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Teen Tuesday: Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy

5/28/2014

This week's (belated!) Teen Tuesday focuses on resources for teen writers interested in science fiction and fantasy.

To learn more about worldbuilding, check out this article, Seven Deadly Sins of Worldbuilding, and this HUGE list of questions you can consider while creating a fantasy world.

Analog isn't a market for teen writers specifically, but it's a paying market with submission information available online.

If you live in the Washington, DC area, Politics & Prose Bookstore is hosting a fantasy writing workshop for teens August 11th - 15th. For more information, check their website listing.

Science fiction author Jeffrey A. Carver offers advice on his website. (I'm a big believer in his tip about planning your next market and sending out a submission the same day you receive a rejection.)

The Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America website has an extensive Information Center for writers.

If you know of other resources for science fiction and fantasy writers, particularly those for teens, please let me know.

Teen Tuesday: CICADA Magazine

5/20/2014

By Yvonne Ventresca

Origami cicada courtesy of morgueFile.

CICADA is a magazine written for teens ages fourteen and up. A paying market, the magazine publishes fiction, poetry, first-person nonfiction, and alternative comics. The website advises: "Please keep in mind that CICADA's readers are intelligent and sophisticated and can handle complexity with respect to theme, characterization, and plotting." See the submission guidelines for more details about how to get a sample copy (research the market before you submit) and further instructions about how to send in your writing.

Teen Tuesday: Writing Roundup

5/13/2014

By Yvonne Ventresca

This week, Teen Tuesday features tips, science, advice, books, resources -- a writing roundup with something, I hope, for everyone.

Practical tips:

The Scholastic website offers some interesting information for teen writers, including how to build a writing porfolio, how to submit your work for publication, and student writing contests/publishing opportunities.

Some science behind creativity:

Photo courtesy of morgueFile

This is an interesting article about the best time to get creative ideas.

Advice:

Photo courtesy of morgueFile

Author Chuck Wendig offers some advice to young writers. (Warning: includes explicit language.)

Books to read:

Looking for a good book? The Maplewood Library website offers a variety of sites for teen readers to find their next great read.

Resources for writers of all ages:

Children's writer Rachelle Burk has compiled a huge list of helpful resources from her award-winning website.

Do you have a favorite writing-related site? Share the information below.

Teen Tuesday: Markets for Teen Writers

5/6/2014

By Yvonne Ventresca

Teen Tuesday is back! Each Tuesday features resources for teenage writers. This week, I'll be sharing some markets I previously profiled -- an index of sorts. Happy Writing!

The Blue Pencil Online

Canvas Literary Journal

the Claremont Review

Pongo Teen Poetry

Stone Crowns Literary Magazine

Teen Ink

VeryLoudYouth

YARN Literary Journal

Teen Tuesday: Adventure Write Contest

3/25/2014

by Yvonne Ventresca

Totem Head's Story Contest from Adventure Write

Writing Contest

The Totem Head's Story Contest has different categories based on age (13-15, 16-18, for example). It offers a $50 cash prize for the rights to a short story beginning with the phrase "So there I was" that will be used on their website. Entrants must be US residents under 19 and must complete Totem Head's Tutorial. Entries are due December 31st (so you have lots of time!). For more information and complete instructions, visit the Adventure Write website.

This will be the last Teen Tuesday post for several weeks, since I will be participating in the A to Z Blogging Challenge (theme: Inspiration) during the month of April. My resources for teen writers will be back in May. In the meantime, you can easily access all my old posts through this blog or through my Pinterest board. Happy Writing!

Teen Tuesday: Teen Ink

3/18/2014

by Yvonne Ventresca

Literary mag and site written by teens

Teen Ink is a literary magazine and website that features poetry (including song lyrics, sonnets and haikus), fiction, book reviews, hot topics in nonfiction, and art/photos. The site also provides two forums for teens -- a regular one for chatting and a writers' workshop for sharing creative work. Teens also provide reviews about colleges and summer programs. Sign-up is required for submissions (which they accept year-round) and participants must be 13 to 19 years old. To learn more, check their submission guidelines.

Teen Tuesday: Go Teen Writers Contest

3/11/2014

by Yvonne Ventresca

Go Teen Writers has reached over 1,000 followers! To celebrate their
community of teen writers, they will be hosting a contest where you can submit the first 1,000 words of your novel.

The contest will be open for submissions from Thursday, March 13th until Monday, March 17th OR until they receive 200 entries. It's restricted to writers age 21 and younger, who are not traditionally published, and who do not have an agent. In the final round of judging, agent Amanda Luedeke of MacGregor Literary will pick the winner.

For more information about the contest, visit the Go Teen Writers blog. You can also read my December interview with Go Teen Writers here. Good luck!

Teen Tuesday: Teens Writing for Teens

3/4/2014

by Yvonne Ventresca

Get writing!

For this week's Teen Tuesday, check out Teens Writing for Teens. The site includes practical information, like formatting the query letter, writing a synopsis, and preparing your manuscript. It also features inspirational advice about getting started and a suggested reading list. Although the blog and facebook account are no longer maintained, the website contains some timeless help for teens who write.

Do you know of any websites that help teenage writers? Let me know in the comments and I'll consider them for a future Teen Tuesday profile.

Teen Tuesday: Teen Writing Conference

2/25/2014

by Yvonne Ventresca

A writing conference for teens only!

When:
Where:
Who:
More info:

June 21, 2014
Weber State University, Ogden, Utah
Writers 13-19
www.teenwritersconference.org

Image by JJPacre (Flickr)

"We specify so strongly that we are for teens because we find that teen writers are in such a unique position. They are in school and have, obviously, already determined their excitement to write. We therefore try to put them on a path toward taking advantage of the opportunities unique to them," says Josi Kilpack, President of Teen Writers Inc, the non-profit that sponsors the conference. "We focus on craft, voice, and how to prepare for a future in publishing. We also run a contest open to all attendees where they can get professional feedback and cash prizes. It really is an opportunity for them to explore their passions in a way that best prepares them for their futures."

In its sixth year, the conference limits attendance to 150 teens. Visit Teen Writers Conference for more information.

Teen Tuesday: Interview with The Blue Pencil Online

2/18/2014

by Yvonne Ventresca

The Blue Pencil Online is created by students in the Creative Writing Program at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Massachusetts. According to the website, "the magazine seeks to publish the best literary work in English by young writers (12-18) around the world. " This week's interview is with Mike Heppner, who teaches publishing and fiction at the Walnut Hill School for the Arts.

How does The Blue Pencil Online differ from other literary magazines?

The Blue Pencil Online is an outgrowth of The Blue Pencil, which published its first issue in 1917. Unlike The Blue Pencil, which is a print publication that showcases the work of Walnut Hill's own writing students, The Blue Pencil Online publishes poetry, fiction, and dramatic writing from high school students around the world. We only publish once a year, so extra care is invested in the editorial process.

How many teens are involved in running The Blue Pencil Online? What is the common thread that ties the volunteers together?

There are currently twelve teens involved in running The Blue Pencil Online, ranging in age from 15 to 18. They aren't volunteers per se, but rather creative writing majors at Walnut Hill, and serving on the editorial board at The Blue Pencil Online is part of their core curriculum. Beyond that, what ties them together is their passion for literature and for discovering new voices.

The submission guidelines are available online, but could you provide some more information about what type of creative work appeals to you?

Thoughtful, expressive writing that takes care to communicate to its readers. Writing that is both "interesting" and "interested." Original ideas expressed in fresh ways.

Take your time [before submitting] -- it's not a race..."
--Mike Heppner, Walnut Hill School for the Arts

What is the most common mistake or flaw that you see in submissions?

Being too hasty to submit before really scrutinizing the work first. Take your time--it's not a race, and it's always best to take a piece through a couple of slow, careful drafts before showing it to editors.

Thanks, Mike! For more information, check the submission guidelines, and be sure to visit The Blue Pencil Online in March for their next writing prompt.

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Teen Tuesday: Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy

Teen Tuesday: CICADA Magazine

Teen Tuesday: Writing Roundup

Practical tips:

Some science behind creativity:

Advice:

Books to read:

Resources for writers of all ages:

Teen Tuesday: Markets for Teen Writers

Teen Tuesday: Adventure Write Contest

Totem Head's Story Contest from Adventure Write

Teen Tuesday: Teen Ink

Teen Tuesday: Go Teen Writers Contest

Teen Tuesday: Teens Writing for Teens

Teen Tuesday: Teen Writing Conference

A writing conference for teens only!

Teen Tuesday: Interview with The Blue Pencil Online

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