That's a Fact

Nonfiction for Teens
By Jan Fields

The young adult magazine market is virtually all nonfiction these days – and a lot of it is taken up with fashion, beauty and celebrities. Now there is room for freelancers in those areas but it does leave a lot of us out. One quick glance at my working “look” makes it pretty clear I am not cut out to write about fashion or beauty. Writing about celebrities is a bit more open, but I think I’ll pass. So what could I write about teens?

First let’s take just a quick moment to say one thing teen magazines are not interested in doing. Teen magazines do not fix teens. Yes, many adults feel teens (as a group) need fixing. But, let’s think a moment. Many men think women need fixing – so would you buy a woman’s magazine that runs articles based on the premise that there is something wrong with you? Many women think men need fixing – do you suppose they would buy a magazine whose content tries to fix them? Think about the things you identify with – someone, somewhere thinks there is something wrong with each of those things. Are you interested in reading magazines about the wrongness of YOU? Teens aren’t either and many teen magazines are actually bought by teens. So they do not buy articles that begin with the premise that the reader needs to be fixed. And you will not change the editors mind about that.

There are few things that annoy editors more than cover letter or query letters that tell the editor what they SHOULD run. Apparently some writers think editors need fixing too. Suggesting an editor has an obligation to cover some topic is not really the way to snag an editor’s attention.

So, you must begin by thinking about what a teen wants to read. Teens want to read about teens. They are often very social creatures and the actions and thoughts of fellow teens do interest them. These thoughts and actions help confirm that the reader is normal (because other teens think this way or act this way). When faced with a problem, teens are interested in workable solutions – so seeing other teens that have tried something and say it works will make a teen more interested in an article. So, if you are writing for teens, be prepared to get involved with teens. You will need them to make your article sales worthy.

If you are going to tackle a topic that is controversial and that you believe endangers teens, the key is to do it in a nonjudgmental way. For example, teens will be more open to an article about how to help a friend who is into cutting or an article based on a teen who cuts, giving that teen’s perspective, than they will be in an article that lectures the reader about cutting. Teens will be more open to an article on clever tips to keep friends off the road when they’ve had too much to drink than they will be in a lecture about teen drinking.

Teen magazines are less about cautionary tales and more about giving teens information to help them with day to day problems – relationship problems they are facing right now with friends, family, and romance. School problems related to balancing crammed schedules and thinking ahead to the future. Financial problems. Health problems. They don’t want to be warned (that’s what parents are for) as much as they want information they can use today to get through today successfully. They want it packaged simply, clearly, and without judgment. They want their concerns and their brains treated with respect.

Teens today are incredibly busy, but they still enjoy magazines. Still, what they need out of the magazine is quick consumption – not because today’s teen demands “dumbed down” content, but because today’s teen must cram magazine reading into a day that is packed with activities and school. Some teen schedules make the average adult look like a slug of inactivity. So teens look for short, easily consumed content, clearly organized, lecture free and filled with specific examples for credibility – preferably of teens who are speaking from their own experience.

If you don’t enjoy reading teen magazines, you’re probably not cut out to write for them. You need to read and absorb the tone, pacing, structure and voice of teen nonfiction. It should have the same respect for the reader of adult nonfiction, but the needs and preferences of the audience are different and the best way to become familiar with those differences is through reading the magazines. Luckily teen magazines are easy to find (far easier than most magazines for younger children) because magazines are often impulse buys for teens – so the magazines need a newsstand presence in places teens go. Also, you can learn a lot just from teen magazine online content which often mimics the tone and style of the print magazine. A few hours on the teen magazine websites will often help you see if this is a media for you – it’s not for everyone.

But if you have the voice, the style, the connections to teens, and the respect for the reader – editors are waiting to hear from you.

This page last updated on 01 March 2008