ASK® Submission Guidelines

General Information

ASK® is a nonfiction magazine for children 7–10 years old who are curious about science and the world they live in. Each edition of ASK is built around a central theme or question.

ASK introduces kids to the joys of thinking and questioning scientifically, and presumes them to be active members of the international community of knowledge-seekers. The ideal ASK article is an engaging nonfiction story (or cartoon) that is concrete, specific, and appealing to newly independent readers (grades 3–5), but that an adult reader might also find interesting. Above all, it should tell a good story, with an emphasis on ideas and problem-solving rather than just facts. ASK encourages humor, and believes that no topic is beyond the grasp of an intelligent young person if explained well in lively terms.

ASK encourages writers to stretch the boundaries of topic themes and look for interesting perspectives and unexpected connections. We also love science cartoons.

ASK Magazine has no open calls for submission at this time. Please check back.

General Information

ASK® is a nonfiction magazine for children 7–10 years old who are curious about science and the world they live in. Each edition of ASK is built around a central theme or question.

ASK encourages writers to stretch the boundaries of topic themes and look for interesting perspectives and unexpected connections. We also love science cartoons.

Cricket Media, Inc. is committed to a diverse literary culture, and we welcome works by writers from underrepresented groups (people of color, people with disabilities, LGBTQAI+ folks, and other marginalized peoples).

Guidelines

All articles in ASK are commissioned; ASK welcomes queries for articles for upcoming themes (see table below). Queries should give an overview of the proposed article, including scope and treatment, resources, and a draft opening paragraph. For cartoons, please provide a rough script, sketches for the first few panels, and one finished panel or a link to your finished work. Writers new to ASK should also provide a resume and two writing samples, including at least 200 words of unedited copy on any nonfiction topic.

Authors are expected to ensure that all content is scientifically correct in both conception and detail, and drafts should include a full list of references and sources consulted. Authors wishing to write for ASK should consult any past copy to get a sense of the tone, style, and range of articles. (Sample copies are available for viewing at the Cricket Store, where you can also purchase a current issue.) Issues are also available at many local libraries.

Feature Articles (400–1200 words, with sidebars)
Photo Essays (400–800 words)
Humor Pieces (200–400 words)
Profiles/Interviews of Scientists, Inventors, Engineers, Artists (200–1000 words)
Theme-appropriate experiments
Science panel cartoons (2-6 pages)

Procedure

Story pitches should be submitted at Submittable, or emailed to ask@cricketmedia.com. We do not accept hard-copy submissions or queries. Submittable accepts international submissions.

Rights

Articles previously unpublished: Rights vary, with option for authors to retain copyright.
Articles previously published: ASK purchases second publication rights.

Queries and Questions

Queries and questions should be submitted through our Submittable page. Pitches can also be directed to ask@cricketmedia.com. Authors are also encouraged to check the ASK Authors’ Page for current edition status, needs, and updates from the editor.

Art Submissions

See our submission guidelines for artists.

2024 Issue Theme Chart

JANUARY: Crazy Colors

General direction: Where do colors come from? Can we find more?

Possible stories: Interview with pigment scientist, cartoon colorist, or other color-involved profession; designing better LEDs; how color-changing lights work; inventing a new color; tour of paint or crayon factory; other fun color stories?

Queries by: April 30, 2023

FEBRUARY: Wolf in the House

General direction: How did people become friends with dogs?

Possible stories: Domestication experiments; canid family tree; breed vs. species; making dog food; jobs for dogs; return of the wolves; what about the coyotes; how to speak dog

General direction: May 15, 2023

MARCH: Eclipse!

General direction: Coming April 8 to a continent near you! What are eclipses, and how can you see one?

Possible stories: Interview with solar physicist; past eclipse stories; how did ancient civilizations predict eclipses?; puzzle of the solar corona; safe eclipse viewing; solar telescopes

Queries by: June 15, 2023

APRIL: Fancy Feet

General direction: How much joy can your feet give you?

Possible stories: Interview with a dancer of any style; interview with shoe engineer/designer; shoes for different jobs; anthropology of running; psychology/sociology of dance; animal dancing; other stories about dancing and feet?

Queries by: July 15, 2023

MAY/JUNE: Wild in the City

General direction: Can wild animals make a home in the big city?

Possible stories: Profile of a species adapting in a city; parks as refuges; cities and bird migration; why do some species do better in cities; problem species; and let’s not forget plants and invertebrates!

Queries by: August 15, 2023

JULY/AUGUST:

Two of Us

General direction: What’s special about twins?

Queries by: September 15, 2023

SEPTEMBER: Secrets of Lunch

General direction: Is their amazing science inside your favorite treats?

Possible stories: Cooking for a crowd (restaurant/cafeteria); how something is made in a factory or farm (cereal, cheese, pretzels, etc.); lunch around the world; food advertising; food chemistry, other surprising stories about lunch?

Queries by: November 30, 2023

OCTOBER: Shipwrecked

General direction: Why do big ships sink? And what happens then?

Possible stories: Finding Endurance or other shipwreck that is not Titanic; science of undersea salvage or profile of salvage scientist; what historians learn from old cargo; shipworms; robot ships; how big ships get through small canals (or, don’t)

Queries by: January 15, 2024

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER: Wild in the City

General direction: What’s better than a present you make yourself?

Possible stories: Quirky or interesting DIY inventors; how a 3D printer works, and what it can do; 3D printed, mail order, and flat-pack houses; projects 8 year old kids can make and give to friends and family.

Queries by: February 29, 2024