FROM MY MAIL:

Great news from Pam Zollman at Highlights for Children:

Hi Margaret,

I saw my name listed as the Crafts Editor at Highlights. That's true! Thanks! I'm also the editor for young nonfiction, which is something I really need. We're looking for articles for our younger readers (7 and younger) that are between 400 and 500 words in length and have a narrow focus. These are harder to write because of the balance of not writing over the reader's head as well as not writing down to him. Too often we get articles that read more like something from a school textbook, instead of a fun article. (Our motto is "Fun with a Purpose." While we want a "purpose," we want our readers to have fun finding out about it.) The manuscripts can be on any topic (for example, sports, nature, science, world cultures, the arts, biography, or history), although I do already have three bird articles for 2004 (woodpeckers, molting, and nests), so I probably wouldn't be as interested in that right now. If the article is a biography, it shouldn't be written "birth to death," but more about that person's contribution to society or perhaps a little known and interesting fact about that person. A strong bibliography is needed (and not too many web sites, since a dependence on the internet is viewed as af weak bibliography). Quotes from experts usually enliven the article. If, at all possible, have your article fact-checked by an expert. You don't have to query; just send the entire article to me. We're trying to have one young nonfiction article in each issue of Highlights. Right now I'm feeling a lot like Old Mother Hubbard. When I go to the cupboard, it's almost bare.

Thanks!

Pam Zollman

Assistant Editor

Highlights for Children Magazine

803 Church Street

Honesdale, PA 18431

570-251-4538

pjzollman@highlights-corp.com.

Our Little Friend has been buying some stories again.

From Gila Queen (see Gila's market directory link under links):

"We are currently looking for authors to interview on a new radio talk show called Book Talk Radio on WXXA-AM 790 Louisville KY," says Steve Hudson of Book Talk Radio. "Please have interested authors E-mail me here at RadioTalkers@aol.com and submit book synopsis, author bio, and contact info.

A fun email came from my cousin Gloria:

For those of you who do not know, Bulwer-Lytton wrote "The Last Days of Pompeii," which opens with the famous line, "It was a dark and stormy night." Hence the contest.

These are the 10 winners of this year's Bulwer-Lytton contest (run by the English Dept of San Jose State University), wherein one writes only the first line of a bad novel.

10) "As a scientist, Throckmorton knew that if he were ever to break

wind in the echo chamber, he would never hear the end of it."

9) "Just beyond the Narrows, the river widens."

8) "With a curvaceous figure that Venus would have envied, a tanned,unblemished oval face framed with lustrous thick brown hair, deep azure-blue eyes fringed with long black lashes, perfect teeth that vied for competition, and a small straight nose, Marilee had a beauty that defied description."

7) "Andre, a simple peasant, had only one thing on his mind as he

crept along the East wall: 'Andre creep... Andre creep... Andre creep.'"

6) "Stanislaus Smedley, a man always on the cutting edge of narcissism,was about to give his body and soul to a back alley sex-change surgeon to become the woman he loved."

5) "Although Sarah had an abnormal fear of mice, it did not keep her

from eeking out a living at a local pet store."

4) "Stanley looked quite bored and somewhat detached, but then

penguins often do."

3) "Like an over-ripe beefsteak tomato rimmed with cottage cheese,

the corpulent remains of Santa Claus lay dead on the hotel floor."

2) "Mike Hardware was the kind of private eye who didn't know the meaning of the word 'fear'; a man who could laugh in the face of danger and spit in the eye of death -- in short, a moron with suicidal tendencies."

AND THE WINNER IS...

1) "The sun oozed over the horizon, shoved aside darkness, crept

along the greensward, and, with sickly fingers, pushed through the castle window, revealing the pillaged princess, hand at throat, crown asunder, gaping in frenzied horror at the sated, sodden amphibian lying beside her, disbelieving the magnitude of the frog's deception, screaming madly, "You lied!"

From The Authors Guild:

Success! In a strongly worded ruling, federal Judge Denny Chin denied Fox News Networks' motion for a preliminary injunction to block the publication of "Lies and the Lying Liars Who Tell Them: A Fair and Balanced Look at the Right," by Al Franken. Fox News had claimed that the title infringed its trademark in the phrase "fair and balanced."

The judge's decision, issued from the bench late this afternoon, held that Mr. Franken's First Amendment right in his book's title far outweighed any interest Fox News might have in the trademark. He also found it unlikely that "fair and balanced" is a valid trademark, given the phrase's prominence in "the marketplace of ideas." He ruled it highly unlikely that, as Fox had argued, the public would be confused by Mr. Franken's title into thinking that Fox News endorsed the book.

Thanks to everyone who suggested works for our list of titles that use trademarked words and phrases that we included with our brief. The judge specifically cited that list and the Guild's "very helpful amicus brief" in his decision. We couldn't have done it without you. More details on this ruling and its importance will appear in the fall issue of the Bulletin.

Also from The Authors Guild:

The Authors Guild and ASJA are investigating whether KeepMedia.com, a new online database of magazine and newspaper articles, has properly acquired the electronic rights to freelance works that it's making available to the public. KeepMedia, funded by Louis Borders (co-founder of the bookstore chain), was featured in a Wall Street Journal article last week and began operations on Monday. KeepMedia archives articles from Esquire, Family Circle, Forbes, The Detroit Free Press, The Miami Herald and The San Jose Mercury News, among many other publications. (See the full list of publications offered below.)

If you've written for any of the magazines or newspapers in the following list in the past few years -- the archives generally go back just a few years -- and have retained electronic rights to some of those works, please visit www.keepmedia.com, sign up for the free trial, and see if any of those works appear at the site.

If you believe your rights have been infringed, please send an e-mail to staff@authorsguild.org and let us know. This is purely exploratory at this phase -- we're not accusing KeepMedia of any wrongdoing.

Feel free to pass this request on to other freelancers and to post it on bulletin boards.

Thanks for your help.

-----------------------------------------------

Keep Media Publications 7/29/03

GENERAL

Book Magazine, BusinessWeek, The Deal, The Detroit Free Press, E Magazine, Esquire, Family Circle, Fast Company, Forbes. Foreign Policy, Inc., Italian Cooking & Living, The Kansas City Star, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Kiplinger's Retirement Report. MAMM. The Mercury News, The Miami Herald, Mother Jones, Opinion Journal, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Pioneer Press. Psychology Today, Reason, Rough Guides Travel, U.S News & World Report. Variety

PROFESSIONAL & TRADE

Access Control & Security Systems, American City & County, American Printer, American School & University, Apply, Association Meetings, BEEF, Broadcast Engineering. Broadcasting & Cable, Building Design & Construction, Cable World, Catalog Age. CED. Cement Americas, Circulation Management, Club Industry, Concrete Products, Consulting-Specifying Engineer, Control Engineering, Control Engineering Europe, Converting Magazine, Corporate Meetings & Incentives. Críticas. Delta Farm Press. Design News, Direct, Drug Discovery & Development. ECN. EDN, Electrical Construction & Maintenance, Electrical Wholesaling, Electronic Business, Electronic Musician, Entertainment Design, Farm Industry News, Fire Chief, Fleet Owner, Folio:, Genomics & Proteomics, Gifts & Decorative Accessories, Graphic Arts Monthly. Grounds Maintenance, Hay & Forage Grower, Home Textiles Today, HomeCare, Hotels. Industrial Distribution, Industrial Maintenance & Plant Operation, Insurance Conference Planner, Interior Design, JCK (Jewelers' Circular Keystone), Library Journal, Lighting Dimensions, Logistics Management, Medical Meetings. Millimeter, MIX. Mobile Radio Technology, Modern Bulk Transporter, Modern Materials Handling, MSI, Multichannel News, National Hog Farmer, National Real Estate Investor, Operations & Fulfillment. Paper, Film & Foil Converter, Plant Engineering, Playthings, Power Electronics Technology, Profitable Embroiderer

PROMO

Publishers Weekly, Purchasing, R & D, Radio, Refrigerated Transporter, Registered Rep., Religious Conference Manager, Remix, Rental Equipment Register, Restaurants and Institutions, Retail Traffic, Rock Products. School Library Journal, Semiconductor International. Site Management & Technology, Sound & Video Contractor, Southeast Farm Press, Southwest Farm Press, Special Events, Staging Rental Operations, Stitches, Supply Chain Management, Telephony, Test & Measurement World, The Corn and Soybean Digest, Trailer/Body Builders, Transmission & Distribution World, TWICE (This Week in Consumer Electronics), Video Business, Video Systems, Ward's Auto World, Ward's Dealer Business, Waste Age, Wearables Business, Western Farm Press, Wireless Review, Wireless Week

Owl, 49 Front St. E., 2^nd floor, Toronto Ontario M5E 1B3, Canada: Katherine Murray, Editor. This secular publication for 9-13 year-olds has shifted focus from science and nature to general interest. Does not want talking animals and uses only a small amount of fiction of 500 to 1000 words, uses nonfiction. Also uses puzzles and activities. Former pay was $200 to $500 (Canadian) on publication for ALL rights, but magazine hadn’t even been paying staff members, let alone freelancers. Out of Canada submissions must be accompanied by $2 International money order of IPC for return postage. This magazine has just been sold to a new owner so it might be workable again. Now QUERIES ONLY. Website: owl@owlkids.com.

Connect for Kids, 1625 K St., N.W., Washington DC 20006: Susan Phillips, Editor. This online publication focuses on issues affecting children and families. Check it out at www.connectforkids.com. Uses nonfiction only, 900-1500 words. Queries desired. Pays varying rates for all rights. Email: susan@connectforkids.org.

Spirit, 1884 Randolph Ave., St. Paul MN 55105: Joan Mitchell, CSJ, Editor. This Roman Catholic publication uses articles and fiction (they want conflict vignettes) to 1200 words for youth 14-18. They pay to $200 for ALL rights. Articles about well-known people as teen role models are desired. Website: www.goodgroundpress.com. Email: jmcsj9@mail.idt.net.

BOOK MARKETS:

The following market information was found in Gila Queen #123, a marketing newsletter that contains all kinds of markets. They don't always list children's press news, but include listings--and also have a special children's accent issue now and then, (See Gila Queen's url under links.)

Tricycle Press˜Ten Speed Press, PO Box 7123, Berkeley CA 94707. Publishes hardcover and trade paperback originals.

Activity Books: "Ages 3 to 12. One-third to one-half of the manuscript is usually sufficient. Submit a table of contents or outline. Illustration ideas are often helpful but not necessary."

Novels for Young Readers: "Ages 8 and up. If it is in chapters, please submit two to three sample chapters; otherwise, one-third to one-half of the manuscript is usually sufficient. Also submit a table of contents or outline."

Picture Books: "Ages 3 and up. Complete story is necessary; illustration ideas are often helpful but not necessary."

Real Life Books: "Books about and for kids to help them understand themselves and their world; includes parenting books. Ages 3 to 13. If it is in chapters, please submit two to three sample chapters; otherwise, one-third to one-half of the manuscript is usually sufficient. Also submit a table of contents or outline."

General: "All Tricycle Press submissions are considered on an individual basis, although a personalized response is not always possible due to the volume of submissions we receive. Please note that we do accept simultaneous submissions. Do not send originals or your only copy of anything. We are not liable for artwork or manuscript submissions."

"Be sure your work is appropriate for us. Familiarize yourself with our list by going to bookstores or libraries. We encourage you to request our catalogue by mailing a 9x12 envelope with three first class stamps (no checks or cash, please)."

"Correspondence regarding status of manuscripts should be done by mail˜no phone calls, please. Please do not send queries." (510)559-1600; [E-mail: info@tenspeed.com; www.tenspeed.com].

Joni Woodward's short story, "Meet the Teacher" will be published in late 2004 along with other authors's short stories in the book, Humor for a Teacher's Heart, by Howard Publishing

Patricia Weaver writes: "I went to the mailbox today and a large brown envelope was inside. I opened it and there was a plaque and a check for $50.00. I won first place in the Alabama Writers’ Conclave 2003 Literary Competition in Young Adult Fiction. What a surprise! I also got honorable mention for Fiction with a Southern Background."

If you haven't already, check out Patricia Weaver's site at http://www.boost4writers.com/

Gila Queen's website is at http://GilaQueen.us

CHECK OUT my classes for children's writers:

"Write Short Stories for Children": http://universalclass.com/arts/creativewriting/classes/2371.htm

"Children's Fiction: In-Depth Plotting": http://universalclass.com/arts/creativewriting/classes/3499.htm

AND MY NEW ONE "Write Tidbits for Tots Through Teens": http://home.universalclass.com/i/learn/online/course/24.htm

Shirley reports that the Story Friends link I gave wasn't working early last month. When I checked it, it looked to me like the server was down, not that the link was gone. Has anyone else had problems with this?

Lily received the following letter from Alison Keehan at Barefoot Books:

Dear Author/Artist,

Thank you for submitting your query to Barefoot Books. Because I will be leaving the company in a few weeks, we will not be accepting query letters or manuscripts for six months. Therefore, we suggest that you submit your manuscript, in query form, to other publishers at this point in time. Thank you for thinking of us, and I wish you the best of luck in placing your manuscript.

Cathy shared information about a publication I don't have in my market directory because it does not pay. Some writers do gain initial published credits through non-paying markets so I do include a few in the column. Including this one:

Skipping Stones, A Multicultural Children's Magazine, is out of Oregon. Its listed in the Children's Writers' and Illustrators' Market's 15 edition (2003). E-mail: skipping@efn.org. Website: www.efn.org/-skipping. They were established in 1988 but have a circulation of only 2,500. A bimonthly, non-profit magazine, Skipping Stones is a multicultural children's publication designed to improve cooperation, creativity and a celebration of cultural and ecological richness. It has themes centered in different countries - Bolivia and Brazil were the places for the Nov/Dec 2002 issue. Check the website for further themes.

Mary writes that Raven Tree Press recently returned an unopened submission with the note: "No unsolicited manuscripts accepted until January 2004. Please resubmit at that time."

Mary also sent the following, current list for the Cobblestone group:

Susan Buckley, Editor

Cobblestone Publishing

140 E 83rd St.

New York, NY 10028

Submissions Editor

332 S. Michigan Ave.

Suite 1100

Chicago, IL 60604

Submissions Editor

BABYBUG Magazine

P.O. Box 300

Peru, IL 61354

Editorial Department

Cobblestone Publishing

Attn: Rosalie Baker

30 Grove Street, Suite C

Peterborough, NH 03458

Submissions Editor

CICADA Magazine

P.O. Box 300

Peru, IL 61354

Submissions Editor

332 S. Michigan Ave.

Suite 1100

Chicago, IL 60604

Editorial Department

Cobblestone Publishing

Attn: Meg Chorlian

30 Grove Street, Suite C

Peterborough, NH 03458

Submissions Editor

P.O. Box 300

Peru, IL 61354

Editorial Department

Cobblestone Publishing

Attn: Rosalie Baker

30 Grove Street, Suite C

Peterborough, NH 03458

Editorial Department

Cobblestone Publishing

Attn: Elizabeth Crooker Carpentiere

30 Grove Street, Suite C

Peterborough, NH 03458

Editorial Department

Cobblestone Publishing

Attn: Charles F. Baker

30 Grove Street, Suite C

Peterborough, NH 03458

Submissions Editor

LADYBUG Magazine

P.O. Box 300

Peru, IL 61354

Editorial Department

Cobblestone Publishing

Attn: Elizabeth Lindstrom

30 Grove Street, Suite C

Peterborough, NH 03458

Submissions Editor

SPIDER Magazine

P.O. Box 300

Peru, IL 61354

Another goodie from Gila Queen: Childhood Memories From the Heart˜See Web site. Editor: Jessica Crooks. "We are looking for true, heart-warming stories from childhood. They can make you laugh or cry, but they must be true. Tell us about the day your brother dared you to jump from the roof. Tell us about the kind old lady from across the street who used to bake the best cookies."

"If you have stories that will move the reader, please share them with us."

Guidelines:

* "Must be in English."

* Stories must be true and unpublished."

* "No poetry."

800ˆ1200 words, but "will consider longer works of up to 2000 words"; pays $50 (top story), $10 (other accepted stories). "Electronic submissions only. Each selected author will be required to sign a publishing agreement. Include a bio as well as a short synopsis of your story." [E-mail: childhoodmemory2002@yahoo.com; jessicadcrooks.tripod.com]. Deadline: October 31, 2003.

Check the http://wemakewriters.com for information about the latest Children's Authors' Boot Camps! There's one coming up in Chicago September 13-14, and another coming to Boston!

WRITER'S GROUPS: Karin Lindstrom shares this information:

I checked on whether the director would want Heart of America Christian Writer's Network (HACWN) included in your listings. Here is a little bit of the information I can tell you about HACWN. The group meets monthly, on the first Thur. evening in the Kansas City area (Overland Park, KS). The monthly meetings are informal with a local author or editor speaking and a critique done aloud by those in attendance, using an overhead projector. Monthly meetings cost $3 for members and $5 for guests. They also have quarterly seminars given on a Saturday, they usually bring in a well known editor, usually from a Christian mag. market or an author for these. Seminars run around$35-$50, more if you want a professional critique. Dues to belong to HACWN are reasonable, about $20 a year (I think- don't quote me on this) and this includes a monthly newsletter and regular e-mails with market leads. They also have an ongoing critique group that meets bimonthly on Wed. afternoons in the director's home. The directors are Mark and Jeanette Littleton.. She gave me the territory they serve and how tocontact them. Also the membership coordinator is Sally Christensen at Srcsonshine@juno.com, she can give you the specifics on membership fees. There are 3 levels of membership - associate, active and professional.

(Note from Margaret: I have worked within the Christian market arena for years. Mark and Jeanette are well known and highly respected!)

CONTESTS:

These two contests also came from Gila Queen (see url with book markets):

Children‚s Article Contest˜ByLine Magazine, PO Box 5240, Edmond OK 73083-5240. "An article for kids of any age (state targeted age range on manuscript) or nonfiction relating to children (parenting, humor, etc.). Includes anything from kids‚ Christmas crafts to how-tos for parents or Sunday school teachers." 200ˆ1800 words. "Type your name, address, phone number, and the contest category on the first page of the manuscript (no cover sheet). Prepare in standard manuscript format. Entries will not be returned, so there‚s no need for SASE. You may send multiple entries to any contest, but each entry requires an entry fee. Entries should be unpublished when entered." 1st, $40; 2nd, $20; 3rd, $15. Entry fee $4. [www.bylinemag.com]. Deadline: December 10, 2003.

The Twenty-Second Annual Delacorte Press Contest for a First Young Adult Novel˜Random House, Inc., 1745 Broadway, 9th Floor, NY NY 10019. Annual. "The prize of a book contract (on the publisher‚s standard form) covering world rights for a hardcover and a paperback edition, including an advance and royalties, is awarded annually to encourage the writing of contemporary young adult fiction."

"The contest is open to U.S. and Canadian writers who have not previously published a young adult novel. Foreign-language manuscripts and translations are not eligible. Manuscripts submitted to a previous Delacorte Press contest are not eligible."

"Submissions should consist of a book-length manuscript with a contemporary setting that will be suitable for readers ages 12-18. Include a brief plot summary with your covering letter. Each manuscript should have a cover page listing the title of the novel; the author‚s name, address, and telephone number; and a note stating whether or not the manuscript need be returned. The title should also appear on each manuscript page. Photocopies are acceptable if readily legible and printed on good quality white (not gray) paper. Do not submit manuscripts in boxes. A padded envelope will do."

100-224 typed pages. No simultaneous submissions. "Authors may not submit more than two manuscripts to the Delacorte Press competition; each must meet all eligibility requirements."

Prize is $1500 in cash and a $7500 advance against royalties. Opens: October 1, 2003; Deadline: December 31, 2003. [www.randomhouse.com/kids].

Geary wants information (experiences) others have had with a course from American Writers and Artists Institute about making money writing copyright. It costs about $500. Can anyone tell us more about the course and if it is worth the high fee?

Is this still published? Badgerland Sports for Youth, P O BOX 45050, MADISON WI 53744: Vesna Vuynovich Kovach, Editor. This magazine is for young athletes, their parents, coaches and fans. Children are pre-school through high school. They want features of interest to kids, parents, coaches and fans. Likes local personality profiles. Uses 500-1000 words and pays .10 on publication for 1^st rights. . They do use photos and art work: $25 for 1^st photo printed, $10 for additional. They use reprint rights. Website: http://www.ericksonpublishing.com. Email: editor@ericksonpublishing.com. (Note: in going to their site, I find they do have publications, but the Sports for Youth one is not listed! Most listed are for parents in NE Wisconsin).

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. (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.

Hi, Geary. I agree--writing is work.

Picture books still do use rhymed work. Make sure your metrics are good and the rhyme is clever, but not forced. As for markets--it's the same old story. Go to your public library and read extensively in the picture book section. Children's librarians are great people and always happy to help writers. Ask which ones kids like best. And, of course, take along a notepad for jotting down the publishers who use rhymed picture books. Then look them up in a good (current!) market directory. Many have online pages and often list their entire catalogs. These are useful to read through so you can see what lines they publish, and also to avoid sending a manuscript too like something they already have.

Good luck!

Margaret

Greetings to you, too, Tony!

I will open this up to readers--does anyone know of such a center?

One thing to mention, though, is that many publishers actually prefer to find their own illustrators if the author is not also a professional illustrator. Check writer's market directories to find out how individual publishers prefer to handle illustrations.

Best of luck with your book.

Margaret