Writing Poetry for Children - Sherryl Clark
While there have been a few notable collections of poems in the past few years, overall the market for single poems is a bit dismal! These are a few resources for you to consider.
There’s a tendency for writers/poets to try a picture book text instead (not that these are any easier to get published, but at least we know the readership is keen). However, rhyming texts are very hard to get ‘right’. The rhythm (meter) has to be perfect, and the rhymes need to work strongly (rather than be predictable). Combined with that, you still have to tell a really good story.
The other tendency is for some to try and write verse novels, usually in free verse. These are rarely published in NZ for some reason (rarely written?). Again, it can’t just be chopped-up prose – there has to be a strong poetic element, as well as a good story.
The main thing, I think, is to keep writing poems – the more you write, the better your poems will be. You should also read a lot of children’s poetry to get a sense of what works for what age group (which helps when submitting to the NSW School Magazine, for example).
Articles that might be useful
https://www.writersandartists.co.uk/advice/writing-poetry-for-children
https://loupiccolo.com/what-publishing-opportunities-are-there-for-childrens-poets/
If you sign up to Lou’s newsletter you will receive a market list.
Useful books
Poetry Everywhere – Jack Collom and Sheryl Noethe
Read as widely as you can, Roar Squeak Purr ed. Paula Green is a fantastic NZ collection.
https://www.reneelatulippe.com/ - Renee has lots of resources and some courses – recommended by Cindy.
Some magazine info – it can be useful to sign up to their newsletters
Balloon is currently closed.
Tyger Tyger is currently closed.
The School Magazine (Australia) is open.
Big Things Little Things – Poets XYZ – 2025 is closed
The Emma Press publishes children’s poetry collections 35-45 poems – currently closed - https://theemmapress.com/about/submissions/.
The Dirigible Balloon is open - https://dirigibleballoon.org/about
SCBWI Essential Guide (download from SCBWI.org) has a magazine market section but many of the ones listed are closed to submissions. Check also that the magazines don’t buy all rights, because you will lose your copyright.
Alphabet Soup has ceased publication of its magazine and is now doing anthologies with Fremantle Press.
NZ School Journal – now produced by Lift Education – there is no information anywhere (obvious) on the site, and no calls for submissions or CVs from writers. On the other hand their website does say “Give us a bell!”
I have been running a website for about 20 years at www.poetry4kids.net where I provide info about my own verse novels, but also there are teachers’ resources for writing poetry in the classroom which includes a Poem a Week (poems with author bios and a small writing exercise).
Poetry writing for adults is popular in NZ, and you can join the NZ Poetry Society where you’ll be able to submit to their journal and enter competitions. They also provide information, although much of it is aimed at adults’ poems.
There is also the Poetry Foundation in the US https://poets.org/listing/poetry-foundation
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