Submissions wanted (perfection, failure) | up to 25 cents per word

COMPANY/PUBLICATION: MUSE MAGAZINE

Deadline: 15 January 2024

September: WHOO NEADS PURFECTION?

Upsides to failure and error

The  long-term benefits of failure; failure as an element of the scientific  process and discovery; different outcomes from scientific studies and  the importance of scientific research; open science; happy accidents;  fun activity relating to mistakes; the pursuit of excellence vs.  perfection in the arts; profile of an imperfect but significant  scientist, engineer, or tech leader; interview/profile with a scientist  who has embraced failure; one or some of science’s biggest mistakes

Queries by January 15, 2024.

ABOUT MUSE:

MUSE® is a discovery magazine for children and teens. It takes intellectual curiosity seriously, while never taking itself too seriously. The editors seek fresh and entertaining articles from the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and math. Timeliness and trustworthiness are essential, but humor, irreverence, and atypical angles are also hallmarks of MUSE.

Each edition of MUSE focuses on a central theme and open-ended organizing questions about the theme. Although articles will provide different angles and perspectives on a theme, we aim for every article in an issue to help a reader begin to form at least an initial answer to the organizing questions.

Ideal MUSE articles build on and extend the existing knowledge most young people in grades 4–8 have. We value articles that feature innovators, scientists, and engineers who can explain what they’ve done in a clear and understandable way. Articles that explore new developments related to the organizing questions are especially welcome.

We seek articles that describe how things and processes work, and we look for claims or assertions to be backed up with evidence.

GUIDELINES

Interested writers should familiarize themselves with MUSE’s style and content, particularly in recent issues. (Sample copies are available for viewing at the Cricket Media Store where you can also purchase a current issue.) Issues are also available at many local libraries. Authors are expected to ensure accuracy in both conception and detail. MUSE purchases all rights to materials.

• Feature Articles (800–2,000 words, including sidebars)
• Profiles and Interviews, particularly of underrepresented STEM professionals (500–800 words)
• Activities and Experiments (500–800 words)
• Photo Essays (100–300 words)
• Science Fiction or Science-Focused Fiction (800–1,200 words )
• Infographics

PROCEDURE

Articles are commissioned. We invite detailed queries for articles related to upcoming themes. Detailed queries include a cover letter, an outline of the proposed article, including scope and treatment, and proposed resources. Writers new to MUSE should also provide a resume and writing sample. Authors wishing to write an article that belongs in MUSE but doesn’t fit posted themes may submit an abbreviated pitch that conveys the idea in a paragraph or two. No unsolicited manuscripts please.

Pitch via email to muse@cricketmedia.com. Include the word “QUERY” and the issue’s month/theme in the subject line.

CONTACT INFORMATION (please do not share the email address publicly):

• Questions/submissions: muse@cricketmedia.com
• Website: https://shop.cricketmedia.com/muse-magazine-for-kids.html

TO HELP YOU CRAFT YOUR PITCH:

• Learn more about the publication: MUSE is a science and arts magazine for kids that’s spot on with the facts and off the wall with the jokes. Kids who can't help wondering whether video games really kill their brain cells, or what a gentleman ladybug is called, will find the answers here. More information here.
• Check out our collection of pitch excerpts on this page and find more sample pitches at The Open Notebook Database and at SuccessfulPitches.com.
• Do not forget to end your pitch with (1) a short introduction about yourself; (2) a paragraph highlighting your writing experience, relevant credentials and publication credits; and (3) links to your strongest work or portfolio, and online profile.

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