. SAND Journal

SAND Journal publishes eclectic and subversive fiction. They love stories that refuse to be predictable and stories that inspire change. Short story submissions are open until September 1st.

Where to Publish Short Stories: Reputable Journals

Want to know where to submit short stories for money? Many of the following journals pay for work from previously published writers. A publication in any of these online fiction journals could catapult your writing toward a larger, more reputable audience!

A publication in any of these online fiction journals could catapult your writing toward a larger, more reputable audience.

9. Virginia Quarterly

Virginia Quarterly Review , commonly stylized as VQR, publishes fiction and nonfiction from a diverse array of authors. VQR seeks highly literary works, and if you’re lucky, they pay at least $1,000 for accepted fiction! Just know that their submissions window is relatively small; for the Summer, submissions ran 7/1–7/31.

10. The Threepenny Review

The Threepenny Review publishes literary and inventive works of fiction. They are open for submissions from January through June, and they pay $400 per accepted story. Among the best journals for short story submissions, Threepenny Review is reliably expedient.

11. Strange Horizons

Strange Horizons is a pioneer in speculative fiction and sci-fi. They are open for submissions on Mondays and Tuesday of each week (except in December), and they pay at a rate of 10¢ per accepted word. For many sci-fi writers, publication in Strange Horizons is a laudable achievement!

12. The Sun Magazine

The Sun Magazine loves fiction that is literary, unflinching, thoughtful, and darkly funny. This competitive journal pays anywhere from $300 to $2,000 for their stories, and a publication in The Sun will be sent out to over 70,000 readers of the journal!

13. Raleigh Review

The Raleigh Review is a literary and visual arts journal with several annual contents. Their Flash Fiction Contest runs through October 31st, and the winner will be awarded $300. Among flash fiction journals that pay, the Raleigh Review stands out for its exciting contests.

14. Fantasy & Science Fiction

Fantasy & Science Fiction , commonly referred to as F&SF, is one of the oldest science fiction print journals in the world. This publication has a large archive of famous genre writers, including Stephen King and Walter Miller. F&SF pays 8-12¢ per word and has a large monthly circulation.

15. Longleaf Review

Longleaf Review publishes quarterly themed journals of prose and poetry. The theme for their Fall 2020 publication is “harvest,” and all accepted works will receive $20. Longleaf review loves fiction that is weird and surprising, yet still literary and honest.

16. Beloit Fiction Journal

Produced out of Beloit College, the Beloit Fiction Journal publishes contemporary short fiction. Short story submissions open between August 1st to November 16th, and submissions are free if you send your submission by mail.

Where to Publish Short Stories: The Summit of Fiction

The following 8 journals are notoriously difficult to publish in, but with a few publication credits under your belt and a well-polished work of fiction, you might find some luck with these literary fiction journals.

With a few publication credits under your belt and a well-polished work of fiction, you might find some luck with these literary fiction journals.

17. Ploughshares

Run out of Emerson College, Ploughshares is a highly literary publication which seeks innovative fiction. All published stories receive $45 per page, with a minimum guarantee of $90.

18. The New Yorker

Who hasn’t heard of The New Yorker? This journal often spearheads the literary conversation, publishing bold, daring, and eccentric works of fiction. This journal is extremely difficult to get published in, but a publication here will transform your literary career.

19. The Atlantic

Though The Atlantic is primarily known for its journalism and reviews on pop culture, it also boasts a reputable fiction section. To improve your chances of publication, familiarize yourself with past works put out by the Atlantic, as the journal often sponsors a provocative, daring style of fiction.

20. Granta Magazine

Granta Magazine is one of the oldest longstanding literary journals. Their reading period opens twice a year, and the journal accepts evocative and translucent prose from new and exciting voices.

21. American Short Fiction

It’s all in the name for American Short Fiction ! This competitive journal seeks short fiction from the finest voices in contemporary literature, and it often features the works of rising stars in the fiction world. Unsolicited submissions are open from August through December.

22. Fireside Magazine

Short story submissions to Fireside Magazine open once a week each quarter. The journal, also known as Fireside Quarterly, seeks highly creative fiction from diverse voices. Payments range for fiction submissions, though the journal prefers fiction that doesn’t surpass 3,000 words.

23. Guernica

Named after a famous Picasso painting, Guernica features writing, artwork, literary criticism, and essays in all genres. This diverse and comprehensive publication prefers fiction that fits into the journal’s overall focus on global art and politics.

24. Antioch Review

The Antioch Review is a competitive publication out of Antioch College in Ohio. This journal has high literary standards and expects highly polished, ready-for-print works. Each publication of the journal only includes 3 short stories, and all submissions must be sent via mail.

Tips for Navigating the World of Short Story Submissions

With thousands of fiction journals to choose from—each with their own submissions guidelines and preferences—finding the right journal can take ages.

What’s more, many fiction journals don’t allow simultaneous submissions or take months to review your short story submissions.

It’s important to understand a few things about fiction submissions before you send your stories out for publication. For starters, no story is guaranteed publication. Fiction reviewers look over hundreds of submissions for each publication, including reviewers at flash fiction journals. These editors often make tough decisions about great stories, and great fiction pieces are rejected all the time because of the finite amount of space in each publication.

Great fiction pieces are rejected all the time because of the finite amount of space in each publication.

Also, while we think these 24 fiction journals are the best on the net, there are thousands more. You can find a full directory of fiction journals at the literary magazines page on Poets & Writers !

Despite the competitive nature of online fiction journals, you can improve the chances of publishing your short story submissions. Make sure you note the following guidelines!

Review the Journal’s Past Publications

It’s good practice to read what the journal has published in the past. Though many short story publishers accept a wide range of styles and forms, fiction editors still have preferences for what stories they like to read and publish. Examine the journal’s past publications with a critical eye, and consider whether or not your story fits among the journal’s archives.

Follow Formatting Guidelines

Fiction journals usually open for submissions with a set of formatting guidelines. It’s best to follow these guidelines and general MLA formatting rules. Use 1-inch margins and a 12-point serif font. Taking the time to properly format demonstrates a seriousness about your fiction, whereas unformatted short stories may not receive proper attention.

Perfect the Title of Your Short Story

The journal’s reader is looking for something that grabs their attention right away. A well-titled story will be far more eye-catching than a generically titled story with a slow start. Remember, the reader goes through hundreds of submissions every month, so your short story submissions should stand out from the beginning!

Shoot for the Moon, Not the Stars

Lastly, it’s important to note that not all fiction journals are made equal. The world of literary publications is competitive, and writers must often secure publications from lesser-known journals before they attempt publication through reputable short story magazines.

Where to Submit Short Stories: Closing Thoughts

The publishing world is tough, fast, and competitive. With so many voices and publications in the literary world, writers have a tough time finding the right journal. You may encounter one rejection, five rejections, or fifty rejections before you find a home for your short story or flash fiction.

Don’t let this deter you. A rejection can simply mean your fiction didn’t work for that month’s issue, for reasons completely out of your control.

Whatever your level of experience and goals for your short stories, the instructors at Writers.com can help you perfect your fiction and find new homes for them. Take a look at our upcoming online fiction writing courses and one-to-one coaching options, and take the next step in your fiction writing journey.

Sean Glatch

13 comments.

As a past fiction and novel student of writers.com, I still follow you by email, and I have a suggestion regarding literary journals. The Delmarva Review would be a good literary magazine for a student’s very best work. I am the editor of the Review, now in its 13th year of publication. We welcome submissions worldwide (in English) from new and established writers. The review is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a purpose to encourage writers to go the extra mile to write new literary prose and poetry. We receive 4,000 to 6,000 submissions of poetry, short fiction, and creative nonfiction for an annual edition. At least two experienced editors read every submission. There are no reading fees. We do not pay for pieces. We are competitive and now publish 45 to 60 authors per issue. The review is for sale at Amazon and most major online booksellers worldwide in both print and electronic editions. Given my past experience in workshops, I thought the Delmarva Review might be of interest to your most serious writers, either teachers or students. The website is: http://www.DelmarvaReview.org . We’re also active on Facebook. Thank you, Wilson Wyatt

I was honored to obtain a call from a friend when he uncovered the important points shared on the site. Going through your blog publication is a real brilliant experience. Many thanks for thinking about readers just like me, and I wish you the best of success for a professional in this field.

Thank you for writing! A joy and an honor to read–we’re happy to help you on your writing journey. Best of luck!

What does “face-paced” mean in the description above of number 7 “Typishly”? I cannot tell from the context.

Whoops, typo for “fast-paced,” thanks for alerting us! Hopefully none of these journals are face-paced, which is almost certainly too slow or too fast.

Do you love writing? Do you like challenges? Are you into letter writing?

If you answered yes to the questions above, then you should consider submitting your work to The Letters Page. The Letters Page is an online literary journal published by the University of Nottingham’s School of English. Its editor, the published author and professor Jon McGregor, selects, edits, publishes and promotes the best pieces of creative writing with the assistance of English students, like myself.

We publish essays, stories, poetry, memoir, travelogue, criticism, and any hybrid forms; but all in the form of letters. We accept submissions on a rolling basis. We are looking for writers of all nationalities and ages, both established and emerging.

If your letter is selected, we will publish it to our monthly newsletter, and you will receive a gift subscription to one of our favourite small presses or literary journals.

For more details, visit our website, https://theletters.page/submit/

Hey there! We’re Lint Magazine and we currently have a call for artists open. Lint Magazine is an assemblage of visual and written work and this edition is on the topic of Transit. Sound like something for you? Submit your work at [email protected]

THANK YOU FOR THIS EYE OPENING WRITING INFORMATION.I WAS MILES AWAY TO SUCH NEWS.

Same here…

I am working on a short story titled Children of the mother pot, half of which I have published on wattpad and hope to start sending it out.

Existing for over 2 years and born in Solitaire, Quarantine of 2020, The Quiet Reader just came out with its 6th edition of great new short story literature. Submissions are open for the next edition!

http://www.thequietreader.com

We would like to be included in this list. http://www.athousandliveslived.com/magazine

We are starting to compile entries for our October Issue. We’d like to see short stories, essays, poems and illustrations.

send entries to [email protected]

I am from South Africa and are always looking for magazines that accept international submissions regarding short stories. Are now looking where I can submit my 2000 word angel-encountering story, based on true events.

This page gives me hope. Ninety percent of the time I write in Afrikaans, my first language. But with this story I have decided to put my feet in the water by trying to write in English.

Hi Karin, Try Guidepost’s “Angel’s On Earth”. It is always looking for submissions on all things to do with angels.

writing short stories for children's magazines

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