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 is the “older sibling” to KNOW: The Science Magazine For Curious Kids. YES Mag’s first issue was published in Spring 1996.

YES Mag grew out of a partnership with Actua, an award-winning science promotion organization. Actua is made up of 27 university-based, student-run programs in Canada.

In Fall 2009, YES Mag and KNOW were acquired by the Mad Science Group.

Like Mad Science, both YES Mag and KNOW seek 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. Due to the requirements of a Canadian government grant, at this time we are only accepting queries from Canadian writers. 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 at most 800 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).

Please take a look at YES Mag before submitting. Back issues and subscriptions can be ordered from our online store. We are also available at larger newsstands in Canada and many Canadian libraries also carry us.

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)
• What Is It? / Five Things: (Not open to freelance submissions)

• Four two-page articles relating to the issue's theme.
• 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).

Fees and Contract

We pay $100 per sci/tech and $145 per assigned page for a feature or theme section story. (A two-page feature - max 800 words -- will net you $290. A one page feature, $145. We rarely assign three pages, although a feature can run three pages if we have lots of photos.)

We purchase first time North American print rights and non-exclusive electronic rights to articles. First time North American print rights means we can print your story in the North American print edition of our magazine. Non-exclusive electronic rights means we can use the article in an electronic format that we publish (for example, on our website or in an e-book we produce) but we can not relicense the material to any third party, nor can we include the article in any item that is for sale (for example, a retail CD-ROM containing a selection of articles from the magazine). You retain the copyright on your article and the right to relicense it to third parties.

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. Remember: at this time we are only accepting queries from Canadian writers.

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.