"How a Magazine Editor Decides What Stories and Articles to Buy" with Marileta Robinson

Mel: is Mel Boring, moderator of this chat with Marileta Robinson, and editor of the ICL web site.

Marileta: is Marileta Robinson, Senior Editor at Highlights For Children Magazine in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. Marileta made her first sale to Highlights in 1976, and then joined their staff as an assistant editor in 1988. Since that time Marileta has become Senior Editor at this well established and extremely popular magazine for children with a circulation of 3 million. As part of her responsibilities at Highlights, Marileta edits the international edition of the magazine and writes each month's installment of "The Timbertoes." She also edits the magazine's young fiction. Marileta was invited to the very first annual Highlights For Children's children's writers conference in Chautauqua, New York, and has participated in it many summers since. She especially enjoys discovering talented new writers, and has discovered many during her time at Highlights For Children.

Green shows the usernames of the people who asked questions of Marileta Robinson.

Mel: It's a special treat for me this evening to introduce Marileta Robinson, Senior Editor at Highlights For Children, and my good friend, to you here in the chat room. Marileta will be talking, and answering questions about, "How a Magazine Editor Decides What Stories and Articles to Buy." Listen to her closely, because in what she tells us tonight may lie YOUR chance to be published in Highlights. Chatsters, meet Marileta Robinson, teacher, instructor and Senior Editor at Highlights For Children. Marileta, a warm welcome to you!

Marileta: Thank you, I'm delighted to be here!

Mel: Marileta, you haven't always been an editor, or a writer. Wasn't teaching your first profession?

Marileta: I always WANTED to be a writer, but it wasn't until I was teaching on the Navajo reservation in the 70s that I discovered I loved writing for children.

Mel: How exactly did that discovery come about?

Marileta: It was a school where the teachers were creating reading materials for the children because most standard readers had little to do with the lives of those kids. So I wrote a story about animals trying to build a hogan and I got hooked!

Mel: Did you go from teaching to writing right away then?

Marileta: Yes, after I left that school, I started writing and sold my first story to Highlights, about animals building a hogan.

Mel: Do you remember the first piece you ever wrote and submitted, Marileta?

Marileta: That was it, about animals building a hogan. It was titled "Mr. Goat's Bad Good Idea." I later had it published as a picture book, too.

Mel: It seems like a quick trip from first submitting to Highlights in 1976 to editing for them by 1988--how did that come about?

Marileta: It wasn't such a quick trip. I had also worked for Scott, Foresman as an editor, and taught for a while for the Institute of Children's Literature. I was also on the faculty of the first Chautauqua writers workshop, and that led to meeting Kent Brown, the editor, then, of Highlights.

Mel: How open are editors to unknown names like mine?

Marileta: Highlights has a reputation for publishing many first-time authors (like me!). We look at each article or story on its own merits.

Mel: Should a query always be written? Are telephone or e-mail queries appropriate?

Marileta: Queries are not usually necessary at Highlights. It's difficult to tell if a piece will work unless we see the whole thing. But if you plan to invest time and money in research or interviewing, then write a brief letter clearly explaining your idea and why it's great for us.

Mel: How far ahead should seasonal material be submitted, Marileta?

Marileta: You can submit seasonal material at any time. We don't buy a story, article, or activity with a particular issue in mind. We keep all manuscripts in an active inventory, and when we plan issues we look there for just the right pieces to achieve a good mix. So we don't really have a lead time, but we do work about nine months ahead, so if you want to write about something that is time-sensitive, like an anniversary of a famous event, you should submit at least a year ahead of time, and we'll let you know if it sounds right for us.

Mel: What is the best way to find out the most pressing needs of a magazine?

Marileta: Keep it short and simple, 120 words or fewer. Avoid complex sentences that would trip up a beginning reader. Think of a story that will include a variety of concrete nouns that would be familiar to preschoolers, and a story structure that gives you an opportunity to repeat the words once or twice. As in any good story something must happen, and humor and surprise are always good. Reading lots of rebuses can help.

remus: I have recently finished an illustration for your Hidden Picture section. Since the writing is minimial in that activity I wasn't sure where to send it, to the editor or the art director? I opted for the editor. Would you tell us at what point an activity, consisting more of illustration than of writing, should be sent to the editor?

Marileta: Hidden pictures are in a special category, and they should be sent to Jody Taylor, who is our Hidden Picture editor. If you would like to be considered as an illustrator for Highlights, send some samples of your work to Janet McCaffrey, our art director. But she doesn't buy activities. Activities should just be sent to the editorial office. You can mention that you'd like to be considered as the illustrator.

sja: How can children get their articles published in Highlights?

Marileta: We love to receive articles from children. If they are under 200 words, they will be considered for Our Own Pages or Our Own Stories. We respond to every submission we receive from children, but unfortunately we can't publish all the submissions we receive.

sja: What other guidelines do you use with the children's writing?

Marileta: Just that they should not be copied.

ready for anything: How common is it for a short story to develop into a picture used in your magazine?

Marileta: I'm not sure I understand the question--a picture book?

Mel: ready for anything probably means that you might use the short story to develop a picture for an activity, Marileta.

Marileta: I'll answer the question two ways. When we publish a story, we assign it to an illustrator who creates the illustrations for it. We have also had people write "wordless stories" that just described what should be illustrated. As for picture books, some stories from Highlights have been published as picture books later on.

Mel: Here is a presubmitted question, Marileta.

Chitra: Will stories from India, with an Indian background, be accepted by Highlights For Children? We have so many festivals here with very interesting stories--would they consider them? Tomorrow, for example, is Diwali, the festival of lights. There are lots of lamps lit in front of our houses, lots of yummy food and plenty of fireworks. It basically signifies the victory of good over evil.

Marileta: Yes, we are very interested in stories and articles from India, as well as other cultures. Often the best apporach is nonfiction focusing on the experience of the author as a child or perhaps the author's family celebrating the festival, instead of just a general description. Happy diwali!

Mel: I want to share with you this compliment, Marileta, sent by Hope Marston.

Marileta: Hi, Hope!

Nancy: Do you or other editors work for both Highlights and Boyds Mills Press?

Marileta: Highlights editors occasionally edit books and look at manuscripts for Boyds Mills. I have done a few picture books, Andy Boyles does science books, Rich Wallace looks at novels, and Carolyn Yoder has written some history books. In fact, she is starting a history imprint at Boyds Mills. But she still edits history for the magazine.

Nancy: Do you know if the response time for Boyds Mills manuscripts is still supposed to be one month? I'm asking this, because I've been waiting for four months now for an answer on a manuscript.

Marileta: I can't really speak for Boyds Mills. You'll have to tell Mel to get Larry Rosler on a chat!

Mel: OK, I'll DO that, and THANKS for the suggestion, Marileta!

Nancy: Do you sometimes receive a manuscript for Highlights that seems more suitable to be published by Boyds Mills and send it over? Or vice versa? Or would you return the manuscript to the writer, and suggest she try doing this herself?

Marileta: We do both of those things, in fact.
c3zh: How common is it for a person to do a short story for Highlights then make a longer picture book? Do they have to change the story much because of rights bought?

Marileta: When you sell a piece to Highlights, we have bought that arrangement of words, but not the idea. You can expand and change your story and sell it again as a picture book, or you can have a publisher ask to have book rights returned.

Mel: THANKS for your very clear and specific answers, Marileta! Here's something else clear and specific:

lizr: I love the "scale" card you send! It is a great and fun way to let an author know you're considering their article. :o)

Marileta: That's nice to hear!

rite 1: Does the "active memory" I think you mentioned earlier mean the stories in it have been bought?

Marileta: Our active inventory (which is better than a memory) is stories that we have purchased but haven't scheduled yet for a specific issue.

mbvoelker: What makes a story or article stand out and distinguish itself from the rest of the slush pile?

Marileta: Write what only you can write. Write from your own experience, your own passion, your own curiosity. Look at your family stories, adventures you've had, questions you've wondered about, work experience, people you've met, things you've observed, hobbies and special interests you have. Your own passion will give your piece voice and personality.

Marileta: A rebus is a story that is especially aimed at pre-readers and beginning readers. A word will have a picture beside it that illustrates that word--for example, the word dog would have a picture of a dog beside it. That way a child can "read" before he can read, with the help of an adult.

halnic: Marileta, about how many rebus stories do you see monthly?

Marileta: I probably see more rebus stories than anything else. I'm glad to see them, but I'd really like to see more stories that are a little longer, 200 to 400 words, for younger readers.

Mel: Marileta, do the kinds of stories you just mentioned fall into the category of young fiction, which is one of your responsibilities at Highlights? Would you like to say more about those kinds of stories?

Marileta: The stories I work with are for our younger readers, about 3 to 7, but should not be so "babyish" that they wouldn't appeal to a little older child who's looking for something entertaining and short to read. I like stories that deal with problems that really concern Kindergartners, first and second graders, and that show the child using his or her own abilities to solve the problem. Playful stories, stories that will make kids laugh, like "Fox and the Chickadees" in the February Highlights, are welcome. Stories that will inspire readers to try something new, for example a story that has a craft or activity attached. I'd love to see more young stories that feel like an adventure.

red2: Is Highlights still interested in stories with humor?

Marileta: Definitely. Making a child laugh is a sure way to get him/her to love reading.

remus: I would like to know how many editors work at Highlights?

Marileta: And if we can change a lightbulb? < : There about nine editors now.

Mel: Marileta, would you want to mention others of those nine editors and their departments that you haven't touched on already?

Marileta: I'd be happy to--Judy Burke edits older fiction, Pam Zollman edits young nonfiction and crafts, Andy Boyles, science, Rich Wallace, sports and verse, Kim Griswell, arts and "page 5," and Carolyn Yoder, history. Linda Rose edits the readers submission features. I don't think I forgot anyone.

Vijaya: Thank you for being here and this opportunity to see behind-the-scenes at Highlights. You recently asked me to revise a story. I rewrote it so that it would be under 400 words. In general, though, if you ask for a revision and clarification, is it okay to go over the word limit?

Marileta: Our word limits are pretty firm. The reason for word limits is so that the story looks readable on the two-page spread with enough room for inviting illustrations. Younger peices are printed in larger type, so fewer words will fit. We are trying to draw in younger readers, which is why we now want shorter "long" pieces. The word limit is 400 for young nonfiction, 500 for young fiction, 800 for older nonfiction and fiction. Sometimes it is hard to incorporate changes and not add words, but try not to go too far over. Most manuscripts can actually be improved by tightening and pruning.

Vijaya: I just got my first two acceptances from Highlights and I am thrilled to bits! Please tell us how far in advance you work on planning the magazine.

Marileta: Congratulations, Vijaya! You know the secret of success--I know you have submitted several stories before the ones you sold, but you didn't give up. We work about nine months in advance. We are getting ready to plan the August 2004 issue.

skywriter: What are Highlights' current needs?

Marileta: We are especially looking for young nonfiction and young fiction, but anything that is fresh, unusual, and well written will be received gladly.

gira: What KINDS of nonfiction articles is Highlights really looking for?

Marileta: We are a general interest magazine, so we have interest in a wide variety of subjects. We want articles that will inform and inspire kids to appreciate the world they live in.

lindah: What is Highlights looking for in nonfiction for YOUNGER readers?

Marileta: We get a lot of articles about animals, which is good, because kids love animals, but we could use articles on technology--inventions, how things work; the arts, and other cultures.

remus: I once got a personal note from Carolyn Yoder on my story of the Mosquito Coast saying, "I like the subect but it reads like a travel piece. You might want to read back issues for article style, direction and tone." Does that mean that I should rewrite the story and submit it again? Or should I take these things she mentioned into consideration next time I submit?

Marileta: I think it would be worth trying to revise the story with her comments in mind.

suesunflower: I have two things under consideration at Highlights and two more I'm getting ready. Should I wait until I've heard back on the other two before I send more?

Marileta: Yes, just because you might get some tips from the editor on the first two that will help you with the others. It's better not to send too many things in at the same time.

skywriter: How long after receiving a postcard should I expect to wait?

Marileta: We try hard to get back to you in one month, sometimes two. If you haven't heard by then, feel free to send a note to the editor.

chitty: Would Indian words be accepted in my stories about India?

Marileta: Yes, if they are explained. You might try your article out on kids who aren't familiar with the subject to see if they are understand it.

skywriter: Are there any holiday topics, characters, etc., to avoid?

Marileta: We don't do Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, or other holiday characters who have become very commercial. We do like to see stories with holiday settings, the more familiar ones as well as lesser known ones.

c3zh: If you send in a story that is REQUESTED, what is the usual response time?

Marileta: About the same, one or two months. The reason it's the same is that when we receive a manuscript, if we think it has possibilities, we send it around to other editors for their comments. It's the same for requested and first submissions.

anom3: Is a scale card always sent if a manuscript is being considered?

Marileta: Yes, you should hear from us if we are considering your manuscript, with the scale card or a personal note.

Nancy: How much would Highlights pay for a young children's story between 300 and 400 words? And a story for older children between 700 and 800 words?

Marileta: We pay about * for stories, whether for young or older readers. Once we have worked with an author for some time, that usually goes up a little. We pay on acceptance.

Nancy: I've heard that it is best to send the stories for the youngest readers to you, and for older readers (to 800 words) to Judy Burke. Is this still the case?

Marileta: Yes. But whenever any of us receive something that we think might be better suited to someone else, we pass it along to that person.

Marileta: I think I gave you some rebus tips a little earlier. What usually is a problem when a rebus doesn't work is that nothing happens, it doesn't have a story structure, and there's no payoff at the end. Any other elements you can add to make it more fun can help, too, like a recipe (I just tested a recipe that came with a rebus and it was wonderful!) which is a nice plus. But the story has to be entertaining, too.

Vijaya: Who did you say is the new puzzle editor at Highlights? I have had a puzzle with Jeff O'Hare since March - I called and found out that he has left. Should I resubmit it?

Marileta: Yes. We are still accepting puzzles. We are a little behind at the moment in our review process, but we should have that taken care of soon. So yes, you could resubmit. Or if it's already with us, it will get reviewed.

cici: Does Highlights print poetry?

Marileta: Yes, we like short, light verse for our inside pages. About eight or ten lines is best.

ready for anything: Do you see any format or direction changes for Highlights?

Marileta: We are trying to pull in more reluctant readers and younger readers, so we are looking for short, lively pieces, and good photos that we can buy all rights to.

peanut: Are the submission guidelines posted on the Highlights website or do we have to send for them through snail-mail?

Marileta: Our guidelines are posted on the website. Go to "grownups" and follow the links.

remus: A year ago I submitted a rebus story to Highlights (called "Building Sandcastles") and received a postcard from Pam, saying that you were carefully weighing the manuscript. Since I had not included a self-addressed stamped postcard I was quite surprised to get one. Nevertheless, I received a rejection shortly after. What does it mean if someone receives a postcard like that? Is the manuscript then under closer consideration or was it just a nice gesture?

Marileta: You received the famous scale card. When we receive a manuscript, we may return it or we may decide to consider it further. If we decide to consider it further, we will notify you with a card.

pax: How extensive must a bibliography be for nonfiction?

Marileta: We want a good, extensive bibliography if it's an article you have reasearched. It also helps to send photocopies of articles or parts of books or interview transcripts you have used in your research.

lizr: If a story is more than 400 words, do we send it to you or to another editor at Highlights?

Marileta: Even if it's a wonderful story for our younger readers (3 to 7), if it's much more than 400 words, I can't use it. So keep stories for younger readers short, and aim longer stories at older readers (8 to 12).

spudsie: By "older" fiction--what age group are you referring to?

Marileta: Generally, kids 8 to 12--3rd to 5th grade.

jrubicini: Marileta, should the vocabulary be easy to read by a child?

Marileta: We don't use a graded word list, but generally you would want to use words that a young child would be familiar with. The challenge is to write simply but vividly.

chitty: Do you have editorial guidelines that can be sent to me in India?

redigo: Would you comment on animal stories, and how welcome they are?

Marileta: I started out writing "talking animal" stories, and I happen to think they're great. The trick is that they must be good, and fresh, and they should have a reason for being about animals--not just "people in fur suits."

c3zh: Do you prefer or not prefer anthropomorphic stories?

Marileta: Anthropomorphic is what we call "talking animal." Yes, I'm happy to consider them.

Marileta: We always need humor, mystery, adventure, sports. One way we try to fill our needs for fiction is our annual fiction contest. Our topic for next year is (this is a scoop) stories that start with the words "I have a problem". It can be any kind of story--humor, mystery, even a "problem" story, and it can be first person or third person. Manuscripts should be marked "Fiction Contest" and should be postmarked between January 1 and February 29.

Nancy: I understand that Highlights requests all rights. Would you return book rights to the author if she requests this? If not, why not?

Marileta: If you sell a story to us, and you have a publisher who wants to publish your story, the publisher can write to request specific rights from us, like book rights. We do usually return book rights upon request. Highlights does not support itself with advertising, and one way we support ourselves is to re-use the material we buy in various ways. We couldn't do this if we didn't own the material.

cici: Does a new writer have a better chance of having a fiction story or nonfiction article published?

Marileta: We receive a much greater proportion of fiction, so your chances of selling nonfiction would be greater, all other things being equal. It depends on what you most need/want to write.

spudsie: Do you publish stories with a "mystery" edge to them?

Marileta: Yes, we like mysteries--the challenge is that we don't want mysteries that involve crime or violence.

peanut: Do we send our manuscripts to a specific editor or do we just send to "Submissions Editor"?

Marileta: No, it's better to send your manuscript to a specific editor. I gave a list of editors and their departments earlier, it will be in the transcript.

c3zh: I queried Pam about an article based on Crayola's birthday and she said if I wrote about the history of the crayon she would like to look at it on speculation. It's 503 words. I read somewhere that nonfiction was 400-500 words. Should I e-mail her and offer to cut it? I sent it in two weeks ago.

Marileta: The 503 words is close enough. And it's better to wait to hear back from an editor before you revise, otherwise, it makes the person who keeps track of manuscripts crazy.

remus: Are your chances to get published by Highlights greater if you can include your own illustrations?

Marileta: No, and usually it's not a good idea to include illustrations unless you're really a professional artist. Our art director assigns the art for a story after it is purchased and scheduled for an issue. If you would like to be considered as an illustrator for your piece, you can mention that, and send samples of your work to Janet McCaffrey, the art director.

chitty: You may have mentioned this before, but can I e-mail my queries to you?

Marileta: Well, I mentioned that usually a query isn't helpful or necessary. It's usually better just to send the story or article. But yes, you can query a specific editor, especially if you plan to do research or interviews and want to know if it's worth your time and money.

sassi: Is it okay to inquire about the STATUS of a piece via e-mail?

Vijaya: How did you get started with Highlights and Timbertoes?

Marileta: I sold stories to Highlights for several years as a freelance writer and was invited to be on the faculty for the first Highlights Writers conference at Chautauqua. That connection led to my applying for an editorial job and Kent Brown accepting. I had also had experience as a teacher and editor previously. The Timbertoes were originally written by John Gee, who also drew them. After he passed away, editors began taking on the job of writing them, with a new illustrator. When the opportunity arose, I promised my first born child (just kidding) and got the job of writing them. I love it. I can't believe I've been doing it for nine years!

Vijaya: The Highlights conference sounds fabulous - with writing workshops included, small and intimate. Someday I would like to attend. How does one get to go to this conference?

Mel: I add my highest personal recommendation that every children's writer should try to go to the Chautauqua conference!

lizr: What and where is the circulation of the International Edition of Highlights? Also - do you have special submission requirements for that edition of the magazine?

Marileta: Right now the international edition goes to Canada and India, and we have a circulation of about 10,000. We eventually hope to go to other British-English-speaking countries, such as Australia and South Africa. We are not buying material specifically for the international edition at this point, however.

sassi: What is your typical response time to a submission?

Marileta: We aim for two months. Sometimes it's longer.

skywriter: How would one submit photo essays for young readers?

Marileta: Ooh, good question! You need to submit good quality prints, slides, or .jpegs to go along with your article, which should be no longer than 400 words. We buy all rights to photos. We would like to see more photo essays for young readers.

anom3: What are all the kinds of photos you can use? Prints, negatives, slides, digital images?

Marileta: Not negatives. The others you mentioned are fine.

lizr: I also like the way Highlights validates the author even when you send them a letter stating that you aren't accepting their article. ;o)

Marileta: We believe in treating authors well so they'll come back!

Marileta: I love to read children's books, of course, and fantasy is my favorite, and historical fiction. I just finished Matilda Bone--it was wonderful! I enjoy grown-up nonfiction, too, especially nature.

Mel: The time has flown as fast as a veritable Halloween bat tonight, Marileta. Hearing you respond to chatsters' questions makes it easy to understand why you have risen to being Senior Editor at Highlights. You still have a very warm and engaging touch for those of us beginning to write for children, as well as those who have been published. Thank you so much for coming this evening, Marileta! And what I am seeing here as moderator is that there are a whole lot of people who would a whole lot like you to come back someday. Would you do that, please, Marileta?

Marileta: Glad to--thanks--it's been great fun!

Mel: In two weeks, on November 13, we will be lucky to have Heather Delabre in our chat room. Heather is the Editor of Spider Magazine of the Cricket family of magazines. She will speak to us and answer our questions with the wit and wisdom that is one secret behind her success at Spider. Heather's subject will be "Giggle-snorts: Humor for Intermediate Readers (and Lots of Other Stuff)." Come and find out about this test that Heather puts every submission to in deciding whether to buy a manuscript or not--two weeks from this evening, on November the lucky 13th!

Mel: Marileta Robinson, THANK YOU again for being with us tonight! We will look very much forward to the day when you can come back again. Goodnight to all!