AQUILA has a dedicated team of regular contributors who are experts in various subject areas. Many are teachers in their field, and so they’re used to communicating with children. Occasionally unsolicited articles are published if they are highly original and engaging, and based on specialised knowledge.
Articles and stories are planned up to six months in advance. A selection of fiction is made each summer, the themes for the coming year are available upon request, and most non-fiction is commissioned up to six months in advance.
The magazine has a readership of 40,000 children between 8 and 14 years. The majority being in the 9-12 range. The content is designed to appeal to bright children who are confident and independent readers.
The best advice we can give is to make sure you’ve read the magazine thoroughly before you think about contributing. Then think about what you would have liked to read at that age and ask yourself, is my idea exciting? Is it different? Is it funny/ dynamic/ entertaining? Have I got to the core of my concept? If the answer to all of these questions is YES, we’d love to see it.
General
A) We would prefer stories and features that have not previously been published or made available in Great Britain.
B) All stories and features need to be of interest to girls and boys between 8 and 14 years.
C) If at all possible, please avoid posting manuscripts and instead email it to us at [email protected].
D) Please do not send anything you would like returned to you, even if you contain a stamped address envelope. We’re a small team, and we like to focus our energy on producing the magazine wherever possible.
E) Published stories or articles may be used on our website, or appear in promotional material.
F) We generally don’t publish children’s writing other than on our letters page, which is open to all subscribers.
AQUILA – brief for short story
A) The story should be between 1000 and 1300 words max (to fill one double spread).
B) We do publish some two part stories, but they must be especially exciting as they have to hold our readers’ interest over two issues. Each instalment to be no more than 1200 words and no less than 1050 words.
C) Each instalment should be a satisfying read in its own right, and the first instalment should end in way that leaves the reader wanting more.
D) We offer a fee of £105 per short story, or per instalment for two-part stories. This is payable on publication.
E) Any illustrations will be commissioned by AQUILA.
AQUILA – brief for feature
A) The feature should be around 800 words (depending on how much space is needed for diagrams, illustrations etc)
B) Please contact the editor of AQUILA via email to discuss ideas. A feature is only likely to be of interest if it is highly original in presentation and content, and uses specialist or inside knowledge, but if you think you have something special please do get in touch.
C) Please supply good picture references wherever possible.
D) If a feature is accepted, a fee of £105 will be payable on publication.