For Teen Writers
Writing Tips
There are lots of magazine markets and contests that are looking for stories, articles, poetry, jokes and other material from TEENS and YOUNG ADULTS. Kathy Henderson's The Market Guide for Young Writers: Where and How to Sell What You Write (5th edition) is a great place to start. The first part is a guide to writing and preparing manuscripts for submission -- lots of good info on plotting, etc. There are lists of magazines and contests, too -- although these change every year and you may need to do some online research. Or you might prefer A Teen's Guide to Getting Published: Publishing for Profit, Recognition, and Academic Success. Then get together in an award-winning community of young writers at The Write Stuff, a creative writing club for aspiring authors and poets ages 13-23.
Markets
- Potluck Children's Literary Magazine - Publishes poetry, stories, book reviews and artwork from writers/artists 8 - 16. Creative articles to help young writers expand their writing abilities.
- Stone Soup - An online magazine by young authors and writers that has references for publishing in print materials.
- Young Writer - UK magazine which encourages submissions from children. Features book reviews, published competition winners and story of the week.
- Headliners - A national news agency, where young people aged 8-18 produce articles on issues that are important to them but of interest to everyone.
- Young People's Press Online - Hooking up young writers, keeping it real, getting folks published electronically and in print.
- Merlyn's Pen - Fiction, essays and poems from America's teens.
- Teen Ink - a national teen magazine, book series, and website devoted entirely to teenage writing and art.
Contests
- National Short Story Contests - annually, from The Young Voices Foundation, mentoring young writers K-12. Money prizes!
- Letters About Literature - annual contest from The Library of Congress.
- Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators - annual contest from PBS.
- Jack L. Chalker Young Writers Contest - annual contest for science fiction and fantasy.
Workshops
- The Iowa Young Writers' Studio - A summer camp specifically for high school students who want to improve their writing. Intensive classes offered in poetry, fiction, and essay writing. Very prestigious. Lots of hard work!
Articles and Advice
- "How Not to Get Burned" - what you need to know to avoid getting scammed by vanity publishers, from Glen and Karen Bledsoe.
Resource Websites
One of the best resource pages for the beginning writer is from Jennifer Nielsen (Elliot and the Goblin War). It's called the Infinite Checklist of Writing Tips. Other good sites include:
- David Barr Kirtley: Resources for Teen Writers mostly for science fiction and fantasy
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