You can find answers to many of our commonly (and not so commonly!) asked questions here. If you have an unanswered technical question, please visit our Customer Service page before emailing us.
Submitting to and Getting Published in the Magazine
Submitting to the Book Contest
Managing Your Subscription
Technical Troubleshooting
Submitting to and Getting Published in the Magazine
What ages is Stone Soup intended for?
In general, Stone Soup is for 8- to 13-year-olds. Good readers under age 8 might also enjoy it. Some readers continue to enjoy it after they turn 14. Our writers and artists are all ages 8 to 14 (submissions are accepted by those still in U.S. eighth grade or its equivalent).
How can I send my work to Stone Soup?
Read our Contributors’ Guidelines for a detailed answer to this question.
I am a teacher. How can I submit my students’ work?
You can submit work by up to ten different students through our classroom submissions portal. However, if you only have a couple of pieces to submit, it would be more cost effective to submit them individually through the genre-specific portal. It costs $3 to submit one story or personal narrative, or one portfolio of poems or art, and we welcome teacher submissions there as well.
What are my chances of getting published?
We receive 200 to 300 submissions a month. We really enjoy seeing everyone’s work, but, unfortunately, we are able to publish only a small percentage of the work we receive in Stone Soup.
Why do you charge a fee for submissions?
Submittable, the program we use to manage our submissions, costs money to use. The submission fee helps us to cover the cost of Submittable. Once the cost of Submittable is paid for, the small profit we do make off submissions helps us pay for the cost of producing the magazine. Stone Soup is published by the Children’s Art Foundation, a nonprofit. We have a small team and a small operating budget. The submission fee is part of what helps keep us in print!
I cannot afford the submission fee. Can I still submit?
Yes. Please write to us at editor@stonesoup.com, explaining why you are not able to pay the fee at this time, and we will send you a special link to submit without a fee. Please do not email us any submissions. We do not accept submissions via email.
Can I email you my submission?
Please do not email us any submissions. We do not accept submissions via email and will delete the message unread. If you are not able to pay the submission fee at this time, write to us with an explanation of circumstances at editor@stonesoup.com, and we will provide you with a link to submit without a fee.
I have published my poem/story/artwork on my blog. Can I still submit it to Stone Soup?
You may still submit it but only if you agree to delete it from your blog if we accept it for the magazine or the blog.
I see you sometimes publish novellas in the magazine. Where can I submit my novella?
Any novellas or other book-length works we feature in the magazine were submitted to our annual book contest, which is open through the spring and summer of each year. Please submit any longer works to our book contest.
I am not from the U.S. or Canada. Can I still submit to Stone Soup?
Yes!! We have published work by young writers and artists from all over the world, and welcome international submissions.
What rights does Stone Soup purchase for the work it publishes?
Normally, we purchase all rights, but we are happy to make other arrangements when asked.
Does my story or poem have to be typed?
Writing need not be typed, as long as it is legible. If you type your work, please type it double-spaced in a plain, medium-sized font. Remember that all submissions are through our online system, so whether it is typed or handwritten you will need to have your work in an electronic file in order to send it to us. If you do not type yet, it is fine to ask a parent to transcribe the work for you.
May I submit more than one story/packet of poems/set of artworks at a time?
Yes, you may submit multiple submissions for consideration at one time
May I illustrate my own story?
Yes, you may submit your story with your own illustrations or those of a friend. Please submit them as a separate entires in the appropriate categories with a note in the cover letter. Please know however that it is possible we will accept a story without the art or vice versa.
May I send the same story to Stone Soup and to another magazine, website, or contest?
Please wait to hear back from us before submitting your work elsewhere. If you have not heard from us within 12 weeks and are anxious to submit elsewhere, feel free to email and inquire about the status of your submission. We will not respond to status queries sent before 12 weeks.
Does Stone Soup hold contests?
Yes, we do! Please see our Current Contests for more details, or you can always go straight to our Submittable page, which includes contests and all specialized categories or themed work we are actively looking for.
If my work is accepted to the blog, when will it be published?
Usually within 2-4 weeks; please feel free to follow up with with editor@stonesoup.com if four weeks have passed and you have not heard from us.
If my work is accepted to the magazine, when will it be published?
We plan and produce issues months in advance, so publication is never instantaneous. Putting together an issue does not simply mean slotting in the pieces most recently accepted, but rather finding the pieces that “speak” to each other in some way. For these reasons, you can expect a lag time of at least three months and up to a year (and occasionally even a bit longer) before you see your piece published. This is standard practice for professional literary journals. Thanks in advance for your patience.
If my work is accepted to the magazine, how will I be compensated?
All contributors whose work is accepted for publication are paid with two print copies of the issue their work appears in. Those who are listed on the honor roll will receive one print copy of the magazine.
Where can I send my work after I start high school?
We do not have a publication of our own for older writers, but we do know of some other outlets for teen writers and artists. Where you go will depend on what kind of work you are producing, and we have made a list of some of the publications by and for teens that we know about, with links so you can explore them for yourself. You might also try your own Google search, or ask the librarian at your high school or public library to help you find resources. Please do stay in touch with us and let us know what you are working on after Stone Soup, and tell us what other resources we should add to our page. We also encourage former contributors and readers who have aged out to consider applying for our internship program.
Do you publish any work at all by adults? Book reviews? Artwork?
No, everything we publish is by young writers and artists. Our age limit is 13, or through US eighth grade.
We do welcome some adult bloggers to write for our website, especially educators or authors who wish to share writing tips, or have ideas for writing or art activities based on Stone Soup material that could help other educators. Please contact us if this is something that interests you.
Where does the name Stone Soup come from?
Stone Soup is the name of a folktale that is told in many countries, including Russia, Sweden, and parts of Africa. Most of the versions tell how a pot of water and a stone can turn into a great soup when everyone contributes a little something—a potato, a carrot, some chicken. In Stone Soup Magazine, all our writers contribute a little something to make each issue rich and tasty. Click here to read more about the Stone Soup folktale.
Do you have any job openings or internships?
You can read more about our internship programs here. For job queries we are always open to inquiries from qualified people who want to help us with our projects. Send your cover letter and resume to William Rubel.
For more information and advice on how to get published in the magazine, see our page on submitting creative writing and art to Stone Soup.
Submitting to the Book Contest
I have self-published a book. Can I still submit this book to the annual book contest?
No. We only accept unpublished work and cannot accept any work that has already been self-published, whether on a blog or in Kindle or other format.
Can I submit a manuscript that I co-wrote with one (or more) friends?
Yes, you may. Although only the Submittable form only allows you to list one author, you should name all of the authors in your cover letter on the submission form as well as on the title page of your manuscript. Please include ages and parent emails for all authors.
Do I need to be a subscriber to enter the contest?
No, you do not need to be a Stone Soup subscriber to submit to the magazine or to enter any of our contests.
If I am a subscriber, can I submit to the book contest for free?
No, you may not. While we do offer free submissions to the magazine for subscribers, contests have a separate fee that all entrants must pay—this helps us cover the extra labor that judging a contests requires!
If my book doesn’t win the contest, can I still publish it elsewhere?
Yes, of course! As with most contests and publishing submissions, you should not submit or publish elsewhere until the contest is closed. However, if we decline to publish your manuscript, you may do whatever you wish to with your manuscript after the results of the contest are announced.
If I am one of the winners of the contest, can I still submit my manuscript to another publishing house or to a literary agent?
If you are one of the winners, or if your piece is selected for publication in the magazine, you may not submit your manuscript to a publishing house or literary agent. Children’s Art Foundation–Stone Soup Inc. is a publisher, and the prize is that we will publish the book.
Can I receive help on the book from an outside editor?
Yes, you may, so long as that help is truly help and not direction: this is your book, your creative project. It would be fine, for instance, to have someone proofread the book or even offer editorial guidance—asking questions about the plot or advice to refine your writing—so long as you are thinking through this feedback on your own and implementing changes yourself.
Can I submit multiple manuscripts?
Yes, you may, but they must be entered separately, as two distinct entries, and you must pay the submission fee each time.
I have written a work of fan fiction. May I submit to the contest?
We know there is a lot of really excellent fan fiction out there, but we are not seeking fan fiction entries for this particular contest. We are looking for a completely new, original works of fiction and poetry that are the sole creation of the author, who will own its copyright.
Is there a cash prize for the contest?
No, the prize is publication of the winning book(s). However, the winners will receive a standard publishing contract that includes an agreement on royalties.
Who owns the film rights to the winning work?
Children’s Art Foundation–Stone Soup Inc. does not own film rights. We own the world rights to all the texts we publish. This means we can publish the book in English and also sell foreign rights to international publishers who may wish to buy and translate the book to publish in their own countries.
Can I submit illustrations along with my book?
Yes, you are welcome to submit illustrations in addition to your written story or collection of poems. However, we cannot guarantee that we will publish the illustrations if your manuscript is accepted.
Can I submit a book that ends in a cliffhanger?
Yes, feel free to submit a story that ends in a cliffhanger. However, if you plan on writing a follow-up to the book, we cannot promise that we will publish any sequels.
Managing Your Subscription
Is the print version of Stone Soup still available?
Yes, it is! We offer home delivery print subscriptions to readers all over the world (press the Subscribe button above to get the full details), and we sell one off copies and back issues (as well as the Stone Soup Annual and our collection of thematic anthologies, the Stone Soup Books of…) at our online store. Digital-only subscribers who want a paper copy can download a PDF version of each issue and print it at home.
Can I cancel auto-renew?
Yes. On the Stone Soup homepage, click on the “My Account” link on the top right hand corner of the page. If you’re not currently logged in, you’ll be prompted to do so. Once you’ve logged in, you’ll be redirected to a page titled “My Account.” Click on “Subscriptions”. If you have one subscription, you will be directed straight to a page where you may use a slider to switch auto-renew on and off. If you have more than one subscription, click on “Subscriptions,” then select the relevant subscription from the list and then use the slider as outlined above.
Can I change credit cards associated with my Stone Soup Account?
Yes. On the Stone Soup homepage, click on the “My Account” link on the top right hand corner of the page. If you’re not currently logged in, you’ll be prompted to do so. Once you’ve logged in, you’ll be redirected to a page titled “My Account.” Click on “Payment Methods” to view, edit or delete your current payment methods.
Do you store credit card information?
No. Stone Soup does not store any credit card information and our staff do not have access to your credit card details. Your credit card information is securely stored by Authorize.net, a division of Visa.
Can I switch my subscription from Digital Only to Print and Digital?
Yes. The simplest way to do so at the moment would be to cancel your current Digital Subscription and re-subscribe with the Print and Digital option. We are currently working on a method to make this process easier.
I’d like to be refunded for my subscription.
If you subscribe by the month, then login to your account and turn off auto renew. If you want to cancel an annual subscription or any subscription that includes print then please write to subscriptions@stonesoup.com. Please include your name and the name and city of the child who receives the magazine. We will respond to your request within 48 hours.
I subscribed but I haven’t received any issues.
If you ordered between the 1st and 13th of the month your first issue will be shipped on the 15th. If you ordered between the 14th and the end of the month your first issue will ship on the 1st of the following month. Magazines take one to three weeks to arrive within the United States and Canada. All other destinations should estimate two to three weeks for your first issue to arrive.
Before contacting us with a complaint (via subscriptions@stonesoup.com), please log in to your account and check the mailing address of the recipient. Please correct it if there is an error. Thank you.
How do I buy just one issue of Stone Soup?
You have the option to buy single issues of Stone Soup in our online store. Yuu may also purchase a single month of digital access by pressing the “Subscribe” button on our website and selecting the relevant option.
Can I subscribe to print edition of Stone Soup if I don’t live in the United States? What are the additional mailing costs?
Yes! We offer print subscriptions internationally. For most regions, the mailing cost is included in the subscription price: the subscription price is the same for the USA, Canada and the UK. Some countries incur additional mailing costs, which vary according to the location. These costs are calculated at checkout (based on the address of the recipient of the magazine) and displayed to you for your agreement before your purchase is completed.
Can I subscribe to the digital edition of Stone Soup if I don’t live in the United States?
Yes! Individual and IP based subscriptions for schools and libraries are available internationally charged in US Dollars at the same rates worldwide.
Technical Troubleshooting
How do I log in?
To log in and access online Stone Soup content and your account, click on the “My Account” link on the top right corner of the page. Most Stone Soup logins are email addresses.
Why can’t I access the content I want to read?
Casual visitors to our website can read a few items for free, but to access the full range of Stone Soup content you must be logged in to your account. Follow the steps in the first question in this FAQ to make sure you have logged in. If you are logged in but still unable to access any content, please visit “My Account” and check the status of your subscription. If your subscription is up-to-date and you still cannot access your content, please take a screenshot showing the page you tried to access and the error message that was displayed, and email it to us at subscriptions@stonesoup.com. Please include a brief description of your issue and the name(s) and address(es) associated with your subscription.
I don’t know my login details. How do I find them?
Your login details should be included in the confirmation email received from us when your subscription began. If you no longer have that confirmation, you may still be able to log in: most Stone Soup account logins are the email address you or the person who gave you your subscription gave us when they signed up. We suggest that you try that first. If you are still unable to login using your email address, please contact us at subscriptions@stonesoup.com including the name(s), email address(es) and address(es) associated with your account. We will check the details and respond to you within 48 hours.
I’d like to be removed from the mailing list.
To comply with European Union regulations (GDPR), we must ask you to remove yourself from our mailing list. Our staff can no longer do this for you. All mailings that we send have an ‘Unsubscribe’ link in the footer. Simply scroll down to the end of an email you’ve received from Stone Soup and click on the “Unsubscribe From This List” option in the footer. If you ever wish to re-subscribe, you can fill out the “Sign Up for Our Newsletter” form on our homepage.
I’m having a problem with Submittable.
Unfortunately, Submittable is a different service, and we cannot help you with your Submittable questions. Please direct your questions to support@submittable.com or visit their Help Center.
Is your question not answered above? Email us at subscriptions@stonesoup.com for further help.
