Do you have a kid who wants to be a writer? Maybe a budding artist? The good news is that they do not have to wait until they are all grown up to experience the thrill of a byline. Getting their work noticed by a legitimate publication is a great way to prep their credentials for the future. It can also boost your child’s self-esteem.
Here is a list of magazines and literary journals that accept submissions from the younger set.
Stone Soup
Stone Soup is an established magazine that has been around for over 40 years. Stone Soup accepts submissions from writers and artists aged 13 and younger. The magazine also holds monthly flash contests. As compensation for the submission, contributors are paid with two print copies of the issue their work is published in. Those who are listed on the honor roll get one print copy. Submissions are made via Submittable.
Magic Dragon
Since 2005, Magic Dragon has been published quarterly with the intent to encourage creativity in children and to support the arts. It is an award-winning magazine, having won the Distinguished Achievement Award for Excellence in Educational Publishing by the Association for Educational Publishing and the Parents’ Choice Approved Award by the Parents’ Choice Foundation. Although the magazine does not indicate an age limit, most submissions are from kids 13 years old and younger.
Magic Dragon accepts submissions of stories, essays, poems, and art. To submit, your child can email their work to magicdragonmagazine@gmail.com.
Stories and essays can be up to three pages, while poetry can be up to 30 lines. They should be sent as a Word document. Send art as a jpeg file. You can submit via snail mail by sending your child’s work to Magic Dragon, P.0. Box 687, Webster, NY 14580.
For submissions, please include a Permission to Publish form. You can download the form here .
Highlights
Highlights magazine was first published in 1946. Since then, it has continued to build its motto of “fun with a purpose” by providing kids with a magazine subscription that explores new topics in each issue. The Highlights brand has grown into several print titles, websites, and book clubs.
Highlights Kids accepts poems, pictures, and drawings from those aged 16 years and below through this submission form. Please keep poems limited to 75 words and art should be on unlined paper. Photos should not feature any people.
Balloons Literary Journal
Hong Kong-based Balloons Literary Journal (BLJ) is an online journal that publishes poetry, fiction, and art for kids aged 12 and above. The journal is free, and each issue can be downloaded in ready-to-print PDF format.
BLJ accepts submissions from all over the world. Submissions should include a cover letter with a brief bio, including the age of the creator. Poetry submissions should feature 3-5 poems submitted as a single Word document. Fiction should be no more than 2000 words, font 12 of common font types, and in Word. Artwork should be high resolution and in common file types like JPG or GIF. Please submit 3-5 pieces.
Submissions should be sent to editorblj@yahoo.com.