Marriage Partnership Writer's Guidelines

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Writer's Guidelines

Marriage Partnership Writer's Guidelines

Description & Philosophy

Marriage Partnership seeks to provide realistic, challenging, and practical insights into healthy Christian marriage. We offer hope and help to our readers through practical how-to pieces; interviews with experts; humorous articles; true-life, dramatic stories of couples dealing with major life challenges; thoughtful essays; and couple profiles.

We begin with the premise that marriage is a life-enhancing gift from God. We are solidly rooted in biblical truth, but our approach to sharing that truth is somewhat different from other Christian websites and magazines. The principles we communicate—lifelong commitment, sexual fidelity, mutual sacrificial love, mutual respect—are taken from Scripture, but we use everyday language to communicate those principles. We recognize that there are a number of legitimate models for successful and God-honoring marriage; therefore, we avoid dogmatic, legalistic advice. While we want to show how God's grace and redemptive power can work in our readers' lives, we also recognize that staying married in today's culture can be a difficult and complex challenge. The answers aren't always easy—but God sees us through.

Our Tone

MP articles should use real-life anecdotes, rather than hypothetical examples, as well as quotes/advice from noted Christian professionals or related resources. Articles should be practical and contain a distinct evangelical Christian perspective. While MP adheres strictly to this underlying perspective in all its editorial content, articles should refrain from using language that assumes a reader's familiarity with Christian or church-oriented terminology. Use of Bible quotes and references should be used selectively. All Bible quotes should be taken from the NIV, if possible.

Our Readers

We want our readers to "see" themselves in the articles we publish. The majority of our readers are middle-class, college-educated Christians in their 20s, 30s, and 40s (median age 36). They are busy rearing children and juggling jobs (about two-thirds of our women readers work outside the home). Our readers are concerned with finances, communication, church involvement, time management, parenting, sex, conflict management—everyday, nitty-gritty issues. Rather than presenting an idealized portrait of marriage and family, we work hard to present a realistic image of life that makes our readers say, "Yes, that's how it is in my house!"

Our Writers

Writers who can communicate with freshness, clarity, and insight will receive serious consideration. We are looking for writers who are willing to speak candidly about marriages, including their own, if applicable. We strongly urge writers who are interested in contributing to Marriage Partnership to peruse the website (www.kyria.com) to become thoroughly acquainted with our tone and slant.

MP does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. Please query first (see below).
MP will try to respond to queries and manuscripts in 8 to 10 weeks. We prefer electronic submissions to mp@marriagepartnership.com. If sending a hard copy, include a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) of correct size, if you wish your manuscript returned.
All submissions are received on speculation. An accepted query does not guarantee purchase of the manuscript. Editors reserve the right to reject any manuscript at any stage.
Payment on acceptance of completed articles, 5-10 cents per printed word, exclusive online rights (with the exception of using your material on your own site).
MP does not accept simultaneous submissions.

Query letters should include:

A thorough summary describing the article idea
The purpose of the piece and its value to readers
The author's qualifications to write the piece
Suggested length and date it could be finished

All queries should be addressed to Ginger Kolbaba, Editor.

Manuscript should be typed double-spaced. Do not use headers or footers. Use only regular text, left-justified. In addition to the author's name and address, the first page should include his/her phone number, email address, and the word length.

We do not accept poetry or fiction.