WGA Guidelines

...about writing for publication, motorcycling, and faith.

Visit my blog at www.ButtsAboutIt.blogspot.com

www.ButtsAboutIt.com

UPDATE:

I am currently marketing this book. It is mostly full, but I may still have some room for a few more stories depending on what an interested publisher wants. If you have a story you'd like me to consider, please just send me a short e-mail with a few sentences describing your story to dbwrites@juno.com . When I've found a publisher, if I need your story I will let you know at that point.

Also please know that the format for this book has changed a bit: Instead of first person stories written by various contributors, your stories will now most likely be rewritten by me in a third person narrator POV.

The guidelines below are the original guidelines and do not reflect these changes. I post them here for your general information.

Thank you for your interest in this project!

Sincerely,

Dianne

Guidelines for Writers

Where Grace Abounds:

True Stories from Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers

Compiled by Dianne E. Butts

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The heart of this book will be to reveal the heart of pro-life pregnancy centers – what goes on in them and what God is doing through them.

Each story must be connected to a pro-life pregnancy center (PC). For example, your story may be something that happened through the work of a pregnancy center, a worker or volunteer of a PC, or a program sponsored by a PC (such as a Bible study or school program). You may be a client of a PC, or a worker or volunteer in a PC, or another person (example: extended family of a person connected to a PC). However, in some way each story must be connected to a pro-life pregnancy center.

All stories must take extreme care not to violate the privacy of any person(s). The best way to accomplish this is to tell your own story. You may also tell someone else’s story as long as they are fully aware you are doing so and grant you permission in writing to do so.

All main and/or identifiable persons in the story must give permission for the story to be published. If your story is chosen for publication, written permission will be required from all main characters before your story can be used. By writing and submitting your manuscript, you are giving us permission to publish your story.

Length: 500 – 1500 words

Payment: $20 per story plus one copy of the book per contributor upon publication.

I would also like to include resources, such as pro-life organizations, books titles, web sites, etc. Please feel free to send me information on resources. (No payment.)

I plan to include a bio for each writer and for each pregnancy center represented in the book.

Rights: Non-exclusive book rights. This means you may submit your story elsewhere as long as you do not sell first rights or all rights. Previously published material is acceptable as long as the rights are available.

True stories only, please. No fiction.

“As-told-to” stories are acceptable. You may also change the name(s) to protect the privacy of individuals. However, you must still provide us with your real name on your submission.

Each story needs to touch the hearts of the readers. Show a change of heart or mind in a character. Or show a delightful outcome to a difficult situation that tugs at the hearts of readers. Or show how God intervened in circumstances or how you saw God at work in the situation.

Remember: The heart of this book will be to reveal the heart of pro-life pregnancy centers–what goes on in them and what God is doing through them. Stories should reveal the character traits of God, such as gentleness, kindness, and compassion. Stories that come across as harsh, judgmental, or that will alienate a segment of readers (such as political or spiritual differences) will not be accepted.

We’re looking for the best writing. Use fiction techniques, such as dialog and description. Show us. That is, take us to the time and place where the story unfolds and let us experience it and make the discovery with you, instead of simply telling us what happened.

Create identification with the reader by being open, honest, real, and vulnerable. Allow readers to see how you struggled, if you failed, and when you had to ask God and/or others to forgive you. Please also include some details of what has happened since the story. What has happened to the people in the story since, and how are they doing?

If you have a story or know of a story but need help with the writing, please contact me and I will match you with a writer. (Payment will go to the writer or be split among co-authors.)

We would like stories covering all aspects of what pro-life pregnancy centers do. For example, a story of an abortion-minded woman who changed her mind from abortion after having an ultrasound; stories from a man’s perspective (How does abortion affect men? How do PCs help men?); stories of whole families or extended families (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins) touched by a PC; PC workers that have been touched, changed, or affected by their work in a PC or by a client; adoption stories; healing from abortion; and people finding salvation in Jesus Christ through the work of a PC or a PC worker. These are only suggestions; please do not feel limited to these topics.

Submit by e-mail. Please paste your submission, single-spaced, into your e-mail. No attachments, please. Include your full name, address, day and nighttime phone numbers, fax number, e-mail address. Please put “Where Grace Abounds” in the subject line of your e-mail. Please submit only one story per e-mail. E-mail submissions to dbwrites@juno.com .

Due to volume, we will only respond to submissions selected for publication. You are free to submit your manuscript elsewhere (both before and after acceptance/publication) as long as you do not offer anyone all or first rights.

Direct questions and inquiries to dbwrites@juno.com .

Updated 9/13/06

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Permissions Form

DIANNE E. BUTTS Compiler, Writer

P.O. Box 8784, Pueblo, CO 81008

Where Grace Abounds: True Stories from Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers

DATE: ______________________________

I, __________________________________________, am aware that my story is being considered for

publication in the compilation book Where Grace Abounds: True Stories from Pro-Life Pregnancy Centers. I have read

the story, currently titled

________________________________________________________________________,

written by ________________________________________________________________,

and I do affirm this is a true story and it is accurately represented.

By my signature below I grant permission to Dianne E. Butts and any writers, editors, publishers, and/or others

involved to publish my story. I understand the story may be edited for clarity, length, or other reasons without my further

knowledge or permission, however the main meaning/content of the story should not change.

Print Name

Address

Phone number(s)

E-mail address

Signature

This page last updated Thursday March 27, 2008