Welcome to the Children's Writers Marketplace!  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@mac.com

See more (different) market listings each month in Jon Bard's ezine, Children's Writing Update.  The upcoming Write4Kids Bootcamps (numerous sites) are listed there, too.  So is a source for more ezines concerning writing.  And more!  If you aren't getting Jon's ezine by email, you can view it at http://www.write4kids.com/update.html

NOTE FROM MARGARET:  I am still battling cancer, but doing better for the moment anyway so thought I'd surprise everyone and send in a column.  It's not as long as some once were, but I hope everyone finds a new market or two from it!

Added note:  I am no longer accepting online students; trying to wind up the classes I have.  Too often, I have to be late responding.

NOTE ABOUT NET LINKS LISTED HERE!

I check web links to make sure they're working before the column goes to Jon.  The Internet is wonderful, but it changes constantly, and so do links and email addresses.  Sometimes web links and emails are pulled because response is too heavy.  Other times, a site might be malfunctioning and it's worth trying again in a few days.  You can usually tell from the message you get at the site or from a returned email. 

PLEASE DON'T send manuscripts for me to critique.  I am sorry, but I just don't have time.  Nor do I publish anything so don't submit material—either stories or illustrations.

BRAG BOARD:

Please email me your brag itemsÉrecent publications, etc.  Also accepted will be online links if they pertain to writing for children or links to stories you have online. 

Many congratulations to my former student, Yuko Green, for her wonderful picture book: Keiki: The Little Fish with a Spectacular Wish, published by Island Heritage Publishing in Hawaii.  Yuko's glorious illustrations are all her own.  I am so proud that she wrote the story in one of my classes—and so delighted that she dedicated the book to me! 

Katelyn Thomas, another former student had a story, "The Big Hole" accepted by Primary Pal. 

My short article, "Vegetable Buddies" is appearing in the anthology Guide Presents Sabbath Action Blast: 101 Ways to Celebrate God's Special Day!

Plus a couple by me online:

*A short children's story: http://www.helium.com/knowledge/108452-short-stories-friendship-stories-for-children

*About writing for kids: http://www.helium.com/items/1086952-children-writing-puzzles

Nancy Kopp has had several stories accepted by http://www.viatouch.com/learn/Storystation/Storystation_main.jsp

Lois June Wickstom and Jean Lorrah have a Loch Ness monster site that's in-depth and fun.  At the site you can read (and order if you wish) chapters from their three Nessie books for kids. http://www.simegen.com/writers/nessie/

Lois also had 13 (or more than 70 proposals so don't give up!) science articles accepted at Highlights for Children and has several short stories online at www.grippyandcormo.com.  

Lois and Lucrecia Darling also have 3 books (sample chapters on at least some available to read at www.reluctantspy.com.  

NEW, CHANGES & IN MY MAIL:

The latest (as I write this) CBI Clubhouse newsletter includes a link to UK children's publishers. http://www.ukchildrensbooks.co.uk/pubs.html.

If you aren't already getting Jon Bard's free email newsletter, check it out at

http://write4kids.com

JUNIOR STORYTELLER, PO Box 205, Masonville CO 80541: Vivian Dubrovin, Editor. Quarterly for ages 9-14 interested in the oral art of storytelling.  Used in elementary and middle school classes and after school programs. Each quarterly issue contains a complete storytelling unit: a sample story, a craft to help tell it; tips for telling and suggestions for creating other tales.  Available in print and online. Can also use tips from professional storytellers and speech teachers. Wants queries by email only: Vivian@storycraft.com.  Pays $50 to $125.  Website: www.storycraft.com

KEY CLUB  MAGAZINE (formerly KEYNOTER), 3636 Woodview Trace, Indianapolis IN 46268: Jack Brockley, Managing Editor. Uses articles of 1200-1500 words for high school leaders. $150 to $350 on acceptance for 1st NA serial rights & reprints; prefers query. KJV or NIV. Does work with reprints. They mostly want service/volunteer related features.  Payment varies. Submit queries to magazine@kiwanis.org. Website: http://www.Keyclub.org.

Brass/MAGAZINE, P.O. BOX 1220, Corvallis OR 97339: Jennie Brtlemay, Editorial Content Manager.  Aimed at 16-25-yuear olds, this magazine always has something to do with money: saving, spending, investing, and managing money. A monetary reward upon publication or articles is submitted on time and meet standards. Website: www.brassmedia.com

BOP, 330 N Brand Blvd., Suite 1150, Glendale CA 91203 Contact: Editor.  This entertainment magazine for girls 13-18 covers today's hottest stars.  Uses features, news, gossip, and quizzes.  No poetry, fiction or real-person stories. Payment is made by the hour, by the quote, by transcript, or by event.  Email submissions accepted. Website: www.bopmag.com Email: editorial@laufermedi.com

FACES, Attn: Elizabeth Crooker Carpentiere, 30 Grove St, Ste C, Peterborough NH 03458. This secular publication for 8 to 14 year olds uses fiction to 800 words, nonfiction of 300-600 words, poetry to 100 lines. They like folk tales, legends, and 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 at the website. UPCOMING THEMESE: THE U.S. MIDWEST, FRANCE AND FOOD AROUND THE WORLD. QUERY! Email queries and later submissions accepted at: facesmag@yahoo.com Website: www.cobblestonepub.com

STORY STATION, http://viatouch.com/Learn/Storystation/Storystation_main.jsp Mark Justice, Editor. This online educational publication has a story section.  They pay .01 word.  Aim is 6-12.  1500-3000 words.  Buys electronic rights for 120 days.  No longer accepts multiple submissions or reprints.  Also accepts teacher articles astbmissions@viatouch.comp; pay is $25. Submit with bio and cover letter to storystation@viatouch.com.

SCHOLASTIC EARLY CHILDHOOD TODAY, 568 Broadway, New York NY 10012: Amelia Swabb, Associate Editor. This one is for early childhood teachers, directors and administrators.  Now a comprehensive website that offers their entire former magazine content.  Practical, useable advice, strategies, classroom tips, activities, etc. Writers need substantial teaching experience or graduate degrees.  Articles of 700-800 words pay up to $500.  Email articles as a Word document attachment to etc@scholasti.com or mail to the attention of Swabb.  Include a brief description of educational and professional background.  Website: www.scholastic.com/earlychildhoodtoday

TAKE FIVE PLUS (formerly TAKE FIVE), 1445 Boonville Avenue, Springfield MO 65802: Glen Ellard. Editor. Daily devotional for teens, grades 7-12. Devotionals are done on assignment, although may consider poetry or photos freelance. Pastor endorsements required. Query to rl-take5plus@gph.org (Attn: Editor)  Website: www.ag.org

ASIMOV'S SCIENCE FICTION,  475 Park Ave., S., 11^th Fl, New York NY 10016: Sheila Williams, Editor. An adult science fiction magazine, but heavily read by teens, too.  Wants character-oriented science fiction of up to 15,000 words.  No serialized novels, reprints or simultaneous submissions.  Poetry to 40 lines. Stories can contain young adult protagonists, but they should resonate with all audiences.  Pay varies for fiction; poetry is $1 a line. Website: www.asimovs.com

ODYSSEY, Attn: Elizabeth Lindstrom, 30 Grove Street, Ste. C, Peterborough NH 02348: Elizabeth E, Lindstrom, Managing Editor. Another publication from the Cobblestone people for ages 10-16. Fiction 900-1200 words; features of 750-1200 words on technology, science and math. Short experiments, projects & games. Pays .20-.25 a word on publication for all rights. Study the website! Mail complete manuscript for science or science-related fiction. Website: www.odsseymagazine.com.

TURTLE TRAILS AND TALES, 802 Hunt St., Lowell MI 49331: Virginia Castleman, CEO. This is a cross between a magazine and newspaper aimed at 2^nd-6^th grade kids.  Multicultural.  From the website, it's a showcase type site, but sounds also as if there is some direct payment.  Check it out at http://www.turtletrailsandtales.com/

JACK AND JILL, P O Box 567, Indianapolis IN 46206-0567: Daniel Lee, Editor. This magazine has a definite health emphasis.  For ages 7-10.  Fiction and nonfiction to 600 words.  Pays .17-.25 word. They say they are using more material from freelance writers. They especially want profile pieces about ordinary kids involved in out-of-ordinary activities.  Science, sports, culture, artsÉand of course health related. Website: www.jackandjillmag.org

KAHANI, P.O. Box 590155, Newton Centre MA 02459: Monika Jain, Editor. A children's literary magazine illuminating the richness and diversity that South Asian cultures bring to North America.  Stories, art, activities and fun facts.  The website looks like the ages are 6—12. Query for feature articles 400-600 words; send complete manuscripts for fiction to 950 words.  Email submissions to writers@kani.com; indicate feature query or fiction submission in the subject line.  New contributors receive 3 copies; repeat contributors get an honorarium. Website: www.kahani.com

(CANADA) YES MAGAZINE, 501-3960 Quadra St., Victoria BC,  Canada V8X 4A3: Shannon Hunt, Managing Editor. This publication is from Camps of Canada, an award winning science promotion organization. Aimed at children 8-14, they use departmental material, but also theme material each issue.  See website for open categories. Write for their list. Pay varies on publication.  E-mail queries to editor@yesmag.ca  Write "submission" in the subject line. Website: http://www.yesmag.ca .

NEXT STEP, LINK (formerly The Next Step), 86 West Main St., Victor NY 14564: Laura Jean Hammond, Editor in Chief.  Aimed at helping high school students with college planning, career exploration and life skills.  How-to articles of 700-1000 words.  Pays varies and may be for all rights. Query email: laura@nextstepmagazine.com.  Website: www.nextSTEPmag.com

YOUTH RUNNER, P.O. Box 1156, Lake Oswego OR 07-55: Dan Kesterson, Editor. This publication wants articles about cross country and track runners of 9-15.   Stories about formerly nonathletic types who found new health in running and stories about how an athlete recovered from some adversity are especially wanted. Pay varies. Email complete manuscripts with a brief introductory letter to editor@youthrunner.com.  Website: www.youthrunner.com

LIBRARY SPARKS, W5527 State Road 106, PO Box 800, Fort Atkinson WI 53580: Virginia Harrison, Editor. Wants 5-minutefillers and helpful hints for use by elementary and children's librarian.  Aim is learn about books and make the library fun.  Pay is up to $300 for articles and $25 to $100 for tips and suggestions, $25 coupon for Upstart Books for Freebies section submissions. Send queries to librarysparks@highsmith.com. Website: www.librarysparks.com.  (NOTE: There is a link at the website for a free issue.)

PAYS IN COPIES ONLY:

Skipping Stones, P.O. Box 3939, Eugene OR 97403.  Learn more at www.skippingstones.org

Christian Work at Home Moms, Christian Work at Home Dads: learn more at http://cwahm.com/wordpress and http://cwahd.com/wordpress

THANK YOU:

Thanks to Kathy Ptacek who edits the email general market guide Gila Queen's Guide to Markets, the following young people's magazines are interested in poetry.  See http://gilaqueen.us/ for information about subscribing to the market list.

The New Era—50 East North Temple St., Room 2414, Salt Lake City UT 84150-3220. Address Editorial. Monthly. Circ. 230,000. Magazine for kids 12–18 (Mormon).

Poetry: "We accept most forms of poetry. Short poems under 30 lines are preferred." Pays 25¢/line minimum, for all rights.

Send seasonal stuff one year ahead. [E-mail: newera@ldschurch.org; http://www.newera.lds.org]. RT—2 months.

And

Pockets—The Upper Room, 1908 Grand Ave., PO Box 340004, Nashville TN 37203-0004. Monthly (except February). Circ. 96,000. Magazine for kids 6–11; published by the United Methodist Church. "Poems should be short, not more than 20 lines . Both seasonal and theme-related poems are needed. No talking animals, no inanimate objects."

Pays $2/line, $25 minimum, on acceptance for FNASR. Send seasonal stuff one year ahead. (877) 899-2781, ext. 7238; [E-mail: pockets@upperroom.org; http://www.pockets.org]. RT—6 weeks

Thank you to Lois Wickstrom for passing on the new address for Weekly Reader.  They don't buy much freelance so query first: Weekly Reader Publishing, 1 Readers Digest Rd, Pleasantville NY 10570-7000

Shirley Ramaley reports that both Listen and The Winner have new guidelines.  See:

http://www.winnermagazine.org/listwinner/var_pages/guidelines.asp

http://www.listenmagazine.org/article.php?id=17

Shirley also found new theme lists for the Hopscotch group of magazines: http://www.funforkidzmagazines.com/ and http://funforkidzmagazines.com/writers

Nancy Kopp recommends Jan Fields' website (Institute of Children's Literature): http://www.kidmagwriters.com/others/aboutus.htm.

EDITING SERVICES:  I get a great deal of mail from new writers wanting to find someone who will edit/critique manuscripts.  At one point a personal friend of mine had such a service, but she went back to teaching.  I'm listing two dependable services below:

Children's Book Insider editor Laura Backes does critiques on a limited basis, depending upon her schedule.  For info, e-mail critique@sendfree.com 

Another writer/editor I can recommend is Jill Ronsley, the director of Sun Edit Write.  (Jill also offers one-on-one fiction writing classes.)

 Sun Edit Write provides editing and writing services for writers. If you would like your short story, novel, poem or query letter to be checked for errors of grammar and punctuation, style, syntax and usage before you submit it to a publisher, or if you would like personal guidance through a Hands-on Writing Class, write to jill@suneditwrite.com. Jill Ronsley, founder and director, has a special love of literature for children and is on the Executive Board of Boost4Writers. For more information, visit www.suneditwrite.com. 

LETTERS:

Dear Margaret Shauers:

I saw your website Write4Kids.com and was very intrigued to say the least. I have, since I was a young teenager, enjoyed writing. I have written poems, short stories, children's stories. A story I had wrote was recently accepted this year but they wanted a phenomenal fee to publish it; of which I did not have. I have considered different avenues i.e. card writing, publishing children's stories or writing short stories for Highlights. This subject is a very overwhelming subject to tackle. I am now 45 and have 3 teenagers and 1 adult child and have always enjoyed reading. I used to take them to the library when they were young and we would leave with stacks of books. I have thoroughly enjoyed writing but would like to try my hand at actually getting some of my work out there. My creative side is put on hold as I work a part-time job and home school my children but it is screaming to get out. If you had some advice as to where to start what would it be? Are there publishers out there that don't charge such a high price to get your book published only to find out that you may not see much from it? I would like to actually meet with someone locally who does write and talk with them; not sure if that is at all possible.

I really appreciate the time you took to read my email and I would love to hear back from you when it is convenient.

Janine

Dear Janine:

Thanks for your email and best of luck.

First, never pay to have something printed unless it's just for family.  You not only pay but, no matter what they promise, do all of the bookselling.  Well, there is one place at Amazon where I think that once accepted, they market at Amazon.  Not sure it it's free or not.  But with a first book, it's hard to get buyers to try a new author...the bookstore and other promotions regular publishers offer works better.

First, invest in the 2009 Writer's Digest Writer's Market.  Amazon.com offers them pretty reasonably, although they still aren't cheap.  You can check to see if your local library has one first.

Then, if you're just basically beginning, go to the library and read every book about writing you can find.  Read magazines and books if you want to publish books (magazines are easier for new writers) where you'd like to be published.

Oh, and don't pay an agent either.  The reputable ones work for a percentage...plus seldom take new writers and even established writers have a hard time getting a really good one.  I had a good NY agent for a year who did absolutely nothing for me.  She did market, but just didn't' find the right publisher either so I'm doing it on my own.

Again, best of luck.

Margaret

Hello Margaret,

I think it would be great to exchange tips for book marketing. I just put up a simple website for my book:  http://mason.gmu.edu/~cmeyer/Daysonfarm.html

And I'm planning to do some more touring in N. Illinois this summer -- that's where the book takes place.  Last summer I spent some time in Iowa & Indiana in addition to Illinois, but realized I should have spent more time in the local area.  I think I've had the most success just offering to give book talks, calling up bookstores to get the book on the shelf, donating books to charitable organizations, and getting it reviewed.  Academics usually don't invest much in marketing books, but this one is special to me and I want people who might enjoy it to find out about it.

It looks like you've been writing and marketing books for many years, from what I could see on Amazon.  Do you have any tips on what works in book marketing?  In some ways it seems like every book is different because the audience is different, but we seem to have some common interests.

All the best,

Carrie

Dear Carrie:

I have 5 books published and have published about a thousand short pieces of one sort or another.  The book world today, however, is really tough.  Just getting yours published (and it sounds great; I did check out your link) was a major accomplishment today.

As far as promoting.... realize that publishers just don't have budgets for this except best sellers.  You must either be your own promoter or hire one (and the good ones are horrendously expensive unless you do have best seller material).

Your plans for this summer sound great.  Yes, localization on your type book will sell copies.  Since you are academic I'm not sure how much free time you have during the school year, but setting up readings at schools can also do a great deal to boost sales.  Your book would be of interest to history professors and high school teachers (in high school, probably mostly in your localized areas).  With colleges, you might catch some summer classes.  And if you relate well to almost and very early teens, it might work at middle schools.

Depending on your time, you might broaden it into the western edge of the Midwest.  But again, your centralized theme works best.

I see that your book is on Amazon.  Put that link on your own cards or bookmarks or other promo items.  People often attend readings or events and are interested in something, but either don't have the money or want to think about it.  This particularly works well if you are working any writer's conventions that also invite readers.

The conventions just for writers are great and you can build a network with other writers who can help you in many ways, just as you can help them.  I would suggest trying to find one within the history area for your book.

And don't forget that many colleges today have instructors who emphasize person-experience history.  Not quite folklore, but oral history...and are open to written personal experience.

Use any Internet connections you have.  If you blog or have a column anywhere, promote your book.  A lot of these Internet connections are not paid, but you can "sell" books by promoting your own.

Best of luck, and I would love to hear from you again.  And please be kind if I'm slow.

Margaret

NOTE FROM MARGARET:  Carrie's book is not for children, but her "Days on the Family Farm: From the Golden Age through the Great Depression" is of historical and factual interest.  So I have included her link above.

TO ORDER my complete 350+ Children's Writers magazine market list (paying markets ONLY; approx. 1/3 are Christian markets): send $5.00 for an email copy (PayPal only!); $11.00 ($13.00 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 or send an International Money order. PayPal also is acceptable from the U.S. and shipment will be same or next day. My user name is mshauers@mac.com.  I will take checks or money orders for print copies. 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.