WRITER AND PHOTOGRAPHER GUIDELINES

Dear writers and photographers:

Thank you for your interest in submitting materials for consideration to Creation Illustrated magazine. Please review the focus and guidelines in this document. Then check the planned Story and Photo Schedule and Deadlines for the upcoming editions. We are interested in your material, and we’re always looking for high quality photos, articles, and poetry that bring glory to God through the wonders of His creation. Whether your material gets published or not, please know your submissions are appreciated. Keep sending new material.

Included in this document are some important guidelines. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. ANY SUBMISSIONS DENOTE FULL AGREEMENT TO COMPLY WITH THE GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS LISTED. The word "material(s)" in these guidelines refers to editorial and/or photographic submissions.

Also, any of the scheduled feature subjects can change at any time. We welcome fresh ideas and look forward to hearing from you.

In His service,
Tom Ish
editor/publisher


 

EDITORIAL AND PHOTOGRAPHIC SUBMISSIONS

1. QUERIES, SOLICITED MATERIAL, AND UNSOLICITED MATERIAL
   All submissions to the editor (including solicited material) will be considered for POSSIBLE publication. Unsolicited material is welcomed, but a query is recommended since a similar subject may already be assigned. We do not accept phone queries. If we are interested in your query or submissions, you will be notified by the editor.

   ALL SUBMISSIONS AND QUERIES SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED WITH A SELF-ADDRESSED, STAMPED RETURN ENVELOPE. ANY PHOTOGRAPH SUBMISSIONS MUST HAVE ENOUGH POSTAGE AFFIXED TO INCLUDE RETURNING THE MATERIAL "CERTIFIED" US MAIL. This is for your protection as well as ours, and it is the least expensive means of tracking we know of.

   Send queries, solicited, and unsolicited material to: Creation Illustrated editor, P.O. Box 7955, Auburn, CA 95604.
    

2. FORMAT AND PROPER IDENTIFICATION
   Editorial submissions must be typed, double-spaced, and (whenever possible) accompanied with a CD or emailed to us as a WORD document attachment.  A variety of word-processing programs can be used and converted on our computers. Please inquire to see that we can convert your program. EACH PAGE MUST HAVE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, AND STORY TITLE.

   Photographic submissions can be either 35mm slides or Digital.  
   
   If submitting slides they need to be placed in transparent 8 1/2 x 11 slide carrying sheets (typically 20 slides to a sheet). EACH PHOTOGRAPH MUST HAVE YOUR NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, SUBJECT MATTER, AND PHOTO LOCATION ON THE SLIDE. Photographs must also be itemized on a separate submission sheet with your name, address, and telephone number. This will be used as your receipt. If you do not include an itemized list of the slides submitted, we can not send an itemized verification of what was received, and we will not be responsible for lost slides.
    

   Digital Submissions Guidelines:  Please, wherever possible, submit a sheet of thumbnail copies of your images with your CD (no DVD's please).  All digital submissions must be high resolution at 300 dpi.  Jpegs are fine, but when converted to a tiff, the original images should be a minimum of 7 or 8 megabytes, preferably larger.  No conversions or interpolations to larger sizes please.  This hurts quality.
   
   

    

   ANY MATERIAL SUBMITTED WITHOUT PROPER IDENTIFICATION WILL BE RETURNED FOR PROPER IDENTIFICATION WHICH MAY JEOPARDIZE CHANCES OF BEING PUBLISHED.
    

3. REPRINTS
   We will consider material that has been published elsewhere as long as reprint permission accompanies the material.
    
4. RIGHTS
   All First North American Serial Rights to material selected for publication shall remain with Creation Illustrated for a period of six (6) months. Future reprint permission must be sought from the publishers of Creation Illustrated. Any reprinted material must be accompanied with the statement, Reprinted with permission from Creation Illustrated magazine, Auburn, CA.
    
5. PAYMENT
   Specific amounts are listed with the feature descriptions that follow. All published material will be paid in full within 30 days of publication. Creation Illustrated will not be held responsible for any additional expenses such as travel or mileage, long-distance phone calls, photo developing costs, photocopying, postage, or express mail charges.
    
6. KILL FEES
   A 25% kill fee may be paid when assigned or accepted material is not published. Eliminating or rescheduling various materials are at the sole discretion of the publisher. Any reason or justification for any change in final selections for publication is not required of the publisher.

   If material is rescheduled for publication, the writer/photographer may either receive a partial payment with the balance due upon publication or may have the material returned for submission to other publications. If material submitted does not meet the standards or criteria set forth, it may be returned for revisions. If revisions are still unsatisfactory, a kill fee will not be paid.
    

7. RETURN OF MATERIALS SUBMITTED
   Photograph and editorial submissions will be returned as soon as possible after final selections have been made for publication. Materials will be returned within 30 days after publication of the edition for which the materials were submitted.
    
8. SAFETY, CARE, AND LIABILITY OF SUBMISSIONS
   As mentioned previously, the least expensive means of tracking we know of is to send your material Certified US Mail. This is typically $1.35 extra, and we have to sign for the material to receive it. You can add insurance and/or a return post card notification for an additional fee at the post office if you wish.

   AGAIN, ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED WITH A SELF-ADDRESSED, STAMPED RETURN ENVELOPE. PHOTOGRAPH PACKETS MUST HAVE ENOUGH RETURN POSTAGE AFFIXED TO ALLOW MATERIALS TO BE RETURNED "CERTIFIED" US MAIL. ANY INSURANCE DESIRED FOR THE RETURN OF MATERIALS TO GUARD AGAINST MISHAPS IN POSTAL HANDLING MUST ACCOMPANY YOUR SUBMISSION WITH SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS.

   We take great measures to care for your materials. Upon receiving submissions, we log what has been received and place it in a labeled folder that is then placed in a metal file cabinet. When slides are selected for publication, they are handled with great care to avoid any fingerprints or possible damage. They are then scanned in-house or hand-carried to a lab in Sacramento where they are handled with white gloves for scanning. They are then delivered back to Creation Illustrated for safe keeping. WHILE WE HAVE GREAT RESPECT AND EXERCISE EXTREME CARE FOR YOUR MATERIALS, Creation Illustrated, ITS OFFICERS, PRINCIPLES, SUBCONTRACTORS, AND/OR EMPLOYEES ARE IN NO WAY TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR LOST, STOLEN, OR DAMAGED MATERIALS.
    

9. PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS AND RATES There is typically a photography contest with each edition of Creation Illustrated. What we look for in a photograph includes:
   1) good composition with texture often in the foreground, a dominant feature, and a focal point;
   2) clarity, sharpness, contrast, color quality, and color saturation;
   3) a good use of dark and light values helps spark interest;
   4) an effective use of light, clouds, fog, and other mood-generating elements;
   5) a level horizon, trees growing vertical, and flat horizons and waterlines show that you are careful how you frame your shots. The subject matter for various categories of awards and other features can be found in descriptions that follow and on the story/deadline sheet.
   1. Cover photo award - $100
   2. Best Nature Photo, 1st place award - $50; Best Nature Photo, 2nd place award - $25 (nature photo awards can be given in any story, poetry display, inside or back cover, photo essay, or other areas where nature photos appear)
   3. Creatures Near and Dear to Us, 1st place award - $50; Creatures Near and Dear to Us, 2nd place award - $25
   4. The Creation Story - Day ___, 1st place award - $50; The Creation Story - Day ___, 2nd place award - $25
   5. Children’s Photo Contest: 1st place $25, 2nd place $15, 3rd place $10, honorable mention $5.
   6. Back cover photo $20. All other published photos - $10 each, regardless of size

      Each photograph published will be accompanied by a photo credit. Each published photographer will receive three copies of the magazine in addition to payment.

   
    
10. EDITORIAL CRITERIA, FEATURES, EDITORIAL RATES, AND PHOTOGRAPHY SUBJECTS Write for the reader. Inspire the reader to be in awe of the Creator. Help generate a worshipful spirit. Glorify God the Creator. Make your story uplifting and positive rather than confrontive or argumentative. Support your story with scripture, scientific data with references, and quotations that are absolute and verbatim. Don’t risk credibility with vague or unsubstantiated notions. Your story must be original, well researched, and provide information that will encourage the reader to want to know more about the Creator God. PLEASE USE THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION OF THE BIBLE FOR WHICH WE HAVE REPRINT PERMISSION.

Mission Statement: Our purpose is to share the wonders of God’s creation. By revealing fresh insights of His infinite wisdom, gentle touch, undeniable justice, redeeming love, and flawless design, pure truth shall bring renewed peace. Each part of this publication is offered as a reprieve from the daily rigors of life so that all can look to the future with unbridled gratitude and hope.

You will notice that the magazine is divided in to three sections -- Creation Illustrated in Nature, in Scripture, and in Living. As a quarterly magazine, Creation Illustrated focuses on the corresponding seasons. For a list of specific subjects for the features in upcoming editions, refer to the Story and Photo Schedule and Deadlines. The subjects listed can change at any time. Feel free to spark our interest with something that is outstanding.
 

Creation Illustrated in Nature

1. Creation Up Close Feature - (1,500 to 2,000 words) Pays approximately $100.

   This feature is on a seasonal aspect of nature that helps reveal the incredible intricacies and the overwhelming evidence of how the Creator designed or planned the things around us. There is often a very close perspective that shows detail or even microscopic facts as to how things in nature are designed by an awesome God. Don’t hesitate to use plenty of scripture and scientific data to reflect and support each other. Including brief anecdotes helps to add interest and allows the reader to identify more closely with the story.

   Photographs should include extreme close ups as well as scenic shots or an overview as to how this part of nature interacts with the rest of its environment.
    

2. Re-Creation and Restoration through Outdoor Adventure - (1,500 to 2,000 words) Pays approximately $100

   This feature focuses on outdoor adventure, often in a national park. It is usually a first person account of a very uplifting and spiritual experience that helped to bring the author closer to God in understanding His design and care for us. The story will inspire the reader to want to go there or to get out and experience God’s creation in nature first hand.

   Photographs must place the reader as close to a firsthand experience as possible. Panoramic shots are as vital as unique close-ups of something the reader may have never seen before. Various times of day and use of light also help generate interest. Man-made objects are generally not in this feature, but people can be included when appropriate. Give us a good reason to include them, and we will be happy to consider it.
    

3. Creatures Near and Dear to Us - (1, 500 to 2,000 words) Pays approximately $100

   This feature is on one particular type of creature. It may focus on some aspect of it behavior, design, and/or interaction with the rest of its environment or other creatures. You will want to share some aspect of this creature that the reader has never heard of or thought about. Your story will foster a new appreciation of the creature, its Creator, and how the reader now looks at this creature or creatures in general. Use of scripture is important. Use of scientific data is required.

   Photographs should include the creature in its environment, extreme close-ups, and avoid people or man-made objects.
    

4. Children’s Story - (500 to 1,000 words) Pays approximately $50-$75

   This is a story geared toward character development of children ages 6 to 12. It can be an animal feature or some other aspect of nature made simple with a memorable spiritual lesson. Personal anecdotes often work well in reaching young minds so they can picture themselves in a similar situation. Use plenty of description, but keep sentences simple.

   Photographs or professional quality sketches should clearly augment the story.

1. Artist Feature-Character Development through Creativity - (1,000 to 1,500 words) pays approximately $100

   This story inspires each of us to develop our creativity which is the first part of God’s character that He reveals to us. Our individual creativity is often not encouraged in our younger years, and the reader must understand that it is never too late to begin. It may be about painting, sculpting, drawing, weaving, or any other type of creative art. This story is also a people feature that tells how the artist got started, the training they have, any awards or sales of their art, what inspires them to create, how this fosters their relationship with God, any tips to help others get started, what spiritual lessons they get by doing their art, and how it ministers to others.

   Photographs must definitely include the artist at work, close-ups of the art at various stages of completion, and some completed work.
    

2. Gardens from Eden Around the World OR My Walk with God - (1,000 to 1,500 words) Pays approximately $75

   A garden story will make the reader want to get out and do it themselves, or it can simply reveal garden creativity in other parts of the globe. It is also a people feature that reveals what motivates the gardener, and most importantly it shares the spiritual lessons that the person gains in working closely with the soil and some of God’s creations. A "walk with God" personal anecdote is an alternating feature that tells of the peace and understanding that comes from spending time with God in nature. Photographs should show the person gardening, close-ups of any flowers or fruit, and an overview of the garden layout, OR the area where the "walk with God" took place.
    

3. Creativity in the Home - (1,000 to 1,500 words) Pays approximately $75

   This feature inspires creativity in the home. It also testifies as to how the home is used to minister to others. This is a people feature that should share what inspires and motivates the person to create comfort and warmth in the home as well as the joy they experience in doing that. It should also include some "how to" tips or cost saving ideas in decorating the home.

   Photographs should capture any unique decorating ideas, give a feel for the layout of the home, include some outdoor shots, and definitely include the home maker with family in candid, action shots rather than posed shots looking at the camera.
    

4. Wholesome Genesis Cuisine Recipes - (generally three to six recipes)

   Recipes must be vegetarian to help reflect God’s original diet found in Genesis 1:29. We wish to exclude all flesh food, dairy products, and most refined products. There is typically one theme selected for each edition.

   Photographs (typically done in-house) must include an extreme close-up of each dish as well as a group arrangement of all the dishes presented in the recipes.
    

5. Creative Fun for all to Enjoy - (short snippets) pay minimal

   This is for the children. It helps young people get involved in nature and draw closer to God through crafts, games, puzzles, hikes, and activities. Simply explain what to do, how to do it, and the enjoyment or growth that it brings. Photographs or illustrations should show activity with people and close-ups where appropriate.

1. Creation - Day ___ - (1,500 to 2,000 words) pays approximately $100

   This feature focuses on one day of the Creation Story found in the book of Genesis. What was God’s purpose in this part of Creation. How does it affect us today. What does it tell about God’s love for us. Pick each verse of scripture apart and illustrate what it is about, and how it relates to other parts of scripture and the plan of salvation. Why did God devote one day to this part of Creation? How can others understand or appreciate God better through a greater understanding of this part of Creation.

   Photographs will give the reader a closer look at the Creator and His purpose of Creation. Close-ups, long shots, and electronically manipulated images may be appropriate in effectively illustrating any part of Creation.

Poems can relate to any one of the above features, or it can relate to a part of God’s creation during a particular season.

Photographs that may accompany a poem to help illustrate Creation are welcomed.

For details on the needs and deadlines for upcoming features, please review the Story and Photo Schedule and Deadlines.