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WRITING KID
Volume 10, Issue 26           -       December 24, 2010

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The zine for future writers today.
 
Publisher/Editor: C. Hope Clark
Mailto:      Hope@FundsforWriters.com

Published biweekly and free for the asking. Spread it around.

TELL YOUR TEACHERS ABOUT WRITING KID!

Find this newsletter online at
www.fundsforwriters.com/writingkid.htm
 
Read the archived editions at:
http://www.aweber.com/z/article/?writingkid

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WRITING NOTES
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Did the Mailman Come Yet?

By Ruth Schiffmann

What is it about getting mail that's so much fun? Could
it be the excitement of not knowing what you might find
each day? Or the anticipation of waiting for something
you know is on the way? Whatever it is, it starts young.
As a kid, I loved getting mail, waiting for those handwritten
letters from my grandmother in her own unique script and
the quarter she always taped to the bottom, just below her
signature. As a teen, I waited for magazines and clothing
catalogs that inspired lengthy wish lists. And it was always
a banner day when an autographed photo would arrive that I'd
requested from a favorite movie star. "Did the mailman come
yet?" was a familiar mantra in our house. In fact, that
eager anticipation probably didn't change until I was an
adult and started receiving bills of my own.

Today, I still haven't found any way around receiving those
bills. But, even so, I love checking the mailbox each day.
When you're a writer submitting your work for publication,
you receive every mail delivery with excitement and hope,
because your next acceptance could be just as close as the
mailman's steps to your door.

In junior high, my English teacher told me that I should
try to get my writing published. I didn't know where to
begin. But you're one step ahead of me. You're reading The
Writing Kid newsletter, where you can find new possible
publication opportunities every two weeks. If you haven't
started submitting yet, why not begin today? Research the
markets in today's newsletter and tweak something you've
written to fit their guidelines, or if the deadline allows,
write something new, consciously tailored to their particular
specifications.

Dropping that first submission into the mailbox is nerve
wracking, for sure, but once you let it go you've opened
yourself up to the possibility of becoming a published writer!

What are you waiting for, start researching markets and
submitting your work. No matter what the mailman brings,
you will have the tangible proof that you are a writer.
Expect rejections, (every writer gets them) but always
hope for an acceptance!

Kids X-Press, The World From a Kids'-Eye View, publishes
original stories, poems, autobiographies, book reviews,
movie reviews, drawings, photographs and more. Visit their
website to find out more about this publication that began
as an elementary-school newspaper and has become an
influential children's literary magazine with a distribution
of over 140,000!

http://kidsxpress.net/Nivia/xpress-yourself.html

Sweet Designs is a magazine written by and for YA girls.
They're looking for writers to join their team and provide
content on fashion, family, school, friendships, volunteering,
self-esteem, substance abuse, politics, preparing for college,
health, entertainment, DIY crafts and fashion projects, as
well as original fiction.

http://www.sweetdesignsmagazine.com/application.php

Teenage Christian is looking for teenage writers to submit
personal stories of faith struggles, youth groups, sports,
health, humor, entertainment, overcoming obstacles and more.
"We can learn a lot from each other when we share stories."
Why not share yours?

http://www.tcmagazine.org/pages/page.asp?page_id=43873

Creative Kids Magazine is written by and for kids from all
over the world, ages 8-14. They accept games, stories, artwork,
poetry, opinion pieces, songs, cartoons, plays, and more.

http://www.prufrock.com/client/client_pages/prufrock_jm_ck_wg.cfm
 
BIO
Today, Ruth Schiffmann awaits the melodic blip that announces
new email in her inbox just as eagerly as she awaits the
mailman's delivery at her front steps. When she receives
good news she celebrates with her husband and their two
daughters. When it brings a rejection she moves on to the
next market on her list. Who has the energy to waste on being
bummed?  www.RuthSchiffmann.com

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Always keep writing.

    Hope
 
PS
We cover elementary to college teens. Each week we
carry 12 or so opportunities for all ages. Read each
market closely. Some cover a wide range and others
address a very small age group. Always read the directions!

We need guest articles. Have you considered writing a
guest article for WritingKid? Are you a student, a parent,
a teacher? All are eligible. Just make sure the topic
touches upon writing and runs no more than 500-550 words.
Those under 16 receive the book of their choice. Those
over 16 receive $10-$20, depending on the quality of the
piece, the amount of editing required and the obvious
amount of research. Send any submissions to
hope@fundsforwriters.com and label it SUBMISSION TO
WRITINGKID.

 
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1.
TURTLE TRAILS AND TALES MAGAZINE WRITING CONTEST
http://www.turtletrailsandtales.com/page5/page5.html
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$15 ENTRY FEE
First prize $300 and publication.
Second prize $150 and publication.
Third and Fourth prizes publication.

Writers of all ages are strongly encouraged. Winners published
on the website and in the magazine. Entries must be under 900
words and written for children ages 6-11. Entries can be
written on any age appropriate subject. Deadline December
27, 2010. Winners announced in January.

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2.
JUST FOR KIDS
http://just4kidsmagazine.com/writer_guidelines.html
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Just For Kids Magazine is a magazine designed for families
with toddlers to teens, Just 4 Kids Magazine offers
wholesome readings that teach about God's love, His Son
Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Bible. Each issue
is built around a specific theme with material that can
be used by children in a variety of ways. Scripture
stories, fiction, poetry, prayers, art, graphics,
puzzles, and activities are included. Submitted articles
should help children experience a Christian lifestyle.
Seasonal material is appropriate. We welcome submissions
from children. Just 4 Kids Magazine is interdenominational,
and our readers include persons of many cultures and ethnic
backgrounds.

Stories and articles: Up to 10 cents/word
Family Devotions: $10 and up
Poetry: $5 and up
Activities, games: $5 and up
Art and Drawings: $5 and up  
 
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3.
CHRISTOPHER TOWER POETRY PRIZES
http://www.towerpoetry.org.uk/prize
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NO ENTRY FEE
Students between 16-18 years of age are challenged to write
a poem on the theme of 'Simplicity'. Launched in 2000, the Tower
Prizes are already established as among the most prestigious
literary awards for this age group. The first prize is £3,000,
with £1,000 and £500 going to the second and third prize-winners.
In addition to individual prizes, the students' schools and
colleges also receive cash prizes. Write a poem, of no more
than 48 lines, on the theme of 'Simplicity'. Deadline March
11, 2011. Entrants must be in full or part-time education at
a school, college or other educational institution in the United
Kingdom.
 
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4.
FIGMENT
http://figment.com/
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Founded by New Yorker staff writer Dana Goodyear and former
New Yorker managing editor Jacob Lewis, Figment.com is an
online writing community aimed at attracting a membership
of young people, ranging from kids to teens and older, to
post, share and comment on each other's original writing.
Figment offers author interviews, blog posts, forums, and
contests in addition to members' writing. Members can upload
content and cover images (the site also offers a designing
tool and stock images for covers) for their books. There
is also an online reader that displays the number of chapters,
how far along they are in the writing and, of course, a like
button, or in this case a "heart" button. Like other social
media platforms, members can "follow" the writers they like
and also limit public access to their content if they choose.
All copyrights belong to the writers.

Figment is a community where you can share your writing,
connect with other readers, and discover new stories and
authors. Whatever you're into, from sonnets to mysteries,
from sci-fi stories to cell phone novels, you can find it
all here.

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5.
ODD CONTEST
http://www.oddcon.com/contest/contest.html
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The OddContest is an annual competition for speculative
(science fiction, fantasy, or horror) stories or prose poems
no longer than 500 words. An awards ceremony and reading of
the 2011 winning entries will be held at OdysseyCon April
8-10, 2011, at the Radisson Hotel in Madison, Wisconsin;
they will also be published in the OddCon program. The
entry deadline is January 15 each year and results are
announced by March 1.

Adult division: 18 and over, $10 entry fee per story/poem;
multiple entries allowed. Prizes: $500 to first place;
OddCon membership + books to top 3.

Youth division: under 18 as of Jan. 1, 2011, NO entry fee,
but send no more than one entry. Prizes: $50 to first place;
OddCon membership + books to top 3.

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6.
RAILROAD MUSEUM POETRY CONTEST
http://www.nrm.org.uk/poetrycomp
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To mark National Poetry Day, we are launching a competition to
find the next great Railway Poet. Could it be you? If you're a
budding John Betjeman, stretch your literary muscles and write
a railway-related poem that could equal Robert Louis Stevenson's
classic 'From a Railway Carriage'. The overall winner wins an
Amazon Kindle e-reader. The winner of each category will enjoy
a VIP day out at the NRM - including a thrilling Segway ride
at Exhilaration Station. Most importantly, the winner of each
category will have their work accessioned into the National
Collection. Deadline January 31, 2011. There are three age
categories for the competition: