By Lisa A. Crayton Research is either a much-loved task, humdrum chore or angst-filled process, depending which writers or editors are asked. Whether loved or dreaded, research is a building block for effective fiction and nonfiction projects. As a freelance magazine and devotional writer, I’ve used research in myriad ways, including to find or verify […]
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When pitching to a publication for the first time: Study the publication you’re pitching to in order to make sure your story idea is in line with their mission. Ask for a copy of the writers’ guidelines. (Better yet, see if they’re available on the website before you ask.) Most publications likely have some already […]
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Professional writers are key suppliers of quality editorial content. Magazine and newspaper editors are, in turn, key players in the relationship between their publication and freelance writers. For many years, EPA Associate Members who work as freelance writers have repeatedly encountered several challenges when writing for EPA and other publications. To work toward improving the […]
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By Andy Butcher What with fake news, partisan press, and click-bait, there may well never have been a time when we have more needed good Christian journalists practicing good Christian journalism. Thankfully, having had the privilege of judging some of the categories in the EPA Higher Goals contest over the past couple of years, I […]
Continue ReadingBy Jeanette Gardner Littleton How did you know I needed to read that devotion on that day?” one of our readers, who knew I edited the publication, asked me. “Um, I didn’t. You can thank God for that one!” I responded. One joy of writing in the Christian realm is the intriguing aspect of seeing […]
Continue ReadingBy Andy Butcher Having started out in journalism in the days of big old desktop typewriters with sticky keys and triple carbon copies, I’m appreciative of the new tools that make the job easier. I’m just not so sure about some of the new titles. True, in an age of multi-media skills, some of the […]
Continue ReadingBy Jeanette Gardner Littleton How much of a source can a writer quote in an article without getting permission from the publisher? The Fair Usage portion of the U.S. copyright law is unclear. Most publishers consider the limit 300 to 500 words. However, there are a couple of caveats. One consideration is the length of […]
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Almost all publishing organizations work with outside contributors to produce content. Freelance writers, photographers and others comprise an important part of the publishing ecosystem, especially as some organizations retain fewer employees. Working with independent contractors can add a variety of material and perspective to publications but it also raises a number of rights issues. As […]
Continue ReadingPeriods: They’re often omitted when abbreviating the name of an organization or iconic figure: CIA, FBI, VCU, JFK. Use periods to abbreviate certain titles (Gov., Dr., Sen., Rep., Mr., Ms.); Jr. or Sr. after a name; Co., Corp., Inc.; months in exact dates; St., Ave. or Blvd. in exact addresses; a state name after a […]
Continue ReadingDear Director: I’m writing an article that includes extensive short quotations of Bible verses. When quoting the NKJV or the NIV or another version that prints poetic passages in broken lines, must we follow the same line-by-line presentation when quoting them, or is it permissible to string them out in straight paragraph text? And if […]
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