SHINE brightly! Submission Guidelines (download printable version)

SHINE brightly is a magazine for girls ages 9 to 14. It is published by GEMS Girls' Clubs (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior), an international ministry that starts Bible-based, all-girl club programs in churches and Christian organizations. The goal of GEMS is to help bring girls into a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

---

 

Included in SHINE brightly
We are looking for stories, articles, interviews, quizzes, poems, games, puzzles, crafts, and recipes that are fresh, that present the Christian life realistically, and that cause young readers to see how Christian beliefs apply to their daily lives. We like to see articles that relate to girls ages 9-14 and the experiences with which they can connect. Most of their time is spent at school, in sports, involved in after school activities, with friends, dealing with peer problems/pressure, with family, in church groups, and learning to reach out beyond their small world. Manuscript topics should build girls up in Christian character, but they should not be preachy. Pollyanna endings, where everything is wonderful in the end, are not always realistic and our readers want realistic stories. They have a great sense of humor, so your manuscripts should be fun as well as educational and inspirational. Stretch our readers by challenging them to new vision, new experiences, and setting new goals.

Fiction (700-900 words)

Our readers like stories with adventure and mystery, stories about animals, and situations they can relate to in their daily interaction with family and friends. Each season we focus on a different theme, which can be found in the Annual Theme Update. We are interested in seeing how each annual theme connects to our overall mission—to equip, motivate, and inspire girls to be activists for Christ. Stories should be realistic and need not always have a happily ever-after ending. Stories with religious clichés are not of interest to us. We have found that there is a great void when it comes to adventure stories for girls. Whether fiction or actual accounts, we are looking for stories that highlight our theme within the text of an exciting story.

Nonfiction (100-800 words)

Nonfiction articles about topics that interest our readers include: animals, sports, music, movies, musicians, personal care, fashions, famous people, interaction with family/friends/siblings, exciting and fun service projects, dealing with school work, and recipes.

Inspirational Biographies: We are currently in need of inspirational biographies. We are looking for people (preferably girls and women) who have in some way changed the world and will inspire girls to do the same.

Stories from Zambia: We are currently looking for stories, articles, and biographies from Zambia, Africa. Please remember to present information in a manner that is relevant to girls. When writing about another culture, it is very important to write with a deep respect for both the people and traditions of that culture. We are not interested in “westernized” stories. Instead, we are looking for manuscripts that are researched and culturally true to Zambia.

God’s Green Team: We are in need of stories, articles, and biographies about living a green lifestyle. These should be written from the Christian perspective that we are charged with caring for and protecting God’s Creation.

Miscellaneous Needs

Also needed are games, puzzles, party ideas, short humorous pieces, cartoons, jokes, and inexpensive craft ideas. Tear sheets from other publications are not accepted. We have a limited need for poetry, but occasionally use eight to ten line poems that are of general interest to girls.

---

 

Criteria for Selection of Manuscripts:

Articles should cause readers to see how God’s Word—His Truth—applies to their daily lives. Submissions to SHINE brightly are selected based upon the following criteria:

Submitting Your Manuscript: All submissions should be printed on a high quality laser or ink jet printers. Please do not staple the pages of your manuscript together. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope with your manuscript. Manuscripts are read as they are received in our office. We strive to review and respond to your manuscript within one month of its receipt. If your manuscript does not meet our needs, it is returned to you in your SASE. If we want to hold your manuscript we will send a request to hold your work for further consideration and give you the option of allowing us to do so or not.

Email submissions are not accepted.

Mail to:

Sara Lynne Hilton/Senior Editor
SHINE brightly Magazine
PO Box 87334
Canton, MI 48187

Preparing Your Manuscript

1. Type on one side of white opaque paper.
2. On the first page put your name and address in the upper left corner.
3. In the upper right corner, give the approximate number of words, the topic of the article, and the rights offered.
4. Beneath the title indicate Fiction or Nonfiction and give desired byline, plus the copyright information as required.
5. Number each succeeding page. Include your name at the top of each page.
6. Give sources for all statistical information or quoted material.
7. A self-addressed-stamped envelope with the correct postage is necessary for the return of your manuscript.

Query: You need not query before submitting a manuscript. We usually read and return each article in four to six weeks.

Compensation: Compensation for all pieces that are published in SHINE brightly is made upon publication. Fiction and nonfiction writers receive 3-5¢ per word up to $35.00 depending on length, quality, and rights. (See the next page for list of rights.) Poetry receives $5.00 to $15.00 depending on length, quality, and rights. Games and puzzles are paid from $5.00 to $15.00.

Basis for Rejection of Material

1. Inappropriate. Does not show girls how God is at work in their lives and the world around them.
2. Too young or too old for our 9 to 14-year-old readers.
3. Simplistic, unrealistic, too predictable or the theological perspective differs too greatly from our own.
4. Does not fit our themes.
5. Duplication of material already published or submitted.
6. Editorial needs filled.
7. Limited need for poetry.
8. Inept writing—poor opening, transitions, grammar. Lacks the drama or crisis that appeals to our readers.

Editing Privileges: The editorial staff of SHINE brightly magazine reserves the right to edit any accepted manuscript. This is done with a conscious effort to preserve both the writer’s style and the intent of material. If editing is extensive, the edited manuscript will be submitted to the author prior to publication.

Rights: We purchase the following rights:

First North American Rights—The author retains copyright, and may submit the manuscript for publication elsewhere after it appears in SHINE brightly. SHINE brightly has first time printing rights.
Second Rights—Rates are for a previously published article. Author must own copyright, or submit proof of permission to resell from the copyright owner.
Simultaneous Rights—The author must notify publisher that the submitted article is being offered in another market that should not overlap our readership.

---

 

For a Sample Copy of SHINE brightly: You may write for a sample copy of SHINE brightly.
Please enclose $1.00 and a 9 x 12 inch self-addressed stamped envelope.

Mail to: SHINE brightly
Attn: Michele/Sample Copy Request
P.O. Box 7259
Grand Rapids, MI 49510

 

 

 

Sparkle! Submission Guidelines (download printable version)

Sparkle is an exciting magazine designed especially for girls in the first through third grades. Sparkle is published by GEMS Girls’ Clubs (Girls Everywhere Meeting the Savior), an international ministry that starts Bible-based, all-girl club programs in churches and Christian organizations. The goal of GEMS is to help bring girls into a living, growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

The Sparkle Mission
Our mission is to prepare young girls to live out their faith and become world changers—to help girls make a difference in the world.
Sparkle strives to...

Note to Authors!
We like to see articles that truly connect with girls ages 6-9. Some of our girls are just learning to read, while others have been reading for a while. They are beginning to think for themselves, gradually learning how God wants them to live. They understand that life is not always good and sometimes it hurts. Manuscript topics should build girls up in Christian character, but they should not be preachy. Pollyanna endings, where everything is wonderful in the end, are not always realistic and our readers enjoy realistic stories. Manuscripts should be delightful to read as well as educational and inspirational.

Fiction (100-400 words)

Our readers like stories with adventure and mystery, stories about animals, and situations they can relate to in their daily interaction with family and friends. Each season we focus on a different theme, which can be found in the Annual Theme Update. We are interested in seeing how each annual theme connects to our overall mission—to equip, motivate, and inspire girls to be activists for Christ. Stories should be realistic and need not always have a happily ever-after ending. Stories with religious clichés are not of interest to us.

Nonfiction (100-400 words)

Nonfiction articles about topics that interest our readers include: animals, sports, music, musicians, famous people, interaction with family/friends/siblings, exciting and fun service projects, dealing with school work, and recipes.

Poetry (5-15 lines)

Sparkle publishes one poem per issue. We prefer rhyming poems, as this is a great reading tool for beginning readers.

Miscellaneous Needs

Also needed are games, puzzles, party ideas, short humorous pieces, and inexpensive craft ideas. Tear sheets from other publications are not accepted.

Current Needs (100-500 words)

Inspirational Biographies: We are currently in need of inspirational biographies. We are looking for people (preferably girls and women) who have in some way changed the world and will inspire girls to do the same.

Stories from Zambia: We are currently looking for stories, articles, and biographies from Zambia, Africa. Please remember to present information in a manner that is relevant to girls. When writing about another culture, it is very important to write with a deep respect for both the people and traditions of that culture. We are not interested in “westernized” stories. Instead, we are looking for manuscripts that are researched and culturally true to Zambia.

God’s Green Team: We are in need of stories, articles, and biographies about living a green lifestyle. These should be written from the Christian perspective that we are charged with caring for and protecting God’s Creation.

---

 

Submitting Your Manuscript/Method of Selection:
All submissions should be printed on a high quality laser or ink jet printers. Please do not staple the pages of your manuscript together. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope with your manuscript. Manuscripts are read as they are received in our office. We strive to review and respond to your manuscript within one month. If your manuscript does not meet our needs, it is returned to you in your SASE. If we want to hold your manuscript we will send a request to hold your work for further consideration and give you the option of allowing us to do so or having us return your manuscript. We notify those whose manuscripts we will publish (payment is on publication), and we return those we are unable to use.

Email submissions are not accepted.

Mail to:

Sara Lynne Hilton/Senior Editor
SHINE brightly Magazine
PO Box 87334
Canton, MI 48187

Preparing Your Manuscript

1. Type on one side of white opaque paper.
2. On the first page put your name and address in the upper left corner.
3. In the upper right corner, give the approximate number of words, the topic of the article, and the rights offered.
4. Beneath the title indicate Fiction or Nonfiction and give desired byline, plus the copyright information as required.
5. Number each succeeding page. Include your name at the top of each page.
6. Give sources for all statistical information or quoted material.
7. A self-addressed-stamped envelope with the correct postage is necessary for the return of your manuscript.

Query: You need not query before submitting a manuscript. We usually read and return each article in four to six weeks.

Compensation: Sparkle pays $20.00 per article. Payment is made upon publication.

Basis for Rejection of Material

1. Inappropriate. Does not show girls how God is at work in their lives and the world around them.
2. Too young or too old for our 9 to 14-year-old readers.
3. Simplistic, unrealistic, too predictable or the theological perspective differs too greatly from our own.
4. Does not fit our themes.
5. Duplication of material already published or submitted.
6. Editorial needs filled.
7. Limited need for poetry.
8. Inept writing—poor opening, transitions, grammar. Lacks the drama or crisis that appeals to our readers.

Editing Privileges: The editorial staff of Sparkle magazine reserves the right to edit any accepted manuscript. This is done with a conscious effort to preserve both the writer’s style and the intent of material. If editing is extensive, the edited manuscript will be submitted to the author prior to publication.

Rights: We purchase the following rights:

First North American Rights—The author retains copyright, and may submit the manuscript for publication elsewhere after it appears in Sparkle.  Sparkle has first time printing rights.
Second Rights—Rates are for a previously published article. Author must own copyright, or submit proof of permission to resell from the copyright owner.
Simultaneous Rights—The author must notify publisher that the submitted article is being offered in another market that should not overlap our readership.

---

 

For a Sample Copy of Sparkle: You may write for a sample copy of Sparkle.
Please enclose $1.00 and a 9 x 12 inch self-addressed stamped envelope.

Mail to: Sparkle
Attn: Michele/Sample Copy Request
P.O. Box 7259
Grand Rapids, MI 49510