Submission Guidelines for SPIDER magazine for children ages 6-9

In January 1994, the Cricket Magazine Group of Carus Publishing Company launched SPIDER magazine, a literary and activity magazine for children ages 6 to 9.

SPIDER publishes original stories, poems, and articles written by the world's best children's authors. Occasionally, SPIDER publishes reprints of high-quality selections.

SPIDER is full color, 8" x 10", with 34 pages and a 4-page activity pullout. It features artwork by top-quality artists and illustrators. It is staple-bound.

Editor-in-Chief: Marianne Carus
Editorial Director: Alice Letvin
Associate Editor: Margaret Mincks
Senior Art Director: Suzanne Beck

Published: monthly except for combined May/June, July/August, and November/December issues
Price: $33.95 for 1-year subscription (9 issues)

Categories

Fiction: realistic fiction, easy-to-read stories, humorous tales, fantasy, folk and fairy tales, science fiction, fables, myths, and historical fiction.
Nonfiction: nature, animals, science, technology, environment, foreign culture, history, music, and art.
(A short bibliography is required for all retold folklore and nonfiction articles, and copies of research material will be required for all accepted articles. Be prepared to send other backup materials and photo references—where applicable—upon request.)
Poetry: serious, humorous, nonsense rhymes.
Other: recipes, crafts, puzzles, games, brainteasers, math and word activities.

Length

Stories: 300 to 1,000 words
Poems: not longer than 20 lines
Articles: 300 to 800 words
Puzzles/Activities/Games: 1 to 4 pages
An exact word count should be noted on each manuscript submitted. Word count includes every word, but does not include the title of the manuscript or the author's name.

Rates

Stories and articles: up to 25¢ per word (1,000 words maximum)
Poems: up to $3.00 per line

Themes

There is no theme list for upcoming issues. Submissions on all appropriate topics will be considered at any time during the year.

Art

For art samples, it is especially helpful to see pieces showing children, animals, action scenes, and several scenes from a narrative showing a character in different situations. SPIDER prefers to see tear sheets or photoprints/photocopies of art. If you must send original art as part of a portfolio, package it carefully and insure the package.

SPIDER will also consider submissions of photography, either in the form of photo essays or as illustrations for specific nonfiction articles. Photographs should accompany the manuscript. Color photography is preferred, but black-and-white submissions will be considered depending on subject matter. Photocopies or prints may be submitted with the manuscript, but original transparencies for color or good quality black-and-white prints (preferably glossy finish) must be available upon acceptance.

Comments

• SPIDER would like to reach as many children's authors and artists as possible for original contributions, but our standards are very high and we will accept only top-quality material.
• PLEASE DO NOT QUERY FIRST.
• SPIDER will consider any manuscripts or art samples sent on speculation and accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Submissions without a SASE will be discarded.
• Response time: Please allow 6 months for manuscripts and 3 months for art samples.
• Submissions from outside the U.S. should include an International Postal Reply Coupon.

SPIDER normally purchases the following rights:

1. For stories and poems previously unpublished, rights vary.
2. For stories and poems previously published, SPIDER purchases second North American publication rights. Fees vary, but are generally less than fees for first publication rights.
3. For recurring features, SPIDER purchases the material outright. The work becomes the property of SPIDER and is copyrighted in the name of Carus Publishing Company. A flat fee per feature is usually negotiated.
4. For commissioned artwork, SPIDER purchases all rights plus promotional rights (promotions, advertising, or in any other form not offered for sale to the general public without payment of an additional fee) subject to the terms outlined below:
   (a) Physical art remains the property of the illustrator.
   (b) Illustrator may use artwork for self promotion.

Please address all MANUSCRIPT SUBMISSIONS to:

Submissions Editor, SPIDER
Carus Publishing
70 East Lake Street
Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60601

Please address all PORTFOLIO SAMPLES to:

Art Submissions Coordinator
Carus Publishing
70 East Lake Street
Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60601

Direct inquiries regarding PERMISSIONS to:

Mary Ann Hocking
Rights and Permissions Manager
Carus Publishing
30 Grove Street
Suite C
Peterborough, NH 03458