To have your fable published on KidsFables, please follow the rules of writing. These include:
1. Insert spaces between sentences, start sentences with capital letters, and divide your fable into paragraphs. You may choose to text using bad grammar, but you may not write fables for KidsFables using that style. Responsible teachers and parents will discourage such errors from appearing in submissions.
Fables submitted in all upper case will not be published.
2. A good fable tells one story and teaches one moral. Start with a clear and concise idea.
3. Be brief. If you want to write more, write another fable.
4. Let your characters express your point. Your characters are your tools. Use them to convey your story line and express your moral.
5. Follow the rules of grammar. This will help your writing convey meaning to your readers. People will enjoy, learn from, and remember your fables when they understand it.
6. Use standard, accepted, proper English and speech patterns.
7. Do not use ‘like’, ‘ya know’, ‘going forward’, ‘um’ or other speech affectations. These will distract from your fable’s meaning.
8. Use language and words that you use in normal conversation with civilized people whom you respect — grandparent, parent, child, etc. Use of vulgar words will prevent publication.
9. We sometimes receive fables that are incomplete, contain very bad grammatical and syntactical errors, and make little sense. For some kids it is better for them to write their fables on paper. Then work with their parents and teachers to bring them up to reasonable standards.
If kids choose to submit rough drafts, one of our staff teachers will review and improve the student’s honest attempt at writing a fable.
10. Remember to add a space between each sentence. When you finish each sentence, type a period & then a space before starting the next sentence.
When you finish expressing a thought or describing an event, you have a complete paragraph. This can be a good point to start a new paragraph.
Never write a long string of words that are not separated into logical paragraphs.
Follow grammar and punctuation rules that good authors follow. These rules will help your fable convey meaning to your readers.
Fables submitted in upper case will not be published.
11. There is no award for speed-writing fables. Good, effective writing takes time and review. Take all the time you need to think through your fable’s moral and story. Your fable should express a meaningful moral with clarity. This is usually best accomplished by not rushing. When you have written your fable, pause to consider how you might improve it.