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CHILDREN'S WRITERS MARKETPLACE
June 2002
Welcome to the Children's Writers Marketplace at its new location! Applause goes to Children's Book Insider for hosting it! For those who weren't readers at Inkspot or later at my own site, my name is Margaret Shauers. I have been active in many writing areas over the past 30+ years, but writing for children remains my best love. Over the past several years, I've been working in the activity book and game book areas. I also freelance children's short fiction and puzzles and do some adult material. The magazine market list I sell grew from my own writing card file. I now include nonfiction markets, as well. Information about ordering the full 350+ market list is given at the end of this column.
You can email me at mshauers@cox.net
Notice: Please note the change of email. It seems to be working, but before the change (server changed hands), my email was "skewered"--and as I send this in, I only have online service intermittently. So please excuse any excess "goofs" in this issue. I'm mostly trying to get it IN. And if email addressed to the either address was returned, please email again.
FROM MY MAIL:
New Moon seldom uses feature articles written by adults; they prefer those come from teen girls. They do buy fiction and 600-900 word articles for Women's Work, Herstory, and Body Language. 70-75% of each issue is written by girls. They don't accept writing from men. Pays .06-.12 word.
Concordia Publishing House has made a big slash in the number of books it will be publishing. Jane Wilke, who will be moving to Lutheran Hour Ministries, wrote: "In recent years we have gone from publishing approximately 100 titles to 45; now from 45 to approximately 15. As you can imagine, in recent years we have built quite an inventory of titles, and we will be using existing titles plus a few newly developed to refocus our marketing efforts to our Lutheran congregations, schools, and families."
Today's Christian Teen is no longer accepting freelance material.
More not-so-good news is that Our Little Friend is not buying at present.
High Adventure, 1445 Boonville Avenue, Springfield MO 65802: Rev. Jerry Parks, Editor. This Assembly of God Royal Rangers publication is for boys 5 to 17. They buy fiction, 800 to 1000 words and articles, 800 to 1200 words, and pays .02 to .03 word on acceptance, $12 for puzzles. They buy 1st or reprint rights. I have had the best luck here with teen stories. They now have a theme list. EMAIL: rangers@ag.org.
Freezone Weekly is returning unsolicited material as "refused."
MetroKids no longer has a craft column for kids.
If you placed an order at Write4Kids on May 2 or May 3, some or all email was lost. Email jon@write4kids.com to see if your item needs to be reordered.
Letter from the Authors Guild:
"If you received a check from the Copyright Clearance Center (the CCC) for payments from COPY-DAN, a Danish organization that collects and pays photocopy rights fees, you should take action now to protect your rights. We have recently learned of a lawsuit and a multi-million dollar settlement in Denmark involving COPY-DAN and U.S. authors' photocopy rights in which you may well have an interest.
"CCC's letter accompanying the checks makes no mention of this longstanding lawsuit. It says only that the "royalty payments" are from COPY-DAN for 'copying and use of published works in Danish Schools, businesses, research centers and elsewhere.' The Authors Guild and the Association of Authors' Representatives have repeatedly and unsuccessfully sought information from the CCC about photocopy royalty payments from COPY-DAN that CCC has sent to some authors, agents, and publishers.
"Here are a sample of the questions the CCC has yet to respond to:
1. What fee, if any, is the CCC taking for distributing these funds?
2. Are publishers being paid as well? How much?
3. What years of photocopy rights licensing are covered by these payments?
4. Does this affect our members' interest in the COPY-DAN lawsuit and settlement?
5. Do undistributed moneys have to be returned to Denmark? If so, when?
"While transparency is the hallmark of most collective rights licensing agencies, the CCC has a well-deserved reputation for opacity. Even though we're well aware of CCC's hush-hush approach to what should be a public service business, we were surprised at CCC's reluctance to share even the most basic information about this latest distribution. The CCC must know more about these payments -- its silence is troubling.
"REGARDING THE LAWSUIT: Ib Lauritzen, a Danish literary agent,
represents the Danish literary rights of thousands of U.S. authors through
their American agents. He informs us that he sued COPY-DAN for photocopy royalties owed to U.S. authors collected from 1981 to the present. He reports that the result is a multi-million dollar settlement, far exceeding what COPY-DAN and the CCC have recently sent to U.S. authors and agents, but that COPY-DAN has so far refused to pay for technical reasons.
"In our view, this information raises the stakes for authors significantly. We don't want anyone to be able to claim that authors have unwittingly waived their rights under this suit.
"OUR RECOMMENDATION: To help protect your rights under Danish and American law, we recommend that those of you who received and already cashed these checks write to the CCC and let them know that you had not informed of the Ib Lauritzen/COPY-DAN lawsuit and that your actions do in any way prejudice any claims you may have against either COPY-DAN or the Copyright Clearance Center. If you've received a check but haven't yet cashed it, we recommend that you write a similar letter or email to the CCC and that you write "Without prejudice to my rights v. CCC and Copy-Dan" on the back of the check directly above your signature.
"Here's the CCC's contact information:
"Copyright Clearance Center
222 Rosewood Drive
Danvers, MA 01923
"Phone: 978-750-8400
Fax: 978-750-4470
E-mail: authors@copyright.com
"Feel free to copy us on any correspondence. We will continue to pursue further information on this matter."
NEW & CHANGES:
Twist, 270 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs NJ 07632: Kristin McKeon, Deputy Editor. This is a new magazine for teen girls (14-19). Wants features to 1800 words dealing with school, friends, romance, current issues, college, careers, entertainment, health, fitness and self improvement. Send query with clips. Pays $50 up to $1 word on acceptance for 1st NA rights. Will consider reprints. Email: twistmail@aol.com. ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE AN UPDATE LISTED ON WRITER'S DIGEST ONLINE, WRITERS REPORT GETTING DIRECT RESPONSES THAT THEY ARE NOW WRITTEN IN-HOUSE.
The good news is that Scholastic will launch its first magazine for preschoolers in September: Scholastic News Presents Clifford. Targeted to preschool teachers and parents, there will be 3 versions--for teachers, a take-home edition for parents, and a teacher's guide. The bad news is that, at least for the first year, it will be completely staff-written.
The greatest need at Young Salvationist, PO Box 269, Alexandria VA 22313-0269 is for nonfiction based on real-life rather than theory or theology. Practical living articles are especially needed. Tim Clark is Managing Editor. Email: ys@usn.salvationarmy.org. Website: http://www.publications.salvationarmyusa.org.
Listen , 55 W Oak Ridge Dr., Hagerstown MD 21740: Larry Becker, Editor. This publication for older teens is produced by the Seventh Day Adventists, but still wants no overt religious emphasis. Fiction should concern temperance (drugs, alcohol, etc.) and other stories about the problems of teens. Stories of 1000 to 1200 words bring .05-.10 word on acceptance. They buy rights to use in Listen, in subsequent reprints, and advertising excerpts. They use poetry--and they use work from teens (teens should send bio and photo). They use theme puzzles, but do not want Bible puzzles since many copies are distributed in secular schools. Email: listen@healthconnection.org. Website: http://www.rhpa.org/.
All of the magazines published by the Carus group are now asking for all rights, including copyright, under a work-for-hire agreement. There is no special compensation in exchange for the additional writes--and Carus continues to pay fairly well, but on publication. The magazines include Babybug, Cicada, Click, Cricket, Ladybug, Muse and Spider. Their policies can be checked at www.caruspub.com.
Faces, 30 Grove St, Peterborough NH 03458: Elisabeth Carpentiere, Editor. This secular publication for 8 to 14 year olds uses fiction to 800 words, nonfiction of 300-800 words. They like folk tales, legends, stories from around the world. Pay varies from .20-.25 word on publication for all rights. Uses puzzles; is looking for activities and art projects. They have theme lists. email: faces@cobblestonepub.com. Website: www.cobblestonepub.com.
Dovetail, 775 Simon Greenwell Lane, Boxton KY 40107: Mary Rosenbaum, Editor. This magazine focuses on issue that relate to interfaith families, especially Jewish/Christian families, but they are featuring more information for Muslim interfaith families. Most articles are for adults, but they use a 500-word piece, such as parent-child activities that contain interfaith elements. Pay is $25 for all rights (but will negotiate). www.dovetailpublishing.com.
Dovetail also plans to publish an interfaith children's anthology of fiction. For this, the editor is Joan Hawxhurst, President. The address is Dovetail Publishing, 8400 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo MI 49009. Authors retain all rights on this.
Pack-O-Fun, 2400 Devon, Suite 375, Des Plains IL 60018: Irene Mueller, Managing Editor. This arts and crafts publication is aimed at teachers, parents of home schoolers and group leaders (Scouts, Sunday school, etc.) They want inexpensive, quick projects, especially those that teach a new skill, use recyclables in creative ways, etc. Keep supplies under $3 and plan crafts that can be managed for entire groups. Now uses a 1 pg "Craft-A-Story that consists of a craft project tying into a story or poem. They have themes and deadlines; you can get a list for SASE. Submissions should include a photo of the completed project. If your project is accepted, the original design or the item you made is required. Pay is $15-$150 for all rights. Website: http://www.craftideas.com.
August House has put a hold on reading unsolicited manuscripts.
Storey Publishing, 210 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams MA 01247 has long published how-to books on country living for adults, will launch a children's book imprint this fall. The age range will be 8-12. They will be publishing how-to books for kids on subjects such as birding, animals, gardening, building, natural science and crafts. Send a book synopsis through the website or by mail to Jennifer Donnelley, Managing Editor. Pay varies. www.storey.com.
A number of children's authors are also homeschoolers. You might have a good market for your expertise at Homeschooling Today Magazine, PO Box 1608, Fort Collins CO. They pay .08 word. Check them out at http://www.homeschooltoday.com.
FamilyFun, 244 Main St., Northampton MA 01060 uses feature articles of 850 to 3000 words about family activities such as games, food, crafts, parties, holidays, and department submissions, among other items. Check them out at www.familyfun.com.
Acen Press, DNA Press, 730 Daniel Drive, Collegeville PA 19426: Alexander Kuklin, Ph.D., Managing Editor (children's scientific books); Xela Schenk, Operations Manager (New Age). This book publisher uses material for children and young adults as well as for adults. They want books for children that explain science and how-to books on education and science. Royalty basis. They offer free guidelines and book catalog. They request complete manuscripts. Email: dnapress@yahoo.com.
FROM YOU (THANK YOU!):
Pam Calvert wrote in response to Geary's request for information about Xulon Press: "I have information about Xulon Press--you probably already have had others tell you that it is indeed a Christian self publishing press. "
(NOTE: Pam was the only one who emailed. Please, if you know anything about publications or publishers queried about here, don't assume several people have already responded!)
Sam wrote that Lines in the Sand has gone out of business.
INTERESTING SITES THIS MONTH:
Anyone interested, please check out my online classes, "Write Short Stories for Children." This is basic instruction and is open to all. You can see it at: http://universalclass.com/i/arts/creativewriting/classes/2371.htm.
More experienced writers might want to check out "Children's Fiction: In Depth Plotting." This course requires my permission. Email me for details. It costs more than "Write Short Stories for Children," but offers more in-depth critique. (Four or five instead of one). Participants in this one also get a copy of my market listings. The url is http://universalclass.com/i/arts/creativewriting/classes/3499.htm
If you are interested in either of the above courses, now's the time to sign up. My share of the "take" goes down August 1. I will be raising prices at the end of June to make them worth my time!
Check out Lori Pirog's website "Picture Books and Art: Resources for Children's Writers." www.picturebooksandart.com. Great site, Lori!
HELP!
I'm still looking for current information on the following magazines: Animals and You (England), BIG! (England), Black Child (US), Blender (US), Boys' Illustrated (US), Brownie (England), Children's Story Scripts (US), Communique Group (US), Dramatics (US), Eyespy (Australia), Genre Sampler (US), Grandstories (US), Grand Rapids Parent (US), Horsepower Magazine for Young Horse Lovers (Canada), Horseplay Junior (US), Instructor Magazine (US), Jetsetter (Australian), Junior Riders (US), Kidsports (US), Kids Tribute (Canada), Kids World Magazine (Canada), did Lacrosse ever start a children's magazine? (US), The Magazine for Christian Youth (US), Magic Realism (US), Noise (Canada), Outside Kids (US), Play (US), Purple Cow: The Newspaper for Teens by Teens (US), Quake (US), Quest (US), Quote (Australia), School Magazine (Australia), Stable Kids (US), TG…Voices of Today's Generations (Canada), Transcend (US), Wee Lambs (US, Young Rider (US), Young Scholar (US), The Young Soldier (Canada), Youth Focus (US)
Does anyone have a current address for Christian Communicator? My submission was returned as "not deliverable as addressed."
CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS:
The big Writer's Digest Maui, Hi conference will be August 29-Sept 2. For more information, go to www.mauiwriters.com.
The First Annual Kirkwood Writers' Workshop will be held at Kirkwood Training and Outreach Center (Cedar Rapids, IA) on October 14-18. Workshops will be given on many topics. Laura Backes, publisher of Children's Book Insider, will lead two of the children's writing workshops and co-teach another with Nancy Sondel, a CBI contributing editor. For more information, go to www.kirkwoodcollege.com/writersworkshop.
The Glorieta Christian Writers Conference (NM) will be Oct. 22-26. They have children's writing topics on the agenda. Visit www.glorietachristianwritersconference.com for more information. Complete biographical information on all faculty members can also be found at the site.
LETTERS:
Note to letter writers: Thank you for your emails. I read them all and I try to answer as many varied questions as possible. I also have a backlog so it can take time. If I don't use your letter in the column within two months, it's for one of the following reasons. (A.) I've answered a very similar question in the past. Please check the FAQ section and the Archives. (most now available at http://www.odsys.net/bookbarn/.) . (B.) I no longer publish letters where I must do more than very minor grammar and spelling corrections. This includes the many letters I get where no capitalization is used. Editing letters takes too much time–and such letters hardly indicate a serious commitment to writing. Believe me, editors never take poorly constructed writing seriously! (C.) I do not critique writing and no longer respond to emails requesting such services.
Hello.
I am a soldier in the United States Army Reserve, currently on active duty stateside. I am a New York City substitute teacher and have been teaching for the past two academic years before being activated. While studying illustration at Syracuse University, I wrote and illustrated a children's book. I have a dummy of it and everything. I took my project to the city schools and read it to third and fourth grade classes. The children liked it and I have decided to take it one step further.
I am not sure on what steps to take so I am writing to you because I found you on the internet. I would like some direction, if possible, on what steps to take to get my children's book published.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Pedro
Dear Pedro:
You didn't say where you were stationed. If you are in NYC, the process will be fairly quick. If not, try it the next time you're home. With actual qualifications as an illustrator, I think you can call children's publishing houses within the city and get some interviews. I would suggest taking, not only your completed book, but also a portfolio of other child-oriented illustrations.
Basically, it will be making the rounds. If this particular book doesn't "go," you might get illustrating work for another author or an actual assignment to do a different children's book (so go with fresh ideas, too). You probably will find that differing publishing houses will have suggestions for changes to both your dummy book and to any ideas you pitch.
I do know a man who got a children's book published this way. It wasn't his original idea, though.
Best of luck.
Margaret
Dear Margaret:
I am interested in writing for a children's magazine. My target age group is 10-14. I have a manuscript currently being edited. It focuses on young adult issues with peers and parents. Please let me know how I can pursue my interest.
Darlene
Dear Darlene:
I'm not sure who is editing your manuscript--just do beware of editing services that charge too much for this type work.
As for finding markets, find a good market directory. Then find copies of magazines in your target age range. Study them and see how close you come to "fitting" one or more of them. Be aware that you may have to cut words or do further rewriting to match a magazine's needs. And don't be discouraged by rejections. They are part of freelance writing, and in today's world, many magazines are struggling to stay in business. As a result, they are buying less material. Financial situations do change, though, so hang in there, and good luck.
Margaret
Hi,
I have a few children's stories written in poetic form and would like to obtain a list of publishers. It would also be good to know in what form it should be submitted. If you could give me some information, I will appreciate it very much.
Sidney
Hi, Sidney.
My first bit of advice is the same as in the last letter for the most. You need a good market directory. I have recommended some in past columns (check the archive link above).
With books, go to your library or a bookstore and actually read books published by the companies you feel would fit your manuscript. Obtain their guidelines, as well as their book catalogs (some are online) to make sure they don't have books in print that are too much like yours. Then follow the procedures given in the guidelines for submission.
General manuscript format will be acceptable, although with poetry, you'll want to present it nicely on the page. Stanzas, etc. can be centered or otherwise "arranged" for sight appeal.
Good luck!
Margaret
JUNE TIP: As you can see by the listings this time, a lot of magazines are going under, buying much less than they once did or closing their doors to freelance material. This doesn't mean you can't sell material. You will need to keep up with markets more closely and to better-aim where you send unsolicited manuscripts. If you've previously published in some religious publications you may get reprint rights checks from them for material they are reusing (although the check will probably come with a clause that they now buy for more than one-time rights). Pacific Press publications and some of the Nazarene publications now are doing this. Fun for Kidz also is picking up some reprint material--items previously published in Hopscotch or Boys' Quest. And some places (not all!) are paying more for both originals and reprints they are buying with the right to republish in their own magazines.
As stated to one "letter" correspondent this month, the economy will change. Let's just hope not too many magazines and publishers go under before it does!
TO ORDER my complete 350+ Children's Writers magazine market list (paying markets ONLY; approx. 1/3 are Christian markets): send $4.50 in check or money order or $5.00 by Paypal for an email copy; $7.75 ($8.75 outside US) for print snail mail copy. Please, no Paypal payments on these. If you cannot send funds drawn on an actual U.S. bank, please send an International Money order. Please allow 7-10 days for snail mail; up to a month outside US. This list is updated whenever I get new information and is seldom exactly the same two days in a row. Margaret Shauers, 1411 12th Street, Great Bend KS 67530 USA.
Click here to view May's Children's Writers Marketplace
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