editors speak

STORIES FOR CHILDREN
Editor/Publisher Virginia S. Grenier

Online magazines have provides the first opportunity for that connection between writer and reader for a growing number of children’s writers. These small magazines allow writers to find an outlet for unusual story forms or lengths that can be difficult to market. One such magazine Stories for Children Magazine has been on the lips of a lot of writers lately, so we decided to chat with publisher/editor Virginia S. Grenier and learn more about it.

KMW: What made you decide to start Stories for Children Magazine?
VSG: The number one reason was to give kids a safe, fun, and free on-line place to go to read fun stories, articles, poems, and much more. Children are using the computer more and more for reports, listening to music, networking with friends, and playing games. I wanted to be a part of that trend and Stories for Children Magazine is one way to do that.

Second, reading with a child and opening the “World of Ink” to them can go beyond adolescence. When I think back to my childhood, I remember sitting around campfires with friends at summer camp telling ghost stories, staying up late reading a book under the covers, and sitting outside, taking in the sounds of nature as I was carried off on some magical adventure.

At Stories for Children Magazine, our goal is to foster a love of reading at an early age. When a child spends time reading with a parent or loved one, they begin to take pleasure in listening to a good story being read. By unlocking a child’s imagination with fun stories, articles, and poems, they become better readers and learners later in life.

KMW:What is the biggest challenge to doing the Ezine?
VSG: Challenge is such a strong word for me. I guess because I don’t find anything you love doing a challenge. If you love what you’re doing then you’ll find a way to make it happen. Stories for Children Magazine is not only something I do, but it’s also a part of me. I love working on each monthly issue and I’m really lucky to have two wonderful ladies on the team with me. If it wasn’t for Gayle Jacobson-Huset, our assistant editor, I don’t think I would ever have the time to work on my own writing and Selena Spain, our copy editor, is amazing. She’s the last to see the magazine before we publish. Selena works within a tight window in getting corrections made and back to me.

If it wasn’t for the team of editors, and our dedicated writers and illustrators, then I don’t think Stories for Children Magazine would be half as good as it is. And each issue seems to be getting better. We’re learning from our mistakes and listening to the feedback from our readers.

KMW: What has surprised you about running an Ezine, now that you're up and running?
VSG: The biggest surprise for me was how fast the word of mouth spread about Stories for Children Magazine. What I mean is—I knew putting together an Ezine was going to take lots of time and energy. I knew I was going to have to work hard in letting people know we are out there and free for kids. But I was surprised at how many writers, illustrators, and parents supported what I was trying to do. Our April debut issue had 4848 hits to the website alone. The interactive magazine file, which is another way to view the Ezine instead of on-line, had 347 downloads. I wasn’t expecting numbers like this the first month out.

Another surprise was the amount of submissions in my inbox each day. We’re averaging about 60 submissions a month currently and Stories for Children Magazine has only been out since April 2007. I have Kid Magazine Writers, Carolyn Howard-Jonson, and all the writing boards I’m a part of to thank for that.

KMW: I know you have an editorial calendar online, but are there any types of manuscripts you're not seeing as much of as you would like?
VSG: Youth Submissions (from kids 17 and younger) are our weakest right now, followed by nonfiction.

It’s funny because when taking my course at the Institute of Children’s Literature, I remember reading over and over again how the best markets for newbie writers was nonfiction. There is a need for nonfiction, I remember reading. I also remember thinking at the time, I don’t like writing nonfiction. It’s too much like writing reports in school. Which isn’t true at all, nonfiction can be fun, entertaining and lively, if done right.

And most of my sales as a writer have been in the nonfiction markets. So writers are really missing out if they don’t try to write in this area and Stories for Children Magazine is a great place to start out.

KMW: Have you gotten any feedback from young readers? What sorts?
VSG: I haven’t received any mail from our younger readers, but I do hear from their parents and teachers. Here are some of the things they have said:

"SPLENDID! I am forwarding to my homeschooling daughter-in-law and some area homeschoolers for them to share with their children."

"Oh, Virginia! Your magazine is awesome! Thank you for sharing and for making it available. I use to work for Indianapolis Public Schools and I will let them know about it!"

"Kudos to you in your fun endeavor. A few years back, I was told by a couple of very young friends that reading on the computers is the way of the future, paper will become obsolete. In fact, they told me quite bluntly, aunty, don't waste your time with book publishers, go with the computers.

I am not likely to be around to see that happen, but what I saw of your magazine, you go girl/editor, soar with all your might and be successful."

"Stories for Children Magazine's April debut issue was very nicely done. Thanx for the introduction to the excellent work of Donna & Kevin, who are not strangers to most of us."

"Loved your first issue. It's fabulous and my three year old loves it. He keeps asking me "Mommy, can we have some special time at the computer to read stories?" So cute. Thanks for all your work in putting this magazine together."

KMW: I know you're closing to submissions until September ... why take a summer hiatus?
VSG: That’s hard question to answer. If it was only me putting Stories for Children Magazine together and I wasn’t a mom, I wouldn’t be taking the time off. But as a mother to two wonderful children, I felt I needed to spend time with my family.

Being an editor and children’s writer takes a lot of my time. My family is very supportive. This is saying a lot because I have a two-year-old daughter and an eleven-year-old son and patience isn’t one of their strongest qualities. LOL.

Also, my team needed some time with their families as well. Selena will be taking a trip to Spain with her family and Gayle is expecting another grandchild, so getting the July, August, and September issues done before that is going to be taking up lots of our time.

Even though we’re taking a summer hiatus from submissions, Stories for Children Magazine will still be publishing a July, August, and September issue.

KMW: As a non-paying market, what rights does Stories for Children Magazine look for? Do you use a contract?
VSG: I hope to change in the future from a non-paying market to a paying one, but until that day comes, we don’t hold any rights to our writers’ or illustrators’ work. The copyrights stay with them, unless we purchase it for our anthology at the end of the year.

If we do purchase a manuscript for the anthology, we pay one cent per word and a flat fee of $12 for each illustration. We then retain First and/or Second rights to the manuscript. A contract will be sent out and payment is made two months after the signed contract is returned to us.

KMW: What future plans and dreams do you have for Stories for Children Magazine?
VSG: My biggest dream is for Stories for Children Magazine to become a paying market. I know how hard it is to be a freelance writer and illustrator in the children’s market and that not getting paid for your work isn’t ideal to most of them. But they need to keep in mind that children’s publication credits are more important than a paycheck. Also, doing something for free for kids looks good to a paying publisher. So in a sense, it’s really a win win situation to submit to us even though we don’t pay at this point in time.

As to the future of Stories of Children Magazine, our goal is to also become a published print magazine. We are currently looking into this prospect for later down the road, perhaps a couple of years from now.

This page last updated on 01 July 2007