Calling all writers! I'm the editor of a kids magazine, and I've started thinking about what I need for my 2019 issues. Please see the calls below and see if you have any stories in your drawer for us at Spider. SUBMIT HERE

Dragons and Magic

Spider (for ages 6-9) is seeking stories, poetry, activities, and nonfiction exploring the theme of "Dragons and Magic." Calling all dragons! We want big dragons, small dragons, serpent-like dragons, Viking dragons, gold-hoarding dragons, dragons that breath fire or ice, swimming dragons, flying dragons, burrowing dragons, fierce dragons, timid dragons, nice dragons, and even wannabe dragons. Send your traditional tales, but also stories with a creative contemporary spin. 

Over the Rainbow

Spider (for ages 6-9) and Ladybug (for ages 3-6) are looking for LGBTQAI+ inclusive fiction, poetry, and non-fiction manuscripts. We would like to see warm family stories, entire stories without gender pronouns, children with different gender expressions, and gentle realistic or metaphorical coming-out stories. We are especially interested in matter-of-fact stories where being different isn’t the heart of the story, but part of the character’s identity.

Inventions

Spider (for ages 6-9) is looking for fiction, nonfiction, poetry, activities, crafts, and recipes for the theme "Inventions." Send us stories about objects or gadgets that intrigued you as a kid or that intrigue kids you know. Write about the origin of a toy, secret code or language, special technique or process, game or puzzle, school supply, musical instrument, or out-of-date technology. We’re interested in the gross and weird, silly and useless, and even fictional inventions. Especially welcome: works about inventions by kid inventors, women, and people of color. Please provide a source list if your submission is nonfiction.

Mysterious Monsters

Spider (for ages 6-9) is seeking fiction, poetry, activities, crafts, and recipes for the theme Mysterious Monsters. Bring on the claws, sharp teeth, tails, and larger-than-life creatures. We’re interested in age-appropriate monster stories that introduce kids to old legends like river and lake monsters, the Chupacabra, and Big Foot as well as other creatures that go bump in the night—jumbies, trolls, poltergeists, giants, werewolves, vampires, zombies, or beings we’ve never heard of before. Send us your spooky ghosts and growling, howling beasts who might want to eat you or just be your friend.

Our Diverse World

Spider (for ages 6-9) and Ladybug (for ages 3-6) are looking for fiction, non-fiction, activities, and poetry for the theme Our Diverse World. We want stories about real or imaginary people with interesting hobbies, jobs, traditions, or inventions. We would like to see Black, Latinx, First Nations, East Asian, South Asian, and Middle Eastern children from first, second, or third generation families. Tell us quirky, funny, heartfelt, and lesser-known stories where race, ethnicity, class, culture, and ability might intersect.