Writer’s Guide

Mennonite Brethren Herald is the primary periodical of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches. As such, its prime readership is the lay people of the Conference. The Herald goes to every home in our constituency. Total circulation is over 15,000. Our readers are a diverse group of people across the country, span generations and have varying levels of education.

The publisher’s statement on the masthead of the Herald states: Mennonite Brethren Herald is published biweekly (24 issues per year) by the Board of Communications of the Canadian Conference of Mennonite Brethren Churches, primarily for the use of its members. It is intended to inform members of events in the church and the world at large, serve the personal and corporate spiritual needs of the members, serve as a vehicle of communication within the church, serve conference agencies and reflect the history and theology of the Mennonite Brethren Church. However, the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the church as a whole. Advertising and inserts should not be considered to carry editorial endorsement.

Twice a year we publish a special edition of the Mennonite Brethren Herald called Encounter. Its purpose is to assist persons and churches in their efforts to reach out to non-churched people in their neighbourhoods and communities. It is intended that the magazine draw readers toward faith in Christ. The message is presented in a low key and non-threatening manner. Encounter carries good articles which expose and illumine the human condition and point toward the Christian faith for answers.

While the Herald welcomes and publishes freelance articles from a variety of sources, primary consideration is given to Mennonite Brethren writers, specifically Canadian Mennonite Brethren writers. However, material by writers from other countries and of other denominations is used regularly. Every article submitted is considered, and the editor tries to reply promptly (within six months).

Article Specifications

Feature articles: A normal two-page article is 1500 words. Very rarely we will publish articles longer than 1500 words but virtually never more than 2500 words. More frequently, we will publish one-page articles of 750 words. However, we do not limit ourselves to use only articles of 750 or 1500 words. We will accept any length of article between 250 and 1500 words. Say what you have to say, and when you have finished, stop. We are in particular need of short (500-750 word) catchy, pithy, moving articles for our back page. Poetry: There is no official limit, but we are unlikely to carry anything longer than about 25 lines, unless it is narrative-type poetry. It also must be poetry that speaks to a general audience, not just to other poets. We carry 6-12 poems a year on average. Reflections (a devotional meditation on a Bible passage): 250 words. Columns expressing a Christian opinion on a current topic in church or society (e.g. Viewpoint): 850 words. Crosscurrents columns (columns expressing Christian reflection on music, a particular musician, CD or song; a book or books in general; art; computers or the internet, a TV program or television in general; a movie or movies in general; or culture in general): 500 words. Brevity and clarity are priorities. Letters to the editor: 300 words. Encounter articles can be personality profiles, humour articles or feature articles. Personality profiles should address the person’s relationship to Christ and how that relationship affects his/her everyday life, as well as obstacles he/she has overcome. Photos are a good addition to this type of article. Humour articles may be stories of everyday events told from a humorous perspective. They may have a moral theme or a Christian principle may be drawn from the anecdote. Feature articles for Encounter should speak to a specific need of Christians and non-Christians alike. Past issues have addressed topics such as freedom, hope, success, belonging, the family, God, forgiveness.

General

Please include a sentence of author identification at the end of the article. (e.g. Jan Smith is a member of Linden (Alberta) Mennonite Brethren Church; or, Jan Smith is a freelance writer from Sherwood Park, Alta.)

Submission of a manuscript constitutes permission to publish. All submissions are subject to editing.

Articles and manuscripts not accepted for publication will be returned if a self-addressed, stamped envelope (Canadian stamps or international coupons) is provided by the writer. If an article meets our criteria, but we have no immediate plans for its use, we do reserve the right to hold it for a future issue.

If possible, manuscripts should be typed and double-spaced. Articles may be submitted on disk in either Windows or Macintosh formats, but a hard copy must accompany the disk (identify the word processing program in which the file was created). Articles may also be submitted by e-mail at mbherald@mbconf.ca or mbheraldjc@bcmb.org.

Mennonite Brethren Herald buys one-time printing rights, including the right to insert in our on-line Herald. Payment is provided upon publication.

The editor looks for articles with simple style, contemporary language and fresh ideas. Writers should take care to avoid religious clichés.

When quoting Scripture, please use the NIV, or, if using another translation, please so indicate. We reserve the right to substitute NIV for another translation.

Mennonite Brethren Herald uses The Canadian Oxford Dictionary, the Canadian Press Stylebook, The Canadian Style and Mennonite Publishing House Supplement to the Chicago Manual of Style.

We do not require query letters; we prefer completed manuscripts.

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Last modified October 10, 2002.

© 2002 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
Masthead and usage information.