CHILDREN'S WRITERS MARKETPLACE

March 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.

I begin this column with an apology for what I know will be its brevity. I've spent most of the month dealing with an aunt's kidney cancer--first, all the pre-op necessities and, this past week, with the surgery and its aftermath. The surgery, itself, went well and they are pretty sure they got all the cancer. She has breathing problems though, and getting her out of ICU has been problematical. Plus, she's not young and she's confused. And, of course, she's in a hospital 100 miles away. I'm home momentarily, but might get called back at any time. I'll type fast and furiously and get in as much information as possible--with promises for a longer column next month.

FROM MY MAIL:

The following information came from Staley Krause, at Bollix Books:

Bollix Playhouse is a small, family owned fiction publisher of literary, quirky and unusual children's picture books, epics and chapter books. Bollix is not interested in stories about puppies or kittens or anything cute or fuzzy unless it's in the process of growing a 4^th eye. Bollix publishes stories that challenge young people to think about things they've never thought of in ways they've never thought of, using characters that clearly distinguish themselves as substantive and unique. In general, Bollix does not publish rhyming books unless they are at the level of a Suess or a Bill Peet. The literary quality of submissions should be high and if authors have had their work rejected by other publishing houses because it is "too literary" Bollix might be a good house to consider. Bollix believes that any media to which children are exposed must be considered carefully. As such, stories that tackle social issues and incorporate unusual moral themes that are relevant but not overdone are especially interesting to Bollix. Bollix believes strongly in the benefits of collaboration and prides itself in working closely with authors and illustrators through every step of the publishing process.

Some children's titles that we think are great but weren't around to publish or weren't fortunate enough to publish: Holes by Lewis Sacar, all the E.B. White books, the Araboolies of Liberty Street, by Sam Smope, any books by Eleanor Estes, any books by Bill Peet and the Stinky Cheesman by Jan Scieszka and Lane Smith.

The format for Bollix Playhouse books is artistic, bold and whimsical. Many of our children's titles release in hardcover and are fully illustrated. Once again, our illustrations, covers and design speak to the content of our books and are often artistic and unusual.

Send completed manuscripts with SASE to Staley Krause, Publisher, Bollix Books, 1609 West Callender Ave., Peoria, IL 61606. Manuscripts should include the date of submission, author name, address and daytime phone number. Manuscripts will be reviewed and returned within 3 months of receipt and they may or may not contain feedback from the editor. Submissions from illustrators are welcome as well.

Healthy Kids has ceased publication.

Cricket Books, 332 S Michigan Avenue, Ste 1100, Chicago IL 60604. This book publisher (and Marc Aronson's imprint Marcato Books) want high-quality fiction and nonfiction for all ages. Cricket Books wants more chapter and middle-grade books; Marcato wants strong, innovative books for teens. They want the complete manuscript, with a cover letter. Send to Submissions Editor. Pay is advance and royalty.

College Bound Magazine now is at 1200 South Avenue, Suite 202, Staten Island, NY 10314. Gina LaGuardia is Editor-in-Chief, Dawn Kessler is Senior Editor. This is written for high school students by college students (young at heart). They pay from $15-$125 for from 200-1200 words.

Janni and Donna both wrote to say that Young Equestrian ceased publication some time ago. Donna added that the editor, Tammy Duncan, put the magazine together from her home and it became too much work since she did everything herself, and also had a family and her own horses to care for.

Thanks to Rita, my student from England for the following UK markets.

People's Friend, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee, DD4 8SL Scotland. This adult magazine has a children's page at the back. They use bedtime stories, and welcome humor, of 500-700 words. The stories seem geared to ages 3-6. They pay £35 and may by all rights.

Aquila Magazine, PO box 2518, Eastbourne, BN21 2BB, England. This children's magazine is aimed at children 8-13. They use fiction of $1000-1150 words and use 2-4 part serials of 1050-1150 words each. Pay is up to £90, £80 per serial episode. They also want features, 600-800 words and pay £50-£70. They want synopsis on stories, queries on features.

OTHER SITES:

I'm still looking for current information on the following magazines: any/all of the Addison, Wesley, Longman publications in Australia. Alternative Family Magazine (US), Animals and You (England), BIG! (England), Black Child (US), Blender (US), Boys' Illustrated (US), Brownie (England), Children's Story Scripts (US), Communique Group (US), Contagious Magazine (Australia), 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)

Several readers have requested updates about Shining Star, wanting to know if Mary Tucker will publish the magazine. I've not heard from Mary recently. Has anyone? I definitely agree with the reader who wrote, "It is a most valuable tool for churches strapped for resources."

Hi, Angi.

First, I'm delighted you're finding value in these pages.

Next, rejections are simply part of the business. The best way to get feedback from an editor is to study the publisher's books, their catalog (often available online) and make sure you come as close to matching their needs as possible. You can also get direct feedback by attending one of the larger writer's conferences (make sure editors you want to meet will be attending and available) and submitting work beforehand, then scheduling time with an editor. Certainly don't give up after two submissions! It sometimes takes dozens, and even experienced writers get standard rejection letters when editors are busy. And always remember that what one editor doesn't want (or maybe doesn't even like) might be perfect for another.

Some libraries do have the Writer's Digest Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market. Just make sure it's a current edition. If your library doesn't have one, ask them to get it for you through interlibrary loan.

Best of luck!

Dear Nicole:

We all start with just the ideas. I'm not sure if there is a book available now on manuscript format (there was at one time, but I haven't seen it advertised lately--does anyone know?). It's not too difficult, though. Use regular letter size paper (white only!). At the the left hand top, single space your real name, with your address below it (as you would for a letter). At the right hand top type the approximate word count (Approx. 1500 words, for instance). Below it type 1^st NA Serial Rights or whatever rights you are offering. With books, don't type this; that will be covered in the contract from the publisher. Single space down, still on the right side and type your telephone #. I single space again and type in my email address, too. May editors do use email to answer now. Space down almost to the center of the page. Then center and double space:

TITLE

by

(your name or pen name)

Take a couple of double spaces down; set your indent and double space the story. On second and following pages, put the title (and perhaps your last name (Shauers--The Best Party, for instance) into the header of the second page. Also set your page #s so the 1^st page is not numbered). Continue double spacing the story until the end.

That's all there is to it. Best wishes!

Margaret

MARCH TIP: This tip is good for any month; it's just one I rediscovered recently when I found a new (to me) book, and thought I'd pass along. Buy one or more holiday celebration books (Holidays around the World type books). I find the best ones at used bookstalls. Most of mine, in fact, are out of print so I won't give titles. Try to get at least one that lists every month of the year. I also have a few just for Christmas, but sales for Christmas stories are limited.

These books are great for idea starting, especially if you do puzzles or write nonfiction. I've found many ideas to use in fiction, too. And magazines always want seasonal material--especially for months that don't include Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween or the 4^th of July.

Click here to view February's Children's Writers Marketplace

TO ORDER my complete 350+ Children's Writers magazine market list (paying markets ONLY; approx. 1/3 are Christian markets): send $4.50 for an email copy; $7.75 ($8.75 outside US) for print snail mail copy. If you cannot send funds drawn on an actual U.S.bank, please check if your country is eligible for PayPal (link below) or send an International Money order. PayPal is also acceptable from the U.S. and shipment will be same or next day. 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.