Writer’s Guidelines for Penned from the Heart – for 2012/2013
from Jana Carman, editor
Hello. If you have submitted devotions before, please be sure to read through these guidelines anyway. I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Penned from the Heart is a book of 366 daily devotions which can be used in any year. It is published around Thanksgiving by Son-Rise Publications, New Wilmington, PA. Cut-off date for receiving submissions is August 1, but I appreciate it when the submissions are spread out through the year.
Penned from the Heart is a non-denominational, Christian book of inspiration and teaching. Devotions can be either prose or poetry (verse or free-verse). Devotions should be 225 words or less. Poems (no more than 5 at a time) should be no more than 20 lines, counting spaces between stanzas too. I often have to edit (shorten or tighten) devotions to make them fit. However, I try to keep your ‘voice.’ Keep in mind that I work more than a year ahead, so what you write now will not be read until 2013.
Part of the charm of Penned is the variety. I look for insights, prayers, and anecdotes that proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ or build the Body of Christ through encouragement, inspiration, or teaching. Readers should find a Take-Away, something to apply to their own lives.
Formal format of opening Scripture and closing prayer is not required, but certainly acceptable. A title is appreciated. When quoting scripture, please indicate the version in this way: NIV, KJV, NASB, MSG (The Message), etc. Please update your bio. If you would like to include your email address so readers could contact you, include that in your bio. It is nice to know when someone was touched by your writing. I do not need your Social Security number. I set up your devotion in Arial 10 (Arial 9 bold & italic for scripture passages), width 4 1/4 inches, and length between 4 & 5 inches. You are not required to submit it this way, but if you decide to, it is a great help to me. If you don’t, I’ll love you just the same.
Son-Rise Publications asks for one-time rights for the volume in which your work appears. Previously published devotions, as well as original works, are accepted. Reprint rights are given when supplied by the author. Payment for the inclusion of your work in Penned from the Heart is a free copy of the volume in which your work appears, and the opportunity to buy other copies at a discounted rate. Contributors may purchase a case of 25 books for $125 plus a shipping and handling fee, or purchase single books at $7.00. Penned retails at $10.00, so contributors can make as much as 40-50% by selling the books. (These figures may be adjusted each year.)
Penned gives authors an opportunity to see their work in print. But it is intended to bring glory to Jesus and to share His love and sacrifice with a lost world. Son-Rise is a small publishing house, so distribution for this book is done primarily by its contributors in their home churches, work places, and to friends and family. The books make wonderful Christmas gifts and witnessing tools.
Penned from the Heart is compiled/edited by Jana Carman. Mail submissions to Jana Carman, 304 Stow Neck Road, Salem, New Jersey, 08079. Telephone 856-339-9422. When possible, submit by e-mail to ed4penned (at) aol.com. Please let me know if you get email, change your email address, or change your snail-mail address.
Jana Carman, editor
