Submission Guidelines

We are interested in well-written, crisp articles from children’s writers/authors not exceeding 250-300 words for use in our two bi-monthly journals: Caterpillar [age group below 9 years] and Pyramid [age group above 9 years].

Our idea is to present our young readers with objective light reads -- something they can go through swiftly, or at a glance.

All articles must be original, or readapted versions [without copyright concerns] of popular stories, fables, folktales etc., They should be accurate, and in good, easy-to-read form.

1. Articles should be submitted, in UK/Indian English, by E-mail to:
   info@primetimeeducation.com
   primetimeeducation@gmail.com

2. Articles should be supplied in MS Word and include the title of the article and name of the writer, along with full postal address, E-mail, telephone numbers.
3. Writers are responsible for the accuracy of all references; quotations must be checked against the original sources by the writers.
4. Writers are also responsible for securing permission to use material, if any, quoted from copyrighted publications as well as for use of photographs, and illustrations, from other sources.
5. Our readers are obviously inquisitive. It is also possible that not all of them have special knowledge or interest in the subject you are writing. This means articles need to bring home your point directly – from the introduction, or first few lines -- and, also why they are interesting to merit attention. Ask yourself what children would like best in an article, and answer their interest in the best manner possible as you write.
6. It would be appropriate if you go through our section-by-section editorial plan [given below] to send us articles, illustrations, fillers, riddles, quizzes etc., that best suit your interest and/or expertise, and cater to the journal/s readers’ age group [Caterpillar, for below age 9, and Pyramid, for above 9 years]. See Style Sheet [below]: on use of language, punctuation etc.,
   
   
   • Articles, stories, fables, history, mental maths, number games, crossword, environment, nature, flora, fauna [These should not exceed 250 words/article]
   • Science, technology, health, food, nutrition etc., [200-300 words]
   • Riddles, jokes, quizzes, fillers, brain teasers, brain-boosters, incredible facts, the world around us, do-you-know [50-100 words]. Use boxes to help match words, pictures etc.,
   • Grammar and use of language [Open only to English teachers who teach in school/s]
   • Picture filling, crayon work [should not exceed a page]. You can send them to us by E-mail [in PDF]
     
     
7. For the electronically-typed text, the preferred font is Arial [headline: 12 bold; text 10 normal], with some breathing space provided for.
8. A 2-line intro may be included [optional].
9. Headings: Please type all headings -- with initial capital for the first word [or, where appropriate] only. Please avoid sub-headings in any article. Do not use underlining or capitals.
10. Subject photographs are welcome. The approximate position of photographs may be indicated in the article. Captions may also be included.
11. Photographs/illustrations should be submitted in a form [TIFF/JPEG-file; 300 dpi] suitable for printing. Photographs should be sharp, high contrast, glossy; they should be submitted in their final size.

Copyright

When you send us an article, it is assumed that the piece is original. No manuscript that is plagiarised, or blatantly copied, will be considered.

Payment

We cannot pay for writing at this time. However, writing for us will be rewarding and satisfying. You will be able to reach hundreds of young readers, in print, and many more through our Web Editions.

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Style Sheet

Spelling

Use British/Indian, not US/American English.

• For example, use -ise: advise, arise, comprise, devise, disguise, enterprise, exercise, improvise, summarise, supervise, surprise, televise, vitalise.

Personal Names

Give full names at first mention. Names ending in -s, -z, -x have possessives in -'s; e.g., Manas's.

Numerals

In continuous text, use Arabic numerals for numbers above one hundred, but spell out if less: e.g., ten acres; or, 1,500. However, keep hundred, thousand, million, or billion, if they appear as whole numbers [e.g., 'a thousand years ago']. In submissions containing lists, or statistical information, this rule may be relaxed.

For ages, use [for e.g.,] 8-10.

Brackets and Parentheses

Square brackets should be used for regular textual matter, e.g., [“He had quietly fallen asleep and did not know where he was”].

For parenthesis within parentheses use (round brackets) within [square brackets].

Abbreviations

Do not use a stop if the last letter is not the end of the word: e.g., Mr John

In names of countries, institutions, academic degrees etc., do not use stops: e.g., USA, UK, BARC, ONGC, BPCL, BA, MA, MSc, MD, PhD