special report

GL
Girls’ Life Magazine

August/September 2008

From the website:
Girls’ Life first hit the newsstands in 1994, but they’ve seen quite a few changes since then. Girls’ Life says that they guide “girls through the growing-up years—without making them grow up too fast.”

To understand how to break into GL, they have a great “How to Pitch” article courtesy of MediaBistro (PDF) -- which includes tidbits such as “The kind of story topic that is popular with the Girls' Life reader runs more to advice on what to do when you come to school and everybody has decided you're kicked out of the lunch table or how to deal with getting your period or finding the right bra.”

Also, unlike magazines like Discovery Girls and American Girl, GL has lots of content about boys though without the overt sexual content of older teen magazines. Beauty and Fashion is normally written in house. And be careful not to sound like a parent.

GL readers also love quizzes: “"I could give our girls everything in quiz form and they'd be happy about it." The also do “as told to” articles which are written as if the young girl is doing the talking, but which is really written by a freelance writer from interviews with the girl. And quizzes can be sent on spec rather than needing a query first.

For fiction: Most stories center on a friendship, a family situation, or a crush, but the magazine has published some wildly original pieces as well. Fiction should be completely self-contained short stories up to 3000 words with a clear plot arc, not a chapter from a novel. NO POETRY. Not every issue contains fiction, in fact, none of the issues I’ve picked up lately have contained fiction – I may just happen to miss the fiction issues but it certainly suggests they’re not going to be a great fiction market.

Writer’s Guidelines are available online, they respond to email queries in 90 days, and they buy all rights. They also accept material from young writers for the website.

Submit to:

Mandy Forr
Associate Editor
Girls' Life magazine
4529 Harford Road
Baltimore, MD 21214
Query Associate Editor Mandy Forr.

From the Masthead:

Publisher: Karen Bokram
Associate Editor: Katie Abbondanza
Assistant Editor: Patricia McNamara
Senior Online Editor: Jiae Kim

ANALYSIS OF SPECIFIC ISSUE

GL: The Magazine for Girls
August/September 2009

Note: No fiction in this issue.

You Said It: Letters from GL readers thanked the magazine for a celebrity article that mentioned scoliosis and articles on picking the right bathing suit for your body type, abusive relationships, and depression.

Karen – the Editor’s Page looks at 15 things the editor learned from looking at fifteen years of Girl’s Life issues. Mostly celebrity, fashion/beauty, parents, and relationship related things.

Dear Carol – Advice column deals with relationships with parents, boys, and friends. Plus body issues and self image. Also questions both about a boyfriend who won’t kiss the girl and a boyfriend who pressures for sex – so girls are dealing with a wide array of issues.

GL FASHION – in house pieces that almost look like ads for products with examples, prices, and stores availability on heels, bags, make-up. Plus 12 easy tips for quick “make-overs” by changing small things, includes products and prices.

GL FASHION – First Day Outfits That Will Make Your Feel Amazing. Girls describe their fashion problems and the magazine shows examples of outfits that would work for that girl. In house.

GL FASHION – Real Life Style – Highlights one teen and her fashion sense/choices. In house.

GL BEAUTY – HAIR – “A cute ‘do that’s so YOU” by Jess Hoffmann. Cuts that are defined as stylish, sophisticated, girly, edgy and polished but pretty. Tells the girls what to tell their stylist to get the look they want.

GL BFF/”No Pressure” by Patricia McNamara. Tips for how to stand up to a friend who is pressuring you to do things you don’t want to do.

GL BODY Q&A by Amanda Forr – questions from readers and responses about running cramps, gas, nail biting, and hyperpigmentation.

GL GUYS Q&A by Bill and Dave – questions from readers that are answered with a male perspective. The questions cover things like what to say to a guy who is having a bad day, trusting, and how to tell if a guy likes you. Plus, tips on what not to do around guys.

GL GUYS: “Summer fling or real thing” by Jessica Strul – five tips to help tell if a summer relationship can make the long haul. Has an opening anecdotal paragraph, subheadings for each tip, and a paragraph of support for each subheading.

GL LIFE: “Shine from the Start!” by Lisa Mulcahy. Five tips for making the best first impression. Again an anecdotal opening paragraph (set in a different color on the page), then subheadings for each “tip” with a paragraph of support.

GL What’s Hot by Danelle Scarola and Patricia McNamara – focus on young celebrities, plus two blurb type book reviews. Also has a “must list” of shows, games, music, and movies.

“Salena Works Her Magic” by Danielle Scarola. Profile of Selena Gomez.

“Get Schooled: Fall’s Top 9 Trends.” More clothes with prices and blurbs on the trends they reflect.

“First Day Freak Outs Be Gone!” By Patricia McNamara. Reader fears about getting older and answers. Includes strict teachers, cooling friendships, peer pressure, lunchroom angst, new school freak outs.

QUIZ: “Do You Make Friends Fast?” by Jiae Kim. Opening anecdotal paragraph. Ten questions with three multiple choice answers. Answers grouped into three types.

“Be Fearless” by Katie Abbondanza. Tips for handling anxious situations like stage fright and other forms of performance anxiety. Also covers new school fears as well as “talking to boys” fears. Tips come from an “expert” – a mentor.

QUIZ: “What’s Your School ‘Tude?” By Cait Rohan. Eight questions, three multiple choice answers – choices ranged from super obsessive about school to really slack. Gives tips to help reader find balance. Includes sidebar with seven tips to succeed at school.

“Celeb Love Secrets” by Jessica Strul – Tips for having a healthy relationship – uses celebrity couples as positive examples. Includes a sidebar with imagined relationship advice from fictional couples.

“I Started A Kindness Revolution” by Morgan Marner (as told to Melissa Walker) One girl’s response to seeing her brother bullied was to work to increase kindness in her school. Includes a sidebar of tips on how the reader can be kinder.

“Danger Behind the Wheel” by Rachel Aydt – An article on the rise in accidents caused by distractions in the car, such as cell phones, texting, and other types of “multi-tasking” while driving. Includes lots of quotes from teens and from experts working with teens.

“Kick off Your Year Feeling Fab!” by Katie Abbondanza. A week by week guide to adding more healthy habits to your life in terms of eating better, exercising more, and positive mood lifters. Also includes exercises.

GL Star Signs by Lola Starz – Horoscopes…includes “Schoolcasts” that suggest positive action toward a good school year.

The G-List: “15 Reasons School Rocks” by Kate Gallahan. Fifteen one-liners of positive things about school including “Phys Ed class is like a free membership to a gym” and “Slowly, day by day, you’re getting smarter.”

And How Was Your Day? – embarrassing reader moments.

This page last updated on 01 September 2009