Content Guidelines
TeenAge is a magazine meant to enlighten and entertain teens. Using these two ideas, our main criterion for acceptance is simple:
1. Did we enjoy it? Was it interesting? Does it evoke our emotions or make us think?
2. Was it compatible with our values and principles?
However, we especially like works that, besides entertaining, illustrate some point or raise some question about life. Articles and other exposition should provide insight into the teen life with emphasis on how to live better during the teen years.
Our audience is teens. Be sure your submission is both appropriate for and of interest to teens.
All work must be original. That means original characters in original settings. No "fan fiction" accepted.
Some themes in literature (poetry and fiction) require special attention in order to be appropriate for TeenAge. We believe skilled authors can achieve their objectives without overtly graphic content.
One area in this category is sexual content. If your story relies on the depiction of such actions, you will need to delicately describe it. Treatment such as, “Roland found his carnal desires for Caitlin too strong to resist. He gave up fighting and yielded to his temptation” can accomplish the same plot movement as a graphic scene depicting specific actions. If you want a rule, then how about, “If in doubt, leave it out.” We are not interested in exploring any themes relying on homosexual relationships, no matter how tamely depicted.
Another area to consider is violence. Although several genre’s of literature rely on combat, there is no point in being excessive in the description. Saying, “The elf wielded his sword deftly, slaying the goblins in his path without breaking stride” is sufficient for moving the plot along. A good, “He ran the beast through and through with the spear” now and then is fine, too. Yet, again, restraint is called for. Gore for the sake of gore is not needed. Focus more on the story and your characters. Last thought: keep in mind that battle scenes, be they in the 1960's jungle, some future space venue, or in some fantasy setting, are far more interesting to write than to read!
Also, our publishing company views profanity with very little regard. While not totally forbidden in TeenAge, for profanity to be used requires it to be a vital part of the character using it. Generally, we will work with the author, but it will be in your favor to address the use of profanity before submitting.
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