Fiction needs:
~Humor with a point (500 words)
~Historical fiction featuring great Christians or Christians who lived during great times (900 or 1,600 words depending on the depth of story)
~Contemporary, multicultural/exotic settings (1,600 words)
~Fantasy or Sci-Fi, avoiding graphic descriptions of evil creatures and sorcery (1,600 words)
~Mystery stories (1,600 words)
~Choose-your-own adventure stories (1,600-1,800 words)
Fiction flops:
~Contemporary, middle-class family settings (existing authors meet this need)
~Stories dealing with boy-girl relationships
~Preachy sounding stories where parents solve all the problems
~Poems (not printed)
Nonfiction needs (all nonfiction should fall between 400-500 or 800-1,000 words):
~Personality features of ordinary kids doing extraordinary things
~Activity theme pages with 3 to 5 fun things for kids to do
~Short, humorous how-to stories with a point (how to get good grades, how to be a good friend)
~Quizzes (multiple choice or true/false) that teach a biblical concept or character trait
~Fun-filled animal factoids
~Fact stories from a Christian worldview that talk about apologetics, biblical archeology or Christian value (i.e. the sanctity of life, living a moral life, etc.)
~Short craft or recipe ideas around a central theme or holiday
~Interviews with noteworthy Christians or Christians who experienced noteworthy events
Nonfiction flops:
~Bible stories—we only publish Truth Pursuer stories as of Jan. 2007
~Information-only science or educational articles without Christian insight
~Biographies told encyclopedia or textbook-style—need a kid angle
PAYMENT:
~Generally 15 to 25 cents a word
~$200 on up for feature-length fiction stories
~$150 on up for nonfiction stories
SUBMISSIONS:
All manuscripts should be typed, double-spaced, on one-side only of 8 ½-by-11-inch paper. The author’s name, address, phone number and an approximate word count should appear on the first page.
We accept completed manuscripts only; no query letters. Material will not be returned unless a self-addressed envelope with adequate postage is included. Seasonal material should be sent at least eight months in advance.
Address all submissions to:
Stephen O’Rear, Clubhouse Editorial Assistant, Focus on the Family, 8605 Explorer Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80920
We do our best to respond to manuscripts within eight weeks.
For a sample issue, send your request (along with $2.50 and SASE) to Focus on the Family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80995-7460 or call 1-800-232-6459. Requests are filled within four weeks.