The Young Writer’s Guide to Getting Published
For young writers with a notebook full of poems, stories, or essays, the idea of getting published can seem both thrilling and intimidating. Where do you begin? Who’s going to read your work? What if it’s not good enough? Rest assured, every published writer started exactly where you are now: with a blank page and a dream.
This comprehensive publication guide for young writers breaks down the publishing journey into three digestible steps—drafting, revising, and submitting—so you can approach each with confidence and strategy. Whether you’re polishing your first poem or preparing your tenth submission, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know.
Step 1: Drafting Work
The first and most important part of the process is writing. And rewriting. And rewriting again. Drafting is about exploring your ideas, experimenting with form and style, and learning to trust your voice.
Tips to Combat Writer’s Block:
Set a routine. Writing for just 15–30 minutes a day can train your brain to enter a creative zone more easily.
Start with prompts. Don’t wait for inspiration to strike. Use writing prompts to get started. (In favt, we’ll soon have a list of writing prompts on our blog!)
Read widely. The best writers are voracious readers. Reading literary magazines like The Adroit Journal, The Dawn Review, and Aster Lit will show you what kinds of pieces get published and why.
What to Write:
Write what you care about—topics that energize, confuse, or move you.
Try different forms: poetry, flash fiction, creative nonfiction, lyric essays. See what feels most natural, most necessary.
Keep a “working document” where you jot down lines, images, and ideas that surface in your mind. These can evolve into full pieces later.
Remember: Your first draft is never your final draft. And it shouldn’t be. The real magic happens in revision.
Step 2: Revising Work
Revision is where your work goes from raw potential to something sharp, clear, and publishable. It’s the difference between a rough sketch and a finished portrait.
How to Revise Effectively:
Read your work out loud. You’ll catch awkward phrases, clunky syntax, and unintended repetition.
Print your work. Seeing your piece in a different format can help you spot issues you might miss on screen.
Ask for feedback. Share your work with trusted readers—mentors, peers, or teachers. Be open to critique and willing to try changes.
A Powerful Resource: Ellipsis’s One-on-One Creative Writing Tutoring
Sometimes, the most effective revision happens with expert guidance. Ellipsis offers one-on-one online creative writing instruction for students in middle school and high school. Through personalized mentorship, students work closely with published writers and educators to:
Strengthen individual pieces through structured feedback sessions
Build a tailored writing routine and generate new drafts
Prepare submissions for literary magazines and contests
Whether you’re stuck in a draft or polishing for publication, Ellipsis tutors help you develop both your craft and your confidence. Click here to learn more about online creative writing instruction opportunities. (Filling out a form on that webpage is the best way to start a conversation with us!)
Step 3: Sending Your Work Out for Submission
Once you’ve drafted and revised your work, you’re ready to share it with the world. But where do you send it?
How to Find Good Publications:
Start with youth-focused literary magazines. These are designed for student writers and often include peer work and mentorship opportunities.
Use Submittable and Duotrope. These platforms host submission calls and allow you to filter by genre, age group, and deadline.
Follow literary journals on social media. Many post open calls for submissions and contest announcements.
Glossary of Key Submission Terms:
Simultaneous Submission: Submitting the same piece to multiple publications at once. If accepted, you must withdraw it from all others immediately.
Reprint: A piece that has already been published elsewhere. Most literary magazines do not accept reprints.
Submission Window: The period during which a publication is accepting submissions.
Cover Letter: A brief note you include with your submission introducing yourself and your work.
Contributor’s Copy: A free copy of the journal provided to you when your work is published.
Submission Tips:
Always read the submission guidelines. Every journal has slightly different requirements.
Keep track of where and when you submit pieces (spreadsheet or submission tracker).
Don’t be discouraged by rejections. They are part of every writer’s journey. Use them as fuel to keep going.
Where to Submit: Recommended Publications
When you’re ready to submit, consider these respected literary magazines. Be sure to check their websites for submission windows and guidelines:
The Adroit Journal – Known for launching the careers of many talented young writers. Be sure to explore the Adroit Prizes for Poetry & Prose, one of the top-tier writing contests for high school student writers and undergraduate student writers.
The Dawn Review – A beautifully-curated journal that features emerging voices. Welcomes genre-bending, emotionally resonant work.
Aster Lit – A youth-led publication with a focus on lyrical, boundary-pushing poetry and prose.
The Penn Review – Though primarily for adult writers, Cleaver publishes exceptional work from teen writers and, as a literary journal affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania, is a fantastic stretch goal.
The Élan Literary Magazine – Operated by creative writing students, Élan publishes student work globally and encourages experimentation.
Girls Right the World – A publication by and for young female-identifying and gender-expansive writers around the world.
The Incandescent Review – A youth-founded literary journal focused on elevating the voices of young artists with bold, thoughtful work.
Stone Soup – A long-standing publication devoted to writers aged 13 and under. A perfect entry point for middle school writers.
Rogue Agent – A literary journal focused on the body and identity. While it's primarily for adult writers, it welcomes powerful, mature work from teen writers as well.
Final Thoughts
Getting published is not about luck—it’s about perseverance, passion, and process. Each draft you write and each journal you submit to sharpens your skill and expands your voice. Don’t wait for permission to call yourself a writer. If you write, you already are one!
And remember, you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Whether through Ellipsis’s online creative writing instruction, the Ellipsis Online Writing Studios, feedback from trusted mentors, or even simply reading the work of your peers in literary magazines, there’s a community waiting to support you.
So revise boldly, submit bravely, and above all, write endlessly.
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Instruction spans genres including poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and hybrid forms. Students benefit from detailed feedback, close reading practices, and exposure to contemporary literary models. Over 50% of our one-on-one creative writing students have won Scholastic Art & Writing Awards National Medals!