Guidelines for Writers
OUR PURPOSE
Plain Truth proclaims authentic Christianity without the religion. We center our teaching on Jesus Christ and God’s amazing grace. We give hope to those burned out by religious legalism. We point out religious devices and detours that lead away from God as we seek to reach those who have given up on him.
OUR READERS
Readership of the PT is approximately 50,000 in the United States and Canada. Our average reader is 55 years of age. The female-male ratio is 55-45.
WRITING FOR THE PT
If you are interested in writing for us, we suggest you first read several recent issues (you
may do so at www.ptm.org). Discover the style and flavor of articles we print. Here’s what
we look for in a standard article:
Personal interest: Material should offer biblical solutions to real-life problems. Both first person and third person illustrations are encouraged.
Creative thinking: Articles should take a unique twist on a subject. Material must be insightful and practical for the reader, moving him or her toward a closer relationship with Jesus.
Biblical accuracy: All articles must be well-researched and biblically accurate without becoming dry and boring. We seek to make the Bible plain to our readers by bringing the Scriptures to life.
Compelling logic: Use convincing arguments to support your Christian perspective. Make it clear to the reader where you are going, and make it difficult for him or her to turn down your invitation to follow.
Color: Use vivid word pictures, simple and compelling language. Avoid stuffy academic jargon and Christian “inspeak.” Captivating anecdotes are vital.
Been there done that: Avoid “in-house” Christian terminology. Avoid cliché-like solutions.
Grapple with the impact of religion on readers’ lives and introduce them to new life in Christ.
OUR PROCEDURES
Query letters: Plain Truth does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. Please first submit a query letter or email (managing.editor@ptm.org) and secure permission to forward manuscript. Queries/manuscripts will not be responded to unless accompanied by a SASE or email address. A positive response to a query does not guarantee a purchase.
- Your query letter should include the following information:
- Your specific subject and working title
- An outline of your ideas, enumerating your main points
- A profile of your experience and qualifications, as well as any other personal information that lets us know why you are the person to write this article
Manuscript format: Once accepted, manuscripts are required in electronic form, preferably in Microsoft Word. Manuscripts should be double-spaced with 1.5 inch margins. Include your name, address, daytime phone, Social Security number and precise word count in the upper left hand corner of the first page.
Payment and rights: Payment is at the rate of 15 cents a word for reprint material, and 25 cents a word for first-rights material. Payment is for one-time nonexclusive world all-language rights for publication in The Plain Truth and any affiliated international publications, and posting on the Plain Truth Ministries website as part of our archives. We reserve the right to use a portion or description of your article with your name in our promotional materials. We reserve the right to grant reprint requests of up to 500 copies that are intended for educational use only. The author retains all rights once the article has been published. We will place your copyright notice at the end of the article only if specifically requested. All manuscripts are examined on speculation. If you have submitted the manuscript to another magazine before ours, please advise.
The author, by submitting the manuscript, grants The Plain Truth the right to edit and abridge the manuscript and warrants that he or she is the sole and true author of the submitted material.
Plain Truth Magazine
Pasadena, CA 91129
Phone (800) 309-4466
Fax (626) 358-4846