Sparkle Writers Guidelines
2011/2012
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 club programs in churches and
Christian organizations. The mission of GEMS is to help bring girls everywhere into a living, dynamic
relationship with Jesus Christ.
Sparkle Mission Our mission
is to help girls discover who God is and how He works in His world and their
lives. We strive to give girls the building blocks to create a living and
dynamic faith in Jesus Christ.
Included in Sparkle:
We are looking for stories, articles, quizzes,
poems, games, puzzles, and crafts that are fresh, that present the Christian
life realistically, and that cause young readers to see how God’s Word—His
Truth—applies to their daily lives. Submissions to Sparkle are selected
based on the following criteria:
• The manuscript must fit with the Sparkle Mission.
• The application of Scripture to everyday life.
• The ability to engage culture—meaning it must be relevant today while
still maintaining and upholding the truth of Scripture.
• The ability to delight the reader.
• The ability to cause the reader to evaluate her own life in light of
the Truth presented.
• The ability to teach a practical life skill.
Each season, Sparkle dedicates its pages
to the exploration of an Annual Theme. The next theme is Think Right: Win
the Fight! (See below.)
Sparkle fills up
quickly, so get your manuscripts in early. We read manuscripts each week. You
can expect to hear from us in eight weeks.
Fiction: Our readers
like stories with adventure, fantasy, 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. We are interested in seeing
how each Annual Theme connects to our overall mission—to help girls discover
who God is and how He works in His world and their lives. We strive to give girls
the building blocks to create a living and dynamic faith in Jesus Christ. More
information about this season’s theme is provided below. Stories should be
realistic and need not always have a happily ever-after ending. Stories with
religious clichés are not of interest to us. Length: 100-400 words
Nonfiction: 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.
Length: 100-400 words
Poetry: Sparkle publishes a few poems per year. We prefer rhyming poems, as they are
great reading tool for beginning readers. Length: 5-15 lines
Introduction
to Theme
Each season Sparkle dedicates its pages to the exploration of an
Annual Theme. The next theme is Think Right: Win the Fight! Below you
will find a summary of the theme as well as needs for each issue.
Think Right: Win the
Fight!
THEME VERSE
Finally, brothers (sisters), whatever is true,
whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such
things. Philippians 4:8
THEME CONCEPT
Think Right: Win the Fight! will help girls look at their thoughts and how thinking about
what they think about impacts who they become. God cares about what we think
because He designed our minds to be our control centers. Every word, action,
and choice begins with a thought. To become the person God wants us to be, He
commands us to love Him with our minds, and to set our mind on what His Spirit
desires—whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent or
praiseworthy. But it's not easy! We have enemies – the world, our sinful
nature, and the devil – who compel us to have stinkin' thinkin'. When we rely
on the Holy Spirit's power to help us think about these things, we will think
right and win the fight!
THEME AIMS
- To show girls that there is a right
and good way to think about things.
- To teach girls that there is an
ongoing battle within their minds about what thoughts they will choose.
- To provide girls with tools they can
use to help them win the fight and think right.
Take
the Sparkle Challenge!
We are looking for fiction and non-fiction that
weave the theme of Think Right: Win the
Fight throughout each issue. We want to help girls discover who God is
through His creation and the work He does in His world. You will notice that
each issue will highlight a specific topic, but submissions are not limited to
these ideas—each issue will highlight a variety of fun, engaging truths. We
look forward to your creativity!
Issue: October 2012
Deadline: April 2, 2012
Theme: Whatever is True
Topic: Food
Issue:
November 2012
Deadline:
June 28, 2012
Theme:
Whatever is Noble
Topic:
Horses
Issue:
December 2012
Deadline:
August 1, 2012
Theme:
Whatever is Right
Topic:
Penguins
Issue:
January 2013
Deadline:
September 4, 2012
Theme:
Whatever is Pure
Topic:
Ocean
Issue:
February 2013
Deadline:
October 1, 2012
Theme:
Whatever is Lovely
Topic:
Music
Issue:
March 2013
Deadline:
October 29, 2013
Theme:
Whatever is Admirable
Topic:
Space/Solar System
Manuscripts
Criteria for Selection of Manuscripts: Submissions to Sparkle are selected based upon the
following criteria:
• The manuscript must fit with the Sparkle mission.
• The application of Scripture to everyday life.
• The ability to engage the culture—be relevant today—while still
maintaining and upholding the truth of Scripture.
• The ability to delight the reader.
• The ability to cause the reader to evaluate her own life in light of
the Truth presented.
• The ability to teach a practical life skill.
Preparing Your Manuscript
• On the first page put your name, address, and phone number, word
count, the issue and topic you are submitting, as well as the rights offered.
• Indicate fiction or nonfiction.
• Include desired byline.
• Give sources for all statistical information or quoted material.
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 grade one through 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.
Submitting Your Manuscript
To honor God by being responsible stewards of His
creation, we are no longer accepting snail mail submissions. Thank you for
helping us reduce unnecessary paper waste. Together we can make a difference
Please place manuscript within body of email. Do not send attachments. Email:
sparkle@gemsgc.org
Query: You need not
query before submitting a manuscript.
Compensation: Compensation
for all pieces that are published in Sparkle 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. All published writers receive two copies
of the issue in which their piece is published.
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
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