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What is Pockets®?
Can I get a sample copy of the magazine or a hard copy of the themes and writer's guidelines?
What should I write about?
What ages are Pockets readers?
What type of material should I write?
How should I submit my writing?
Will Pockets pay to use my writing?
To whom should I mail my submission?
What is Pockets?
Designed for 6- to 12-year-olds, Pockets magazine offers wholesome devotional readings that teach about God's love and presence in life. Each page of Pockets affirms a child's self-worth. Included are fun and exciting puzzles, games, stories, poems, recipes, colorful pictures, and scripture readings. The magazine is published monthly (except in February) and includes a wide variety of materials.
The purpose of Pockets is to open up the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ to children. It is written and produced for children and designed to help children pray and be in relationship to God. The magazine emphasizes that we are loved by God and that God's grace calls us into community. It is through the community of God's people that we experience that love in our daily lives.
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Can I get a sample copy of the magazine or a hard copy of the themes and writer's guidelines?
To receive a sample copy, guidelines, and themes, email your name and street or post office address to:
specialservices@upperroom.org
To request a sample copy, guidelines, and themes via snail mail, send your name and address to:
Pockets
1908 Grand Ave.
PO Box 3400011
Nashville TN 37203
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What should I write about?
Each issue is built around a specific theme with material that can be used by children in a variety of ways. Scripture stories, fiction, poetry, prayers, art, graphics, puzzles, and activities are included. Submissions do not need to be overtly religious. They should help children experience a Christian lifestyle that is not always a neatly wrapped moral package but is open to the continuing revelation of God's will. Seasonal material, both secular and liturgical, is appropriate. We welcome submissions from children.
Themes are set each year in December. A list is available by e-mail or on this website.
Pockets is interdenominational, and our readers include persons of many cultures and ethnic backgrounds. These differences should be reflected in the references that are made to lifestyles, living environments (suburban, urban, rural, reservation), families (extended families, single-parent homes), and individual names. Stories should show appreciation of cultural differences.
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What ages are Pockets readers?
The magazine is for children of ages six through twelve, with a target reading age of eight through eleven. Though some may share it with their families, it is designed primarily for the personal use of children.
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What type of material should I write?
Fiction and scripture stories should be 600 to 1400 words. Our primary interest is in stories that can help children deal with real-life situations. We prefer real-life settings, but we occasionally use fables. We do not accept stories about talking animals or inanimate objects. Fictional characters and some elaboration may be included in scripture stories, but the writer must remain faithful to the story.
Stories should contain lots of action, use believable characters and dialogue, be simply written, and be relevant to the problems faced by this age group in everyday life. Children need to be able to see themselves in the pages of the magazine. It is important that the tone not be "preachy" or didactic. Use short sentences and paragraphs. When possible, use concrete words instead of abstractions. However, do not "write down" to children.
It is no longer common practice to use such terms as "man," "mankind," "men," in the familiar generic sense. Substitute non-sexist terms that are inclusive of everyone (e.g., "humankind," "persons," "human beings," "everyone").
Poems should be short, not more than 24 lines.
Non-fiction articles should be 400 to 1,000 words. These should be related to a particular theme which has been projected. We also seek biographical sketches of persons, famous or unknown, whose lives reflect their Christian commitments and values. These may be either short vignettes (a single incident) or longer and more complete biographies. Articles about various holidays and about other cultures are included.
We particularly desire articles about children involved in environmental, community, and peace/justice issues.
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How should I submit my writing?
Contributions should be typed, double-spaced, on 8 1/2"x 11" paper, accompanied by a SASE for return. We do not accept manuscripts by FAX or e-mail. Writers who wish to save postage and are concerned about paper conservation may send a SASP for notification of unaccepted manuscripts, and we will recycle the paper the submission is printed on. Please list the name of the submission(s) on the card.
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Will Pockets pay to use my writing?
Yes, payment will be made at the time of acceptance. We will make an initial response within six weeks after receiving the manuscript. We often place manuscripts on long-term hold for specific issues. Authors are free to request that their manuscripts be returned to them at any time during the long-term hold. We purchase newspaper, periodical, and electronic rights, and we accept one-time previously published material.
Stories and articles: 14 cents a word
Poetry: $25.00 and up
Activities, games: $25.00 and up
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To whom should I mail my submission?
Mail manuscripts to:
Lynn W. Gilliam, Editor
Pockets
1908 Grand Ave.
P.O. Box 340004
Nashville, TN 37203-0004
USA
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