Highlights for Children invites authors to submit their writing for publication. Editors from HIGHLIGHTS have specific requests for material. Current needs in both fiction and nonfiction categories are listed on their website and updated regularly. The most current announcement received from them is copied below. Please check the Highlights website itself for up-to-date submissions information and guidelines.
As always, familiarize yourself with the magazine before you submit to them. Your local school or public library should have back issues you can read through. You may also want to subscribe to receive the magazine yourself. For about $0.08 a day, or $0.58 a week, you'll have a monthly prompt coming to your mailbox. As you read each newly arrived issue you'll be reminded that you can submit your writing to this prestigious publishing venue. [Subscribe to Highlights Magazine HERE
].
Dear Author,
Every few months, we compile a list of our current needs to share
with prospective authors. Below, you will find a detailed description of the
types of features we are currently seeking. You may also find these updates at
www.Highlights.com.
Follow the "About Us" link to "Contributor Guidelines," and you will see
"Current Needs" listed in the right-hand column.
Thank you for your interest in Highlights. Happy writing!
Sincerely,
The Highlights Editors
HIGHLIGHTS FOR CHILDREN
Current Needs
Summer
2008
FICTION CATEGORIES
Fiction for Younger Readers
(Ages 4 to 8) up to 500 words, Marileta Robinson, Senior Editor
- Humorous stories
- Folktales
- Holiday stories
Fiction for Older Readers (Ages 8 to 12) up to 800
words, Joëlle Dujardin, Associate Editor
- Holiday stories
- Humorous stories
- Adventure stories
- Historical fiction about little-covered time periods
- Multicultural pieces
Verse, Joëlle Dujardin, Associate Editor
All
types of verse, except verse about springtime. Holiday verse (especially Easter)
and verse with boy appeal are especially needed.
NONFICTION CATEGORIES
Nonfiction for Younger
Readers (Ages 4 to 8) up to 500 words, Joëlle Dujardin, Associate
Editor
Younger nonfiction should be written for readers ages 4 to 8 and
should not exceed 500 words.
All articles should have a clear focus and
relevance to young kids.
- First-person accounts of fieldwork
- Photo essays
- Arts stories
- Kids living in various cultures
- Ancient history
- High-interest animals
- Details from urban life (workers, transportation, etc.)
- Nature
Science, 800 words (two-page features), 400 words
(one-page features), 50 words (activities) Andy Boyles, Science Editor
- Features about kids involved in science
- Scientists studying high-interest animals in their natural habitats
- Short, quick, easy, fun science activities
History/World Cultures, up to 800 words, Carolyn
Yoder, Senior Editor
- Fun, humorous, kid-friendly articles
- Presidential (NOT Washington and Lincoln) and patriotic pieces
- Need anecdotal articles, rather than broad interviews
- American holidays, specifically Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas,
and little-known holidays
- World cultures pieces. ALL COUNTRIES. We want intimate snapshots of
life in another country.
Economics/Personal Finance, up to 800 words, Linda
Rose, Assistant Editor
Articles that address economics or personal finance at
a kid's level.
Gallant Kids, up to 400 words, Tiffany Hoffman,
Editorial Assistant
Articles about kids who have done something to help the
community. Articles must be about unique, interesting, kid-generated projects.
We prefer hands-on projects to fundraisers. The idea is that when kids serve
others, they are being their "best selves."
300-Word Activities of all kinds, up to 300 words,
Linda Rose, Assistant Editor
- Appealing to a wide age range whenever possible
- Indoor and outdoor games that involve exercise, creativity, and/or
humor
- Activities and games that kids can do whether they're on their own
or with others
- Some cooperative games (we publish both cooperative and competitive
games, but receive more submissions of the latter)
- Projects that will result in a new hobby or skill and/or a quality
finished product --Magic tricks
We prefer activities that do not require parental supervision or
materials kids aren't likely to have handy.
Picture Puzzlers, Linda Rose, Assistant Editor
- A large visual puzzle with little text, offering our readers an
entertaining and visually interesting puzzle activity. Art need not be supplied
with the manuscript, but basic sketches showing your idea or detailed art/photo
suggestions are helpful.
- We need fresh manuscripts/ideas for this page that we haven't
already done.
- We need more ideas with more than one thing going on, such as a big
visual puzzle with activities here and there on the page.
- Original board games that are visually interesting and can be
played on the page are also welcome!
(Picture Puzzlers should not require readers to write in the
magazine.)
Short Puzzles, Games, Recipes, and Activities,
Tiffany Hoffman, Editorial Assistant
- Art activities
- World-culture activities
- Holiday games
- History and geography puzzles
- Sequencing activities
- Recipes
- Codes
Any activities that easily lend themselves to strong visuals are a
huge plus!
Crafts, Tiffany Hoffman, Editorial Assistant
- Multicultural crafts (general or holiday-specific)
- Crafts that encourage play (musical instruments, costumes, etc.)
- Crafts with direct boy appeal
- Seasonal crafts
- Games
- Gifts
- Crafts for all holidays
Please send a photo or sample of the craft. A drawing doesn't provide
enough information.
Send submissions to
Highlights for
Children
803 Church Street
Honesdale, PA 18431