Writers Guidelines Writing for LIVE (take-home quarterly) BELOW:
Writing for GPH
Overview
Gospel Publishing House (GPH) is a Pentecostal Christian publisher owned and operated by the General Council of the Assemblies of God. We are headquartered in Springfield, Missouri. GPH books are published primarily with the Assemblies of God and other Pentecostal and Charismatic readers in mind—Pentecostal books by and for Pentecostal people. The content of all our books must be compatible with the beliefs and purposes of the Assemblies of God. However, we do publish many resources that are applicable to the general Evangelical market. We hold these resources to a "Value Statement for Outreach Products" which states:
We believe the Bible is the divinely-inspired Word of God. There is only One God, but He exists in three persons (Father, Son, Holy Spirit). Jesus Christ is the Son of God and was born of a virgin. He is both fully God and fully man. He lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, and rose from the dead. Christ will return to the earth again. The Holy Spirit bears witness to Jesus and empowers and equips believers today for witnessing and effective service.
Kinds of books GPH publishes:
GPH primarily publishes books, curriculum, and church ministry resources. To better define our market, please visit www.GospelPublishing.com or www.gph.org to view the type of resources we typically publish and carry.
What should I include?
The following information is helpful to the manuscripts committee as they consider your manuscript for publication:
1. Overview of your resource. Please identify your audience, list books currently on the market like yours, and tell how yours is different. You may also include an anticipated word count.
2. Table of contents and two- to three-sentence summary of each chapter/lesson (if applicable)
3. Sample chapter/lesson (so we can evaluate your writing style)
4. Brief author bio. Please be sure to include your qualifications for writing on the topic. If applicable, please tell us about other works you have previously published (articles or books). You may also include a summary of your ministry experience (education, professional, and/or lay ministry).
How do I submit a proposal?
Proposals may be submitted by mail (hard copy or CD-ROM) or by e-mail. If you choose to e-mail your items or mail a CD-ROM, please make sure they are in MS Word (or similar program) or a PDF document. If you e-mail the documents, please send them to: newproducts@gph.org. If you choose to mail your documents (in either print or on CD-ROM), please remit them to:
Gospel Publishing House
ATTN: Research & Development
1445 N. Boonville Ave.
Springfield, MO 65802
If you would like any of your materials returned to you in the event that GPH declines publishing your book, please let us know in your cover letter.
Any helpful advice?
Gospel Publishing House receives hundreds of resource proposals every year. The following questions may help you understand the questions our manuscript committee considers as it reviews each proposal.
• Is it unique or original? Is the idea new and innovative to the market, completely different from anything currently in the market? What resources are on the market that may compete with it? How is this one different?
• Is it practical? GPH understands the busy lives of church ministry workers (full time and volunteer). Is your resource something they can pull off the shelf and use with minimal preparation? Is it easy to use and understand?
• Why are you the best person to create this resource? What is your ministry experience (full time or volunteer) and/or education background? Is the author a well-known speaker, ministry expert, etc.?
• What need does your resource meet?
• Is it biblically sound?
Writing for LIVE (take-home quarterly for adults)
LIVE is a take-home story paper distributed weekly in adult Sunday School classes. It is freelance and has a circulation of about 40,000. The audience is Christian adults. We seek to encourage Christians in living for God through stories which apply biblical principles to everyday problems. Solutions to life's problems can be found in the Scriptures.
LIVE publishes true stories, based on true stories, nonfiction, "how-to" articles, and fiction (please indicate the category). Poems, first-person anecdotes, and short humor are also accepted. LIVE presents realistic characters who utilize biblical principles to resolve their problems.
WRITING TIPS: We do not accept Bible fiction or SciFi. The stories should be encouraging, challenging, and/or humorous. Even problem-centered stories should be upbeat. Stories should not be preachy, critical, or moralizing. They should not present pat, trite, or simplistic answers to problems.
We accept first and second/reprint rights. Manuscripts are published about 18 months to 2 years after acceptance. Payment is made upon acceptance but does not guarantee publication. Manuscripts may be edited slightly for clarification.
Plot: Stories should consist of action, not just thought-life; interaction, not just insight. Heroes and heroines should rise above failures, take risks for God, prove that scriptural principles meet their needs. Conflict and suspense should increase to a climax! Avoid pious conclusions or tying up all loose ends. Think of the story as a snapshot of someone's life.
Characters: Characters should be interesting, believable, and realistic. Avoid stereotypes. Characters should be active, not just pawns to move the plot along. They should confront conflict and change in believable ways. Describe the characters' looks and reveal their personalities through actions to such an extent that the reader feels he or she has met these people. Readers should care about the characters enough to finish the story. Feature racial, ethnic, and regional characters in rural and urban settings.
Style: Use precise, active, vivid verbs. Avoid overworked adjectives and phrases, and clichés. Keep a consistent perspective (voice) on both time (past or present) and point of view (first person, second person, etc.). Avoid flashbacks.
PREPARATION OF COPY:
1. Type copy double-spaced with 1-inch margins.
2. Type your name and complete address in the upper left corner of page 1.
3. Type the approximate number of words in the upper right corner of page 1.
4. Indicate if you are submitting the story as first or second/reprint rights and if it is a simultaneous submission.
5. Under the title of the article, indicate if it is non-fiction, true, based on a true story, or fictional (the phrase "as told to" indicates a true story.)
6. Number each page and include the title and your name on each page.
7. Although we prefer manuscripts sent as an MS Word attachment to an e-mail, if you send it through the mail system (USPS), please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so your manuscript can be returned to you. Do not submit your one and only copy! Manuscripts can get lost in the mail. If mailing, please make a copy of your manuscript for your files.
WORD LENGTHS:
Cover stories: 800 to 1,200
Inside stories: 200 to 600
Poetry: 12 to 25 lines
SEASONAL MATERIAL:
All seasonal materials should be submitted more than 18 months in advance.
PAYMENT:
First rights: 10 cents per word.
Second/reprint rights: 7 cents per word.
Poetry: $35 to $60
You will be notified within 6 weeks of receipt if your manuscript was accepted for publication.
E-MAIL TO:
rl-live@gph.org
or
MAIL TO:
LIVE EDITOR
1445 N. BOONVILLE AVENUE
SPRINGFIELD, MO 65802-1894 top of page
For a printable version* of these guidelines click here. (36kb)
*(.doc format: Requires word processor such as Word Pad, MS Word, Word Perfect, etc.) |
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