Q: I don’t want my child’s personal information published on the Launch Pad web site.
A: Launch Pad has an “About the Author or Illustrator” web page for each young author and illustrator. What goes on that page is up to the author or illustrator, and their parent or guardian. We do not publish any personal information without signed consent from an adult (parent or guardian). Some of of authors use pen names, some use their first name only, while others feel comfortable using their full name. It is fun for our readers to read about our talented authors and illustrators, including their age, where they live, and a little bit about them, but our authors’ and illustrators’ privacy and safety is number one in importance.

Q: I submitted something to Launch Pad a long time ago, and I haven’t heard back yet.
A: Launch Pad gets a large volume of submissions, and unfortunately at this time we are unable to get back to every child who submits. If you don’t hear from us within a couple months, your submission wasn’t a great fit for Launch Pad. Keep writing or illustrating! Also check out our Writing Tips and Art Tips to help, and see the other FAQs.

Q: Do you accept submissions from adults?
A: No, we only consider work by kids ages 6 – 14.

Q: Why do you retain copyrights for the work?
A: We ask that the authors and illustrators grant Launch Pad copyrights, so that we may publish the works in future publications and on web sites and in other formats. However, we are flexible with our agreements and willing to accommodate our authors and illustrators as well as possible.

Q: Is there anything that will help me get accepted?
A: Many of our submissions are almost good enough- kids should have a teacher or a parent carefully read their writing or look at their artwork before submitting, and then consider any suggestions to make it better. Often, there are events in stories that don’t make sense, and having someone read it and make suggestions always helps! Even professional authors have lots of people read their work and make suggestions. Launch Pad also has Writing Tips and Art Tips to help.

Q: Is there anything you won’t consider?
A: We do not consider work that is based on TV episodes or video games, and we do not publish work that is violent or crude. Reading Launch Pad stories, poetry, and other pieces, should provide you with and idea of what we do accept.

Q: Is there a word limit?
A: 2500 words or fewer works best for our readers’ ages, and for our young illustrators who are assigned the works to illustrate.