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?

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

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.

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

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.

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?

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?

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

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

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

Jump!

This sounds really great!

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

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

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

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!

Three
Argh. It won't let me change it. Do tell me if you see something on the website when it goes live, am happy to be corrected.

Berry
Have PMed you

Just bumping this, as I understand we're getting close to take off?

huh?

I mean I understand that it's likely to be launched soon and I got a bit excited and bumped the thread in anticipation.

Lovely idea!
There are so many topics - but personally, I'd avoid too much about professions. It could easily become a lecture.
My DD is a teen. Thankfully, she didn't go pink. She still enjoys snowball fights and making things. I think arts and making things are really good topics. Cool science tricks (maybe without being too OTT educational) and one thing my daughter loved: building dens, boy scout topics (survival type stuff) and exciting games that involve climbing, getting muddy and lots of noise. My DD loved Asterix and joke books. She enjoyed reading about bizarre facts and world records.
I could see an article where adults talk about their most embarrassing moments in childhood/adolescence being helpful.Maybe also about fears and anxieties.
I like R2PeePoo's ideas about music, self-esteem, bullying etc. These are really important topics for girls.
I'd be interested in contributing. My hope is that my DD might just enjoy putting something together ...

Yes, it is looking good. Am putting articles on the website at the moment (although I've had to take a break for the weekend) but could still do with more.

I have enough to launch but will need more to keep the momentum going.

Also need photos and illustrations so if anyone fancies doing something for that, please PM me.

We have a good mix of articles, so that is really good.

I am trying to make it interesting without being too worthy iykwim

Thanks all for your work do far.

Other ideas I have had:

• bereavement - perhaps we have a bereavement counsellor or someone know one who could talk about how to cope when someone you love dies.

• holidays - best places, reviews - by preteens or teens - would be good of it were local places in UK for day trips. There are LOADS of places for toddlers and young school kids, but as they get older it gets more difficult.

Music? Any ideas in this? Anyone go to festivals with their kids - would they like to write about the best festivals.

Reviews would be good if teens or preteens would do them as they are more authentic.

Pets - not just fluffy bunnies but how to care for a pet, what is involved, costs etc -
And a bit about animal rescues and how important it is to properly research getting a pet

Anyone know someone who is doing or has done a course in fashion design? Don't want 'wear this top from Next' but tips for finding own style, places to buy cool clothes other than high street, perhaps with craft tutorial for sewing own clothes.

bump...

Almost ready to launch...