Questions about Highlights for Children fiction

[eric11210]

I know from what I've seen here and what I saw on their web site that they don't want anything that is derogatory, so no kids making fun of each other in a story. I also understand that they want characters who solve their own problems (thanks to everyone who helped me on that as well).

Two other things struck me from reading the stories in a bunch of past issues:

1. It seems like they tend to have stories where the conflict doesn't come from character interaction. With only one exception, all the stories I read have conflict coming from internal problems, like a kid who doesn't want to go on a trip and her conflicts are internal, rather than other people opposing her or a kid who is stuck in a tree.

The only exception was a story I read where a kid bought baseball uniforms that were wimpy looking and the other kids wouldn't play baseball in those uniforms.

So is this a standard thing that Highlights likes to see, where the conflict is more internal, or is it just because it's easier to write that way if you want to avoid offense?

2. I notice that every single story I read so far starts out mid conflict or after the conflict has already happened and how they got into is backstory added as flashback or thoughts from the MC. Again, is this what they want or is it just that it's usually easier to fit it into their word limit this way?

Anyone who has written for them before or knows some details about this, your input would be appreciated.

Eric

[Pat~]

I think those are some pretty keen observations, Eric, and I also think that the reasons you've given are fairly accurate, from what I know of them. (I have a poem undergoing second consideration with them after editing out a food fight. ;) ) In the case of #2, I think it may be a little bit of both--that it saves word count as well as avoiding 'modeling' conflict, though I think the conflict issue may play a slightly bigger role.

Regardless, I think they're a wonderful market to write for, and wish you best of luck with your submission.

[rockenrollen]

Hey Y'alls
I just sent back my contract for a short poem(52 words). I wrote that poem last spring at one of the Founders Workshops.
I sent it in and have had no less then 5 rewrites before the 6th one was a charm...I got serious help from Kim Griswell(coordinating editor)
Also have gotten help from Andy Boyles(Science Editor) with a book idea.
I recommend to everyone to think about attending a founders workshops. They allow you to meet many of the staff(At Boyds mills and from the magazine) Also you will get to see the House that Dr. Garry Cleveland Myers and his wife Caroline Clark Myers lived in.
When I went I was able to meet Kent Brown..and I actually had lunch with Judy Burke..(I had just arrived for my workshop and she and another member of the office staff were going to lunch and they asked me to come along)..
I love that place=)
Rockenrollen

[Jimmer]

Eric,

Congratulations to you for being smart enough to research your market so thoroughly. I think, in doing your research, you may be slightly guilty of paralysis by analysis though.

Highlights doesn't have rules like what you describe. There aren't specific formulas to follow or perish. All writing, especially 800 word stories, ought to start with action or at least start in the middle of something. This isn't a Highlights rule, it's a writing rule. If you have 50,000 words to develop plot and characters you can afford to take your time about it. In 800 words however, you have to get in and get out. Sure, start in the middle, but don't spend a lot of time on back story either. Focus on the one central problem and how your mc will solve it.

As for internal vs external conflict...both can be used effectively. Again, there are no rules. The best stories use both. In writing for 12 year olds, I'd say the external conflict will be the prime plot point but the mc needs to struggle to find the right solution...and that struggle usually becomes an internal battle. If your mc solves his problem without some internal struggle, it probably wasn't much of a problem and no one will really care if he's solved an easy one. Whenever your story lacks pizzazz, raise the stakes. Make the problem tougher and the struggle more difficult.

Pick your main problem, show your mc struggling with possible solutions, have him solve his problem in some surprising or amusing way.

That's not a Highlights formula. It's a short story formula.

By the way, the kid didn't buy those wimpy baseball uniforms. He worked his tail off to find a sponsor who chose the wimpy uniforms. My mc did that because if he didn't find a sponsor and get cool uniforms he wouldn't have a team to play on. All his teammates were good enough to land on another team. My mc was only an average ball player and he needed cool uniforms (at no extra cost!) to convince the good players to stick with the only team that would have him. He had to figure out a way to please the sponsor and his teammates. In the end, he came up with a decent solution. The external struggle was finding money for cool uniforms, the internal struggle was pleasing the teammates so he could play ball on a decent team.

There's a lot you can do in 800 words. One thing you can't do is waste any of them.

Best wishes,
Jim

[TurkeyLurkey]

Hi there!
I have subscribed to Highlights High Five for a little research and because I have two toddlers at home who love them. I looked up their submission suggestions, and noticed that "Rhyming stories are seldom purchased." However, there are a few found in High Five. (Which is intended for the youngest audience who love rhyming stories.) Is this comment directed to those who want to submit stories for the older readers, or should I really steer clear of sending rhyming submissions? Anyone have any experience with High Five, or know if the submission suggestions are different for this particular magazine? I have some great rhyming stories that cover everything from hygiene to 'time outs'. Thanks for any advise in this.

[Jimmer]

Gobbler,

My understanding is High Five is written mostly in house. Your work is probably better suited to the regular magazine.

[moonslice]

Has anyone written a nonfiction piece for Highlights? I was just wondering if they would be picky in asking you exactly where you got your source material.

[Jimmer]

Moonslice,

They are extremely picky about sources, as are all magazines. I never wrote nf for Highlights but I did a piece for Boys' Life and they required I send them a photocopy of every page from which I lifted reference material so they could cross check it. They also wanted photocopies of each reference book's title page for footnotes.

Expect to do your homework in nf writing.

Best,
Jim

[moonslice]

Jimmer, as long as you use a good site, the Internet isn't frowned upon for research, is it? With ad copy, I relied almost solely on the Internet and clients' notes, so I guess this part is somewhat new to me, except for back when I did research papers for college.

[Jimmer]

Moonslice,

I didn't use any Internet sources for my article. I'm afraid I can't help you much with this. I've got to believe a lot of writers use the Net for research. I know for Boys' Life and I've read this for others as well, they want original sources. Meaning, no hand me down info. It should come from the original source. If your Net research provided you with information, maybe you can find out where they got their information and use that original source instead? Trace it back to the original source.

Sorry I can't help more. Fiction is so much simpler.

Jim

[rockenrollen]

Turkey....
It is my understanding that the reason that Rhyming stories are seldom used is that there are so darn many submitted. As I said in my note above...
I have found that the people at Highlights are picky..which translates into deeply commited to creating the best magazine they can...I also agree with an earlier post that said that they also want contributors to succeed. I got $50 for my 52 word Rhyming poem. "Wombat and Rhino get Happy feet..."
It went through 6 rewrites..(more then a year of back and forth
Some would say that I wasted my time..(I call it paying my dues. I'm working on understanding a formula for the future that the editors will like)
If you have stuff..send it in( stay in a 40-60 wrd) range..
And let it rip...I did and a life long dream came true
Rockenrollen

[moonslice]

Jimmer, thanks. Actually I'm writing a fiction piece for them but I was just wondering about the nonfiction since that's a current need. What you said did help. Thanks.

Do any of you "test" your writing on kids before sending it in?

[wyntermoon]

I tested my first piece on my daughter's second grade class plus a picture book MS. It helps to have an audience of real-live nosepicking, ADD-riddled kids to see where it lags and what they love about it. No artifice here, they'll tell you straight to your face what falls flat. I loved it. :D

[TurkeyLurkey]

Thanks a bunch for the info Jimmer and Rockenrollen! Greatly appreciated.

[rockenrollen]

Well Jimmer is more the expert then I am..
I'm just hitting an amazing stretch where my writing is actually getting traction for the first time.. I'm learning bunches every day. I'll just say again, if you have a chance…. look up the Founders Workshops on the Highlights link... the contacts that I made from Going to "Hip to Historical" workshop last year changed everything for me.
Toodles
RR

[Jimmer]

Highlights does a Founder's workshop on writing the young adult novel too. I took this workshop in 2005. I had a blast. Nice location, great for motivation. Small groups, 5 or less. We had great sessions with Rich Wallace and his editor inside the Founders' living room. Met some great people and made some fast friends. It ain't cheap but it was a great experience. Fantastic food!

All 5 of my classmates were published authors so the workshop was almost self taught. Kind of fun.

Jimmer

[rockenrollen]

Yeah Linda Oatman High led my workshop..since then she has become my unofficial mentor...I'd go every year if I could afford it..
RR

[TurkeyLurkey]

I checked out the workshops. They look like a lot of fun! The site has been added to my bookmarks. Thanks again!

[eric11210]

My apologies for taking so long to respond. I'm working in a summer camp and haven't had as much time as a I want to have for writing. But I do thank you for your insight.

Eric

[moonslice]

I posted a children's story over in Share Your Work if anyone is interested. I just need to know if it stinks so much I should delete it forever and start over...

[moonslice]

Maybe this is a silly question, but what kind of cover letter (if any) would you suggest sending with a Highlights submission? I suppose I could talk a bit about the story, not about my lack of experience in writing for children.

[cwgranny]

A cover letter serves two purposes really, in an incredibly short space (a paragraph) you show why kids will enjoy the story. In other words, you make it sound like fun when you give your one/two sentence synopsis. Highlights editors tell me folks spend a little too much time concentrating on the "purpose" part of "fun with a purpose" and forget to give kids FUN. The second thing the 'graph does is show the value of the piece, the thematic depth. Again -- super short.

So -- first, fun
Then, purpose.

The second paragraph can mention little things like if you've been published with Highlights before or another magazine they'll recognize (this is not a deal breaker -- Highlights is a first publication for a lot of great writers). You can also say thank you and mention that you're including an SASE.

The key is super short, bright, light, lively. If you can't make your story sound fun and purposeful in a sentence or two, the story itself might need work until you can.

[moonslice]

Thank you cwgranny! That helps a lot.

[Lauri B]

Keep in mind that Highlights usually buys all rights.

[Jimmer]

Moonslice,

Short fiction speaks for itself. The cover letter in such cases merely introduces you and provides a return address for future communications. Don't spend a lot of time on it. Since Highlights knows me, my cover letter reads something like, "Here's my next one. What do you think?" (Honestly!) If you're pitching a non fiction article, the cover letter takes on greater importance. Keep it short and sweet for 800 word fiction though.

Best,
Jimmer

[cwgranny]

Keep in mind that Highlights usually buys all rights.

True but unlike some all-rights magazines **cough**Carus**cough** they pay on publication, pay promptly, and send you a check if they resell the piece. I know Playhouse Disney did one of their short in-between show stories from one of the Highlights contest winners one year and the author got a very tidy check from Highlights.

And although a cover letter really can be virtually nothing -- it's always nice place to see if you really can make your story sound fun and purposeful in two sentences or less. I know with my students, if they cannot do that -- the reason is almost always pointing toward an issue with the story that needs revision before sending. So it's a great little diagnostic tool and I still always recommend doing that in your cover and I always will :D

And the editors I've talked to say Cover letters make subs seem a little friendlier and less "ugh--here, buy piece now!" I know editors who say they never read cover letters at all, but still feel a little put out when a sub comes in without one. Of course, if you're a huge regular at a magazine you can even do cover letters on sticky notes (I know folks who do).

[moonslice]

Ok, my cover letter and sub are on their way to Highlights. I'll let everyone know how this turns out. Thanks for all the help!

[LaurieD]

Thanks for all your questions and answers! I was able to find answers to my questions right here!

[Symphony]

On the subject of Highlights, I live in the UK and my children are slightly older now so I'm been avoiding going the bankers' draft route to subscribe for a year to the magazine. Would anyone - ANYONE - have a spare copy or two that they'd be willing to post to me? I've got a bundle of US $1 stamps here and you're welcome to all of them to cover postage (and whatever else). It'd be much appreciated and would save me a full subscription.

Please let me know via PM. Thank you very much,

Symphony

[Jimmer]

Symphony,

Don't you have a library nearby?

Whenever I choose to sub to a new market I go to the library and read the past year's issues cover to cover. It's amazing how many patterns you can see this way.

Every magazine has a certain style. You need to be familiar with that particular style to have a chance at publication with them.

Jimmer

[Symphony]

Hi, thanks for the suggestions, Jimmy, but I live in the UK and can't get access to the US magazines. I know quite a few 'foreigners' submit to Highlights, though - it still seems like a great market to crack, but difficult when, as you say, I'm not familiar with the style. That's why I was hoping for a couple of possibly well-read copies or otherwise - just to have a peak.

That's the trouble with submitting outside your own country, but the UK is crap, crap, crap for children's magazines.

Symphony