For Teens - Writing Links

Merlyn's Pen
This site is the best site I’ve found for teens interested in writing. Merlyn's Pen publishes writing by teens. They also do something almost unheard of…they offer feedback to each writer who submits a manuscript to them. Read the online magazine, Merlyn’s Pen Monthly. Teachers can even print the magazine and make copies for their classrooms!

Push
Push is an imprint of Scholastic. Each year they sponsor a teen writing contest open to teens in grades 7 through 12. The winner has the chance to be published by Push.

Cicada Magazine
Yep, this print magazine has the same name as the bug. Kind of creepy, but kind of different too. The magazine publishes writing by teens as well as adult authors. If you're up to it, check out the online feature called The Slam. It’s just what it says, the chance to have your writing critiqued online by others…possibly slammed. You must be at least 14 to participate in The Slam.

The World of Druidawn
This online fantasy game helps you develop your writing skills while you play! Perfect for teens. Also check out this web site Creative Writing Solutions (and tell your teacher, too). You can submit stories and artwork for future editions of the book, Druidawn.

Young Writers Society
Listed by Writer's Digest as one of the 101 Best Web Sites for writers. This is a place for teen writers to get and give critiques.

Teen Ink
This is THE place for creative teens! Not only can you submit your original writing, you can also submit art, photos, even original music! This web site is by teens, for teens.

SCBWI
The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators is a professional group for writers wishing to publish for children. There are regional groups across the globe, and members are wonderfully supportive!

North Central/Northeast Texas SCBWI
This is the regional SCBWI group I belong to. If you live in the North Central/Northeast area of Texas check it out. Monthly meetings are informative and fun, and the annual conference is worth the drive even if you live out of state!

Smart Writers
This is a truly awesome website and deserves its status as one of the Writer's Digest 101 Best Websites for Writers. You'll find information for writers of all ages!

Joan Upton Hall
Joan is a former English teacher and she really knows her stuff. I met Joan at a conference of the East Texas Writers' Association, where she and Stacey Hasbrook were presenting. Joan's books, "Rx for Your Writing Ills" and "50 Writers' Tips" proved invaluable when working on rewrites of my children's books.

WritersMarket.com
This is one of the best values for your money that I’ve found. Put out by the same people that bring you the annual print version of Writers Market, this is a tool that helps you get serious about your writing. A must-have for teen and adult writers interested in getting published!

An adult should always check links prior to allowing children to access them, as links do change. At the time they were listed, links were appropriate for all ages.

 

In the News

The first book in The Time Bridge Travelers series is running in newspapers around the country (including the Houston Chronicle, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, and soon...the Staten Island Advance!). It's part of the Newspapers in Education (NIE) series and comes with a teachers' guide. The 2nd book in the series will begin running in newspapers in the fall. Visit Laid-Back West to learn how to bring The Time Bridge Travelers to your newspaper!