Rejection is for Grown Ups: Encouraging the Young Writer

After completing a writing project, your son, daughter, niece, nephew, or neighbor begs you to send it to your editor. You’re a writer, aren’t you?

I get tired of explaining to adults that like with weight loss, there just isn’t any easy way to get published. Crushing a child’s dreams with reality isn’t a hobby that I relish.

So I did a little research. The truth is that a book publisher has no interest in seeing manuscripts from teens or children. While gently nudging the young person to stop asking you to mail their story to New York City, you can provide some encouragement for the young writer.
Many school systems, colleges, literary associations, and art councils provide opportunities for young writers. In less than five minutes, I discovered a competition for student writers sponsored by the Arts and Education Council of Chattanooga, classes for young writers at the Margaret Mitchell House and Museum through the Center for Southern Literature, and opportunities for workshops for Michigan schoolchildren at Calvin College. My son’s school system sponsors a Young Author’s Conference every year, and several children from each class are selected to attend. Some of the opportunities are free, and for the more expensive options, there are often scholarships available. You’ll be surprised what you can find.

Seven magazine markets (print or ezines) also cater to young writers. Most provide some contributor’s copies. Check the websites for current guidelines.

Positive Teens
Who: Ages 12 to 21
What: articles, poems, fiction, art, and opinion pieces
Where:www.positiveteensmag.com

New Moon
Who: Girls ages 8 to 14
What: articles, fiction, poetry
Where: www.newmoon.org

Creative Kids
Who: Ages 8 to 14
What: stories, songs, cartoons, articles, and poetry
Where:www.prufrock.com

Characters
Who: Ages 8 to 18
What: poetry and fiction
Where:www.cdavisnh.com

What If?
Who: Canadians ages 12 to 19
What: art, fiction, articles, and poetry
Where: www.whatifmagazine.com

Look Look
Who: Ages 12 and up
What: articles, fiction, art, poetry
Where: www.look-lookmagazine.com

Young People’s Press
Who: Teens
What:articles, art
Where: www.ypp.net

Submitting to these magazines does carry the risk of rejection. If you determine that you are not willing to risk your child’s disappointment, another option for showcasing your child’s talents is to build a website or start a page on MySpace, a blog, or something similar. As long as you closely supervise your child and keep any and all identifying information private, you should be able to post your child’s stories, poems, and artwork. Friends can access the site via the internet to enjoy their masterpieces. After all, many adults are finding self-publishing in this manner immensely rewarding. Look at the blog explosion for example. In today’s world, framing your child’s artwork or photocopying a story aren’t your only options for celebrating your child’s talent.

Next time a child, tween, or teen stares up at you with those innocent eyes and asks you to get their work published, you’ll be ready to nurture their creative spirit.