Submission Guidelines for ODYSSEY magazine for children ages 9-14
General Information
ODYSSEY is interested in articles rich in scientific accuracy and lively approaches to the subject at hand. The inclusion of primary research (interviews with scientists focusing on current research) are of primary interest to the magazine. Keep in mind that this magazine is essentially written for 9- to 14- year-old children. Writers are encouraged to study recent back issues for content and style. (Sample issues are available at $6.95 plus $2.00 shipping and handling.) All material must relate to the theme of a specific upcoming issue in order to be considered. ODYSSEY purchases all rights to material.
Procedure
A query must consist of all of the following information to be considered:
a brief cover letter stating the subject and word length of the proposed article,
a detailed one-page outline explaining the information to be presented in the article,
a bibliography of sources (including interviews) the author intends to use in preparing the article,
a self-addressed stamped envelope
Writers new to ODYSSEY should send a writing sample with the query. If you would like to know if your query has been received, please also include a stamped postcard that requests acknowledgement of receipt. In all correspondence, please include your complete address as well as a telephone number and / or email address where you can be reached.
A writer may send as many queries for one issue as he or she wishes, but each query must have a separate outline, bibliography, and self-addressed stamped envelope. Telephone queries are not accepted unless the material is extremely time-sensitive to a specific issue. Please, type all queries.
Articles should be submitted via email using a word processing program (preferably Microsoft Word - MAC). Text should be saved as ASCII text (in MS Word as "text only").
Guidelines
Feature Articles:
750 - 950 words Includes: in-depth nonfiction articles. (An interactive approach is a definite plus!) Q & A interviews, plays, and biographies are of interest as well
Supplemental Nonfiction:
200 - 500 words Includes: subjects directly and indirectly related to the theme. Editors like little-known information but encourage writers not to overlook the obvious.
Fiction:
up to 1,000 words Includes: science-related stories, poems, science fiction, retold legends, etc., relating to the theme.
Department Features:
400 - 650 words Includes: "Places, Media, People to Discover." Not a bad idea to consult back issues for direction on these departments that are also theme-related.
Activities:
up to 750 words. Includes: critical thinking activities, experiments, models, science fair projects, astrophotography projects, and any other science projects that can either be done by children alone, with adult supervision, or in a classroom setting. Query should be accompanied by sketches and description of how activity relates to theme.
The above five pay 20 to 25 cents per printed word.
Photo Guidelines
To be considered for publication, photographs must relate to a specific theme. Writers are encouraged to submit available photos with their query or article. We buy one-time use.
Our suggested fee range for professional quality photographs* follows:
¼ page
to
full page
b/w
$15
to
$100
color
$25
to
$100
* Please note that fees for non-professional quality photographs are negotiated.
Cover fees are set on an individual basis for one-time use, plus promotional use. All cover images are color.
Prices set by museums, societies, stock photography houses, etc., are paid or negotiated. Photographs that are promotional in nature (e.g., from tourist agencies, organizations, special events, etc.) are usually submitted at no charge.
If you have photographs pertaining to any upcoming theme, please contact the editor by mail or fax, or send them with your query. You may also send images on speculation.
Theme list for 2011
[query due date]
Oil Spill! Catastrophic Science (January) Why does something from inside the Earth make such a mess on Earth? How, when, and why did humans discover and burn oil? Gulf disaster (extent and impact, efforts to plug the leak and clean up, energy resources and risk); petroleum chemistry; rigs and refineries; petrol products. Can we break our habit?
[8/2/10]
Staying Healthy! It's a Science! (February) Health guidelines are based on ever more exacting science, so an informed population stays healthier, gets better quicker, enjoys lots of energy, and achieves peak physical and mental performance. From the benefits of smiling, to the connection between heart-health and brushing your teeth, we'll provide readers with positive, how-to habits and the science behind them. This issue will launch a regular monthly column called "Health Beat."
[8/15/10]
Copycats! Double-Up Science (March) From isomeric molecules to mirrors, RNA, regeneration, and binary stars; a creative look at how one becomes two (and many more) in all areas of science.
[8/31/10]
So Tall! Trees (April) Trees are big and important. They build our homes and clean our air. How is regreening going? What are the best wood replacements? Logging (statistically the most dangerous job in America). Forest fires. Rare trees. The BIGGEST trees. Tree keepers.
[9/20/10]
Sun, Baby, Sun! (May/June) The sun is waking up from a deep slumber. The next few years could bring high levels of solar activity and potential stormy space weather. We'll look at monster sunspots, the Solar Dynamics Observatory, helioseismology, sunsets, sun stats, solar cells and solar sails, Earth-Sun Day, and sunscreen.
[10/18/10]
Science Heroes: Making Life Better(July/August) Dean Kamen (engineer/inventor), Norman Borlaug (Green revolution), and many more. Choose a scientist from any discipline, who you think deserves to be included in this issue. Time frame is 20th - 21st centuries. (Readers will also have a chance to submit their choices.).
[11/15/10]
Too Too Much: Addiction (September) Substance abuse isn't the only harmful addiction. Too much (and in some cases too little) of something - Web surfing, texting, gaming, eating or not eating, shopping, speed, even exercise - can be considered addictive behavior. What is the physiological and psychological basis for addiction? A new look at the causes and techniques for identifying, avoiding, and overcoming addiction, with an emphasis on technology.
[1/18/11]
Slimes (And All Sorts of Messy Science) (October) "Slimes" refer to cave microbial life. Some researchers say slimes and algae could be used as a source of power. You might not think nanotechnology is messy, but its critics say self-replicating machines could reduce our world to a "gray sludge." Research and propose an article, interview, or activity about the messiest science you can think of.
[2/21/11]
Can You Hear Me Now? (November/December) A look at The Search for Extratrrestrial Life (SETI) in the 21st century. Exoplanets. Should we be broadcasting our location? Are we making headway in the search for ETs? New approaches in the search.
[3/21/11]
Note
Queries may be submitted at any time, but queries sent well in advance of deadline MAY NOT BE ANSWERED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. Go-aheads requesting material proposed in queries are usually sent four months prior to publication date. Unused queries will be returned approximately three to four months prior to publication date.
Mail queries to: Editorial Department Cobblestone Publishing Attn: Elizabeth Lindstrom 30 Grove Street, Suite C Peterborough, NH 03458
Mail sample requests to: Editorial Department Cobblestone Publishing Attn: Sample Requests 30 Grove Street, Suite C Peterborough, NH 03458
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