The Prince Edward Island tour continues — having a marvellous time here and feeling very welcomed by all the schools, teachers, librarians, book stores and students I’ve met. Thank you all for the warm reception. [But not the weather…. I am writing this now as the sleet fires needles against my window, sealing an icy layer across the snow that fell earlier today. Time for spring!]
While I’ve been here, I’ve had several conversations with kids who are interested in becoming writers. This means it’s high time for a post on resources for young people who would like to get published. I’m going to set this up here for now, and then will come back to add and update as things change.
Hope you find it helpful!
Before you send money to enter a contest, or send work to an on-line site, READ THIS:
Please! If you are considering entering ANY contest, read the rules carefully and think about the entry fees and what you get in return. Also? Have a look at this: A great article on writing contest scams!
If in doubt, check the site you are looking at on the Preditors and Editors website. This is an AWESOME resource for vetting the shady individuals and companies which inevitably haunt the publishing industry.
Writing Opportunities:
Deal.org: An on-line youth magazine.
Festival International de la Poesie: Poetry Competition pour youth en francais, out of Trois Rivieres.
Go! Teen on-line mag about transportation issues. Teen pov column pays $50 on publication.
Launch Pad: Kids & Teen on-line mag. Publication credit only.
New Moon Magazine: Moderated American site for girls 8-14.
The Poem Repair Shop: A radio show for aspiring young poets out of Guelph.
Prufrock Press for Creative Kids: A hard copy of the issue in which your submission appears.
Ramp: via the Toronto Public Library is looking for youth poems, stories and art.
TeenInk: American on-line magazine, by and for teens.
Uth Ink!: For aspiring playwrights.
What If?: A magazine for young writers, with a focus on literary fiction.
YouThink: A website for teens by teens.
Contests aimed at young writers:
Agent Story Contest: For writers aged 10-18.
Canadian Aboriginal Writing & Arts Challenge: For Canadian aboriginal writers aged 14-29.
Claremont Review Annual Contest: For writers aged 13-19.
Jessamy Stursberg Poetry Contest: For writers in grades 7-12.
Pandora’s Collective Poetry Contests: For writers of all ages.
Sheree Fitch Prize for Fiction: For writers 14-18.
Scholastic Art & Writing Awards: Grades 7-12.
Surrey Library Young Adult Writing Contest: Grades 8-12.
Other Contests — not just for young writers:
EduNorth: A collection of contest links from across North America.
Conferences geared to young writers:
The Surrey International Writing Conference offers a special one-day rate for writers under 18, and is a fantastic opportunity for young writers to learn the ropes of getting published, ask the advice of published authors AND have a chance to pitch their work to editors, agents and publishers.
So…that should be enough to get you started! If you know of another resource for young writers and you’d like me to add it to my list, please email me or comment below. I’ll check it out and get …Write On It!
More soon…
~kc
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