|
|
HopeKeepers Magazine Writers Guidelines
Tip
from the Editor!
Please read the writers guidelines carefully and your query/submission
is much more likely to be accepted. It seems obvious, but
about 75% of the submissions I receive do not fit what we
are looking for and it's because the guidelines were not read.
ABOUT
HOPEKEEPERS MAGAZINE
- HopeKeepers®
is a magazine of Rest Ministries, Inc., that is published
four times per year. We are CURRENTLY DIGITAL ONLY.
- It
serves people who live with chronic illness or pain. Our
foundation is the Christian faith and the articles provide
practical, Biblical encouragement and inspiration as well
as tools to be a good advocate for one's healthcare.
- We
hope to eventually get back to our 5 3/8 x 8 3/8 inches,
glossy, color. We do accept advertising.
- Our
circulation is around 2200 for full subscriptions, 5000+
for online in a condensed version.
Our
Readers: Writers should keep in mind that they are writing
for a diverse group of people: men and women, all ages from
17 to 90 (most in 40-50's), married and single, full-time
employed to bedridden, wealthy to extremely poor, and those
with a strong faith to non-believers. Illnesses are very diverse;
articles should not be about a specific illness-most of our
audience would not be able to relate with that particular
illness.
Style: HopeKeepers has been described as "a letter
from a friend" and "a hug from God." Articles
should be written in an upbeat, personal tone about how to
cope with and thrive during the day-to-day issues of living
with illness/pain, using Scripture to validate the point.
Please read the magazine carefully before submitting materials.
Some short articles are secular, and articles have a side
bar that reflects on scriptures, etc. The magazine is "non-believer-friendly,"
as it is available in many public locations and we hope non-believers
will find it interesting and comforting, as it addresses their
health concerns. Articles should refrain from using language
that assumes a reader's familiarity with Christian or church-oriented
terminology.
Our
Editorial Needs: Articles should be of subject matter
that "can't be missed." Your title should be able
to be on the cover page and motivate someone pick it up, whether
at a church or a doctors' waiting room. We are a CONSUMER
magazine, not an "about our ministry publication."
It should contain real-life anecdotes from yourself or others,
as well as quotes/advice from noted Christian professionals.
Statistics and research need to be referenced.
We're
looking for articles that are not available in any other publication
and that will make a subscriber hang onto their copy for years
to use as reference and encouragement.
Ideas
include: Celebrity interviews, "Yoga and Christianity:
Where Does it Cross the Line?" "Our Doctors: How
to Pray for Them, Not Just Pay for Them," "6 Ways
I Used My Illness to Witness This Week," "Mommy,
are You Sick Again?"
The
best way to know our needs is to look at the cover articles
on a magazine like Good Housekeeping, add the illness and
Christian slant to it.
Writers'
personal experiences, from going on a cruise to going to a
pain clinic, are also desired. Our topics are diverse, with
a chronic illness/Christian perspective: family, parenting,
friendship, marriage, health, single life, finances, medical,
Christian living, fitness, alternative medicine, household,
etc.
Writers
may share their experience of living with illness/pain, what
they have learned, wrapping the article up with Scripture
and encouragement for others to "keep fighting the fight…"
Note: If you write about your experience of being diagnosed
with an illness, refrain from giving details of the medical
procedures, doctor's visits and rehab experience. Rather briefly
explain the circumstance and then write about your feelings,
struggles, how you found hope, etc. Be specific-what worked,
what didn't. Don't vaguely say "and then God changed
my attitude…" How? Dig deep into your experience
for something God taught you and explain how. The article
should have an obvious point, other than just sharing your
experience. Remember, your experience is likely not unique-your
emotions regarding the circumstances are. Express them! Effective
organization of ideas is important. Your title must be a "grabber!"
If you can't find a title, the content isn't interesting enough.
Articles
do not have to be fully about living with illness, but should
include "illness examples." For example, an article
called "Jealously: Avoiding the Temptation to Compare"
would share what the Bible says about jealousy, and give personal
examples about how we experience it when living with an illness.
We
do not accept articles that address "I've been healed
and if you have enough faith, so will you." Although
we believe that God can heal, most readers feel as though
illness is their "thorn, allowed by God" and they
are looking for ways to be encouraged on how to live joyfully,
despite the pain, rather than just live in survival mode.
Avoid labeling. Rather than writing "the chronically
ill," write "those who live with chronic illness."
Avoid using words such as "victim" and "suffering."
We accept
fillers and short 1-page articles on helpful information,
health topics, health-related resources, etc.
We use very little poetry and rarely fiction.
Quotes/Style/Length:
Proper acknowledgement and references must be included when
applicable. When quoting Scripture, use the New International
Version (NIV). (Exceptions can be made). When referencing
Scripture it should appear in the following format: "Scripture
is here" (book Chapter:verse). [note where punctuation
falls.]
- When
quoting an individual with an illness, it is helpful to
include the illness. For example, "Shari, a woman who
lives with fibromyalgia…"
Capitalize God, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, etc. and pronouns
that refer to Him.
- No
upper caps are used in any words, such as "WOW!"
Underlines are not used. Emphasis is given with italics
and should be used sparingly. Avoid using the following:
… more than once in your article.
- Every
sentence should end with one space. Do your best with commas.
Remember commas go inside the quotes such as the following:
"I want to write," said Mary.
- Completed
articles are accepted for review, but queries are preferred.
A typical article is 350-700 words. Occasionally more based
on the value of the topic and available space.
Submission:
We prefer to receive detailed queries. Your query should state
the title, summary of the article, approximate length, why
you believe it's a good "fit" for HopeKeepers and
it's purpose (ie. "the purpose of this article is to
inform the reader about ___ or inspire the reader to ___").
Include your credentials or experience. Provide possible side-bar
ideas, professionals you plan to interview, suggested length
and date it could be finished. If sending it via postal mail,
include a self-addressed-stamped envelope for reply.
With your
article submission include your name, address, email, telephone
number, and a personal biography 2-3 sentences in length,
professional or creative. Articles are not returned. If your
submission is accepted we may ask for a photo sent postal
or emailed at 300 dpi. All submissions are received on speculation.
An accepted query does not guarantee purchase of the manuscript.
Editors reserve the right to reject any manuscript at any
stage.
Preference
is given to articles submitted via email to rest@restministries.org
in Word format for PC (as an attachment) or in the body of
the email message. If sending in Word PLEASE remember to include
ALL contact information in BOTH the email message and the
Word file.
If sending
it via postal mail (PO Box 502928, San Diego, CA 92150) include
hard copy of article, typewritten, double-spaced.Handwritten
submissions are not accepted. Please ask a friend to type
it for you if you must.
Deadlines/Copyright/Compensation:
There are no deadlines. If article is accepted there is no
confirmed date of publishing until one month prior.
HopeKeepers
and the author sign a contract that Rest Ministries, Inc.
has one-time rights to publish the article. We may request
permission to include the article on our website.
At this
time, there is occasionally monetary compensation, depending
on the quality of the writing and depth or research.
Past sample
issues are available with a 6 x 9 or larger SAE (not stamped)
and for $3. Send it to Rest Ministries to: HopeKeepers Magazine,
PO Box 502928, San Diego, CA 92150.
Great
Resources:
Secrets to Writing Health Features by Kathy Summers
available at: http://healthwriting.com.
Writer's Digest Handbook of Magazine Article Writing by
by Jean M. Fredette
|
