Published Authors Under 18 Years Old!

I am going to be teaching a class in our local homeschool co-op on writing for publication. The class will be open to anyone in 4th-12th grades. As I'm collecting resources for this class I'm finding some really fun websites for or about authors under 18 years old. I'll probably be editing this post frequently, adding new links, but I'm getting it started today as a central place to keep track of what I'm finding.

Please note that while I have personally visited every site listed here, at least briefly, resources are listed here for informational purposes only and I am not specifically endorsing any site linked here. I have not had a chance to explore most of these links in much depth and would appreciate hearing from you if there is any site linked that would cause grief to the heart of God. I would ask you to prayerfully evaluate each potential markets for your writing together with your parents and have them approve any websites you wish to visit.

If you are serious about getting published, be sure to start with some of the resources found on the Young Author's Bookshelf!


Websites, Publications or Publishers Seeking/Accepting Youth Submissions:

KidLit offers children the opportunity to see their works of art or literature published on the web.

Cyberkids is a site for ages 7-12 to submit writing.

KidPub claims to be "the world's largest online collection of stories written by kids for kids!" (There is a a $12.95 yearly fee to participate on this website.)
Stone Soup invites young people ages 8 to 13 to contribute their stories, poems, book reviews, and artwork.

Creative Kids magazine "is the nation’s largest magazine by and for kids. The magazine bursts with games, stories, and opinions all by and for kids ages 8–14." Contents include brain teasers, contests, stories, artwork, poetry, pen pals, mysteries and more.

Skipping Stones magazine contains writing by adults and children. Kids ages 8 to 16 may submit essays, stories, letters to the editor, riddles and proverbs.

TeenAge Magazine online publication "For Teens, By Teens".

Teen Ink offers teenagers the opportunity to publish their creative work and opinions on the issues that affect their lives - everything from love and family to teen smoking and community service. Published more than 25,000 teens since 1989. (Request free sample issue from their site.)

The Claremont Review showcases inspiring young adult writers ages 13 to 19.

Cicada accepts submissions from 14 years and up and publishes short stories, poems, and first-person essays written for teens and young adults.

Teen Voices provides a forum for teenage girls by publishing their poems, essays, letters, and stories.

What If? showcases creative writing, editorials, book reviews, and songwriter interviews by Canada’s teens. Work by writers in other countries is also considered.

Cyberteens is a site for teens to submit writing.


Writing Contests:

Reading Rainbow, K-3rd, March 21, 2008 submission deadline

Scholastic: Kids are Authors, K-8th in teams of 3 or more, March 15, 2008 deadline

SillyBooks.net 2008 Writing Contest invites any child age 16 or younger to write a silly book on any topic, but it must be under 300 words. It may be fiction or non-fiction. Books may be written by individual authors or in collaboration with friends or classmates. Final submission deadline is May 31, 2008. SillyBooks will choose a winning entry each month, between September, 2007 and April, 2008 (8 total monthly winners) with $25 cash prize each.

Listen to a Life contest. Interview an older person about their hopes and goals through their life, how they achieved goals and overcame obstacles, and how dreams may have changed along the way. You must be 8-18 years old, interviewing a grandparent or "grandfriend" 50 years or older, and write a 300-word essay based on the interview. Prizes include Lenovo computer, $25,000+ in Orchard software, and iPods! Deadline: March 31, 2008.

Picture Book Writing Contest for Homeschoolers, open to any homeschooled student "working at a high school level" (any age, as long as the appropriate level of study is presented), submissions between March 1 and March 31, 2008 only.

Christian Worldview Essay Contest offering $6,000 in prizes! Open to anyone ages 17 to 23 as of Jan. 1, 2008. Must read the book Freedom and Capitalism: Essays on Christian Politics and Economics John W. Robbins and write your essay about this title. Submission deadline September 1, 2008.


Online Publishing Large list of online publishing sources including many different contests for youth writers!

Academic Contests for Homeschoolers


Authors Who Have Become Published Before Age 18:

16-year-old homeschooler, Ellie Willingham, author of Wildwood.

Articles about homeschooled Christopher Paolini, author of NY Times best seller, Eragon:
Christopher Paolini and Eragon
How I write: Christopher Paolini
Interview with Christopher
How Stuff Works: 15 year old author
Young Genius CCN Video

Books by Children


Become a Better Writer:
While the first few sites listed here are specifically for kids who write, others are general writing resources or sites about writing children's stoies (and probably created more with adult authors in mind, but this doesn't mean you can't find some helpful tips too).

Writing Workshop for Kids offers 16 lessons teaching you how to create your characters and "show don't tell" their feelings. Write beginnings that "hook" your reader. Learn to use a "writing camera" to freeze a scene, and much more! Download free worksheets for practice and easy reference.

Learn to Write the Novel Way is a step-by-step program for 5th-12 graders, teaching you to write an entire novel!

Paradigm Online Writing Assistant interactive, menu-driven online writers guide and handbook free on the web

The Purple CrayonInformation about Writing, Illustrating, and Publishing Children's Books

Children's Book Writing Supersite


Articles:

Getting Kids' Writing Published Ideas to help children submit writing and become published writers or artists in magazines, on websites, and in other publications.

Writing and Publishing as a Kid offers tips for young authors who are serious about their writing, basic elements of story writing, and a list of books for getting published as a kid.