Though the library is more often associated with reading than with writing, I thought we could kick off the summer with a few publishing tips as well as publication opportunities for the students out there who love to write.These opportunities apply to websites and magazines rather than publishing an actual book, but still prove very useful for those who are working to get their pieces recognized by the public.
Tips:
1. Before you send any work in, check the Writers’ Guidelines, which are usually either on the website or in the magazine that you’re looking at. Pay attention to word count and any themes that might be requested. If a contest has a DEADLINE, make sure that your work arrives before deadline!
2. Send your best work. Have a teacher, friend, or parent review your manuscript for typos first! Use white paper, 8 1/2” x 11" and black ink with a normal font like Times / 12. (Frilly fonts might bias the reader unfavorably against the work.)
3. Follow the guidelines carefully. For example, place your name and page # on each page, unless requested NOT to do so—sometimes contests want “blind” manuscripts with a separate cover sheet that has your title listed on it.
4. Every submission needs a cover letter and a Self Addressed so that the publisher can reply to your submission.
5. Make sure to keep copies of any work that you submit. When your work is published, you will receive a copy of the issue, and sometimes payment, too. Keep copies or “clips” of your submitted pieces.
6. If you have questions about the legitimacy of a contest, check these tips or email your instructors. http://contests.about.com/od/conttestscams/qt/poetryscams.htm
Publishing Opportunities:
1. “Best Midwestern Writing Competition” http://www.wmich.edu/writingcompetition
2. “Stone Soup” publishes poems and stories by kids through age 13. Check guidelines and sample work before submitting. http://www.stonesoup.com/
3. “Merlyn’s Pen” is an annual publication of essays, stories & poems by students in grades 6 – 12. http://www.merlynspen.org/
4. “Teen Ink” publishes poetry and short prose online and in print. Be sure to read a sample before submitting your work. They also have a section on workshops, college programs and related writer resources. http://www.teenink.com
5. “Skipping Stones” is a bimonthly magazine that features multicultural perspective and international authors. They feature a variety of poetry, personal experience essays and short stories. http://www.skippingstones.org/ 6. “New Moon: The Magazine for Girls and their Dreams” is for girls age 8 – 14. Check out their website and guidelines before submitting work. http://www.newmoon.org
7. “River of Words” sponsors an annual poetry and art contest for students K – 12. http://www.riverofwords.org/
8. “Scholastic” has annual competitions for young writers. Winners receive scholarships and publication opportunities. For students in grades 7 – 12. Website has complete information on entries and examples of past award winners. http://www.artandwriting.org/
9. “Cicada” magazine publishes stories by teen writers. http://www.cicadamag.com/
10. “Imagine” is a magazine for students 12 –18 yrs. Publishes stories, poems, essays and book reviews. They work on themes, so make sure to read carefully before you submit. http://cty.jhu.edu/imagine/
11. “826 Michigan” is a group located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They offer a variety of writing programs for all age groups and genres including novella, poetry, science fiction, experimental writing, bookmaking. http://www.826michigan.org/
12. “Next Step Magazine” is a college prep site that will help you with college submission essays and scholarship writing contests. http://www.nextstepu.com/
13. “Hanging Loose Press” For over 30 years "Hanging Loose" Magazine has published high school writers in every issue, and they have put together a couple of anthologies of high school writing. http://www.hangingloosepress.com/high_school.html
15. The John Lennon Songwriting Contest: http://jlsc.com/enter.php
16. Creative Communications: They have both an essay and poetry competition.
http://www.poeticpower.com/poetry.php and http://www.poeticpower.com/essay.php
17. “The Poems That Ate Our Ears” contest happens every year in Kalamazoo: http://kalamazoopoetryfestival.com/events/poemsthatateourearscontestdeadline/
Local opportunities:
1. http://www.wmich.edu/atyp/ Our very own set of summer camps includes outstanding writing camp opportunities! Tons of fun!
2. http://www.readandwritekzoo.org/ (Good camps and resources for Kalamazoo writers!)
3. http://www.kineticaffect.com/ (These guys are AMAZING! GO CHECK OUT ONE OF THEIR SHOWS!)
Good Teen Resources:
1. http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/thebusinessofwriting/tp/TeenPublications.htm
2. If you want to try throwing your work up against older and more experienced writers, running with the biggies—Look through the following site, Poets & Writers. Be sure you read a few of the poems from the magazines to get a feel for what they tend to publish: http://www.pw.org/
3. NewPages has a really awesome Young Author's Guide. So here's a link to add to the mix: http://www.newpages.com/npguides/young_authors_guide.htm
Courtesy of the professors in the Academically Talented Youth Program at Western Michigan University
Tips:
1. Before you send any work in, check the Writers’ Guidelines, which are usually either on the website or in the magazine that you’re looking at. Pay attention to word count and any themes that might be requested. If a contest has a DEADLINE, make sure that your work arrives before deadline!
2. Send your best work. Have a teacher, friend, or parent review your manuscript for typos first! Use white paper, 8 1/2” x 11" and black ink with a normal font like Times / 12. (Frilly fonts might bias the reader unfavorably against the work.)
3. Follow the guidelines carefully. For example, place your name and page # on each page, unless requested NOT to do so—sometimes contests want “blind” manuscripts with a separate cover sheet that has your title listed on it.
4. Every submission needs a cover letter and a Self Addressed so that the publisher can reply to your submission.
5. Make sure to keep copies of any work that you submit. When your work is published, you will receive a copy of the issue, and sometimes payment, too. Keep copies or “clips” of your submitted pieces.
6. If you have questions about the legitimacy of a contest, check these tips or email your instructors. http://contests.about.com/od/conttestscams/qt/poetryscams.htm
Publishing Opportunities:
1. “Best Midwestern Writing Competition” http://www.wmich.edu/writingcompetition
2. “Stone Soup” publishes poems and stories by kids through age 13. Check guidelines and sample work before submitting. http://www.stonesoup.com/
3. “Merlyn’s Pen” is an annual publication of essays, stories & poems by students in grades 6 – 12. http://www.merlynspen.org/
4. “Teen Ink” publishes poetry and short prose online and in print. Be sure to read a sample before submitting your work. They also have a section on workshops, college programs and related writer resources. http://www.teenink.com
5. “Skipping Stones” is a bimonthly magazine that features multicultural perspective and international authors. They feature a variety of poetry, personal experience essays and short stories. http://www.skippingstones.org/ 6. “New Moon: The Magazine for Girls and their Dreams” is for girls age 8 – 14. Check out their website and guidelines before submitting work. http://www.newmoon.org
7. “River of Words” sponsors an annual poetry and art contest for students K – 12. http://www.riverofwords.org/
8. “Scholastic” has annual competitions for young writers. Winners receive scholarships and publication opportunities. For students in grades 7 – 12. Website has complete information on entries and examples of past award winners. http://www.artandwriting.org/
9. “Cicada” magazine publishes stories by teen writers. http://www.cicadamag.com/
10. “Imagine” is a magazine for students 12 –18 yrs. Publishes stories, poems, essays and book reviews. They work on themes, so make sure to read carefully before you submit. http://cty.jhu.edu/imagine/
11. “826 Michigan” is a group located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. They offer a variety of writing programs for all age groups and genres including novella, poetry, science fiction, experimental writing, bookmaking. http://www.826michigan.org/
12. “Next Step Magazine” is a college prep site that will help you with college submission essays and scholarship writing contests. http://www.nextstepu.com/
13. “Hanging Loose Press” For over 30 years "Hanging Loose" Magazine has published high school writers in every issue, and they have put together a couple of anthologies of high school writing. http://www.hangingloosepress.com/high_school.html
15. The John Lennon Songwriting Contest: http://jlsc.com/enter.php
16. Creative Communications: They have both an essay and poetry competition.
http://www.poeticpower.com/poetry.php and http://www.poeticpower.com/essay.php
17. “The Poems That Ate Our Ears” contest happens every year in Kalamazoo: http://kalamazoopoetryfestival.com/events/poemsthatateourearscontestdeadline/
Local opportunities:
1. http://www.wmich.edu/atyp/ Our very own set of summer camps includes outstanding writing camp opportunities! Tons of fun!
2. http://www.readandwritekzoo.org/ (Good camps and resources for Kalamazoo writers!)
3. http://www.kineticaffect.com/ (These guys are AMAZING! GO CHECK OUT ONE OF THEIR SHOWS!)
Good Teen Resources:
1. http://fictionwriting.about.com/od/thebusinessofwriting/tp/TeenPublications.htm
2. If you want to try throwing your work up against older and more experienced writers, running with the biggies—Look through the following site, Poets & Writers. Be sure you read a few of the poems from the magazines to get a feel for what they tend to publish: http://www.pw.org/
3. NewPages has a really awesome Young Author's Guide. So here's a link to add to the mix: http://www.newpages.com/npguides/young_authors_guide.htm
Courtesy of the professors in the Academically Talented Youth Program at Western Michigan University