Writing for Children's Magazines
An Ezine
 

 
  Encounter--The Magazine: Overview of the May 27, 2012 Issue  

By Karen M. Leet

 

 

 

ENCOUNTER--THE MAGAZINE is a non-demoninational Christian publication produced by Standard Publishing. This 8-page, color, weekly magazine (one issue per week comes in quarterly batches) is aimed at teens in Bible classes and Sunday school. Each issue focuses on a theme, with most articles and fiction strongly related to both the theme and the accompanying scripture verses.


Overview The May 27, 2012 issue's theme is Rejection.

• Cover: Shows celebrity Christian musician Ginny Owens.

• Teen item (page 2): poem "Graduation" by a teen reader is followed by an invitation for readers to share their own experiences on Encounter--The Magazine Facebook page. Also on page 2 is a sidebar, "Express Yourself," with an invitation to readers to share their own creative work.

• Nonfiction article (pages 3 and 4): "Overcoming Rejection" ties in anecdotes with biblical teaching.

• Sidebar (page 4): "Rejection Recovery" gives a brief list for coping with rejection.

• Daily Devotions (page 5): regular feature with scripture references for each day of the week as well as brief commentary.

• Testimony (pages 6 and 7): musician Ginny Owens shares her personal story in an article titled "The Same Difference," revealing her own struggles with rejection.

• Bio sketch (page 7): One column of background about Ginny Owens ending with contact information.

• Nonfiction (Back cover/last page): my article titled "Rejected" about my early failures as a writer.


Karen's Experiences and Helpful Tips

I've been writing for this Christian publication for many years and have had mostly fiction published and a few nonfiction items. The magazine aims at teens of all ages and encourages teen submissions and responses.

Guidelines are on their website (see below) and you can email for their theme lists, which come out quarterly a year ahead. Do read all scripture while going over the theme list. They're looking for testimonies, true stories, realistic fiction, quizzes and fun items to appeal to teens.

Nothing too preachy--humor goes over well. Stories and articles appeal to boys and girls. While each issue focuses on a theme and scripture verse, submissions do best not using "churchy" language, and no super perfect characters. Stories and articles show realistic situations where teens grapple with difficult issues. Word limit is 1100 for both fiction and nonfiction.

Encounter and its staff have always been prompt, helpful and encouraging. Submissions are by email only, and deadlines are firm. Include complete contact information, as well as word length and rights offered. Expect a confirmation email for submissions received. No decisions are made until after the deadline, and then responses come by email. Contracts come by mail, and checks arrive within a month after that.

Working with Encounter has been a positive experience--they treat their writers well.


Additional information

Editor: Dana Wilkerson
Email: encounter@ standardpub.com
Encounter website
Submission guidelines




Writing for Children's Magazines, July 2012   Copyright Karen M. Leet
 

 

 

    Karen M. Leet loves writing, especially for children of all ages, and has been published in a wide range of magazines. She also has two children's books currently out from Capstone, with a third due out soon. In addition, she and her older son, Joshua, co-authored Civil War Lexington, Kentucky: Bluegrass Breeding Ground of Power from The History Press, a nonfiction book aimed at adults but suitable for teens. You can visit her on Facebook.  

 


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