Writing Contests and Publications for Kids
NOTE: Before sending any submissions, you should do three things:
- explore each publication in print and online with a parent or teacher to help you decide which might be right for your work
- read and follow each publication’s writer submission guidelines, usually posted on its web site
- make sure your work is as good as you can make it
Publishing Web Sites and Magazines for Young People
The Exquisite Prompt–http://www.readingrockets.org/books/fun/exquisiteprompt/video%20
An activity that gives K-12 students a chance each month (October through June) to flex their writing muscles with writing prompts — and win fabulous prizes!
KidPub Monthly Contests–http://www.kidpub.com/contest
KidPub runs many writing contests each year. Some contests are for poetry, others for essays and stories, some are a combination. The winner of each contest gets to choose their prize, either a $50 Amazon.com Gift Card or publication of their own book by KidPub Press. Two runners-up each receive a $25 Amazon.com Gift Card.
Merlyn’s Pen–http://www.merlynspen.org/write/contests.php
This is a literary magazine which will publish fiction, poems, and essays of students.
Writer’s Digest “Your Story” Prompts–http://www.writersdigest.com/yourstory
Writer’s Digest presents a creative challenge for fun and prizes. They provide a short, open-ended prompt. You can submit a short story of 750 words or fewer based on that prompt. You can be funny, poignant, witty, etc.; it is, after all, your story. The winner will receive publication in an upcoming issue of Writer’s Digest.
Student Poetry Contest--http://www.libraryofpoetry.com/student2011.asp
The Student Poetry Contest is open to all students in grades 3-12. You may submit one poem of no more than 20 lines on any subject
and in any form.
Candlelight Stories–http://www.candlelightstories.com/submissions
A fun website that publishes works in many genres: short fiction, novellas, novels, eerie stories, horror, and poetry. Children’s works go into storybooks section. Everything else will go into the fiction section.
Stone Soup — www.stonesoup.com
Stories, poems, book reviews, and art by young people through age 13.
Creative Kids — http://www.prufrock.com/client/client_pages/prufrock_jm_createkids.cfm
Published by Prufrock Press, this quarterly magazine includes games, puzzles, stories, and opinions, all by kids ages 8 to 14.
The Writer’s Slate — www.writingconference.com/writer’s.htm
Three issues a year contain poetry and prose by students from kindergarten through twelfth grade, as well as fiction and essays by teachers.
Young Writer — http://www.young-writer.co.uk/
Published in England, this international magazine features the best in English-language creative writing from children ages 5 to 18.
Skipping Stones — www.skippingstones.org
Published five times a year, this magazine contains writing by adults and children. Kids ages 8 to 16 may submit essays, stories, letters to the editor, riddles and proverbs.
New Moon — www.newmoon.org
Especially for girls, New Moon is a bimonthly magazine publishing letters, articles and fiction by 8- to 14-year-old girls, as well as writing and art by adults.
Potato Hill Poetry — www.potatohill.com
This quarterly magazine publishes poems by students in grades 1 through 12.
Teen Voices — www.teenvoices.com
This quarterly magazine provides a forum for teenage girls by publishing their poems, essays, letters, and stories.
BOOK PUBLISHERS
Lulu Self-Publishing –www.lulu.com
They will publish any material and make it into a professional-looking book.
