Teen Ink Magazine is a long-running platform that publishes creative work by students ages 13–19 from around the world, offering opportunities in writing, art, photography, books, and video. Beyond publication, Teen Ink helps students build a credible portfolio, strengthen their creative skills, and gain exposure to a global community of young writers and artists.
Because of the high volume of submissions, success depends on producing polished, authentic, and engaging work. Students are encouraged to revise carefully, develop a unique perspective, and study previously published pieces to understand expectations.
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What is Teen Ink Magazine?
Founded in 1989 in Atlanta, Teen Ink Magazine is a national teen magazine, book series, and website devoted to publishing work by teenagers. It has published work from over 55,000 teenagers ever since its inception. The magazine content covers every aspect of a teenager’s opinions and issues that affect their life, from school, relationships, mental health, current events, and whatever else is on their minds. The magazine is dedicated to helping young people share their unique voices while developing their creative thinking skills.
Who Can Submit to Teen Ink?
The magazine accepts submissions from students aged 13 to 19 from any country or educational background. They can be both experienced writers/artists and beginners exploring creative work. If you’re a first-time writer, you are encouraged to submit your work.
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What Can You Submit to Teen Ink?
Teen Ink accepts a wide range of creative work, organized into four main submission categories:
- Article/Poetry
- Art/Photo
- Book/Novel
- Video
Further details about what comes into each category can be viewed here.
Why Teen Ink is a Great Opportunity
Participating in Teen Ink gives you an opportunity to be published, but they offer benefits that go well beyond a byline. Here’s what you will gain if you submit to this magazine:
A credible portfolio. Published work in a well-known national magazine demonstrates your initiative and ability to communicate ideas effectively. These are qualities that college admissions committees notice, and it will surely give your application something concrete to point to.
Stronger creative practice. Writing for a real audience raises the stakes in the best possible way. It pushes you to sharpen your ideas and work through revisions with intention. These are habits that will serve you well beyond any single submission.
Global exposure and connection. Your work sits alongside pieces from students across the world, and engaging with that range of voices and perspectives can genuinely expand how you think and write. Over time, that exposure is going to help you develop a more nuanced, confident tone of your own.
For students who want to go further, Teen Ink can also be a springboard to build your own platform. If this inspires you, check out our guide on How to Start a Student-Led Literary Magazine in High School.
Teen Ink Magazine Submission Details
Deadline: Submissions are accepted year-round. Holiday-themed work should be submitted at least two months early.
Below are details about the different submission types:
Written Work
Most written pieces are typically under 2,500 words, though novels can extend much longer (2,500 to 100,000 words).
Art and Photography
While there are no specific requirements for art and photography, students should avoid copyrighted or recognizable characters.
Book Reviews
Strong book reviews should follow these basic instructions:
- Introduce the book with its title and author
- Provide a brief, spoiler-free summary
- Analyze elements such as theme, character development, and writing style
- Offer specific, supported opinions
- Conclude with a clear recommendation
Videos
To qualify, videos must be under six minutes. Students must upload the video to YouTube prior to submission.
One rule that applies to every category: all work must be original and your own. AI-generated content will not be accepted under any circumstances.
What Teen Ink Looks For
With over 100,000 submissions annually, standing out requires more than just participation. Teen Ink editors evaluate submissions based on three key qualities:
- Quality of Writing/Art: Teen Ink prioritizes high-quality, polished work. Strong submissions are well-organized, carefully worded, and free of errors.
- Authentic Voice: Editors look for work that feels personal and genuine, not polished to the point of sounding like everyone else. Your unique perspective is an asset, not something to smooth over.
- Clarity, Creativity, and Relevance: Editors also consider how effectively a piece communicates its ideas and how engaging it is for readers. Teen Ink is made by teens, for teens, so write with that in mind.
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Tips for Getting Published
Because of the high volume of submissions, success often comes down to persistence and strong preparation. Here are some practical tips to strengthen your submission:
- Revise extensively before submitting. Strong pieces are rarely written in one draft. We strongly recommend that students read their work out loud. If something sounds off when spoken, it reads off on the page too. Take your time to refine the structure and sharpen your ideas.
- Bring a fresh angle. It’s not just about choosing an interesting topic but also about offering a fresh perspective. Ask yourself what makes your voice or experience different from others’ writing about similar themes, then go from there.
- Study what’s already been published. Spend some time reading pieces on Teen Ink to understand expectations. This can help you get a sense of what successful submissions have in common.
- Be strategic about your category. While many students gravitate toward popular categories like poetry, these sections are also the most competitive. Try submitting in Reviews, Environment, Letters to the Editor, and Community Service. This receives far fewer submissions, which means your work has more room to stand out. Choosing a less crowded category means being strategic about where your work may have the greatest visibility.
Most importantly, approach Teen Ink as a learning process. Each submission helps you refine your skills, so you really don’t have anything to lose! Think of it less as a finish line and more as a starting point for your portfolio, your creative voice, and wherever your writing takes you next.
Making the Most of Your Teen Ink Experience with Aralia
Being published on Teen Ink can serve as a foundation for a creative journey that can carry you far beyond high school.
At Aralia Education, we encourage students to engage with platforms like Teen Ink not only as a chance to be published but as a way to grow their voice and explore their passions in meaningful ways. Aralia Students Are Featured in the Teen Ink Magazine!
If you’re ready to find your voice, Aralia Education is here to help. Our programs are designed to guide students through the creative and academic process, from developing strong ideas to producing polished, publication-ready work. Whether you’re submitting to Teen Ink for the first time or looking to grow as a writer more broadly, our mentors can help you get there.
