So, you think you're ready to publish?

I agree with you! Here are a few sites that I have reviewed and deemed worthy of your spectacular work. In order to be deemed worthy, the site had to meet several criteria. These are the questions I asked myself when scrutinizing each site:

Is this site specifically geared towards student publishing?
Are submissions by middle school age students accepted?
Is the site monitored by adults?
Does the site ask for a student’s identifying details such as last name, home addresses or phone number in order to consider submissions? If yes, then site will no longer be considered.
In the need of a contact person, are parents and teachers the only acceptable contacts for students under the age of 18?
What information is posted with the student's work when it is published?
Is the site selective, or can any student publish here?
Are the site's privacy policies and submission requirements clearly posted and in accordance with the Child Privacy Act?
Are there any special features of this site that make it especially appealing? (easy to navigate, feedback offered, variety of forms accepted, etc.)

Before submitting anything for publication, be sure that you have permission from your parent or legal guardian. Click here for more information. It is also a good idea to let your teacher know that you are considering submitting something.

Web site title and URL	Read the description of each to find the one that best suits your purpose.
KidAuthors http://www.kidauthors.com/	uses pen names rather than real names to ensure privacy easy to use submission form stories and poems are organized by age and category (mystery, comedy,love, etc.) readers can add comments and ratings can recieve writing advice from published authors can print a certificate when accepted for publication
Writers' Window http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/writers/home.html	ages 5-18 read world wide no required registration submissions must meet approval of staff (Must be polished, quality work!) has checklists to use before submitting can get constructive feedback from other readers closely monitored by staff offers guidelines for internet safety discussion board for writing related topics only registered members can recieve feedback/suggestions for improvement from staff monthly showcase for exemplary work many other great features for aspiring young writers
Crunch http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/crunch/	e-zine for kids 4 different sections you can submit to features (persuasive writing- they even offer a current feature topic that you can research and write about!) arts review (review CDs, books, T.V. shows, etc.) tech review (review newly released games, technology, etc.) show-off (original poetry, stories, plays, etc.) detailed directions for each type of submission uses "username" for privacy- real names are not permitted age and city may be displayed if you wish each submission goes through 2 phases of editing thank you message is sent when submission is recieved site staffers promise to read all, but cannot publish all
Writing with Writers http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/index.htm	work with over 11 different editors, and published authors and illustrators easy to navigate online workshops on many types of writing biography descriptive folktale mystery myth news poetry speech book review can submit pieces for possible publication online
KidsBookshelf http://www.kidsbookshelf.com/index.asp	must be under 17 to submit can submit a variety of pieces poetry (max. 200 words) short story (max. 500 words) book review (max. 500 words) does not offer critiques or feedback has adresses for many published authors that you can write letters to

Created by Dedra Van Gelder
SLM 521
Elective: Communication- Publishing Student Work Online
Last updated on June 7, 2005