By John D. Pierce, Executive Editor
Baptists Today is an autonomous national news journal that welcomes
unsolicited manuscripts. Here are some guidelines and tips that may
be helpful to writers wishing to have their work considered for
publication.
1. Write to communicate, not to impress. The writing style should be
intelligent, yet conversational.
2. Don’t assume readers know the subjects you are addressing.
Briefly identify all persons, institutions and events you reference
unless they are very widely known.
3. Unless you write frequently, consider printing a copy of your
first draft and using it as information only. Then start again with
a blank page and try to say the same thing in a clearer, more
concise way.
4. Also, see if the first few sentences seem stiff compared with the
rest of the draft. If so, consider leading with the second paragraph
and placing the information from the first paragraph elsewhere if it
is necessary at all.
5. Don’t tell everything you know about your subject. Give
references (preferably in a sidebar) so readers will know where to
look for additional information if they are interested.
6. Good quotations make for interesting reading. But be accurate!
7. Don’t be overly possessive or defensive about your writing. Even
the best writers benefit from critique. Let others help you improve
your work.
8. In other words, if you are unwilling to trust the material to the
editor’s red pen, please don’t submit it. Experienced writers tend
to welcome and appreciate the reshaping of their work more so than
beginners. However, the freedom to edit for clarity, style and space
is a necessity.
9. Keep feature articles to about 1,500 words. It’s okay to send
more or less than that. Just know that we have to shape it to fit
the space available, which can change right up to press time.
10. Opinion pieces (guest commentaries and letters to the editor)
are also welcomed. We are careful not to change the writer’s intent,
but often need to edit for length and clarity. Letters should not
exceed 200 words and must be factual and free of slander. Guest
commentaries should be between 500-700 words.
11. Baptists Today respects and includes diverse opinions, not just
those that agree with our editorial positions.
12. Don’t take rejection personally if your manuscript is not used.
Many good works are left out each month due to timeliness,
duplication of subjects and space limitations.
13. Submitting a manuscript to Baptists Today is a good way to
participate in the beneficial task of sharing information and
opinions as well as showing support for a free press. Since we do
not pay for unsolicited materials we use, the writer retains the
right to submit the article to other publications for reprinting. We
simply ask for any acknowledgement that “This article first appeared
in Baptists Today and is reprinted with permission.”
14. Manuscripts may be sent by e-mail to
info@BaptistsToday.org
or mailed to the editor’s attention at P.O. Box 6318, Macon, GA
31208-6318.Tips |
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