Just Starting Out

[5KidsMom]

My 15 year old daughter recently told me she wants to be a writer. I didn't know this thing was genetic! So far she has written a few short fantasy type stories. I think they're pretty good . . . not that I'm biased or anything. ;) However, I don't read fantasy and have no idea what's out there. Are there any magazines, contests, etc. that any of you could recommend to a young girl just starting out? It's ok if they don't pay. She would just like to have somewhere to submit a story and possibly see it in print.

Thanks.

[Cathy C]

Start with magazines, rather than contests. That way, she can see what's being accepted in the marketplace. A good place to start is the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writer website. They have a pretty comprehensive list of magazines (http://www.sfwa.org/links/mags.htm)and ezines (electronic-only magazines.) Pick up some and read them. She can decide by what interests her, where to start submitting her work. You might even consider getting her an associate membership in SFWA after she's sold a story. It's an AWESOME organization, and she'll learn more from the pages there, about writing, avoiding scams, payment terms, and such, than nearly anywhere else. A good number of members here are members there. :)

Good luck to her (and you, by extension--in case you decide to enter the field yourself! There's no time like the present to fulfill your own dreams. ;) )

[Cath]

I agree with CathyC - magazines are the way to go, and the SFWA listings are well worth a visit.

A few other sources:

Ralan's Webstravaganza
(http://ralan.com/)Duotrope's Digest (http://www.duotrope.com/)
and StoryPilot's Science Fiction and Fantasy (http://www.storypilot.com/)

All are magazine and e-zine listings. Duotrope does have a "no pay to publish" listing policy - which minimizes the number of scam listings. I don't know whether the other two do the same. They all include "for the love" (or no pay) markets.

Good luck to you and your daughter!

[5KidsMom]

Thanks, Cathy. I'm working on mine, but my job keeps interfering with my personal life. I would really love to write full time, but alas, my children seem to think they should eat.

I appreciate the tips (so does Erin!).

[glassquill]

All the best to you and your daughter, 5KidsMom. :e2cheer:

[Anne Lyle]

I would encourage her to read a lot (relevant magazines, short story anthologies, novels, non-fiction, everything), and maybe join an online writing circle where she could submit her work for critique. Let her get used to having her work picked apart by strangers before she faces the inevitable rejections from magazine editors (because even great writers can't sell every story they write) :)

[JBI]

Don't you need to be 18 to sell something?

[veinglory]

It depends on the country when you can sign a contract yourself, but a supportive parent can alway sign on behalf.

[RLSMiller]

Don't you need to be 18 to sell something?

Tell that to Christopher Paolini and JoJo (a singer who was 13 or 14 when she got her record-deal).

[JBI]

Tell that to Christopher Paolini and JoJo (a singer who was 13 or 14 when she got her record-deal).
Paolini self published. His parents if I recall correctly own a publishing firm, so he didn't need to deal with any agents, or sign any contracts. And the music and acting industries are very different, though you could get your parents to sign on your behalf if you are writing.

[5KidsMom]

It's true that she could not sign a contract until she turns 18, but her dad and I can always negotiate and sign on her behalf. The rules apply no matter what industry you're in. :)

Thanks for all the encouragement, everyone.

[Anthony Ravenscroft]

Am I the only one here who reads market listings? I'm being lazy at the moment so I'm not gonna go halfway across the house to get 2007 Writer's Market, but I'm certain there's at least a couple of magazines that only take stories from kids -- in fact, at 15 I think she's already too old for some of these markets. Maybe before we start planning investments of the profits from the kid's epic film trilogy, she ought to get a thousand-worder in print.

[Michael Dracon]

Tell that to Christopher Paolini and JoJo (a singer who was 13 or 14 when she got her record-deal).

Or Darren Chan. Or better yet, the boy that wrote Eragon.

[Lindo]

Or SE Hinton. Or any paper boy. Kids can do financial transactions. Obviously.

I'd suggest that you look into library books about this. Anthologies and such. For one thing, magazines cost money. For another, anthologies tend to be the cream of the crop.

[waylander]

This looks like a possible place to start
http://gryphonwood.blogspot.com/2006/05/submission-guidelines.html

[Backward Masking]

Or Darren Chan. Or better yet, the boy that wrote Eragon.

Christopher Paolini was the lad who wrote Eragon. ;)

[Eudaemonic]

Or Darren Chan. Or better yet, the boy that wrote Eragon.


Do you mean Darren Shan? Author of Cirque du Freak? And other great books for teens. But he's not that young.

[Michael Dracon]

Do you mean Darren Shan? Author of Cirque du Freak? And other great books for teens. But he's not that young.

I always seem to confuse his name with the obvious Asian thing. Anyway, he started writing at age 14, that's why I thought it would be a good example.

[5KidsMom]

Maybe before we start planning investments of the profits from the kid's epic film trilogy, she ought to get a thousand-worder in print.

Too late. ;)

I appreciate all the help and encouragement. Thanks.

[small axe]

oh, then there's that 15 year old boy who wrote that international bestseller with the dragon ... um ... uh ...

[Michael Dracon]

oh, then there's that 15 year old boy who wrote that international bestseller with the dragon ... um ... uh ...

That's Eragon. I already mentioned that one ;)