If you have a picture book text that’s too long for publishers’ requirements, have you considered the short story market? There are a small number of magazines out there, both in print and online, that accept children’s stories and will happily consider a longer length. Here’s my current (short) list which also includes markets for older children’s fiction and young adult; if you know of any others please do comment and I will add them.
The US-based Cricket family of children’s print and digital magazines includes Babybug for up to three years, Ladybug for 3-6 years, Spider for 6-9, Cricket for 9-14 and Cicada for over 14s. They all have different submission requirements so be sure to check out the word counts required by each one.
This beautifully produced Irish-based print magazine accepts stories up to 1,000 words as well as poetry and art.
Knowonder is an online site that promotes literacy. They are occasionally open for submissions of short stories between 500-2000 words but do not pay.
This small but ambitious publisher aims to be the foremost choice for downloading short stories on the web, and payment comes as a percentage of the small download fee charged to customers. Length is 500-10,000 words.
This site is a little different and features young adult fantasy stories up to 6,000 words recorded as podcasts. See this blog post for more details and an interview with a Cast of Wonders author.
Lou Treleaven 
Reblogged this on elizabeth frattaroli and commented:
Here’s a useful post for those writing for children, with thanks to Lou Treleaven for highlighting…
Reblogged this on write4bairns and commented:
Thanks to Lou Treleaven – and Elizabeth Frattaroli who made me aware of this post.
Thanks Lou, for these – I was lucky enough to have two short stories accepted by Knowonder back when they did pay. Hard times for all publishers now, I think.
Yes, it’s such a shame that it’s not a paying market any more.
Hi Lou,
So happy to hear from you and I’m ecstatic to know that your book has sold and you’re on to new endeavors. Happy New Year to you!!!
I was wondering if you could let me know where I would be able to purchase a copy of the book? I’ve been meaning to do so but I haven’t had a chance.
Thanks so much…. And again thank you for all your help… You are a doll!!! And a super duper wonderful person!!!
Best regards,
Dominic Dinere
Hi Dominic. You are very welcome. Happy new year! I have three books out now: Professor McQuark and the Oojamaflip, The Snowflake Mistake and Letter to Pluto. They are available in some independent book shops or any bookshop can order them in, or you can get them online at Amazon, Wordery, Waterstones, Book Depository etc.
Hi Dominic. You are very welcome. Happy new year! I have three books out now: Professor McQuark and the Oojamaflip, The Snowflake Mistake and Letter to Pluto. They are available in some independent book shops or any bookshop can order them in, or you can get them online at Amazon, Wordery, Waterstones, Book Depository etc.
Dear Lou,
I would like very much to use your critique service. I can’t log in to my paypal account and wonder if you could please send me your bank details so that I can make a BACS payment?
Many thanks
Nicolette
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