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Opportunities to contribute your writing to a Christian book (not published by Elim Books) and places to consider sending your writing. When I stand before God at the end of my life I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, "I used everything You gave me." Erma Bombeck For such a time as this... 9-11 From Marlene Bagnull... As you seek how God would use you during these critical days one thing you may not have considered is writing for the editorial page of your local newspaper. It's the most-read section of the paper and a way to reach people who will never walk into a Christian bookstore. And it's a way we can immediately give a biblical perspective to current events and be used by God to turn hearts to Him because the lead time is days not months or years as is the case with magazines and books. I hope you'll take a couple of minutes to visit my website, www.writehisanswer.com and click on "For Such a Time" where you'll find resources and suggestions. And please pass the URL on to a friend. May the Lord help each one of us to "be still and know that He is God." In Him - Marlene Bagnull, Litt.D., Director Colorado Christian Writers Conference (May 16-18, 2002) Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference (August 15-17, 2002) http://www.writehisanswer.com mailto:mbagnull@aol.com "So encourage each other to build each other up." 1 Thess. 5:11 TLB ******************************* The Heart of a Mother: Stories of Inspiration and Encouragement (A Call for Stories) In the tradition of The Heart of a Father, The Heart of a Mother is a new book project for Bethany House Publishers. I am looking for writers who are interested in contributing true stories about earthly mothers who’ve done something that reflects the image of God. Stories should be between 500 to 2000 words in length. Write your story in first person if possible. Subjects include: The Prayers of a Mother, The Lessons of a Mother, The Tears of a Mother, The Compassion of a Mother, The Comfort of a Mother, The Laughter of a Mother, The Healing of a Mother, The Provision of a Mother, The Strength of a Mother, and The Unconditional Love of a Mother. If you feel you have a strong story but it doesn’t seem to fit into one of these categories, please submit it anyway. Categories can be added and deleted as needed. Please remember that your story should have a strong spiritual application. This book is not just a collection of tributes to mothers. The point of the book is to guide the reader toward a deeper understanding of God. Your story can be humorous, inspiring, eye-opening, or thoughtful, but should have a strong application without being preachy. Write from your heart and make me feel how this story affected you in a positive way. You are welcome to submit more than one story. If your story is published you will receive a $50 honorarium and a free copy of the book when it is released. In addition, you will be able to purchase additional copies at 50% off the suggested list price( plus shipping and handling charges). Price is undetermined at this point but will probably be around $12. Of course, your bio will be included with your story and you retain the rights to your work. Deadline for submitting stories is September 1, 2002. If your story is selected you will be notified in advance. E-mail submissions are preferred. You can paste your story into the body of the e-mail, or send a Word file, or WordPerfect file. E-mail submissions should be sent to wwriter@fuse.net. You can also send your story to: Wayne Holmes, 5499 Yellowstone Drive, Fairfield, Ohio 45014-3868 For hard copies, please include an SASE. If you have any questions you may e-mail them to me or phone me at 513-858-6609 (evenings). Thanks in advance for helping to make this project a success. I look forward to reading your submission(s). Wayne Holmes ******************************* For poets and those who write prayers. From June Cotner's site at http://www.junecotner.com. Terms: $25 + one complimentary copy of the book for each poem published BRIGHT WORDS FOR DARK DAYS: PRAYERS AND POEMS TO COMFORT, ENCOURAGE AND INSPIRE will give readers comfort and inspiration when they are experiencing a difficult time in their lives such as a divorce, loss of a job, the death of a loved one, illness, or when they are feeling anxious about world conditions. Chapters include: Comfort, Faith, Courage, Hope, Healing, Reflections, Gratitude, and Inspiration. I am currently working on the proposal and am eagerly seeking submissions to use as sample pages to sell the book to a publisher. My agent is very excited about this project and expects to sell it quickly. The publication date will likely be Fall 2003. If this is the case, submissions close August 31, 2002. PARENT BLESSINGS: INSPIRING POEMS AND PRAYERS FOR EVERY STAGE OF PARENTHOOD will provide parents with inspiration, celebrations, and reflections on parenting. Chapters include: Pregnancy & Birth, Babyhood, Toddlerhood, Childhood, Adolescence, Leaving Home, Adulthood, Reflections, and Inspiration. Submissions are open. BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS: INSPIRING POEMS AND PRAYERS TO CELEBRATE ALL BIRTHDAYS will feature selections that can be used to celebrate birthdays of family members and friends of all ages. Chapters include: Ages 1-5, For Children, For Teens, For a 21st Birthday, For a 30th Birthday, For a 40th Birthday, For a 50th Birthday, For a 60th Birthday, For a 70th Birthday, For an 80th Birthday, For a 90th Birthday, For a 100th Birthday, For Friends, and For Relatives (mother, father, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and nieces and nephews). Submissions are open. FOREVER IN LOVE: A POETRY CELEBRATION OF LOVE AND MARRIAGE will celebrate love and marriage, and will make a perfect wedding or anniversary gift. This book will have the poetic tone of Mothers and Daughters except the poems will focus on married relationships. Selections will generally be a positive reflection of love and marriage, but will also cover tough passages such as struggles, sickness, and death. Chapters include: The Search, Attraction, Longing, Courtship, Merging, Commitment, Struggles, Mature Love, Reflections, Partings, and Inspiration. Submissions are open. TEEN SUNSHINE VOICES: POEMS WRITTEN BY TEENS. Adults cannot submit to this book - with the exception that adults may send in poems they wrote when they were teens. Also, submissions should state the age of the poet at the time the poem was written. Chapters include: Changes, Reflections, Love & Friendship, Challenges, Inspiration, Loss, Home Life, and School. We're open to poems that do not fit these categories. Submissions are open. TEEN SUNSHINE RELATIONSHIPS: INSPIRATION AND REFLECTION FOR ALL RELATIONSHIPS IN A TEEN'S LIFE focuses on the central relationships in a teen's life such as romantic relationships, family, coaches, teachers, and friends. The book will provide insight, reflection, and inspiration for these relationships. Chapters include: Love & Affection, Friendship, Heartache, Pressure, Reflection, Home Life, and Heavy Issues. I'd love to receive submissions from teenagers as well as adults, so please spread the word to teens! Submissions are open. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES For all of my books, I find that short submissions, no more than 24 lines (30 lines for the teen books), work best and those that don't lecture, but rather, enlighten. Prayers submitted to any of the prayer books should be interfaith. Poetry submitted to the poetry books do not have to be religious or spiritual. But the poems should be insightful, encouraging, or inspirational. Previously published work will be considered. For all submissions, please refer to my nine previous anthologies for the desired spiritual tone. Any dedications or personalization should be removed before submitting your work in order to make it appeal to a wider audience. All submissions should be typed, double-spaced, titled, and submitted one per page. The contributor's name (the way it should appear in the book), address, and phone number should be listed at the top of each page. (If you have an email address or a fax number, please include it with your submissions. While I don't accept regular submissions via email or fax, I sometimes send an "alert" via email if I need poems for a particular chapter in a current book--or if a proposed project sells quickly and I have a tight deadline to meet.) Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) with sufficient return postage. All those submitting work with an SASE will eventually receive a reply. Response time is approximately 4 months. The books receive major publicity. I market my books strongly and strive to find additional recognition for contributors, such as publication in national magazines and newspapers. Poems and prayers from my books have appeared in USA Today, Family Circle, Woman's Day, New Age Journal, the "Dear Abby" column, and many newspapers. Many poets have been contacted by card companies to have their poems featured on a card as a result of exposure of their poem in one of my anthologies. Poems are used on a non-exclusive basis: You retain all rights. My books feature poetry from approximately 20% classic and famous authors and 80% contemporary writers. The most common reasons for rejections: a.. Too specific to one religion: poems need to be accessible to people of different faiths and beliefs b.. Too long: generally poems of 24 lines or less work best in these books c.. Does not fit in with theme of book d.. Not universal enough: too specific to your experience e.. Too prescriptive f.. Too complex or not easily understood g.. Lacks the poetic quality I'm seeking ******************************* New Leaf Press is looking for inspirational stories for inclusion in a series of books. The stories themselves can be of varying lengths, but should focus on the love between mothers and children, fathers and children, grandparents, etc. Submitted stories should have a Christian theme. If you have such a story, please send for review to: writers@newleafpress.net Thanks!