Call for Submission

GOD’S BENEFIT PACKAGE

Based on Psalm 103, God’s Benefit Package devotions remind readers of all the amazing things our Heavenly Father does for his people - from his compassion and mercy to his unfailing love and healing power.

We are looking for first-person, true stories of times in your life when God has proved faithful to his divine nature as described in Psalm 103 - whether it be forgiveness, healing, compassion, patience,  or any of the other ‘benefits’ listed in the chapter.

Benefit Package is a compilation project contracted with CrossRiver Publishing and has a tentative release date in early Summer 2012.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

·         Deadline for submissions is December 23, 2011.

·         Devotions must include a verse (other than Ps. 103) along with the true story, practical application commentary and suggested prayer topic. Please indicate which benefit (including verse) in Psalm 103 you feel your story most closely fits.

·         Please include a brief bio to be included with the devotional.

·         Word count should be between 500 and 1000 words.

·         Topics include but are not limited to God’s forgiveness, healing, life-saving power, justice, compassion, mercy, patience and father-like nature. (Please see list of benefits in Ps. 103)

·         You may submit original or reprinted work, however if it is a reprint, please tell us where it was published and assure us you own the reprint rights. 

·         We will edit selected stories for clarity, consistency and style. We will not change factual information. If you are unwilling to allow edits, please do not submit.

·         If your story is selected, we will notify you by email by February or March 2012.

·         Contributors will receive a contributor credit along with one free copy of Benefit Package (working title). Author will also be able to order additional copies at a significantly discounted rate.

·         Please send submissions to submissions@crossrivermedia.com.

Writing Opportunity

Cec Murphey and Twila Belk have a contract with Summerside/Guideposts for a compilation book titled Heavenly Company: Entertaining Angels and Other Strangers. It’s set for an August 2012 release. Do you have an angel story? Visit www.heavenlycompanybook.com for guidelines and submission details. Deadline for submissions is November 12.

Grammar Help

Do you know when to use e.g. instead of i.e.? What about who and whom? I admit, there are a lot of grammatical rules I often struggle to remember, and whether you are a splendid grammarian or a lousy one, we all need help now and then. If you don't have a desk reference on grammar (a wise investment for those who really struggle with this), one Web site I recommend using is Grammar Girl. Yes, you'll find the advice you need for the above questions at Grammar Girl and much more. Punctuation? Word choices? Style? You'll find them all. My favorite feature on any Web site the Search Box. It saves me time, and I need all the help I can get in that arena. Pop on over and check it out. You'll be glad you did.

Do you have a Web site you like? Please share it our readers.

The Idea Book

People often ask writers where they get their ideas. Perhaps just as important as where we get ideas is "How do you remember them all?" New ideas often hit me in the middle of working on something else, and I needed to save the idea and continue with my work. A system I learned from another writer that has worked well for me is the idea book.

The system uses two small note pads and one composition book. One note pad I keep on the bedside table along with a pencil so I can write down anything that strikes me in the middle of the night--yes, it happens. The other small note pad, I keep in my purse. This way I am assured of having a way to write things down, wherever I'm at, even if it means pulling off the road to do it. (I do a lot of thinking on my commute.) The composition notebook I keep at home in the office, ready to grab when a thought strikes. This allows me to jot down the basics and then go back to what I was working on. Later, when I'm ready to start another story or article, I can refer to my idea book and its ready list of choices.

What system do you use? Please share it with us.

Happy writing!