We are so fortunate to have Sara Hilton with us to share some information about Lilybell magazine. Welcome, Sara! Would you please begin by sharing a little about yourself with us and telling us why you started Lilybell? There were a lot of factors that contributed to my decision to start Lilybell. However, the most important factor was my daughter. My daughter, like many girls, is an insatiable reader. While this is wonderful, I found I was constantly struggling to keep her supplied with reading material that was smart and clean and safe, but also fun and delightful and something she’d want to read. I’ll be honest, I complained about this to my husband on many occasions. I often said, "Someone should create something to solve this." I was always very specific about what this something should look like. What happened was what always happens when you try to solve a problem by complaining—I'd wake up each day and still have a problem. And then one day I woke up and something occurred to me that should have occurred to me from the beginning. I was the one who could fix this. At that point, I had been working in children's publishing for 14 years and had intimate knowledge of every aspect of the publications process. I'd also recently written and published two YA novels (The Micah Road Mysteries), and had just finished up a North American tour. I had the expertise and ability to do the very thing I had been hoping someone else would do. So I took a giant leap and started Lilybell. I was immediately surrounded by extraordinarily talented people who believe in the Lilybell mission and who have worked with me to bring this incredible project to life. It was most certainly a "If you build it, they will come" moment. What do you love most about your editor job? What do you find challenging about it? I often say that I have the best job in the world because my job is to find the amazing and the good and the funny and the fascinating and the delight. Then, I get to share all that goodness with the world. Every day I learn fascinating facts and talk to incredible people. My job really helps me to see the world around me. I feel like it makes me more awake. The most challenging aspect is what I call the human factor of putting out a magazine. Our readers are counting on us so our deadlines are set in stone. In order to meet those deadlines, a series of writers and editors and artists and designers and tech people all have to work in concert. Things inevitably go wrong. However, I’ve found over the years that a good team that is dedicated to the work and the art of the process, a team that has respect for each other, and a team with great relationships can overcome most of the blips that happen during a publications process. For those who might not be familiar with LilyBell, tell us a bit about it. What sets Lilybell apart as a magazine? Lilybell is delightful. I like to say that we speak, real girl. You see, real girls aren't just cute little princesses, but they aren't boys either. The reality of girls lies within the vast and wonderful landscape in between. Real girls are extraordinarily creative, and they love arts and crafts and recipes and glitter. However, real girls also love playing outside and climbing trees and science experiments. Real girls have an ability to understand complex issues and topics. Real girls will surprise you every time with their deep thoughts and smarts. This is the girl we celebrate—the real girl. Our content is smart and funny and creative. We have a very specific voice. I think sometimes we adults stand above kids and we like to preach to them about what they should know. Our voice is different. I like to think of it as us sitting crisscross applesauce on the floor next to the girls and meeting them where they are and splashing them with possibilities and ideas and creativity and with the message that they are so much more than what the world often tells them they can be. You have very thorough and helpful submission guidelines on your website, but please tell us anything else about what you particularly look for in a submission, the sorts of things that get you excited. Voice. Voice. Voice. We like humor. More importantly, girls like humor. We find that presenting super smart content in a super funny voice is a remarkable way to connect with girls. We also get excited when we hear stories about girls who are brave or courageous or otherwise inspiring. What things turn you off to a submission? Any pet peeves? Voice. Voice. Voice. Don't be preachy. This isn't a text book. If you aren't delighted and excited about what you are writing, girls aren't going to be excited either. Any tips for writers who might want to break into Lilybell? Suggestions that will increase their chances of acceptance? As with submitting to any magazine, you really need to read the publication before you submit. Download the Lilybell Magazine App from the App Store and Google Play and read through our content. Definitely look at our guidelines. Each issue is themed. You'll need to know upcoming themes in order to be accepted. Do you use work from freelance illustrators or photographers for Lilybell? If so, how should they submit to you? We do use freelance illustrators by assignment only. Occasionally we will use freelance photographers to shoot a cover or particular piece. Illustrators and photographers can simply email us a link to their work and we will consider them for future assignments. Any other information about Lilybell you'd like to share with us? Lilybell is the greatest magazine in the world. (I’m not joking… it really is.) Thank you so much, Sara, for taking the time to share with us this helpful information and for being a part of creating such a wonderful magazine for girls. For you writers who are now inspired to submit something to this terrific publication, submission guidelines are here. Writing for Children's Magazines, November 2015