How to Encourage Your Child's Writing and Even Get it Published

Does your child like to write? Is he or she constantly scribbling down stories? You might want to help your children get their work published. It's easier than you think. There are an abundance of children's magazines and websites devoted to publishing the work of kids and teenagers.

One magazine that invites submissions from young writers is the magazine called Highlights. Just about everyone is familiar with this children's magazine. You often find it in pediatrician office waiting rooms, elementary school classrooms, and libraries. Established in 1946, Highlights includes poetry, stories, and drawings from young children. Aspiring young authors can also submit their jokes, tongue twisters, and riddles.

Stone Soup is another magazine that is entirely written by children. Kids up to age 13 can submit stories, book reviews, and artwork. This particular magazine contains the work of children from all around the world. Stone Soup published its first issue in 1973 and, although it only accepts a fraction of submissions from young people, it encourages young people to send their work.

Girls aged 8 to 14 can submit their work to the magazine New Moon, a bimonthly magazine devoted to girls. Even the editorial department is comprised of girls. Its website boasts that they publish "[f]iction, poetry, artwork, science, articles about the lives of girls and women around the globe."

Potluck Children's Literary Magazine publishes the work of kids between the ages of 8 and 16. The magazine was established in 1997 and features writing from kids around the world. According to its website, 99% of its magazine is written by young people. Kids are encouraged to send poetry, book reviews, short stories, and artwork.

Teens between the ages of 13 and 19 can send their art, stories, reviews, or poetry to TeenInk, a monthly magazine established in 1989. The literary magazine has no inhouse writing staff; they depend entirely on teens who submit their work.

Skipping Stones is a multicultural magazine that welcomes the work of kids between the ages of 8 and 16. Children from different cultures around the world submit their stories, poetry, and artwork for possible inclusion in the magazine. According to its website, Skipping Stones celebrates cultural diversity and the exchanging of "meaningful ideas and experiences."

Believe it or not, these are just a few of the markets available to young writers. It's always a good idea to visit each magazine's website or send for writer's guidelines to make sure that your child has the best chance of being published. After all, there is no guarantee that your child's work will be published. Sometimes it may take several tries before your child's story or poem finds a good home. So if your children dream of being the next J. K. Rowling or John Grisham, there's no need to wait until they grow up. Kids can be published authors too. With a little hard work and perseverance, they just might be able to see their words in print!

www.highlights.com
www.stonesoup.com
www.newmoon.org
www.potluckmagazine.org
www.teenink.com
www.SkippingStones.org