Sample Issue: $5.00 (add $1.50 for postage) made payable to: Baughman Memorial United Methodist Church
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Submission Guidelines

Baughman Memorial United Methodist Church is accepting submissions for our literary journal, Inspirit. Our journal seeks to explore issues of faith and Christianity from a human perspective, but it is not intended to be ideologically driven, nor serve as an evangelistic tool. We recognize that good writing often begins with ambivalence.

Work need not be overtly Christian, but we are seeking an expression of Christian concepts through literature. Close attention will be paid to your use of imagery, creative language, and complex literary devices. Your work will be evaluated by its tone, clarity, impact, texture, characterization, and theme.

Tone: We seek consistency in descriptions, word choice, setting, and in the voice of the speaker or narrator. Whether witty or wistful or sardonic or serious, the voice should be maintained throughout.

Clarity: In fiction, we seek stories with a well-organized plot, expressed by a rising action, crisis, and resolution, and a well-developed theme. We prefer stories that begin with the status quo, introduce a conflict, then end in resolution, which transforms the protagonist. In poetry, clarity is achieved through careful word choice and deliberate placement.

Impact: We are looking for work with layers of meaning that also persuades, interests, and informs the reader.

Texture: In poetry, we are looking for a combination of sound, meter, rhythm, and rhyme, which utilizes the senses, and enhances the mood of the writing. Sonnets, villanelles, sestinas, and other forms are welcome, but narrative poems (those that tell a story), written in free verse, are preferable. We accept very little rhymed and metered verse, and are not interested in poetry that resembles song lyrics.

Characterization: In fiction, we seek writing that is character-driven, and tense. We are looking for a protagonist who is believable, and complex, who evokes the reader's empathy, and undergoes a change.

Theme: Themes of interest include faith, Christian living, relationships, social and cultural issues, and nature, written in any genre.

At this point, payment for poetry and fiction will be in contributor's copies (2). We "buy" one-time rights. After publication, the copyright will revert to the author.

Authors must include a name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address with their manuscript. If a pseudonym is used, that should be clearly stated, and the submission must also include the author's real name. All pieces are read and judged anonymously. You will be contacted once your work is accepted. At that time, we will request a copy of your work formatted to Microsoft Word.

All submissions must be typed, double-spaced, on a single side. Please carefully proofread your text. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope (with the appropriate amount of postage) if you wish to have your manuscript returned to you.

Authors may submit up to six poems per issue.

Authors may submit two pieces of fiction or personal non-fiction at a time. Please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope (if you want the work returned), and an email address (if you have one), and wait to hear from us before sending more of your work.

Book and film reviews, short commentary on current issues, and personal narratives are welcome. We prefer articles that thoughtfully look at the philosophical and moral aspects of the subject under consideration, and evaluate its overall contribution to culture, and the personal impact on the individual. For example, a review of a movie would not only include a summary of the plot, characters, theme, and/or technique, but would discuss the overall relevance of those devices, and the personal impact. What makes this book important? What does this film say to me? How does this issue reflect or challenge my faith?

We are seeking original work, previously unpublished. Simultaneous submissions are acceptable, but please notify us if the work you have sent for our consideration has been accepted elsewhere.

Please send submissions (include a SASE, if you would like your manuscript returned) to:

Inspirit
c/o Baughman Memorial United Methodist Church
228 Bridge Street
New Cumberland PA 17070

Central Pennsylvania Conference

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