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Neither Jerry nor I wanted to let the column die. We were offered space at several great writing sites, but few sites have reached the point where they can afford to pay columnists. We're not especially greedy, but the column has become large enough to take a lot of my writing hours and considerable time for Jerry to put online. We'll try it here instead, and perhaps draw a few new customers to our used bookstore.

I promise I won't badger readers to buy from us, but I do invite you to check out BookBarn when you look for reasonably priced used books. We've added a special section for books about writing. A few of these have slightly higher prices than some of the other books at the site for the simple reason that these were books I previously sold at auctions for at least these amounts. (There is an introductory 10% discount on all writing related books and magazines though March!) As I go through boxes and drawers, we also will have children's and other magazines available for those wanting sample copies. Most of the children's magazines come with the perhaps doubtful benefit of my stories or puzzles in them. Yes, they're my spare contributor copies. A few years ago, one of my daughters decided she wanted a copy of everything I had published. After the first big box full, she blanched.

Basically, the column will remain the same--and I am open to changes. Ideas, anyway? I'd like to make this space as useful as possible. Let's continue to help each other by sharing market news, insights and experience. Email me with marketing questions and answers.

THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE TO JERRY! Within days of our decision to continue, he had the site enlarged and fully operating. You hear a lot from me every month, but Jerry is the one who gets my words launched into cyber-space. He's pretty good at correcting my not-quite-entry-level html and catching numerous, other errors, too!

For those who have just found this site, my name is Margaret Shauers. I have been active in many writing areas over the past 30+ years, but writing for children remains my best love. Over the past several years, I've been working in the activity book and game book areas. I also freelance children's short fiction and puzzles and do some adult material. The magazine market list I sell grew from my own writing card file. I now include nonfiction markets, as well. Information about ordering the full 350+ market list is given at the end of this column.

NOTE TO RECENT MARKET LISTING PURCHASERS: For some reason, changes are coming in at the very last moment this month. Even if you just received your market listing, check out the changes and other items in the marketing sections below. I emailed a copy last night that no longer has correct addresses for two markets (Primary Treasure and Our Little Friends). And by the way, you have all the listings even if my ads now read "350+" listings instead of "250+." I just took time to do a rough count for the first time in several years!

Both Our Little Friend and Primary Treasure have moved to P.O. Box 5353, Nampa ID 83653. Guidelines given in the kids' section at: http://www.pacificpress.com/writers/index.htm.

Primary Days, Counselor and Power Station, P.O. Box 36640, Colorado Springs CO 80936 are still in a "pick-up" mode, reprinting previous cycles of the papers with minimum changes. The guidelines they send out are for future use.

Celebrate is the new name of the now-combined Together Time and Listen, 6401 The Paseo, Kansas City MO 64131: Melissa K. Hammer, Early Childhood Editor. This Church of the Nazarene wants SHORT material, written for kindergarten and primary age children. They pay .25 line per word on acceptance for poems and activities (to $15.00). Lately, they have been buying ALL rights for their own uses, but issue a double check if they also use the same material in a teaching magazine. They do not mind if you resell material (after it is published) to non-competing markets. Very interested in buying activities, 25 to 100 words. Pay is to $15. E-mail: mhammer@nazarene.org.

The boxes that are checked off on rejection slips at Hopscotch for Girls, P.O. Box 164, Bluffton OH 45817-0164 are:

• We are currently overstocked on ___________.
• We can't consider it right now. If you haven't sold it in the meantime, please resubmit it in six months.
• Subject duplicates material we recently published or now have in preparation.
• The writing is too difficult for our 6 to 12-year-old readers.
• Subject does not match our rather old fashioned editorial philosophy.
• Piece is too long for our format.
• Piece is too short for our format.
• Elements of your story seem somewhat implausible.
• The moral in your story is a little too obvious.
• Needs to have young girl or girls directly involved in article.
• Point of view of the young girl is missing.
• Subject is of limited interest to pre-teen girls.
• Writing could be livelier.
• Comments:

Margaret's Note: I'm happy to say that I've found the editors here good about making personal comments! My last was simply that my submission didn't fit one of their pre-theme planned topics--this list is available for SASE--where they still had an opening.

NEW & CHANGES:

Today's Christian Teen, 3 Park Plaza, Wyomissing PA 19610: Elaine Williams, Assistant Editor. This Christian publication uses articles (no fiction) of 800-1000 words; pays $150 on publication. KJV. Email: partners@mkpt.com.

Metro Parent Magazine, 24567 Northwestern Hwy., Suite 150, Southfield MI 48075: Susan DeMaggio, Editor. Although this monthly magazine primarily runs articles for parents, they have a number of columns that use material most writers for children can provide. "Boredom Busters" uses manuscripts of up to 750 words about crafts and other "things to do." "Tween 'N Teens" uses material of 750 to 800 words on coping with teen issues. They want entire manuscripts on these and pay $75-$150 for one-time rights. E-mail: sdemaggio@metroparent.com. Website: http://www.metroparent.com. (Website is currently being either structured or restructured.)

Metrokids, 1080 North Delaware Avenue, Suite 702, Philadelphia PA 19125: Nancy Lisago, Editor. This is a magazine for parents and children in the Delaware Valley. They pay $50-$100 for articles, 600-1550 words; $30 for reprints. Wants regional material. Email: metrokids@family.com. 
Website: http://www.metrokids.com.

American Girl, 8400 Fairway Place, Middleton WI 53562: Magazine Department Assistant. The following "Key to This Market" is listed in the online version of Writer's Digest. The magazine is for girls 8-12. Key: Best opportunity for freelancers is the Girls Express section. "We're looking for short profiles of girls who are into sports, the arts, interesting hobbies, cultural activities, and other areas. A key: The girl must be the 'star' and the story must be from her point of view. Be sure to include the age of the girls you're pitching to us. If you have any photo leads, please send those, too. We also welcome how-to stories--how to send away for free things, hot ideas for a cool day, how to write the President and get a response. In addition, we're looking for easy crafts that can be explained in five simple steps. Stories in Girls Express have to be told in no more than 175 words. We prefer to receive ideas in query form rather than finished manuscripts." Query by snail mail only. E-Mail: im_agmag_editor@pleasantco.com. Website: www.americangirl.com.

Inteen, 1551 Regency Court., Calumet City IL 60409: Katara Washington, Editor. This teen curriculum, plus a quarterly booklet, is for urban teens and is published by The African American Christian Publishing & Communications Co. The listing I found indicated that they do buy some individual stories and articles of 1200 words and pay $57-150 on acceptance for all rights. The letter I had from an editor says their material is almost always done to assigned Scripture. They accept "some" reprints. NIV. EMAIL: umi1551@aol.com. Website: http://www.urbanministries.com

Random House recently announced that they are changing their payment policy for e-books from their standard royalty rate of 15% to a 50-50 split with their authors, saying, "This new standard royalty will be included in all new contracts going forward and will apply to contracts previously negotiated with lower royalties." This move sets a precedent that will likely be followed by other publishers. The reasoning behind it is that, since there are essentially no printing costs involved, the author should have a greater share of the profits. Of course, e-books are priced lower than p-books, so this new arrangement is no guarantee of increased riches. But it's hoped that the sale of any e-book will boost sales.

CONTESTS:

I came across this in a Writer's Digest newsletter. I don't know if they include greeting cards for children, but it's probably worth checking out. Cardreps.com, the website dedicated to helping writers and artists get their work in front of greeting card companies. They have ongoing juried art and writing competitions, with three deadlines per year. Winners receive cash prizes and representation on the website. For more information, go to the flashing link on their homepage at http://www.CardReps.com.

And this one from Mayhaven Publishing. More information can be found at http://www.mayhavenpublishing.com.

Doris R. Wenzel, publisher

Does anyone know who currently serves as editor at High Adventures, 1445 Boonville Avenue, Springfield MO 65802-1894? I still have Marshall Bruner listed in my market guide, and he may still be the editor. I recently had a note from the magazine, though, saying they were holding a few things. It was signed, "Jerry." So I thought I'd see if anyone is more on top of this one than I am. Thanks!

My query to the new Boys' Illustrated was returned with a notice that The Avalon Hill Game company has been sold to a subsidiary of Hasbro, Inc.. Anyone know what's been going on here?

This came from Moria Allen before Inskpot closed down: "The Penniman Publishing Company will accept unsolicited manuscripts for children's stories: Our theme is to provide quality books which give inspiration, encouragement and above all are fun to read...Manuscripts can be sent to Penniman Publishing Company. P.O. Box 988 Westland, MI 48185."

Margaret's note: Moira sent this to those of us who did market research for Inkspot. This hasn't been checked out; I'm just passing it along for those who want to check it for themselves. Do write for guidelines and a catalog before sending anything. Most rejections come because a writer hasn't done this background work.

NOTE TO LETTER WRITERS: Thank you for your emails. I read them all and I try to answer as many varied questions as possible. I also have a backlog so it can take time. If I don't use your letter in the column within two months, it's for one of the following reasons. (A.) I've answered a very similar question in the past. Please check the FAQ section and the archives. (B.) I no longer publish letters where I must do more than very minor grammar and spelling corrections. This includes the many letters I get where no capitalization is used. Editing letters takes too much time-and such letters hardly indicate a serious commitment to writing. Believe me, editors never take poorly constructed writing seriously! (C.) I do not critique writing and no longer respond to emails requesting such services.

DeAnn Hasquet

Dear DeAnn: I will spend more time at your site soon. At this point, I've only had time to make sure the link works and see your home page. Nice--and I wish you the best of luck.

I have a lot of experience at writing and being published by commercial publishing firms. I know very little about distribution beyond the fact that all books must have ISBN numbers for bookstores or libraries to stock them today. Nor do I have time to review books, but I'm sure you'd be open to experienced and qualified reviewers if they approached you at your site.

My best advice on finding distributors would be to first, do a web search for them, and also continue attending trade shows. Ask other small publishers how they find distributors and which ones are best and promoting small press books.

Best of luck in helping children have fun reading! Margaret

Myron

Hi, Myron. Thanks for an easy one! The traditional split between author and illustrator is 50/50.

I appreciate your writing. I imagine a number of others have wondered about this. Margaret

Dear Isabel: Whether you wish to continue submission is up to you. Becoming published--especially with a picture book--is not easy. We all write such good ones that the choice is hard for publishers. Picture books are expensive to produce, as well, so this factor also makes it harder for a beginner to find a place on a publisher's list.

As I've said before, rejections are just part of the fiction writing game. If you believe in the manuscript, keep trying. After all--if you don't believe in your own abilities, no one else will either.

I can give a more definitive answer to your question about typing. Put up notices on bulletin boards at colleges. Even with computers, there are many students who don't type their own papers since these must come out near-perfect. If you are good at technical and math typing, even students who can type well may be in the market because these papers are difficult.

Writer's Digest and other magazines for writers also have want ad sections for manuscript typists. People must be making money doing it since many of the same services have been advertising for years.

Good luck with your book, and with finding some typing jobs. Margaret

PS: from Jerry--Try putting a small ad in local or college news paper. These are relatively cheap and reach a mass market.

Dear Jennifer: I usually don't answer questions as basic as this one. I decided to answer yours to explain to you and other new readers who will come in from the book site that many basic questions are answered in the FAQ section of this column--or perhaps in one of the older issues of the column. All are here in the archives.

First, you will need to either type the manuscript yourself or have someone type it. I would also recommend getting a few books (through interlibrary loan if you can't afford to buy them) on the basics of writing for publication. Also be prepared for a commercial publisher to insist on choosing the illustrator. A few smaller presses ask writers to find the illustrator, but larger firms prefer to work with people who already know their art needs.

Finally, do NOT pay anyone to publish your book unless you are also prepared to do the marketing. Self-publishing usually only means that a book gets printed. I'm not saying writers should never choose this avenue. Self-publishing is worthwhile for poets, who go in prepared to market most of their own work at readings, book shows and the like since there is virtually no commercial market for poetry. It also is worth it for family histories, works of local interest where the author also goes in ready to see that the books reach its readers. It is also worth it if a writer just wants a book in print, I suppose, but that seems a fairly expensive form of self-gratification.

I agree that your book could help many parents and children. There well might be a commercial market for it. Do go into the publishing venture knowing this is a business. You will probably need to do rewriting and other restructuring to fit a publisher's exact needs. To use a rather overused, but telling, cliché: Carnegie Hall won't feature a pianist who's only learned to play "Chopsticks," neither will commercial publishers print books when the writer has only learned to put words on paper.

I like the idea for the book and hope that you will continue with it! Margaret

Thank you. Ida

Dear Ida: Unfortunately, each of us has to find the right market at the right time for our own books. Once a writer has enough experience to get a really good agent (if the writer wants an agent), this sometimes is made easier because the top agents tend to talk to publishers every day and may have an idea of special needs.

I really like the sound of this book and if you've done a good job, I'd bet there is a publisher waiting for you. Make sure you read the catalogs, and the books, from the different publishing houses. Check Books in Print at your local library--and read every current book you can find about Native Americans. The publishers who chose those books might well be interested in yours if it isn't too similar.

Best of luck! Margaret

Sherry

Dear Sherry: Generally, it's best to send to a specific editor. This gets frustrating! Book editors change frequently and so do their positions at publishing firms. If you don't know the name, address the manuscript to "Acquisitions Editor."

Writer's Market (online version) lists Regina Hayes, President/Publisher as the Acquisitions Editor for Viking Children's Books, Penguin Putnam Inc., 345 Hudson St., New York NY 10014.

When one avenue closes, find a new one. Just as Inkspot is no more, and Jerry and I had to make decisions about whether to continue the column and where to place it, magazine markets close or change and editors leave book publishers. The writer who lasts in the publishing world is the one who simply moves on. Who knows? Your next editor may work even harder; your next publisher may cut a more generous contract, the new magazine you find might provide steady work! And hopefully, our faithful readers will make the switch with us to this site.