Finding Underneath the Juniper Tree

Writing for no compensation is an individual choice. Sometimes, it may be worth the exposure; sometimes, it may be a way of giving back. And sometimes, it may have everything to do with where you are on your writing journey.

When I saw this paragraph from the Underneath The Juniper Tree submission guidelines, I decided to share the market here:

*All of those at Underneath The Juniper Tree are volunteers and therefore we are unable to compensate writers and artists with money or abundance of gifts for their work. We will, however, put many hours into helping with editing and suggestions with pieces so that you’re best work can be displayed in Underneath The Juniper Tree if it is accepted. We love new work and want to see emerging creative people succeed.

Hours of editing could be a very useful tool for an emerging children’s writer, especially if you’re looking to try your hand at something a little outside your regular genre. Think of it as an opportunity, like an internship. It’s true that you won’t be compensated in dollars and cents, but you will learn something about children’s writing that perhaps only experience can give you.

So, you might want to take a closer look at this online magazine. If you’ve been working on something a smidge scary, a tad terrifying, or just drop-dead dark, this might be the perfect market for your creepy story. Here’s the details for submitting, and here’s the link to the contest they’re running.

Now all you have to do is decide whether to keep this market…or not.

Finding a Children’s Market Sooner Rather Than Later

If you write for children’s magazines, then you know how important it is to get your work to editors well before the end of a submission deadline. If you’re just starting out, considering magazines, then you need to look at editorial calendars now and consider the themes.  A Fall theme might have a March deadline!

Even though I know all about deadlines, I’ve still been caught with my …er, pages down. I’ve had editors say, “Sorry! We’ve already  filled out the year’s calendar!” In July. So that’s why I thought I’d give a for instance today.

Take Guardian Angel Kids. It’s a paying market, and the editors accept fiction (which is getting to be a tougher and tougher sell in children’s markets), non-fiction, and poetry. Oh! And they accept work from children writers up to age 12!

 Here’s the golden link with the editorial calendar.  Check out a few back issues to get the feel of the magazine, then get right on your submission. The sooner, the better. ‘Cause honestly, the early writer gets the acceptance!