Writers' Guidelines for ODYSSEY TMGeneral InformationFollowing are writers' guidelines for ODYSSEYTM. ODYSSEY TM is interested in articles rich in scientific accuracy and lively approaches to the subject at hand. The inclusion of primary research (interviews with scientists focusing on current research) are of primary interest to the magazine. Keep in mind that this magazine is essentially written for 10- to 16- year-old children. Writers are encouraged to study recent back issues for content and style. (Sample issues are available at $5.95 plus $2.00 shipping and handling. Send 10" x 13" self-addressed envelope.) All material must relate to the theme of a specific upcoming issue in order to be considered. ODYSSEYTM purchases all rights to material.Illustrators, please click here to access Illustration Guidelines for ODYSSEY TM. Procedure
A query must consist of all of the following information to be considered:
- a brief cover letter stating the subject and word length of the proposed article,
- a detailed one-page outline explaining the information to be presented in the article,
- a bibliography of sources (including interviews) the author intends to use in preparing the article,
- a self-addressed stamped envelope
A writer may send as many queries for one issue as he or she wishes, but each query must have a separate outline, bibliography, and self-addressed stamped envelope. Telephone queries are not accepted unless the material is extremely time-sensitive to a specific issue. Please, type all queries. Articles should be submitted via email using a word processing program (preferably Microsoft Word - MAC). Text should be saved as ASCII text (in MS Word as "text only"). Guidelines
- Feature Articles:
- 750 - 950 words
Includes: in-depth nonfiction articles. (An interactive approach is a definite plus!) Q & A interviews, plays, and biographies are of interest as well
- Supplemental Nonfiction:
- 200 - 500 words
Includes: subjects directly and indirectly related to the theme. Editors like little-known information but encourage writers not to overlook the obvious.
- Fiction:
- up to 1,000 words
Includes: science-related stories, poems, science fiction, retold legends, etc., relating to the theme.
- Department Features:
- 400 - 650 words
Includes: "Places, Media, People to Discover." Not a bad idea to consult back issues for direction on these departments that are also theme-related.
- Activities:
- up to 750 words.
Includes: critical thinking activities, experiments, models, science fair projects, astrophotography projects, and any other science projects that can either be done by children alone, with adult supervision, or in a classroom setting. Query should be accompanied by sketches and description of how activity relates to theme.
The above five pay 20 to 25 cents per printed word.
Photo Guidelines
To be considered for publication, photographs must relate to a specific theme. Writers are encouraged to submit available photos with their query or article. We buy one-time use.
Our suggested fee range for professional quality photographs* follows:
| ¼ page | to | full page | | b/w | $15 | to | $100 | | color | $25 | to | $100 |
* Please note that fees for non-professional quality photographs are negotiated. - Cover fees are set on an individual basis for one-time use, plus promotional use. All cover images are color.
- Prices set by museums, societies, stock photography houses, etc., are paid or negotiated. Photographs that are promotional in nature (e.g., from tourist agencies, organizations, special events, etc.) are usually submitted at no charge.
- If you have photographs pertaining to any upcoming theme, please contact the editor by mail or fax, or send them with your query. You may also send images on speculation.
| Theme list for 2009 | [query due date] | Babies: Journey to Life (January)
All kids are fascinated by birth, especially their own. This issue will look at embryology; multiple births; pix from the womb (Doppler and ultrasound); girl or boy?; baby in trouble; testing, testing; Dad's influence on the developing fetus, creature births. | [5/30/08] | Science in the City (February)
Cities are home to half of the world's 6.6 billion people. This issue will look at the present and future of cities: traffic, architecture, sprawl, patterns and scale, crowd psychology, noise and other health issues, "eco-cities," natural disasters and terrorism, vertical farms, "supercities," cities without us. | [6/16/08] | Bread: Feeding the World (March)
Grain is in short supply. Increasing populations, use of farmlands to grow biofuel crops, and increased feed consumption to produce meat for China are all depleting stores. This issue will take a new look at the chemistry of bread-making and the grains and techniques used. New and old grains; "miracle" wheat; why bread rises; yeast vs. sourdough; the whole-grain advantage; all about gluten and celiac disease; it's a bake-off! | [7/7/08] | The Carbon Connection (April)
Carbon dioxide has turned Earth into a greenhouse and is acidifying our oceans. But without carbon-based molecules, life as we know it would not be. This issue will look at carbon as the basis for life and as the culprit that could change our planet forever. Computers made of diamond, flat carbon that's faster than silicon for electronics, the nanopencil, buckyballs, carbon capture and carbon markets. | [8/1/08] | Swimming with the Sharks (May/June)
Humans have a love/hate relationship with sharks. They are fascinating on a movie screen, but terrifying in the surf. This issue will look at their importance to the ocean ecosystem, their amazing "sixth sense" (electroreception), various species (whale, basking, wobbegong, etc.), declining populations, the shark "superhighway," shark finning, how to stay safe while swimming, and more. | [9/3/08] | Let's Play! The Biology of Fun (July/August)
Scientists are discovering that play is essential for brain development. What is "play"? Why did it evolve? Styles of play: positive (running, chasing, shooting hoops) vs. negative (teasing, hurting, bullying). Is play a thing of the past or here to stay? Is school recess worthwhile or lost time? What are the results of play deprivation; all about playgrounds, the brain, behavior, and play. | [10/30/08] | Techno Travel: Getting Around in the Future (September)
Will there ever be hovering cars that lift us off to school and work? Or are we permanently grounded as energy issues dominate transportation? How close are we to hydrogen-powered cars? Automobiles are "smart," but how smart will they get? A look at Segway and other innovative ways to get around. Commercial rides to space. New Space Shuttle on the drawing board. Progress in teleportation. | [11/28/08] | Our Story: A Cast of Humans (October)
The various fossil species of humans have tongue-twisting names like Australopithecus Africanus. But when did early humans gain language themselves? With more than 20 species and still counting, understanding the origin of humans can be confusing. This issue will look at the earliest species to contemporary homo sapiens and at scientists' amazing odyssey to discover who we are and where we came from. | [12/30/08] | Einstein: The "E" Factor (November/December)
If science had a saint or all-time superstar, it would be Albert Einstein. This issue will take a fresh look at the man of reason and logic, the pacifist, the musician, his miracle year (1905), the power of the equation; Einstein's brain; Einstein's dream: a "theory of everything." | [1/29/09] |
Note
Queries may be submitted at any time, but queries sent well in advance of deadline MAY NOT BE ANSWERED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. Go-aheads requesting material proposed in queries are usually sent four months prior to publication date. Unused queries will be returned approximately three to four months prior to publication date. To be certain that your query is received, it is best to send it by regular mail. Receipt of email queries can not be guaranteed.
Mail queries to:
Editorial Department
Cobblestone Publishing
Attn: Elizabeth Lindstrom
30 Grove Street, Suite C
Peterborough, NH 03458
Or email them to: blindstrom@caruspub.com | Mail sample requests to:
Editorial Department
Cobblestone Publishing
Attn: Sample Requests
30 Grove Street, Suite C
Peterborough, NH 03458 |
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