Even J.K. Rowling was a kid once.

Maybe the creator of "Harry Potter" didn't have her work in print for the masses to see until adulthood, but it doesn't mean kids today can't get their creative writing published for the entire world to see, or at least someone other than their proud parents.

It's possible for young scribes to graduate from coloring on their bedroom walls to diaries, journals, school newspapers and yearbooks, all the way to national publications.

The important message from successful authors and editors to pen-in-hand children is this: Don't give up.

"Write your story or article or poem to the best it can be, then look for the right place to send it," said Peggy Archer, Valparaiso resident and children's book author.

"Look at magazines and publishers and find the ones who publish the kinds of things you write, and then submit to them."

Archer enjoyed writing as a child, but it wasn't until she had children of her own that she began to write with the idea of being published. Her latest book, "Turkey Surprise," reached No. 7 on the New York Times best-selling paperback book list.

On her Web site, Archer provides tips on writing for kids, such as advice on submitting work to publishers. Archer said kids should follow the rules listed and stay within the word count asked for.

"You don't need to get fancy when you send something in -- just type it neatly, and be sure your spelling and grammar are correct," Archer said. "Don't worry about rejections -- there are many different reasons that good stories and articles are rejected. Just keep trying."

Echoing those thoughts is Linda Rose, assistant editor for Highlights for Children magazine. Her publication receives thousands of submissions, but can only publish about 1 percent.

"We don't want to discourage kids, we just want them to have an understanding," Rose said.

"It's difficult to choose, we receive so many great pieces of work. So many pieces could get published."

Highlights editors read every piece received from children, and even those who don't get published receive a response and information on the selection process. Not only that, all the submissions that aren't published never get tossed away; instead they are kept in a special warehouse.

"It's nice to know we respect their work that way," Rose said.

Rose and her staff open the mail every day and come across countless stories, poems and drawings. Rose said she's constantly humbled and inspired by seeing what kids come up with in their submissions.

"As much as kids type now, I love to see kids' handwriting," Rose said. "Not that we give special treatment."

Highlights uses a variety of work from kid writers and Rose hopes young readers will look at the pages, see what their peers are doing and become inspired to create their own work. She also recommends kids read a lot by checking out other publications to pick up different styles.

Kids often write in to Highlights asking for suggestions from authors on becoming writers. The authors always say the same thing -- practice, practice, practice.

"The more you do it, the better you'll get at it," Rose said.