Would you like to write for Prodigal Magazine? Here’s what we expect from our contributors.
Submissions must:
1. Be between 500-1000 words in length.
2. Include a title that will grab attention of readers. We reserve the right to change or alter the titles. Submissions without titles will not be accepted or considered.
3. Be original content. We do not accept articles that are submitted simultaneously to other publications. We do at times syndicate content but please indicate upon submission if the article has been previously published elsewhere.
4. Tell a story that fits into one of the following categories:
- Faith – Church, God, Mission.
- Life – Relationships, Family, Career
- Culture – Entertainment, Technology, Events.
5. Include a short bio and photo of the author. We do not publish anonymous content.
Still need a little more direction? Here are some writing tips for Prodigal Magazine submissions.
An effective story tells what happened, and it tells us why it matters.
If you just tell us what happened, you’ve missed half the picture. If you just tell us the conclusion you came to, but we don’t know how you got there, we won’t believe you.
A good story should express who you are.
Don’t try really hard to tell us a good story, just relax and tell us. Tell the story like you would tell it at a party, if you were standing around talking to friends. Your voice will come through loud and clear. If the grammar needs help, we can fix that later. We would rather read a compelling story with bad grammar than a boring, didactic article with impeccable grammar.
Don’t just tell us what happened – show us.
Don’t say, “I was so sad I cried all night.” Show your reader the wrinkled sheets you twisted in your clenched fists and the mascara stains on your pillowcase. Don’t tell us that your Aunt Rose was old, tell us about the slats on her porch that are rotting and need to be replaced. Show us that the screen on her front door was a little crooked and didn’t quite shut.
Read The Blog
Our best writers are our most faithful readers. We like writers who have spent some time on our sight, getting a feel for how we write and how we expect our contributors to write.
Avoid “Be” Verbs
“To Be” verbs (am is are was were be being been) lead to weak sentences. Avoid them when possible.
Write Simply
We like short, declarative sentences. We like short paragraphs. We like clear arguments. We publish articles that are between 500-1000 words. We’re impressed when you can communicate your message in a short, simple way (and our readers are more likely to read it too!)
Condense
Condense pages into paragraphs, paragraphs into sentences, and sentences into words.
Bleed on the Paper
Good stories aren’t fluffy. The best stories (tactfully, intentionally) include the worst moments. Don’t be afraid to tell your real story.
State Thoughts Clearly
Clutter kills good thoughts. Look for extra words and eliminate them where you can. We like clear thinking.
Eliminate “That”
Re-read sentences and see if it makes sense without the “that” you used. If it does, cut it out. It reads much easier.
Expect Challenges
We may respond to your submission by asking you to re-work or re-write. If we do that it means we think it has potential. We hope you find the critique constructive. Our heart is to help you be a part of our community.
Enjoy The Process
Telling stories can be as powerful as hearing them. Your voice is important to us, to our reader, and to you too. It is for this reason that we never submit anonymous articles. We know it takes courage to tell your story. Enjoy the process.
Show, Don’t Tell (especially when writing stories)
Instead of telling us that there were hot dogs, show us a character with a hot dog in his hand. Show us what the mustard looked like streaked down a woman’s white shirt. Show us exactly what we need to see.
