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?

[twolittlemonkeys]

Sounds fab, I was not into typical girly stuff either at that age, only started occasionally wearing make up in my teens.

I'd be up for contributing - not sure how useful my French & German degree would be, but I now teach music lessons - would be happy to do a feature on tips for getting the most out of practice sessions and lessons etc. I also love cooking and baking so would happily contribute easy step-by-step recipes which are suitable for pre-teens to make.

[MmeLindor.]

Great ideas. I have to go register the kids for school and try to get a job. Try not to have it all set up before I get back. :)

Will be home all afternoon so will get cracking on setting it up and working out a schedule.

IF YOU WANT TO CONTRIBUTE PLEASE EMAIL ME.

It makes it much easier if I don't have to scroll through the thread.

What do you think about

jump.com

for a name?

[duchesse]

I would definitely back this 100%. I could contribute articles about chicken-keeping if suitable. I can also do things about vegetable-growing.

My daughters (14 and 16) could write about Ten Tors (long walk in teams of 6 on Dartmoor). My older daughter is doing a 5 week expedition this summer to the Peruvian Amazon. She could write about that. She wants to be a doctor, so she could maybe write something about that.

[duchesse]

I am also a self-employed translator (quite a few of us on MN!).

[Nilgiri]

[MmeLindor.]

I am getting loads of emails and PMs so it might take a bit before I get back to you.

Please email me on mmelindor at saltandcaramel dot com

Easier to keep track of interested contributors that way.

[Beveridge]

This sounds amazing -though my DD is not even 3 yet! Am a history/modern studies teacher of 11 year olds and upwards. Bit busy at the moment but would be keen to contribute in a few months time.

[PineCones]

Totally interested!! I have topics already! Dinosaurs, animals, sci fi!

[aristocat]

super ideas here

will email you

[Nilgiri]

All utterly fantastic! Can't promise much, but will keep a close eye and see if there's anything I can contribute.

[vezzie]

ooooooo what a great idea, I would love to write for this.
When I was 8 / 9 I was given Canadian Children's Annuals for Christmas. I have been flipping through them nostalgically, while working on annuals, wondering why the market won't sustain things of such.... substance any more.

I think everyone should write a piece about their job. There are so many jobs which nobody knows what they are, and children's parents aren't equipped to explain. I mean, the model of teacher / doctor / nurse / vet / shopkeeper / firefighter which informs so much children's media is so out of date.

I would like to write some fiction (because that is what I would instantly flip to when I was 9)

[LapsedPacifist]

This is a fantastic idea! I have 2 lovely nieces in the target age group. Don't see any harm in writing about horseriding or pets though.

Another history/ museum geek here, but I also have a particular interest in 3rd World development issues. Featuring the lives of girls from different cultures would be great.

I also think there could be room for features on expressing yourself through clothing instead of just following the latest trends- style as opposed to fashion . DMs and vintage instead of mega-heels and fake tan IYSWIM!


We are studying Museum Education at Uni ATM - I will ask some of my teenage fellow-students for ideas on "exploring how women have lived through the ages and "Bringing the Past Alive" for young girls.

[PerryCombover]

I am saddened by the lack of horses

[MmeLindor.]

Perry
You will be heartened to know that when I asked dd what she would like to see in a magazine for girls, she replied, 'Doggies!'



She did add that she wants to read about art and artist so not all is lost

[moretolifethanthis]

It's a shame you're veering away from make-up and glitz completely because I thought girls would love articles about young dancers. Dance is a great way to keep fit. There is such a wealth of talent out there and these kids are dedicated, hard-working athletes. Actually, that makes me wonder if you could feature young, aspiring athletes in general seeings the olympics are here this year?

[cocolepew]

Fabulous idea, I have 9 and 14 year old DDS and they both would love this (14 yo gets Dr Who, Nat Geo and Merlin comics).

I don't think I could contribute but DD1 likes to write fantasy short stories.

Regular articles about bullying would be good, true stories, maybe, where the victim managed to 'suceed'(?)

Maybe people could write an article on any conditions they have, my DD1 has NF1, and how this affects them. It will help people to understand and to actually hear of certain conditions?

[MmeLindor.]

Good idea, coco about the conditions - helping children to see what life is like when you have a medical condition and how to help people who have one.

Not against make up and glitter posts occasionally. Just don't want it to be the mainstay of the magazine

[PerryCombover]

I think you'll have to work hard to make it interesting to young uns
Personally i'd like a mag like this for me...

[moretolifethanthis]

Just wanted to add to my previous post that make-up can be used in creative and artistic ways that enhances the visual experience of watching dancing. Just check out the dance group 'Fear of the Unknown' in the finals of Got to Dance!

[steamedtreaclesponge]

Did anyone ever read Cricket magazine when they were younger? It was out in the 60s/70s I think - a bit before my time but I had a stack of old editions which I loved. It was mostly short stories, but also had interviews with authors, cartoons, science articles etc... really brilliant. I do wonder whether children today would like it as much - I'd like to think so!

Think this is a brilliant idea, BTW - have emailed you, MmeLindor

[mrsred]

I'm not a very good writer, but just thought i would float a few ideas, how about career profiles, what peole do in interesting jobs etc, and when i was around that age i was fascinated with how things are made, e.g. Factories mass producing stuff, easter eggs etc, i imagine that although you don't want to be too specialist there are many organisations such as rspb who would be able to provide an article for you, and then they may get a few newbies fir thier magazine or membesrhip too.

[bejeezus]

Oooo...Id like to write some things..

havent read whole thread, so maybe repeating what has already been said, but off the top of my head;

Im a Sustainability engineer- so science/ engineering but particularly environmental issues

travel- have travelled independantly, have lots of pictures and stories. DDs dad is African-could give in depth account of being a child/teenager in rural Kenya

Girls/Womens sports- rugby and football in particular

Child friendly politics and current affairs- very important i think