INFORMATION FOR AUTHORS AND
ILLUSTRATORS
WRITER'S GUIDELINES
Young Disciple magazine is a weekly
publication dedicated to the preparation of young people for
heaven. The target age group is roughly grades 5-8. We
recognize that these youth are at an age where many important
decisions will be made, and we want to point them to Christ
and to His eternal principles. Our goal is to glorify God, and
our guides are the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. In view
of this, we encourage all prospective writers to study the
book, Counsels to Writers and Editors, by Ellen White.
Of course, no matter how spiritual the
story or excellent the lesson, it will do no good if no one
reads it. To help your story or article capture the attention
of the reader, here are some principles to keep in mind:
1. Know who and what you are writing for.
Young Disciple magazine is a publication for young people.
Long, involved articles filled with Spirit of Prophecy quotes
may be excellent, but they will be over the heads of most 10-
to 16-year-olds. On the other hand, a preachy, patronizing
tone may offend or insult. Our most successful stories and
articles are written from the viewpoint of a young person. We
suggest you read several back issues of Young Disciple magazine to get a better idea of the types of stories and
articles we are looking for.
2. Show, don't tell. We all prefer seeing
something to being told about it. Keep this in mind as you
write. Don't say someone was crippled; show him leaning on his
cane, trying to cross the busy street. Use specific rather
than general words (usually "apple" is better than
"fruit"). Use emotion, action, and dialogue to add
interest and help the reader identify with your story.
3. Keep your writing clear and concise.
Avoid the passive tense and the use of "had." Use
words and expressions your reader is likely to be familiar
with. Before you begin, know where your story is headed, and
omit anything that does not contribute to the goal. Remember
that every story must have a conflict.
4. Choose topics of interest and
relevance. Young people today face many obstacles and issues.
Our goal is to help them find satisfactory solutions for the
dilemmas in their lives. Topics of particular relevance
include peer pressure, family problems, repentance,
self-denial, prayer, conflict, conversion, and many other
aspects of victorious Christian living. Please present our
readers with a Christ-centered, positive solution to their
problems.
5. Do not send "tear sheets." A
tear sheet is a copy of your story or article which has been
taken from the pages of another magazine. We are happy to
consider reprints, but we ask that you send your own
manuscript, rather than a previously-published version. If the
article is a reprint, please make us aware of this.
6. Expect to be edited. Nearly every story
and article we receive must be edited in some way, if only to
shorten in order to fit the available space. Professional
writers expect and appreciate the editing process.
7. Select a content area compatible with
the aims of the magazine. These include the following:
FEATURE STORIES. Stories should portray
positive Christian values and be character-building. We are
particularly looking for narratives showing God's working in
the lives of young people, especially as they encounter
difficult situations and find victory through the power of
God. All stories must be true, although details may be
modified in order to protect privacy. Please avoid overused,
predictable story lines. LENGTH: 600-1200 words, although
longer stories will be considered.
NATURE OBJECT LESSONS should show the
beauty of God's creation and how God's eternal principles can
be understood by the things He has made. Try to weave your
object lesson throughout the narrative rather than tacking it
onto the end of the article. Pictures or drawings are always
appreciated. LENGTH: 400-700 words.
HEALTH. Our young readers must understand
the importance of a fit and pure body temple. Articles on any
subject pertaining to health can be used, but must adhere to
the principles in the Bible and Spirit of Prophecy.
Illustrations are a plus. LENGTH: 400-700 words.
WITNESSING ARTICLES. Suggestions for
suitable outreach/witnessing activities are much appreciated
by our readers. Most welcome are narrations of what has
actually taken place, with suggestions on ways to make it
practical, as well as a short testimony from a young person
involved in the activity and pictures, if at all possible.
Keep in mind that witnessing activities run a large spectrum,
from such things as door-to-door witnessing and colporteur
work to blood pressure checks, soup kitchens, helping elderly
people with yards and house cleaning, and teaching at VBS or
in Sabbath School. LENGTH: 400-700 words.
VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIVING. We
occasionally publish short, fast-paced articles dealing with
difficult situations or circumstances the young person is
likely to meet, along with God's solutions, using personal
examples, wherever practical. Possible topics: Peer pressure;
loneliness; keeping the Sabbath; Christian social relations;
music; living with health reform; difficult people; those in
error; school pressures; etc. LENGTH: 400-700 words.
SABBATH ACTIVITIES. Whatever the Sabbath
afternoon activity, it should not be simply an entertainment
but also a vehicle for learning more about God or a
springboard for ministry to others. LENGTH: 100-200 words.
SPECIAL FEATURES. From time to time, a
series of articles on a particular subject is published. In
the past, subjects have included colporteur evangelism,
baptism, natural remedies, methods of Bible study, and youth
mission service. Authors with such a series in mind are
encouraged to submit query letters including a sample article
and outline of intended subject matter.
STANDARDS. In keeping with the goals of
Young Disciple magazine, our policy is to publish no stories
or articles glorifying competition, unhealthful
lifestyles, immodest dress, film, sports, rock stars, or
worldly entertainment. Vivid depictions of sinful lifestyles
and disrespectful, sarcastic conversations cannot be used.
Writers should also avoid slang expressions.
SUBMISSIONS should contain the author's
name, address, and the approximate number of words in the
article. Articles are best if typed and double spaced, or they
may be submitted electronically in an attached Word file to:
Janet Evert.
We will return your
manuscript if you so request and include an envelope with
correct postage.
REMUNERATION varies according to quality, need,
length, and other considerations.
Submissions should be sent to Young
Disciple magazine, Attn: Janet Evert, PO Box 400, Inchelium,
WA 99138. Query letters are welcome.
ILLUSTRATOR'S GUIDELINES
Most illustrations used in Young
Disciple magazine are assigned in advance. If you would
like to illustrate a story or article for the magazine, please
contact the editor with your qualifications and several
samples of your work, particularly drawings of people.
In illustrating for Young Disciple
magazine, please keep the following in mind:
Presentation: Drawings that have a good
contrast between the subject and the background work best.
Busy, blurred, complicated drawings are usually less
desirable. The artist should keep in mind a definite light
source, to give the illustration a more true-to-life touch.
Medium: Color is preferred, whether
pencils, water colors, pastels, acrylics, oils, or other
media. Paper should be able to accept the chosen medium
without wrinkling or buckling.
Paper size: 8 1/2 x 11" works well. In
most situations, it is better for the artist to fade out the
edges of the picture, rather than cropping it (ending it with
an abrupt edge). This gives more options for the designer. A
cropped drawing severely limits us on how it can be used, and
occasionally we have had to reject an otherwise good drawing
because of this.
Subject matter: All our illustrations
should be true to life. Cartoon-type illustrations are not
acceptable. Young Disciple magazine endeavors to hold up the
highest Christian standards. We believe this should be
reflected in our illustrations. Girls should be dressed
modestly in skirts or dresses, with no sleeveless blouses or
low necklines. Boys should not be portrayed in tank tops or
faddish attire. Neither sex should be depicted with trendy
fashions, jewelry, extreme hairstyles, etc.
Remuneration
will be according to quality, need, detail, skill, timeliness,
and other considerations.
PHOTOGRAPHER'S GUIDELINES
Most photographs
used in Young Disciple magazine are assigned in
advance. If you would like to do photography for the magazine,
please contact the editor with your qualifications and several
samples of your work, particularly photographs of people.
On a freelance
basis, Young Disciple magazine occasionally buys
photographs of young people in a variety of
settings, activities, and poses. We want to portray
"young disciples" in wholesome activities of life.
The subject matter we might consider would include the
following:
Studying; camping;
hiking; visiting friends; visiting sick or
elderly; reading the Bible; witnessing activities; gardening;
caring for younger children, sewing; knitting, doing
needlework; working with wood/tools/cars, etc.; cooking/baking/ironing/cleaning;
playing an instrument; singing; playing in snow; arranging flowers;
with parents, pets, or hobbies.
Because we
desire to portray only the highest
standards of Christian deportment and appearance, each photo
published must be in harmony with several basic principles:
1) Clothing
should be modest and in harmony with the following:
a) BOYS: Shirts with sleeves. No faddish attire.
b) GIRLS: Should be wearing a dress, skirt, or split
skirt. No sleeveless blouses, please. Obvious make-up is never
appropriate.
2) We do not
wish to publish photos of young people involved in competitive
sports.
3) We wish to
emphasize the joyous Christian walk.
Each photo used must clearly show the subject without a
distracting background. Your photo will be returned to you
upon request. Query letters are welcome. Payment upon usage,
quality, appropriateness, and other considerations.
Photographs should be submitted to:
Editor, Young Disciple magazine,
PO Box 400, Inchelium, WA 99138; or can be submitted
electronically to: Janet Evert.
We advise that
you communicate in advance regarding scanning parameters.
