Writers' Guidelines for ASK ®
ASK is a nonfiction magazine for children 6-9 years old who are curious about science and the world they live in. Each issue of ASK is built around a central theme on some question or concept in the natural, physical, or social sciences, technology, mathematics, history, or the arts. ASK introduces kids to the joys of thinking, writing, and observing scientifically, and presumes them to be active participants in the ongoing search for better knowledge about the world.
ASK articles should read as engaging nonfiction, not like school textbook or encyclopedia material. Intended to be accessible and appealing to newly independent readers (grades 2-5), the ideal ASK article should also be interesting to any general adult reader. ASK looks for articles that are concrete, specific, and relevant to this age group. They should tell a good story, with an emphasis on ideas rather than just facts. ASK encourages the use of humor as a teaching strategy, and believes that no topic is beyond the grasp of an intelligent young person if explained well in plain terms.
ASK encourages writers to stretch the boundaries of topic themes and come up with interesting perspectives and unexpected connections. For example, for an issue on size, good articles topics might include "Why do we stop growing?" or "How do clothing makers decide how many of each size pants to make?" But we would not be interested in a worlds-records style list of biggest and smallest insects, animals, etc., with no discussion of why they are that size.
Writing for ASK
All articles in ASK are commissioned; ASK welcomes queries for articles for upcoming issue themes (see table below). Queries should give an overview of the proposed article, including scope and treatment, resources, and a draft opening paragraph. Writers new to ASK should also provide a resume and two writing samples, including at least 200 words of unedited copy on any nonfiction topic.
Feature articles are usually 1200-1600 words, with sidebars. ASK also occasionally commissions photo essays (400-600 words), humor pieces (200-400 words), short profiles of people, inventions, events, or the arts (200-400 words), and theme-appropriate experiments.
Authors are expected to ensure that all content is scientifically correct in both conception and detail, and drafts should include a full list of references and sources consulted.
Authors wishing to write for ASK should consult any current issue to get a sense of the tone, style, and range of articles.
Queries and questions should be directed to:
Editor, ASK Magazine
Carus Publishing
70 East Lake Street
Suite 300
Chicago, IL 60601
Or by e-mail to ask@caruspub.com
Authors are also encouraged to check the ASK author's page at http://askauthorpage.blogspot.com for current issue status, needs, and updates from the editor.
| 2012 Issue |
Theme |
General Direction |
Possible Topics |
Queries By |
| January |
What Makes Color? |
Why is the sky blue? And where do all the other colors come from? |
How color works (what makes things different colors); Newton and the rainbow; Unusual color tricks (iridescence, metallic beetles); Discovering the color of the dinosaurs; Cuttlefish (talking with color); Camouflage and changing color; How lasers work; What colors do animals see? |
May 30, 2011 |
| February |
In Dreams |
When we're asleep, our minds lead a life of their own. What are dreams, exactly, and what can we learn from them? |
Famous discoveries made in dreams; Do dreams mean anything? What are dreams for? "The Dreaming" in Australian aboriginal culture; Do animals dream? How to curing nightmares; Active dreaming; Do you dream in color? What other interesting ideas are there about dreams?
|
June 15, 2011 |
| March |
What Is Electricity |
We live in an electric age, but what is it, exactly? How does it work, how is it made, and what's the difference between regular and green? |
What electricity is and how it works; Making circuits; Batteries and grids (storage and delivery); Tesla v. Edison (or other electrical inventor/s); What is Lightning? Living electricity (in animals and plants). Spark any other thoughts?
|
July 15, 2011 |
| April |
All the Fish in the Sea (Census of Marine Life) |
Celebrating the Census of Marine Life, its science, and scientists. How do you go about counting all the fish in the sea? |
Profile of census scientist(s); new species discovered; how to count fish (sampling methods); Underwater geography; Submarines, robot and manned; Deepest part of the ocean. Heard any other interesting stories from the census? |
August 15, 2011 |
| May/June |
Bubbles and Balloons |
Exploring the nature of air and its round shapes. |
Early and/or modern balloonists; Guericke's vacuum-sphere experiment; How do fish float? Bubble geometry. What else haven't we thought of?
|
September 15, 2011 |
| July/August |
Exploring Caves |
Tunneling under mountains and hidden under cities, caves are secretive places. What makes these holes in the earth? Who lives there? Should we? |
How caves are made; Discovering Lescaux (or another painted cave?); Living in caves (Cappadocia? Petra?); Giant crystal caves in Mexico; Cities with caves under them (Budapest, St. Louis, Minneapolis, Cairo?); Biggest caves; Cave diving; Cave animals and other organisms; Bats and white-nose syndrome; Mushroom farming; Cheese-ripening caves. Been in any other interesting caves? |
October 15, 2011 |
| September |
The Joy of Numbers |
Are numbers fun? Is anything fun without them? |
Story from the life of a famous mathematician; How do card and number tricks; Can animals count? History of one/some famous numbers (pi, phi, infinity, zero); Counting differently (bases, why are there 60 minutes in an hour); Discovering zero; Mathematical folktale (Ten Grains of Rice, dividing donkeys) |
December 15, 2012 |
| October |
Dem Bones |
Delving into the secret life of skeletons and bones-how they live, grow, and reshape themselves, why we keep them inside, and what they reveal about their owners. |
Skeletons vs. exoskeletons; Living bone (how bones grow and repair themselves); How do anthropologists read bones? Do cats heal their bones by purring? And why are they spooky? |
February 15, 2012 |
| November/December |
Animal Sounds |
Growling, roaring, chirping, whistling, shrieking-nature is a noisy place. How and why do animals make all those sounds? And how can we listen in? |
How do animals make all those sounds, and why? Profile of scientist studying some kind of animal sound (whale songs? Toadfish? Birdcalls? Koalas?); Insect sounds-how do small things make such loud noises? How are insects like musical instruments? The noisy oceans.
Tell us more! |
March 15, 2012 |
|
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