See Your Name in (High)lights
Since one of my goals for the year is to submit an article to Highlights Magazine, I thought it would be helpful to share some of the information I’ve come across.
So far, the most important thing I’ve learned is that research is the best preparation. Having loads of ideas is great, but you should make sure the subject you choose is a good fit before you start writing.
To do that, first go through at least the last year’s worth of issues to make sure your topic hasn’t already been covered in the same way. Highlights is well-respected in the industry, so it’s one of the top publications children’s writers submit to. Taking the time to get to know the magazine and its content will help you write the best piece for their market.
Next, you’ll want to review (and bookmark!) two excellent resources on the Highlight site: The contributor guidelines and current needs pages. These sections really help take the guesswork out of what, when and how to submit your articles. But remember, the kind folks at Highlights provide and update this information for a reason. FOLLOW IT!
Former Highlights senior editor Kim T. Griswell also shared some great tips on the Women On Writing site. The interview is a few years old, but the advice is still relevant.
After you’ve done all that, the main focus is to write the best piece you can. This means writing drafts, getting feedback, revising, reworking and making sure the topic and language are appealing to the magazine’s age group. That, of course, is the hard part.
As I mentioned in my 2010 goals post, I received a rejection to my first submission to Highlights. It was also my first rejection ever. I was disappointed, naturally, but I was also encouraged by the notes and suggestions the editors made about the piece. It wasn’t something I expected, but I appreciated the guidance.
It helps to remember that writing is a journey. If you expect the ups and downs, the days that ideas flow and the days that you get nothing, you’re more likely to be persitent. And it’s the persistent writer, not the one who gives up, who reaches the goal in the end.
Photo by: Litandmore
Subscribe to RSS Feed
Follow Us on Twitter
Become a Fan on Facebook
Highlights is a great magazine! Good luck!
Highlights is a favorite around here. I like the reminder about “expecting the ups and downs” and being persistent.
Kara,
Are you submitting to any other magazines? One of my goals is to submit one magazine article a month.
Best wishes in 2010!
Wow Sharon, that’s a great goal! One a month would be a lot for me at this point. Right now I’m focused only on Highlights, since I’m writing pieces targeted specifically for sections they run.
Kara,
Thanks for visiting me! Here’s a visit back, with a note that in the first writing class I ever took, the teacher told us all to just go out and submit something to the New Yorker right away. “You know you’re a writer if you’ve got a rejection letter from the New Yorker, so you might as well get it now,” she said. Kind of liked that idea, of just getting it over with!! I think you did a great job with your resolutions this year, keeping it to things you can really control.
Good luck!
Madelyn
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Good luck with your new submission. I have fond memories of Highlights. I feel I should pick up a copy again and see what they’re up to. Great place to submit to.
I keep a nice stack of rejection letters in my drawer, for some reason it doesn’t discourage me, it reminds me and motivates me to keep trying.
I’m sure you know this but I’ll mention it just in case you don’t, they have a contest every year and there is no entry fee and you can submit as many as you want
No, I wasn’t aware of their contest. Thanks for the heads up!
Great tips and good luck to you!
I have three acceptances from Highlights Puzzlemania, but still haven’t gotten one from Highlights. I hope to this year too!
What helpful information! Good luck with your submissions!
I really enjoyed this! I would have to say this is an awfully informative post that needs mentioning elsewhere. This is for 2 types of people:current writers who are considering a new craft,and people trying to decide to become a writer.