Writer’s Guidelines

At U.S. Kids, we’re always in need of high-quality stories, articles, and activities with a broad health and fitness focus. We are most interested in wholesome, positive, lighthearted, and well-written pieces that encourage and educate our readers. Although our emphasis is on health, we also use material with more general themes.

• Writers should present their material in a way that is appropriate for kids, but which does not talk down to them.
• Your work should be simple but not simple-minded for our youngest readers, who may be assisted by parents or caregivers.
• For our more independent readers, the material should start at a basic level, but include nuggets of more advanced information.
• Please send seasonal material at least eight months in advance.
• Reading our editorial guidelines is not enough. Careful study of current issues will acquaint writers with each title’s “personality,” various departments, and regular features. Sample copies are $3.99 each (U.S. currency) from U.S. Kids, P.O. Box 567, Indianapolis, IN 46206.

MANUSCRIPT FORMAT
Manuscripts must be typewritten and double-spaced. The author’s name, address, phone number or e-mail address, date of submission, and word count should appear on the first page of the manuscript. If you include a cover letter, please keep it brief.

Send entire manuscript. (No e-mail submissions.) Work is on speculation only; queries are not accepted, except for nonfiction pieces for Jack and Jill. Keep a copy of your work. Material cannot be returned unless accompanied by a SASE and sufficient return postage. If you do not wish the manuscript returned, you must say so in your letter. Please submit to a specific magazine, not just to U.S. Kids.

ILLUSTRATIONS
Please do not send artwork. We prefer to work with professional illustrators of our own choosing.

PHOTOS
We do not purchase single photos. We do purchase short photo features (up to 8 or 10 pictures) or photos that accompany articles and illustrate editorial material. Digital format is best, with high resolution (300 dpi in an image size of at least 4 by 6 inches). We purchase one-time rights to photos, but reserve the right to use the images on our Web sites. Please include captions and signed model releases.)

REVIEW TIME
About three months. Please wait three months before sending status inquiries. Each manuscript is considered for all magazines.

RIGHTS
We purchase all rights, including Web use, and pay on publication. Simultaneous submissions are OK, but should be noted as such. One-time book rights may be returned when the author has found a publisher and can provide an approximate date of publication.

SUBMISSIONS FROM CHILDREN
Except for features that request reader submissions, we do not encourage manuscripts from children. Even highly talented young people are not usually experienced enough to compete on a professional level with adult authors. We do not pay children for their contributions.

Turtle Magazine for Preschool Kids (ages 3-5)

  • FICTION: Short stories 350 words or less. Payment: $70 and up.
  • NONFICTION: We accept short articles/activities that introduce and reinforce measuring, counting, reading, nature, simple science experiments, etc., 250 words or less. Payment: $70 and up.
  • POETRY: We accept poems 4-12 line poems. Please remember the age of your audience. Payment: $35 and up.
  • RECIPES: We accept simple, healthful recipes of 200 words or less that generally require no cooking and minimal adult help. If possible, include a photo of the recipe with submission. Payment: $40 and up.
  • CRAFTS: We accept fun crafts of 250 words or less that preschoolers can make with their family. Crafts can celebrate holidays or seasons. Materials should be inexpensive and easy to obtain. Include easy-to-understand steps and directions and, if possible, include a photo of the finished craft. Payment: $40 and up.
  • FINGER PLAYS & ACTION RHYMES: We accept finger plays and action rhymes of  200 words or less that preschoolers can easily do. These are often written in rhyme and include lots of movement. Payment: $40 and up.

Humpty Dumpty Magazine (ages 5-7)

  • FICTION: Short stories 450 words or less. Payment: $70 and up.
    Build a Book: We are accepting short mini-stories of 70-125 words. These should be positive and light-hearted; often humorous. Characters can be children or animals. We welcome material that deals with kindness, love, good manners, friendship, holidays, and seasons.
  • NONFICTION: We accept short articles of 300 words or less on science and nature, as well as age-appropriate how-to projects. Payment: $70 and up.
  • POETRY: We accept poems 4-12 line poems. Please remember the age of your audience. Payment: $35 and up.
  • RECIPES: We accept simple, healthful recipes of 200 words or less that generally require no cooking and minimal adult help. If possible, include a photo of the recipe with submission. Payment: $40 and up.
  • CRAFTS: We accept fun crafts of 250 words or less that young children can make with a bit of adult help. Crafts can celebrate holidays or seasons. Materials should be inexpensive and easy to obtain. Include easy-to-understand steps and directions and, if possible, include a photo of the finished craft. Payment: $40 and up.

Jack and Jill (ages 6-12)

  • FICTION: We publish stories of 700 words or less and accept queries and full manuscripts. Payment: Up to 25 cents a word.
  • NONFICTION: We publish nonfiction articles of 700 words or less and accept queries and full manuscripts. We are especially interested in profiles of regular kids in our age group who are engaged in unusual, challenging, or interesting activities. No celebrity pieces. Payment: Up to 25 cents a word. Photos: $15 minimum.
  • POETRY: We accept poems of up to 30 lines. Payment: $25 to $50.
  • RECIPES: Payment: $35 and up.
  • PUZZLES, ACTIVITIES, & GAMES: Payment: $25 minimum.

U.S. Kids
(Name of Magazine)
P.O. Box 567
Indianapolis, IN 46206
317-634-1100