Writers Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in writing for American Girl. Please review our guidelines for book and magazine submissions. For more information, e-mail us or call 1-608-836-4848, x7026.

Books

American Girl Publishing welcomes nonfiction submissions from authors and agents. We do not accept submissions in the field of fiction.

Our advice and activity books cover subjects of interest or concern to girls ages 8–12, complete with illustrations and photographs. Our goal is to encourage their dreams and to reinforce their self-confidence and curiosity as they prepare to navigate adolescence in the years ahead.

American Girl Publishing invites proposals for:

Well-focused concepts for activity books, craft books, or advice books
Nonfiction specifically targeted to girls

Proposals should include a detailed description of your concept, sample chapters or spreads, and lists or samples of previous publications. Complete manuscripts are also acceptable.

American Girl cannot reply or return a manuscript unless it is accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope with sufficient postage. Send submissions to:

Submissions Editor

American Girl Publications

8400 Fairway Place

Middleton, WI 53562

Please allow 12–16 weeks for a response.

Magazine

American Girl magazine

American Girl is a bimonthly, four-color magazine for girls ages 8 and up. American Girl readers are girls in their formative years, girls who dream big dreams. We hope to encourage those dreams and to reinforce each reader’s self-confidence, curiosity, and self-esteem as she prepares to navigate adolescence in the years ahead. Our lead time is approximately nine months or more.

Fiction

We are not currently looking for fiction.

Nonfiction

We’re looking for individual girls or groups who are doing something other girls would love to read and learn about. Find a topic about which girls are passionate. Past pieces have featured girl entrepreneurs, girls who attend unusual schools, and girl bands. Look for new twists on familiar topics. Please send queries rather than finished manuscripts.

Girls Express

This section offers the most opportunities for freelance writers. We’re looking for short profiles of girls who are into sports, the arts, unique hobbies, cultural activities, or other areas of interest. We are also looking for true stories about girls who have had unusual experiences. The girl must be the “star” and the story must be from her point of view. Be sure to include the age of the girls you’re pitching to us. Let us know if you have any photo leads. Stories should be no more than 150 words. In addition, we’re looking for easy crafts and recipes that can be explained in a few simple steps.

Craft and Cooking

We welcome original craft and cooking ideas that are new and exciting to our readers. Projects should require limited parental involvement and supplies should be inexpensive and readily available. Keep in mind the skill level of our readers. Safety is a priority. Query with a short explanation of the project and an example, photograph, or sketch.

Sample issues

The best way to understand the types of stories we publish is to look at a recent issue. American Girl costs $4.95 per issue at the newsstand and is available in many children’s bookstores. To order a sample copy, send a check for $5.95 made out to “American Girl.” Please include your mailing address.

Address

All queries and requests for sample magazines should be sent to:

Magazine Department Assistant

American Girl