WINNER Magazine
Winner magazine provides drug education and life-skills training slanted toward students in the fourth through sixth grades. The overall premise of Winner is that preventive drug education is the most effective. We not only communicate the facts and figures about the dangers of drugs, but we also address the development of life skills and real-world problem solving.
Because of Winner's target age group, we like writers to use what we call a story-article form: present the factual information within the framework of a story. Reading a sample copy will show you what we mean.
Please note: Winner is transitioning into a magazine composed mostly of by-assignment pieces. Unsolicited manuscripts will constitute only about 15 percent of future content.
Winner uses the following types of stories/articles:
DRUG FACTUAL STORY-ARTICLE: presents facts about a specific drug or drug-related behavior. We occasionally use something on a more general drug-related topic such as "why people become addicted to drugs" or "how to help a friend who may have a drug problem."
LIFE SKILLS STORY-ARTICLE: discusses a specific life skill or solutions to a real-life problem in order to help young people not only steer clear of drug use but also fit into society in a practical, positive, growing way (topics include self-esteem, peer pressure, decision making, etc.).
PERSONALITY PROFILE: focuses on a young well-known personality (or young person who is doing or has done something positive and notable) who doesn't use alcohol, tobacco, or drugs, and is a good role model for young people. We've found it very effective to present such a person telling our readers, "I've stayed away from drugs, and I've succeeded. You too can achieve what you want if you say no to drugs."
HOBBY/ACTIVITY ARTICLE: presents a specific hobby, sport, or other activity (such as some kind of volunteer work) that can capture kids' interest and function as a positive alternative to drug use, and also as a source of self-esteem.
In all categories the article's length should not exceed 600-650 words. In addition (not included in that word count), we need you to supply three thought questions and a pencil activity (usually a puzzle of some type). Looking at a sample copy will give you an idea of what we want.
Payment: Winner is a nonprofit publication, and our budget is tight. We currently pay approximately $80 per article. Thank you for your interest in Winner.
For a sample copy of the magazine, please include a 9 x 12 SASE and $2.
Mailing address:
Winner Magazine
55 West Oak Ridge Drive
Hagerstown, MD 21740
Updated August 17, 2005
