I plan on being a computer science major. I don’t plan on applying to very selective schools (T30/T40…MAYBE T20 but probs not) but I want to show the colleges I am applying to that I have a passion in writing. Writing is probably the thing that I am most excellent at and would probably be a wow factor in admissions. I am publishing a kindle ebook this summer and have also submitted articles to TeenInk. However, I have not been published in their magazine, yet. This summer, I plan on submitting to INKSpire to practice and enhance my technical writing skills. I also plan on submitting to Write the World because their community/feedback facet of the website is very appealing to me. Just so you know I have a reason behind choosing these two.
However, TeenInk is already somewhat similar to those websites, and I am looking for literary magazines/newspapers/journals that are oriented more for teens. I already picked The Sun Magazine and Sandpiper and I feel like that’s enough for me, but not for college admissions. When I write down my extracurricular of writing on the common app, I want it to have some substance; I want to be able to put down the places where I’ve been published and what I’ve written. I know writing is writing. However, I feel like the more community–almost social media/blog-type–oriented publishers like TeenInk, INKSpire, and Write the World don’t count because their not technically “literary/academic journals/magazines/newspapers.” Unless, I’m wrong about that, and I’m hoping that is what someone will say because I am kind of stressing out about this at the moment.
I’m in 9th grade.
Also, what is the most prestigious online journals/newspapers/magazines I could submit to?
i would start with writing for your HS magazines/articles/journals first.
Also you should do ECs because you enjoy them, not just to “look good” to colleges.
Talk to your English teacher about places to try to get published.
Unless you win a Pulitzer, it will not be a wow factor.
The problem is that you are doing things for college applications. Do what you like and when it comes to college application time your achievements will be there to document. As @bopper said, look within your high school for opportunities to write. If you have something good, you can try entering a contest or get it published. You are currently doing it backwards. You want to get published in a certain place and are trying to write for it. That is like saying I want to play in Carnegie Hall, so I will learn the oboe.
There are hundreds and hundreds of literary journals. Some will only publish works by top-notch, established writers. Some are more open to teens. Some are only open to writers who live in that state. Some look for specific genres or themes. This is a good place to start: http://www.thereviewreview.net/
The truth is that there is nothing special about writing a kindle e-book, unfortunately. The market is flooded with kindle e-books, many of which are poorly written nonsense. I am not implying that your work is poorly written nonsense, but you have to accept that by itself, writing a kindle e-book has no cachet. The bar for distribution is too low.
There are a ton of contests and publishing opportunities directed at teens. Focus on those.
I would argue that the name of the journal doesn’t matter as much as the volume. You should focus on improving your craft, and demonstrating that you are serious about writing, instead of trying to get one feather in your cap. Serious writers submit EVERYWHERE, and they submit often. Good luck.
Don’t forget about the Scholastic Writing Awards - that’s an excellent annual competition for talented teen writers.
@Eeyore123
Thanks for your advice. Are you saying that nothing I do in the realm of writing will be a wow factor unless I win some kind of award?