SUBMISSION LISTS:
Highlights for Children Current Needs
Authors may send their work directly to the editors whose current needs are listed below. Manuscripts should be sent to (Editor’s Name), Highlights, 803 Church Street, Honesdale, PA 18431.
FICTION CATEGORIES
Fiction for Beginning Readers (Ages 4 to 8), up to 500 words, Joëlle Dujardin, Associate Editor
Humorous stories
Folktales
Holiday stories
Sports stories
Fiction for Independent Readers (Ages 8 to 12), up to 800 words, Joëlle Dujardin, Associate Editor
Holiday stories
Humorous stories
Adventure stories
Historical fiction
Sports stories
NONFICTION CATEGORIES
Nonfiction for Beginning Readers (Ages 4 to 8), up to 500 words, Debra Hess, Senior Editor
Currently considering all high-interest articles with special consideration given to the following categories:
Ancient history
High-interest animals (not birds)
All nonfiction submissions must contain an expert review and a bibliography with more than just Internet sources.
What a Pro Knows, up to 800 words, Debra Hess, Senior Editor
What a Pro Knows offers readers a window into the life of a professional. It’s occupation information full of fun facts and inspirational quotes. It’s an insider look into a field of work that kids might know about or dream about, but might not have considered because they see it as unattainable.
What a Pro Knows submissions should contain the transcript of an original interview, as well as photos (or sources for photos) of the subject matter. The feature can be in question-and-answer format or written as an article. Helpful hints about career and life choices or an activity for readers should also be included. (The 800-word limit includes all aspects of the feature.)
Professions already covered include a pastry chef, a storyteller, a photographer, and a cartoonist.
Gallant Kids, up to 400 words, Debra Hess, Senior Editor
At the moment we cannot use Gallant Kids articles that focus on kids who have created school-based, homeschool-based, or Scout projects.
Science, 800 words (two-page features), 400 words (one-page features), 50 words (activities), Andy Boyles, Science Editor
Features about kids involved in science
Scientists studying high-interest animals in their natural habitats
Short, quick, easy, fun science activities
History/World Cultures, up to 800 words, Carolyn Yoder, Senior Editor
Fun, humorous, kid-friendly articles
Presidential (but NOT Washington and Lincoln) and patriotic pieces
Need anecdotal articles, rather than broad interviews
American holidays, specifically Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas, and little-known holidays
World-cultures pieces. ALL COUNTRIES. We want intimate snapshots of life in another country.
One-page Activities, up to 275 words, Linda Rose, Assistant Editor
Indoor and outdoor games that kids aren’t likely to know already, especially those that involve exercise, creativity, and/or humor
Activities and games that kids can do either alone or with friends
Projects that will result in a new hobby or skill and/or a quality finished product
Crafts that produce a game, activity, or gift
Magic tricks
Sets of body-teaser challenges (ex: “With your heels against the wall, can you bend forward and pick up a quarter in front of your toes?”)
We prefer activities that require neither parental supervision nor materials kids aren’t likely to have handy.
Short Puzzles, Games, Recipes, and Activities, Linda Rose, Assistant Editor
All articles should have a clear focus and relevance to young kids.
Art activities
World-cultures activities
History and geography puzzles
Logic puzzles
Math puzzles
Codes
Any activities that easily lend themselves to strong visuals are a huge plus!
CONFERENCE/WORKSHOP
CONTESTS:
Highlights for Children 2010 Fiction Contest:
Fiction based on a true story from your family. Submission period January 1 – January 31, 2010. 750 words (475 words for beginning readers). Mark envelope Fiction Contest.Three winners each receive $1000, announced in June on Highlights.com. See website for guidelines and submission address.
Scott O’Dell Award for children’s/young people’s historical fiction. The book must be published for children or young people, set in the New World (Canada, Central or South America, or the United States). It must be published by a publisher in US, written in English by a citizen of the United States. The committee may consider any eligible book, but publisher’s submissions are valuable in bringing books to the attention of the committee. Books published in 2009 will be considered for the 2010 award. Visit http://www.scottodell.com/odellaward.html for submission information.
2009 winner: Chains, by Laurie Halse Anderson, Simon & Schuster
