General Information
DIG Into History focuses on world history with a 10- to 14-page section that focuses on an archaeological discovery or topic related to the issue’s theme. Each issue is theme-related. Accuracy is essential. Writers are encouraged to study recent past copies for content and style. (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 DIG purchases all rights to material.
Guidelines
Feature Articles
750–900 words
Includes: in-depth nonfiction, plays, and biographies.
Supplemental Nonfiction
250–500 words
Includes: subjects directly and indirectly related to the theme. Editors like little-known information but encourage writers not to overlook the obvious.
Fiction
750–1000 words
Includes: authentic historical and biographical fiction, adventure, and retold legends relating to the theme.
Activities
Up to 700 words
Includes: crafts, recipes, woodworking, or any other interesting projects that can be done either by children alone or with adult supervision. Sketches and description of how activity relates to theme should accompany queries.
Puzzles and Games
(Please, no word finds.) Crossword and other word puzzles using the vocabulary of the edition’s theme. Mazes and picture puzzles that relate to the theme.
Procedure
In order for your idea to be considered, a query must accompany each individual idea (multiple queries can be submitted at the same time) and must include the following:
- A brief cover letter stating the subject and word length of the proposed article.
- A detailed one-page outline explaining the information to be presented in the article.
- An extensive bibliography of materials the author intends to use in preparing the article.
Authors are urged to use primary resources and up-to-date scholarly resources in their bibliography. Writers new to DIG should send a writing sample with the query. If you would like to know whether your query has been received, please indicate in your subject line with “RESPONSE REQUESTED.” In all correspondence, please include your complete address as well as an email address and telephone number where you can be reached. Authors are requested to supply a 2- to 3-line biographical sketch.
A writer may send as many queries for one edition as he or she wishes, but each query must have a separate cover letter, outline, and bibliography. Please do not send unsolicited manuscripts.
Note: Queries may be submitted at any time, but queries sent well in advance of deadline MAY NOT BE ANSWERED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. Requests for material proposed in queries are usually sent five months prior to publication date. Due to the volume of submissions received, unused queries will not be acknowledged. Email queries to: dig@cricketmedia.com.
Art Submissions
See our submission guidelines for artists.
2019 Issue Theme Chart (and Query Deadlines)
- January 2019: Meet the Moche of Peru
- February 2019: Inventions Around the World
- March 2019: The Byzantine Empire (queries by 2/28/18)
- April 2019: The Anglo-Saxons (queries by 3/30/18)
- May/June 2019: The World in the Year 1571 (queries by 4/27/18)
- July/Aug 2019: The History of Cartography (queries by 6/29/18)
- September 2019: Eternal Rome (queries by 8/18/18)
- October 2019: Age of Revolution: 1774–1849 (queries by 9/29/18)
- Nov/Dec 2019: Asian-American Immigration (queries by 10/27/18)
