Writers’ Guidelines

If you would like to submit something for this series, please carefully review the following writers’ guidelines:

FORMAT

  • Title: something catchy that relates to the topic or story
  • Byline: as you want it to appear in the book
  • Fiction Story: 1,600–1,800 words
  • Life Application (prompting readers to consider how the story might apply to their lives): 100–200 words
  • About the Author: 50–60 words (must start with your name)
  • Total maximum for all three sections combined: 2,000 words

Double space, 12-point Times New Roman, one-inch margins. (Please check your default Page Layout, and if it has different margin settings, change them to one inch all around.)

Left align paragraphs; no full justification. Use automatic 1/2-inch first-line indents (not tabs). No extra space between paragraphs, including automatic paragraph spacing. (Please check your Paragraph Settings, and if it has automatic spacing, take it out. If it does not have .5 first-line indent, add it.)

In the upper-left corner of the first page, print your name, address, phone number, and e-mail.

In the upper-right corner of the first page, indicate the theme(s)/topic(s) of your story (one word to one sentence for each theme/topic) and potential target audiences.

Do not use a header, footer, or page numbers.

Subtitles “Life Application” and “About the Author” should be on a separate line, left aligned, initial caps, bold.

Use a single pound sign (#) for scene breaks. No blank line before or after.

If you use a Scripture quotation in the Life Application, include the reference and the Bible version quoted. If you use a Scripture quotation in the story, try to weave the reference and the Bible version naturally into the narrative. If you can’t figure out how to do that without it being awkward, put the reference and the Bible version in brackets or in a Track Changes comment. Do not use a footnote.

Please proofread your submission carefully, and make sure you’ve followed the guidelines for punctuation and capitalization in The Chicago Manual of Style and The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style, and spelling and usage from Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (11th edition).

Save file with either .doc or .docx extension and send as an e-mail attachment.

File name should be in this format: Your First Name, Your Last Name_Chapter Title.

Feel free to send multiple submissions.

Stories that have not been previously published are preferred. If the story has been previously published, tell me when and where it was published.

PARAMETERS

The story must be FICTION. No true stories (not even true stories written with fiction techniques).
Third person is preferable. (First person tends to have the feel of a true story.)
Contemporary, historical, or biblical. (Will consider futuristic or speculative.)
Past tense is preferable to present tense (although present tense will be considered).

Life Application should provide thought-provoking questions and comments that encourage readers to consider how the story applies to their lives. Avoid telling readers what they must/should do; instead share what they can do and the benefits of doing it.

The main target audience for these books is Christian women. So emphasis should be more on living an abundant, joy-filled Christian life than on explaining the basics of the gospel. However, this book will also be read by seekers and unbelievers. So keep that secondary audience in mind as well. Avoid Christian “jargon” that wouldn’t make sense to someone who is currently outside the faith or may not be familiar with the terminology.

Review these sample chapters to get an idea of what I’m looking for.

Click here for tips on writing short fiction stories.

DEADLINES

You may send submissions at any time.

E-MAIL SUBMISSIONS (or questions) TO KATHY IDE at:
Kathy @ Kathy Ide (dot) com [Remove spaces and replace “(dot)” with a period.]
or use the Contact page of my website.

Please write “Fiction Devo” in the subject line.

And in the body of your e-mail, please let me know how you heard about this project. Thanks!