For Young Writers
Sometimes being a kid is way harder than being a grownup. But sometimes it’s easier...
If you’re a young writer and you’d like to see your work in print, you have the option of publishing in some books and magazines that are not open to grownups’ submissions.
Where can you find these books & magazines?
You will find a whole chapter about markets for young writers in the basic guide to children’s publishers, titled Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market.
This book is available at bookstores and in the reference room of libraries. It contains helpful interviews with writers and editors, as well as tips about how to present your manuscript so it looks professional. It’s updated each year, so be sure to look at a current edition.
Are the markets for young writers selective? Yes! You will need to make your writing look “professional” by editing its grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. And you will need to type the copy that you submit.
Just like an adult writer, you will probably need to try many times before you succeed in finding a book or magazine that wants to publish your writing. Don’t get upset by rejections. Instead, get better! Write often to practice your craft. Read good books and analyze the author’s technique. Edit and polish your manuscripts. Don’t waste time making excuses or being resentful. Stay focused on your goal. Make your work the best it can be, and sooner or later, an editor will pick your story/poem/play out of the pile.
Will you make a lot of money if your writing is accepted for publication? Probably not. In fact, you probably won’t make any money. Most of the markets for young writers pay in free copies of the book/magazine. But it’s still worth the effort to submit your work. Why? Because kids who show both the talent and determination to get their work into print are unusual. When the time comes for you to apply to college, you will be able to list your published work on your resume. Having such an accomplishment will make you stand out from the crowd. Your published work may be your ticket to the college of your choice. Or to a scholarship. And a college scholarship may be worth tens of thousands of dollars. That’s lots more money than most grownup writers get paid for their first published work.
But the best reason to get your work published is the satisfaction you’ll feel. Your ideas and feelings will be read by people who live thousands of miles away. It’s pretty exciting to know that your words are touching the lives of people that you may never meet.
If you’re a young writer and you’d like to see your work in print, you have the option of publishing in some books and magazines that are not open to grownups’ submissions.
Where can you find these books & magazines?
You will find a whole chapter about markets for young writers in the basic guide to children’s publishers, titled Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market.
This book is available at bookstores and in the reference room of libraries. It contains helpful interviews with writers and editors, as well as tips about how to present your manuscript so it looks professional. It’s updated each year, so be sure to look at a current edition.
Are the markets for young writers selective? Yes! You will need to make your writing look “professional” by editing its grammar, punctuation, and capitalization. And you will need to type the copy that you submit.
Just like an adult writer, you will probably need to try many times before you succeed in finding a book or magazine that wants to publish your writing. Don’t get upset by rejections. Instead, get better! Write often to practice your craft. Read good books and analyze the author’s technique. Edit and polish your manuscripts. Don’t waste time making excuses or being resentful. Stay focused on your goal. Make your work the best it can be, and sooner or later, an editor will pick your story/poem/play out of the pile.
Will you make a lot of money if your writing is accepted for publication? Probably not. In fact, you probably won’t make any money. Most of the markets for young writers pay in free copies of the book/magazine. But it’s still worth the effort to submit your work. Why? Because kids who show both the talent and determination to get their work into print are unusual. When the time comes for you to apply to college, you will be able to list your published work on your resume. Having such an accomplishment will make you stand out from the crowd. Your published work may be your ticket to the college of your choice. Or to a scholarship. And a college scholarship may be worth tens of thousands of dollars. That’s lots more money than most grownup writers get paid for their first published work.
But the best reason to get your work published is the satisfaction you’ll feel. Your ideas and feelings will be read by people who live thousands of miles away. It’s pretty exciting to know that your words are touching the lives of people that you may never meet.