1. Lightman

    Lightman Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2011
    Messages:
    234
    Likes Received:
    8

    Age and Publishing

    Discussion in 'Traditional Publishing' started by Lightman, Aug 11, 2011.

    So I'm eighteen; I'm a high school student. Say I want to publish something and submit it to a literary magazine (a real literary magazine, not Teenink or whatnot) - will my age/educational status automatically sink me?

    I don't want advice on whether or not it's wise to submit work at eighteen, merely on whether or not getting published is plausible, assuming that the work is of sufficient quality.
     
  2. Steerpike

    Steerpike Felis amatus Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2010
    Messages:
    13,984
    Likes Received:
    8,557
    Location:
    California, US
    If you submit something of quality that meets their current needs, being 18 and in high school will have little or no impact on their decision.
     
  3. thirdwind

    thirdwind Member Contest Administrator Reviewer Contributor

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2008
    Messages:
    7,851
    Likes Received:
    3,339
    Location:
    Boston
    Age (and the fact that you're a high school student) doesn't matter, and getting published at your age (or younger) is definitely possible.
     
  4. ChickenFreak

    ChickenFreak Contributor Contributor

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2010
    Messages:
    15,262
    Likes Received:
    13,084
    An eighteen year old can sign, and be held to, a contract, right? If so, then I don't see an issue as long as the work is good. You can sign your own contract, and the magazine won't, as far as I know, worry about whether you'll produce future work, in the way that an agent or book publisher might.
     
  5. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Messages:
    36,161
    Likes Received:
    2,827
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    There is no need to reveal your age before contract negotiations, anyway. So don't.
     
  6. Lightman

    Lightman Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2011
    Messages:
    234
    Likes Received:
    8
    I was under the impression that one is expected to provide a short biography in a cover letter.
     
  7. Cogito

    Cogito Former Mod, Retired Supporter Contributor

    Joined:
    May 19, 2007
    Messages:
    36,161
    Likes Received:
    2,827
    Location:
    Massachusetts, USA
    The cover letter need not contain a biography. That can be provided later, after the manuscript is accepted. Stick to the important elements - the request for consideration for publication, and a synopsis of the story.
     
  8. Lightman

    Lightman Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2011
    Messages:
    234
    Likes Received:
    8
    Thank you - websites I'd been looking at had been steering me in the opposite direction.
     
  9. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2006
    Messages:
    19,150
    Likes Received:
    1,034
    Location:
    Coquille, Oregon
    if what you have to offer is highly marketable, no one will care how old/young you are... nor will they care if you don't include a bio section in your query letter, if it's well written and hooks them on the book...
     

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Dismiss Notice