Here are our guidelines. As we have limited editorial space, I highly recommend you send us a query before submitting an article.

Thank you for your interest in YES Mag!

Sincerely,
Jude Isabella
Managing Editor

A Writer's Guide to YES Mag

Background

YES Mag grows out of a partnership with Actua (formerly YES-VACC), an award-winning science promotion organization. Actua is made up of 27 university-based, student-run programs from Victoria to St. John's. Like its partner, YES Mag seeks to encourage interest and appreciation for science in children, provide positive role models for both girls and boys, and inspire children to continue pursuing their interest in science.

Editorial

There is a focus on Canadian content throughout YES Mag – Canadian science and scientists are highlighted. The articles in YES Mag tend to be short. With only 32 pages six times per year, we try to pack as much information as we can into each issue. Sci and Tech Watch pieces generally run to 250 words while features run from about 800 to 1200 words.

Every issue of YES Mag contains feature articles, regular departmental pieces, and a theme section. The theme is developed over several pages. (See below for details.) Hands-on projects give readers a chance to experiment with concepts introduced by the theme. With the exception of the projects and the feature scientist article, the theme section articles also tend to be short (from 100 to 350 words in length).

For a sample issue of YES Mag, send $4.50 to the address above. You can also view sample pages from YES Mag for free in PDF format on our web site at <http://www.yesmag.ca/info/mag_info.html>

Outline

The outline for an issue of YES Mag looks like this:

• Letters
• Science and Technology Watch: Short pieces on recent science, technology, and environmental news. (250 words)
• Hot or Not: Software and book reviews of kid-oriented books and software. (These are done by our readers)
• Brain Bumpers: Tough brain teasers such as "do cats and dogs have bellybuttons?" (Not open to freelance submissions)
• Eye on the Sky: Astronomy column. (Not open to freelance submissions)
• Bug Beat: Insect column. (Not open to freelance submissions)

• Short articles relating to the theme topic. (100 to 350 words each.)
• Hands-on projects readers can do at home. (Please see magazine.)

• We generally run two features in each issue (length varies from approx. 600 to 1000 words). Past feature articles covered topics such as the science of falling, the secrets to good popping corn, Vitamin D, the Flores Island "hobbit", digging for dinosaurs in Nova Scotia, and owl irruption in Ontario and the mid-western U.S.

Fiscal Considerations

We can't pay a lot right now, but the kids appreciate your efforts (and so do we).

• We pay $100 per sci/tech and $145 (in general) per page. There are some exceptions in regard to photo-heavy features.
• Photos, drawings, graphics: varies

Miscellaneous Comments
We are looking for imaginative, fun, well-researched pieces. Queries are highly recommended and should be accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Email submissions are entirely acceptable. All submissions should be marked with name, address, phone number, and email (if applicable). We look forward to discovering the adventure of science and technology with you.

Tips and Suggestions for "Selling" us on Your Article Ideas

Some of these points may seem fairly obvious, but if the mail we get is any indication, they may prove helpful to some people.

• Do not ask us what kind of articles you can write for YES Mag, only you can answer that.
• Be specific when you suggest an article idea. For example, do not say you would like to write an article about birds. We need more details.
• If possible, give us an article outline. What is the lead or the "hook" for your article, what will it focus on, what examples might you give, how are you going to interest young readers in your article? This outline does not have to be long, but it should give us an idea of how you will approach the topic, and hopefully it should make us eager to read your article.
• As noted in the Guidelines, Science and Technology Watch articles and features are not theme related. Since the space we have for the theme topics is somewhat limited, it is often easier for us to find space for articles in the non-theme related sections of the magazine.
• We find email a very effective way to communicate. Please avoid the urge to call us. Email (or snail mail) allows us to be more reflective and give your submission our full attention. Wonder if your email got to us? Send a follow up in a week or two.
• Know the magazine. Please read more than one issue and consider buying a back copy, or copies, of YES Mag (if you live in Canada, your local library or bookstore may have a copy). This will give you a better understanding of YES Mag content and style. You can also look around our website to get a feel for content.