Instititute of Children's Literature

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Transcripts

"Writing for the Christian Children's Market" with Jane Landreth

Thursday, February 15, 2001

Moderator is Kristi Holl, author of 24 books and 150+ articles, and web editor for this site.

Jane is Jane Landreth, author of over 1300 stories, articles, games and crafts published in Christian magazines, plus children's Sunday school curriculum.

Names color coded in blue are viewers who had questions.

Interviews are held on Thursday nights: 9-11 p.m. Atlantic/Canada, 8-10 p.m. Eastern, 7-9 Central, 6-8 Mountain, and 5-7 Pacific

Moderator: Good evening, everyone! We're here tonight to talk with Jane Landreth on the topic of "Writing for the Christian Children's Market." I'm Kristi Holl, your moderator and the web editor for this site. Jane has had over 1300 stories, articles, games and crafts published in Christian magazines, plus has written children's Sunday school curriculum for ten years. She's here tonight to share the practical nuts and bolts of writing--and selling!--in this market. Because we plan to cover SO MANY specific areas tonight, let's get started. Welcome, Jane!

Jane: Hello. I'm glad to be here tonight.

Moderator: How did you get started writing, Jane?

Jane: I remember making up stories when I was young, but I didn't start writing until I had a high school teacher who encouraged me. I went to college and became an elementary teacher, but I still kept ideas for stories and articles in my files. After our son was born I stopped teaching and began sending out articles and stories that began to be published.

Moderator: How did you decide your niche or calling was writing for the Christian children's market?

Jane: I think it just happened. I started writing for parents of children because I was a parent. Then I discovered a market for children's stories, in which I used some of my son's experiences. It seems that everyone thinks we need to reach teens because they are influenced so easily by peers. I felt that it was important to reach children before the teen years. So that's where I am mostly.

Moderator: What was your first published work?

Jane: I published my first article as a teen in a take-home paper for Sunday school and received a book as a gift.

Moderator: How big is the market for Christian writing for children?

Jane: More and more magazines are becoming available. Some are short-lived and some last for years. Each denomination has many age-level magazines. Then there are Christian magazines that are not affiliated with a denomination.

Moderator: Is the market open to new writers?

Jane: Yes, everyone wants to be published in the well-known magazines. Christian editors need good solid material. They are more willing to buy from first-time writers. That's where I got my start.

patmc: How long did it take you to break into print after you started sending out manuscripts?

Jane: I was lucky, Pat. I got my first sale with the first article to parents.

Esther10: Do you have more than one child? How do you find time to write with children?

Jane: My son is grown. And I only had one.

Moderator: I had four! And it was hard to make the time when they were small. Jane, what fields or genres or types of writing are most open to new writers?

Jane: All types are open, but nonfiction is most needed. Editors need nature, Biblical customs, history, and fact material. Also puzzles.

Moderator: For our purposes tonight, do you distinguish between Christian writing and religious writing or inspirational writing? Do you use the terms interchangeably?

Jane: For the most part I interchange them. I think inspirational writing is more the devotional type.

Moderator: For what denominations have you written?

Jane: Nazarene, Evangelicals, Methodist, Baptist (many kinds here), Mennonite, Seventh Day Adventist, Assembly of God, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Catholic. Standard Publishing, Scripture Press and David C. Cook are nondenominational.

Moderator: Wow!! How do you handle writing for different denominations or does it make any difference?

Jane: You must know each denomination. For example: One group of Mennonites do not believe in ball games or community activities. I got returns because of this! Seventh Day Adventists worship on Saturday. Most of the denominations just want good, clean stories and material. Basically the same type.

Colleen: About writing for specific denominations: I have thought of this as being a tricky area. There are so many different beliefs that it would be easy to offend. Is it?

Jane: As I said before, find out what they believe. Most of your stories and articles will be generic. They will fit most magazines. Most editors are kind enough to let you know if you have "overstepped your bounds." The denominations will teach those specific beliefs in their Sunday school material. The take-home papers will be stories that fit a theme. They do not actually want you to write about their beliefs.

Esther10: Do you prefer any denomination over the others?

Jane: Not really. I do a lot of work for Mennonites because they accept my work. I did work for the Southern Baptists, but I don't go to their church now since I moved from another state.

Moderator: Where do you get ideas for your Christian writing?

Jane: Ideas are all around. Just watch for them. I started out writing articles from our family experiences and stories from my son's experiences. Just keep a pen and paper handy. I can even be found writing down an idea from the preacher's sermon. I wrote a story from one of my mission trips, "Friend From Russia" that was published in Our Little Friends.

Esther10: How did you come up with 1300 articles/stories, even if you carry paper around? Is there really that much material you can come up with that is always going to be different?

Jane: I've been doing this for over 25 years and I write for children, teens, and adults. I am always on the look for something new. Also, I use the same material in different ways. I sell the same piece to different magazines. There are a lot of ideas floating around out there. Try making a list sometimes of the things you see just around you.

Moderator: What types of writing sells the best to Christian magazines?

Jane: I sell many puzzles, quizzes and games at the present. Almost every magazines has a story, article and a few games/puzzles. If you notice, there will be more puzzles in a magazine than stories and articles. Live Wire only takes puzzles. Some magazines only take stories. It really depends on the magazine.

Moderator: Is there a market for poems in the Christian children's magazines?

Jane: Yes, but most of them are only four to eight lines. They are mostly used for fillers. Some take-home papers such as Listen, Look and Listen, and Wonder Time use poems and a picture on the front cover.

wendymh: When you mention history as an area needed for publication, do you mean history of the specific religion that you are writing for?

Jane: No. I meant Bible history.

Keith: You said earlier that editors are looking for nonfiction. Is there any room for fiction in the Christian magazine field?

Jane: Yes, always. I was just saying they don't always get enough nonfiction to choose from.

johanna: When you say puzzles, do you mean word searches too?

Jane: Yes, that type of puzzle, plus other types that you find in magazines.

Dave: Is there a scripture reference book writers can refer to for scripture quotes, one that is grouped into topics like forgiveness, prayer, etc.?

Jane: Some Bibles have concordances. A good book is Naves Topical Bible (KJ) and Topical Analysis of the Bible by Walter Well (NIV).

SaraJ: Do the different denominations tell you which version of the Bible they want you to use?

Jane: Yes, in their guidelines.

Moderator: Do you receive many rejections and how do you handle them?

Jane: I could paper my house and probably Kristi's with all the rejections I have received in the past 25+ years. It really used to make me feel rejected. I learned that many of the rejections were because I had failed to plug into their theme lists and dates needed. I now look at rejections as returns and I have an opportunity to send it somewhere else.

Moderator: About theme lists: does everyone use them? How do you find out and get them? And do the market guides tell you if they use theme lists?

Jane: Almost every magazine uses them now, and market guides will tell you which ones. Stops some of our creativity! You can find the addresses in Sally Stuart's Christian Writer's Market Guide or The Writer's Market. Be sure to send a SASE when you request a theme list.

Moderator: Now, on to writing stories and articles . . . What type of story is most popular or needed in the Christian children's market?

Jane: Many types are needed and to find out, look at the theme list for each magazine. Most will run on a theme such as a Christian value: kindness, honesty, faithfulness, forgiveness, helping others, obedience, respect . . . that type of theme.

Moderator: Do they need more articles or more stories? Is it easier to get published in one or the other?

Jane: If you will notice, most magazines will have a story and an article. Everyone wants to write a story. Editors need unique articles; something that no one else has thought of as an article. I think it would be easier for an article to get published because editors get fewer of them. But again, look at the theme lists.

Moderator: Is there a difference in the stories used for younger children and older children?

Jane: Yes, mostly in length. Younger children--between 250-500 words. Older children--between 500-1000. These are averages. Also, the older children will have a more involved conflict (often about a Christian value) with a main character who solves the conflict. Younger children plots are more like helping others, being kind, obeying, etc.

Moderator: Editors often say they don't want "preachy" stories. What do they mean?

Jane: They want an interesting story that has a lesson woven in without the reader realizing it until he is finished. You don't have to mention God, Bible etc.

patmc: Jane, how do you avoid being "preachy" while still teaching a lesson or educating the child in some way?

Jane: Editors want a story that is true-to-life. If you stay with the Christian values, you will teach a lesson. Not all stories have happy endings. Being realistic in your stories teaches lessons.

Moderator: Many people like to write Christmas and Easter stories for Christian magazines and they need more every year. How do you find a different angle to use?

Jane: Start early to find new ideas. Did something happen in your church last Christmas or Easter that was unique? I have written plays for our church and had them published. I look at secular ideas and think how I can make that a Christmas/Easter idea. I took the Vacation Bible School idea and developed an adult VBS article, plus a December Saturday morning VBS idea for babysitting children while parents went Christmas shopping. Look for unusual puzzles that can be converted to Christmas and Easter themes. Examples: "Toothpick Christmas Trees," "Bible Verse Wreath," "Christmas Character Study": these are a few of mine.

Moderator: Are there other holidays when Christian magazines are looking for stories and articles?

Jane: Some denominations have their own holidays where material needs to be written. Also, know your magazines--some do not observe many holidays. But many need articles and stories (and puzzles) based on Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Fourth of July, etc.

Moderator: Are catchy titles important? Does it have to be a religious title?

Jane: Catchy titles are good. This is something I have to work on. Again, some magazines don't want catchy ones, just something that relates to the story. It doesn't have to be religious. For example: "A Porcupine in a Tree," "Weaver Fever," "God Designed My Body," or "The Wonder of a Tree."

Moderator: When writing a story for the Christian market, what would you say is the most important ingredient?

Jane: Conflict or a problem is always important; conflict with a solution that satisfies the reader. Here again, a conflict that is realistic and can teach a lesson without the child knowing that it's happening is good. A good story with believable characters is also important.

Moderator: Sometimes there is much time spent in researching for an article; can I use that research some other way?

Jane: Always keep the research you do for an article. You might be able to weave it into a story. You may have enough material to make two article or slant the article in a different way for another one. Another possibility is to write two articles: one for younger children and one for older. You can make a puzzle or quiz from it. Most magazines will take your article on a first rights basis. This means that once the article is published, you can sell it to another magazine for second rights. You may need to change a few things to fit another magazine's specifications.

Beatrice B: Does it hold true with children's Christian literature as with secular literature that adult characters generally should take a "back seat" in the story?

Jane: Yes, your main character should always be a child or children. I have used adults to give advice, but be careful about it. It is good if children can find the answer themselves.

Nell: In the 25 years you've been writing for this market, have you noticed many changes? What are they? Where do you think the Christian market is going in the next five years?

Jane: Yes, magazines have become smaller, with more color and pictures and not as much text, which means less teaching. They seem to be getting away from the Bible teaching. I'm afraid to think what the next 5 years will be like.

blueyes: Jane, do you write stories based on Bible stories, or stories and articles with good morals and values? If you write from the biblical aspect, how do you put a new spin on a Bible story?

Jane: Most magazines will use staff writers to do the Bible stories. Stories with good morals and values are the best chance of getting published. It's hard to put a new spin on a Bible story. Sometimes making it into a play where children can read the parts is done.

katonah: My stories have been typed "inspirational" by three publishers. They are tales of the Native American Culture. Should I target religious publishers?

Jane: Give it a try. You never know what will strike some editor's fancy!

angel2000: What is your greatest challenge when writing for the Christian market?

Jane: I have trouble writing stories now that I don't have a son around who gives me inspiration and experiences. Some of my ideas are more "back to the basics" and editors want more color and glamour.

Moderator: What about payment in Christian children's writing?

Jane: Most of the time it is lower. But there are some magazines now that are equal with the secular magazines. It is a good way to build up credits. I don't worry about pay; I just want to get good Christian material out to children. Many times you can get two or three stories, articles, or puzzles sold to Christian magazines in less time than it takes to get one in a secular magazine, which means the pay may be equal accordingly.

Ridley: How many articles/stories do you work on at once? How many do you have out looking for a buyer at once?

Jane: Today I have 54 articles/stories/puzzles out looking for a home! I work on many at a time; I have a table full of ones that I have started. I work on about three or four at a time.

Ridley: You must do this full-time, right?

Jane: No! I teach for the Institute and do a lot of work in our church. I have many manuscripts that I have written that I keep circulating hoping for a home.

Nell: Now that you've written for so long and have a track record, do publishers or editors ever come to you with work they want done? Do you have any regular work like a column?

Jane: Yes, I have a few that come to me, but mostly, I do like everyone else. I send and get returns too. I had a column in our local newspaper before we moved.

ClaraRose: With so many manuscripts out there, how do you keep track of all of them?

Jane: I make a card for each one with the place and date that I sent it. I keep a card file with in--out--sold. I now have the file with the names of the magazines sold to.

Ridley: Can you give a ball park figure for how many times you may send an article/story out before it is sold?

Jane: Some, if I really know my magazines and what they want, once or twice. But I have submitted as many as 30 times before it was sold. And some have never sold. Most of the time I would say 4-6 times is average. Like I said, I study my magazines.

Ridley: Do you write exclusively for the Christian market or secular, too?

Jane: I've tried the secular and still can't get anywhere. I enjoy the Christian market and feel that is where God wants me to write.

poetbecky: How much time do you spend writing every day?

Jane: Not as much as I have in the past nor as much as I want to do. My other work keeps me busy. I used to write all morning, but now just a few hours, less than ten a week probably.

Moderator: Can someone hoping to write for a career do so in the Christian children's market--or is there enough money to make that possible?

Jane: Don't give up your regular job! I haven't found it so yet!

Moderator: Now, on to games and crafts: can you give us a sampling of some craft articles you've sold for various ages?

Jane: For the younger: "Catch a Snowflake," "Sail A Boat" (shell, toothpick, paper for sail, clay), "Collect a Spider Web," "Bookmark for God's Nature," "Fingerprint Fun" (making an animal from a fingerprint.) This was also an article about God making every fingerprint different. CAN YOU IMAGINE!

Moderator: How do you know if it's original and not something already done?

Jane: Sometimes we don't. Ideas are free. It's how you write it up that makes the difference. A craft in a secular magazine or a craft that you saw somewhere might give you an idea of how you could change it and use it to fit the Christian magazine.

Moderator: What kinds of craft materials should you require? (Things found around the home? Inexpensive?)

Jane: Both are correct. Especially things found at home.

wendymh: If you write a craft article and certain materials are needed, can you name the product by name and give information about where to obtain it?

Jane: Be careful with this. Some magazines will let you; others no. Sometimes the magazine will change the material to a generic name.

Moderator: Should the craft be one the children can do safely alone, without parental help?

Jane: For older children, yes. Younger children will need help. Say: "Have your parents help you with this craft."

Moderator: Is a recipe for making a special food considered a craft?

Jane: Yes, I have used foreign food recipes for mission articles and stories. Holiday foods are used in many magazines.

Moderator: Do you include photos of the actual completed craft with your submission?

Jane: I'm not into photography, but if you are, editors will sometimes use them. Check the guidelines of the magazines. Some editors require special types of film, sizes, etc.

Moderator: What types of puzzles and quizzes do magazines accept?

Jane: Most any kind. They are always looking for some new type. Some magazines are not equipped with the latest techniques for using some types. For example: Partners and Story Mates will not take detailed, graphic puzzles. Most magazines use Bible puzzles and quizzes with their theme. Crosswords, Find the Word, Acrostics, and Fill in the Blanks are all good ones for older children. Also, board games. Younger children will use matching puzzles--especially pictures--and you can suggest the pictures. Or Mark the Correct Pictures with an X. (Example: What does your church have? Show pictures of organ, piano, pulpit, etc.) Magazines use Rebus stories also (pictures inserted in a text).

Moderator: Do editors want art work with the puzzles and quizzes?

Jane: Many times they do. I sometimes suggest ways they can use the puzzle. For example: Bible verse with license plates-- A-FRND LUVS AT-ALL TIMZ. Or Bible verse with words placed on loaves and fish--the children had to put the words in order. Or a Bible verse with sign language for each letter. Fun things.

Moderator: How simple (or sophisticated) do the games need to be?

Jane: Challenging for the older children, but not so difficult and complicated that they will give up and not do them. Simple for younger children.

Moderator: What is an important criteria you need to remember in making up crafts, games, and puzzles?

Jane: Make sure they work! Try them out on children. Let your children or a Sunday school class do it. See if they like it. That is a good way to find out if it will sell.

Moderator: Where do I find out what types of puzzles and games the magazines need?

Jane: Look in the guidelines of the magazines, which you can send for. Look at the magazine. See what types they use. And again, try different types. They might be needing a new idea.

Ridley: How can I research to see what articles/stories/crafts a magazine has already done in a year's time when you only get one sample issue? Is there an index to periodical literature for kids? Would Christian magazines be listed there?

Jane: I do not know of a periodical literature for kids. Most magazines want you to take the magazine all year but that gets expensive. If you get the theme list each time it comes out from a magazine, then you will know. But I have sent something out, even recently, and the editor sent it back and said they had just published something like it. It's just trial and error!

Beatrice B: You said you study the markets carefully. Which market guides do you personally find the most useful?

Jane: I get the theme lists from any of the magazines that I am interested in trying. Then I get a sample or two of the magazine. I study those to see what types of things they need.

shanniebee: Do you use the Christian Writers Market to find the market for your work?

Jane: Yes. I have magazines that I write for and have for years but if I want to try a new magazine that is where I look.

Moderator: Now, about writing curriculum: first, so we're sure of our terms, how would you define curriculum writing? Is it writing teacher's guides?

Jane: The curriculum writing I have done has been a teacher's guide, student book and a resource kit with games and pictures. I also gave the ideas for the pictures used in the student book and the resource kit--the colors I wanted used, that sort of thing. (My ideas didn't always get used, but I gave them.)

Moderator: How do you get hired to do this?

Jane: Most of the time a query letter is a good start. If you have samples of work, send them. If the editor is interested, he will probably send you a sample writing to do.

Moderator: Do you need writing credits in the Christian field before you will be hired to write curriculum? Or teacher training or a degree?

Jane: Not necessarily. Most of the time, they want you to be working with that age of children in Sunday school. You do not have to have a degree. Some publishing houses will give you training. Southern Baptist will.

Moderator: If you have a good idea, puzzle, craft, or game you have tried with your Sunday school class, is there a place you can market it?

Jane: There are many teacher/leader books available that are needing those ideas. Parish Teacher, Teacher Interaction, Resource, Christian Education Counselor, and Shining Star are a few. These are ones I use.

Moderator: In your writing experience, has there been anything unique happen with your published materials?

Jane: Yes, Christian Aids Ministries, Nazarene Publishing House, and Southern Baptist have picked up on some of my Christian nature articles and asked permission to translate them into many foreign languages and distributed them to children in other countries. Some of the languages have been Spanish, Rumanian, Russian, and Haitian Creole. I think that is an honor.

Moderator: It is! I know you've done mission work overseas too, teaching curriculum writing. Could you tell us about that?

Jane: When we lived in MO, the Southern Baptist linked up with an old Soviet Union country, Belarus, to help them start churches. Since I had written curriculum for the SB, I was asked to go over and teach a group of selected Sunday school teachers how to write curriculum. I had never been out of the USA. This was just after the "wall came down." We were met by armed soldiers, my luggage was searched, all very intimidating. I had to think up ways to teach, games, etc. for the children to do that did not require materials. At that time even paper was a shortage there. That was a challenge! I couldn't speak their language, so I had a translator (something I hadn't done before either). I showed the teachers how to write curriculum. But there were no printing presses to print the material if they did write it. I made three trips to Belarus. That was 1995-1997. Just last year, a publishing company in TX took the project of printing Sunday school material for them in their language.

Moderator: I'm so sorry to interrupt here. That is so fascinating to me! I know we could have gone for another hour at least with questions. Thank you so much, Jane, for coming and sharing such practical help tonight! So many times an "insider" tip or secret can breathe new life into a viewer's manuscript. Thank you!

Jane: Thank you for allowing me to share tonight. I enjoyed it!

Moderator: Do come back in two weeks when we'll be hearing from Karen Hammond on the topic of "How to Present Yourself As a Pro--Even Before You're Been Published." Karen will share tips on query writing, talking with editors, time management and other tricks of the trade so that you can conduct yourself like a professional writer even before you have your first clip. You won't want to miss this chat! And now, good night, everyone!

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