As a poet for young people, you may dream of having a book published whether it be a poetry collection, non-fiction book told in free verse, picture book told in rhyme, or a verse novel. It can take years to write a book and years for your manuscript to see the light of day as a book after it has been selected to be published.
When a children's poet's first book hits the shelves, s/he wants to get the word out about the book to as many folks as possible. But you might be asking yourself: "Do children's poets have to wait for the release of their first book before they can begin to cultivate a following?" My answer to that question is a resounding "No."
Liz Brownlee is a children's poet based in England who has had her work published in 60+ children's poetry anthologies in the United Kingdom. Her first collection of animal poems is scheduled for release in 2011 with Iron Press. Greg O'Connell is a New Zealand children's poet who has had his work published several times in School Journal New Zealand. He has a presentation, Interactive Poetry Show, which he takes on the road to schools. He also has his first CD, A Spider's on the World Wide Web, featuring 100 children's poems, scheduled for release in November 2010. From what I've been able to figure out, he doesn't even have a book out. Are you convinced yet?
It is worth exploring the option of getting your poetry for young people published in children's magazines. Having your poetry published in quality children's magazines shows a book editor that other people have liked your work enough to publish it. In North America, at least, editors are known to consult children's magazines as a way to find contributors for anthologies of children's poetry. I have provided below a list of 23 publications that publish poetry for young people to help you get started on creating a following much sooner rather than much later. Good luck!
(NON-PAYING MARKET)
The Scrumbler
Michael Kavanagh, a Canadian poet living in England, is the founder and editor of The Scrumbler. This children's poetry magazine, aimed at kids 7 - 13, features work written by folks (young people and adults) from around the world.
(NON-PAYING/PAYING MARKET DEPENDING ON SUBMISSIONS)
Berry Blue Haiku
Online poetry magazine, for kids up until the age of 13, which makes its debut in June 2010.
CANADIAN CHILDREN'S MAGAZINES THAT PUBLISH POETRY
Yes Magazine: The Science Magazine for Adventurous Minds, based in Victoria, British Columbia, is aimed at 10 to 15 year olds. Know Magazine: The Science Magazine for Curious Kids, also based in Victoria, British Columbia, is aimed at 6 - 9 year olds.
(NON-PAYING MARKET)
Crow Toes Quarterly (Richmond, British Columbia)
This magazine is described as a playfully dark arts and literature e-zine and limited edition print magazine for readers aged 9 and up.
(PAYING MARKETS)
Magazine is produced in two editions: one for Kindergarten to Grade 3 students and the other for Grade 4 to Grade 8 students.
Yes Magazine: The Science Magazine for Adventurous Minds, based in Victoria, British Columbia, is aimed at 10 to 15 year olds. Know Magazine: The Science Magazine for Curious Kids, also based in Victoria, British Columbia, is aimed at 6 - 9 year olds.
(NON-PAYING MARKET)
Crow Toes Quarterly (Richmond, British Columbia)
This magazine is described as a playfully dark arts and literature e-zine and limited edition print magazine for readers aged 9 and up.
U.S. GENERAL INTEREST CHILDREN'S MAGAZINES THAT PUBLISH POETRY
(PAYING MARKETS)
Guardian Angel Kids
Online interactive e-zine for 2 - 12 year olds.
The following three publications are produced by the same publisher: Hopscotch is magazine aimed at girls in elementary school and middle school. Boys' Quest is aimed at boys aged 6 to 14. As for Fun for Kidz magazine, I would say that it is aimed at kids who are about 7 - 12 years old.
Children's Better Health Institute publishes three magazines: Turtle (Ages 3-5), Humpty Dumpty (Ages 5-7), and Jack and Jill (8-12).
Cricket Magazine Group publishes five magazines: Babybug (6 months-3 years old), Ladybug (3-6 years old), Spider (6-9 years old), Cricket (9-14 years old), and Cicada (teens).
AUSTRALIAN GENERAL INTEREST CHILDREN'S MAGAZINES THAT PUBLISH POETRY
(PAYING MARKETS)
Pearson Education Australia publishes three magazines: Comet (ages 5-7), Explore (8-10), and Challenge (11-14).
SCHOOL PUBLICATIONS THAT PUBLISH POETRY FOR CHILDREN
(PAYING MARKETS)
School Magazine Australia, founded in 1916, is the premier literary children's magazine in Australia. It is published by the New South Wales Department of Education. It is made up of four titles: Countdown (reading age around 7-9), Blast Off (reading age around 9-10), Orbit (reading age around 10-11), and Touchdown (reading age around 11-14).
School Journal New Zealand is made up of five sections which include Junior Journal (6-7 year olds), Part One (7-8 year olds), Part Two (8-9 year olds), Part Three (9-11 year olds), and Part Four (11-13 year olds).
Thanks for the work you put into this, Carol-Ann. And thanks for our nice conversation today at Vermont College of Fine Arts!
ReplyDeleteJulie
In the Bat Poet, the bat who would be poet says, "the trouble isn't writing poetry, the trouble's finding someone who will listen." Carol-Ann, I think you are right to encourage rhymsters and poets to think outside the covers of a book. When I started out I took around my loose leaf pages ---in a duo tang and went into classrooms. As a result i had a chance to 'tell" a narrative poem to a group of schoolchildren on a local cable station. I think it was probably pretty horrible ( something about a witch who had to earn her cackle) but... I was hooked. It was doing poetry in community- it was being listened to. This was years before my first book, before Ii went on to study children's literature. Yes, magazine publications count big time --and offer a sense of being listened to before getting "the book contract." Poetry is an oral tradition and we are in an age that can be really celebrated. I just did my first Skype poetry presentation last year. Who knew? Who knows? After almost 25 years, I am still learning what makes excellence in poetry for children. I still thrill at a silly syllable spill when I write and love that giggle or smile or nod from a child who is listening. We are planning a CD of collected works in the next five years. The cassettes are out of date! So we all grow on! Create and release! By the way--- I love how you are creating a community of kids poets -linking us up --you inspire me to not grow tired or complacent but keep exploring what is new and exciting and current. I have grandchildren now. After a few years of concentrating more on prose, time to use my poet brain again! Thanks ! Sheree
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