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Original poster

Anyone interested in writing for an online magazine for pre-teen girls that does not feature makeup, boys, horses, cute animals, pink or glitter?

266 replies

MmeLindor. · 04/03/2012 22:27

Before anyone reports me to MNHQ, this is a voluntary, non-profit making blog that I am thinking about creating.

I am sick fed up of looking for interesting magazines for my 9 year old daughter that does not feature the above. Most of the comics/magazines are so boring that she flicks through them then discards.

Who decided that all pre-teen girls are only interested in stuff like that? I think that they might be persuaded to read a bi-weekly online magazine with other topics.

My daughter loves art, for example. I could see her loving a magazine that featured stories of artists, or history of art. Maybe your dd likes to read about astronomy, science, geography, or maybe you work in that field and would like to write an article explaining what you do.

We could have articles about technology, about politics (in a general way, explaining about the upcoming US election, and how they vote), about countries, people and how they live.

I would set up the blog and anyone could submit articles for publication. I would be looking to have two articles a week on set days.

Anyone interested?

OP posts:
BerryCheesecake · 10/03/2012 19:54

I'd be interested if you're still looking for people. Please PM me if you are. I would PM you but don't know how from my phone!

threeleftfeet · 10/03/2012 19:53

FB page missing an "s" on "subject".

(Used to do a lot of proof reading, can't help myself, sorry! Grin)

NiceBiscuits · 10/03/2012 19:50

This sounds really great!

I'm a graphic designer - would you like some thoughts on the logo?

Original poster
MmeLindor. · 10/03/2012 19:38

Here is the FB page. Looks a bit boring at the moment, till I settle on a logo.

Jump!

OP posts:
Original poster
MmeLindor. · 10/03/2012 15:13

MrsJamin
Thanks, that is a great website. Will contact them.

OP posts:
MrsJamin · 10/03/2012 15:09

What a fantastic idea. You should get in contact with These guys ladygeek.com/ as they are writing a book called Little miss geek, they would probably write a guest blog post about technology.

Original poster
MmeLindor. · 10/03/2012 15:05

Thanks to those who have sent articles so far. I won't edit anything major without approval, and will put them on the website.

Anyone with experience in graphic design? Could do with some thoughts on the logo.

OP posts:
Original poster
MmeLindor. · 10/03/2012 14:57

Photos are tricky. If you use someone's photos that you have taken from the internet, then you do need permission to do so. Sometimes you can simply email the person who owns copyright, ask them and they will allow you to use the image. If they don't reply or turn the request down, then we cannot use the image.

You can however look on Flickr - simply click on Advanced Search, scroll down to the bottom and click "Creative Commons Licence" - although this is a bit of a grey area too see this blog, at least if the magazine eventually generates any income.

As long as we are a non-profit making "blog" then we are not too bad, but please do try and use your own images if possible. If you want to use someone else's images, then email them to ask for permission.

I can help you with this though

OP posts:
EduStudent · 10/03/2012 10:57

Also, with the photos, do they need to be original or can they be referenced?

Sorry, new to online writing and used to university referencing!

Original poster
MmeLindor. · 10/03/2012 08:39

About length of article - this is quite good.

If you haven't written for a blog/online mag before, then do have a look at that.

When you send me the .doc please include

  • JPG of photos - we can use as many as you like to get your point over
  • links to any website that might be useful, or you have quoted in your piece. If you can send these as a hyperlink direct in the word.doc, then it makes it quicker for me to put on the blog.
  • video or other content
  • a short blurb about yourself, just a line or two. You can leave this out if you want to be anonymous.
OP posts:
Original poster
MmeLindor. · 10/03/2012 08:32

I think so. Online articles tend to be shorter. I read research that said that readers generally wander off earlier when reading online. Have we all gotten a bit lazy, perhaps?

OP posts:
EduStudent · 10/03/2012 01:34

Yes, especially online I tend to find that larger bodies of writing put me off. Also, I imagine a few shorter, snappier pieces might work better at pulling readers in to begin with?

Original poster
MmeLindor. · 09/03/2012 22:44

Yes, it is a bit tricky cause if it is too long then they might not read to the end. I sometimes do that, if a blog post is too long.

OP posts:
EduStudent · 09/03/2012 22:11

Thanks, started writing a couple of things, but struggling to gauge the right length!

Original poster
MmeLindor. · 09/03/2012 21:54

Did you email me, Peppermint? Can you do so again, to save me digging through my overflowing inbox? Sorry about that. mmelindor at saltandcaramel dot com

EduStudent
About 700 words(ish) I thought, but shorter is ok. If it is a long article, then we might want to split it into two parts.

OP posts:
EduStudent · 09/03/2012 18:54

Any rough idea how long you'd like articles to be?

PeppermintPanda · 09/03/2012 17:49

I haven't had an email yet

Original poster
MmeLindor. · 09/03/2012 12:40

Effing
Definitely interested in kids writing.

Wonder if we could do a poetry competition once we get up and running. Would be great to promote poetry and literature.

OP posts:
lancelottie · 09/03/2012 11:45

STEM is science Technology Engineering and Maths. Or possibly Medicine. 'Twas SET in my day.

Original poster
MmeLindor. · 08/03/2012 22:35

GeekLove
Would love to have your contribution, do please email me on mme lindor at saltandcaramel dot com

pretends to know what STEM is

Ziptoes
Got your email, thanks.

Effing
Would you email me so I can add you to the list. Thanks

OP posts:
effingwotsits · 08/03/2012 21:51

Can you tell I've been on the wine tonight Blush

effingwotsits · 08/03/2012 21:50

Ooooh I also have a 13 year old dd who is sooooo into poetry. She is one of the cool kids who wouldn't be seen dead admitting she had been banned from FB doing something her mother wanted her to do, but her poetry brings tears to my eyes. Creative writing is a great idea to get the youngsters themselves invilved.

effingwotsits · 08/03/2012 21:47

This is brill!! I would love to contribute if I can. Not sure on what though.....

I could write about policing as a job profile

I can also write about photography, music ....

Love the idea of being gender neutral. I feel it would be wrong to put across the idea that it was only to be read by girls only whoever the target audience was. It kind of makes the divide even bigger iyswim.

I am a mother of 4 girls (blimey, that's me totally outed by now!!) and my dd's are totally fascinated (between them) on Space/geology (!)/ Art/ History/ dinosaurs/ natural historyety. Mostly space. I mean obsessively!

ziptoes · 08/03/2012 21:32

Love the idea for this magazine!

I was a total geek who hid copies of science magazines behind borrowed copies of just seventeen when I was at school. I couldn't write but I'd happily be interviewed about work. I'm a Science/Engineering professor. I could also link you up to lots of other women in exciting careers (journalism, arts lecturer, GP). No idea what PM-ing is though!

GeekLove · 08/03/2012 21:30

Could I register an interest? I would be up for contributing articles on STEM subjects with an emphasis on home experiments.