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

[MmeLindor.]

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?

[MmeLindor.]

Am blown away by the response to this. I am going to compile a list of contributors so please email me of you are interested, stating your area of interest.

I will set up the blog later today, once I have a name and start planning the first few weeks.

My vision is to have a good mix of articles that will cater to all tastes.

[DilysPrice]

Not necessarily volunteering, but I think the thing that's lacking for children and would probably be popular is a reasonably punchy amd opinionated review section that isn't the puffery that's aimed at them elsewhere. Film, TV, books and video games (do not underestimate your demographic's interest in games). A good, witty review section provides the spine of topicality that brings people back month after month.

The problem is that the hatchet jobs which are the most fun to read are perhaps modelling bullying, so it's a fine line.

[MmeLindor.]

Dilys
Yes, reviews are a must and a good tech review would be good - going by my DC, apps and phones etc should feature too.

[DilysPrice]

What I (and the DCs) could do subject to interest/"publication" schedules is a little weekly "gem hidden down the back of the TV schedules next week" piece. Age-appropriate science/engineering/natural history documentaries, classic movies, ballet, comedy, the stuff that's hiding on BBC4 at midnight or ITV3 at 2pm on a Wednesday or on Quest 24/7.

[Sariska]

Fabulous idea. Would love to get involved and will PM you, OP.

I'm a lawyer but am currently doing a creative writing MA and I'm sure there a few people on my course who'd be interested in submitting stories. Also what about, dare I say it, poetry?

My pet subject is conservation and would happily contribute on that (as well as law, if that's useful). Oh, and could also do something on ethnic diversity, including mixed marriages (from personal experience).

And another idea. (Apologies if something similar has already been mentioned.) What about a "Where you live section", looking at different areas of the UK (and poss abroad too), and focussing on things to do, local history and topography, wildlife, culinary specialities (perhaps with recipes).

[MmeLindor.]

Dilys
Great idea. There are some great programmes on that no one watches cause they are not noticed.

[MmeLindor.]

Sariska
Yes, to all of that.

Might need to be more than bi-weekly

[UrsulaBuffay]

Is IKR 'I known,right?' Could be wrong. Hmm we need a non girlified name I think.
Had brill idea last night e-mail you later.

[Geordieminx]

Any thought on interviews with professional women about their jobs?

[ohmeohmy]

great idea. I could write about health issues, puberty, holistic massage & stress relief/relaxation, film and probably others issues pertinent to girls of that age.

[UrsulaBuffay]

Just came up with 'Talk About' or 'Think About' If any good. I liked 'Xanthe' what does the name mean?

[Dworkin]

I'm in local politics and so would love to contribute. Already there are young girls who take an interest.

[lancelottie]

I'd be in. Another scientist here, but with a pre-teen daughter currently into canoeing, camping, geocaching and performing though she does go gooey over fluffy animals as well which might rule her out as a contributor

[lancelottie]

Hmm, I think this could turn into Junior Mumsnet, looking at the range of interests just covered!

[Matildarabbit]

I'd like to help, not sure how good I'd be though.

[AmazingBouncingFerret]

So far the ideas sound very much like a magazine I collected when I was young.

It was called "the adventures of Vicky"

Each magazine she had a different job or went to a different city or back in time.
It then gave a fictional story plus lots of facts and information with crafts and recipes.

I loved it. No tweeny bopping romances, no makeup, no sparkles.

[PineappleBed]

I'd be happy to write something. I saw a mag once that did a day in the life of different women and their jobs. I thought it was great for widening aspirations. The format was: bit about the woman in general; summary of job; then followed her from getting up to going to bed one day. Think its a great way to describe hard to describe jobs (like civil servant or management consultant) and give girls a flavour of what's out there beyond what their own parents do.

Can we do animals if they aren't cute (just thinking I could do something on bees).

[alexpolismum]

I can't contribute much, but if anyone wants to interview me for the careers section, I am a translator.

I can also talk about living abroad and learning foreign languages (related to careers, perhaps?)

My hobby at that age (still is!) was etymology, so that's probably not much help.

[Diege]

Great idea Stewie about creative writing by readers. Dd1 (age 10) has been writing what she calls the sequel to the Coraline book (obsessed with it) and took it into school to show the teacher. Teacher decided it would be more interesting for the class to do a session on the x-factor instead and is very taken aback by any pupils that appear to differ from genger norms (for both girls and boys). As such dd1's confidence has suffered and I know she would just love to read a comic like this one, maybe even submit a short story. I've asked her this morning what she would like to read in a mag/comic and she's come up with 'something on how to make things' (in her words, 'like a fort'/den), things about the world's most poisenous animals , competitions, games (like quizes, word searches), how your body works (maybe something accessible and not too scary about puberty?).
Am still thinking of something 'political' but not boring, so will e-mail if I get inspiration!

[dontaskwhereIlive]

What a cracking idea.

Mine would love to read about science, tech, engineering, history adn so on - preferably without so much of a mention of fairies etc.

I could contribute on biology and even childbirth/feeding/babycare if that was felt appropriate. This could be practical (i.e. benefits of breastfeeding or regarding health inequalities across the globe etc)

I can spell sometimes. I've been told I have a decent writing style.