What writers should know about The Present Truth Herald

The Present Truth Herald is the official quarterly publication of The Present Truth. We have a readership of about 3,000, and publish four times a year. We strive to publish written works of the purest quality and the most elevating in character while making clear, simple and plain the spiritual basis of our faith, with the goal of exalting God thereby calling men’s attention to the living truths of His word.
 

What we’re looking for

To fulfill this mission, The Present Truth Herald seeks writers who think creatively, seek God deeply and write on subjects that directly uphold principles found in the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy. This magazine appeals to men and women of all faiths and therefore avoids using expressions not easily understood outside the Adventist community. Before preparing a query or manuscript for us, read “The Character of Periodical Articles” and “Counsel to Writers” in  Counsels to Writers and Editors by Ellen G. White as well as one of our magazines, as this is the best way to get a feel for the content and tone of manuscripts that we’re interested in publishing.

About our readers

The Present Truth Herald family encompasses all ages and many different cultural and religious backgrounds. Our readers are primarily adults, young and old, married and single, of various levels of income and education, of many vocations and professions.

Getting started

If you are just getting started, please submit a two-paragraph abstract about the proposed article to the senior editor for subject approval. Have you already contacted The Present Truth Herald or is your article already written? Then you’ve just to submit the completed version for approval. Submissions can be sent via email to editor@thepresenttruth.org or mailed to Senior Editor, The Present Truth Herald, PO Box 900729, Palmdale, CA 93590. Please include email addresses and telephone numbers for all authors.

Receipt of Article:  All articles will be acknowledged upon receipt. Authors will be informed either that the proposed article does not meet current editorial requirements, that it will be considered for a future issue or that it is scheduled to be published in an upcoming issue.

Lead Time:  Because this is a quarterly publication, it may be a matter of months before your article appears in print, although the decision as to whether or not the article will be used is generally made promptly. The Present Truth Herald reserves the right to run it at a time and place of its own choosing.

Editorial Deadline Issue:

November 20	-	March/April
February 20	-	June/July
May 20	-	September/October
August 20	-	December/January

Liability:  Neither The Present Truth or The Present Truth Herald assumes any responsibility for unsolicited material.

Compensation:  We currently do not provide compensation for articles or photos.

From time to time, The Present Truth Herald receives requests to purchase reprints of an article. The Present Truth Herald reserves the right to arrange for reprints of articles without remuneration to the author.

Copyright:  The Present Truth Herald uses only original work. It is the author’s responsibility to inform the senior editor if the article has been previously published or is being considered by another publication. The author is entirely responsible for submitting original work and for the accuracy of all material submitted, including names, places, references, facts and quotations.

The Present Truth Herald does not require exclusive rights to the submitted material, but does require non-exclusive rights to print and reprint (in other words, you may take your submission elsewhere as well as long as the potential publisher knows that The Present Truth Herald has the right to print the material as well). Requests should be directed to the associate publisher at herald@thepresenttruth.org. Please fill out and return our writer release form found here on our website.

Submitting completed articles
Article Text: Articles can be sent in via e-mail to herald@thepresenttruth.org or through regular mail (The Present Truth Herald, PO Box 900729, Palmdale, CA 93590 USA) on a PC formatted CD. Microsoft Word is the preferred software format. Authors should check with the senior editor before sending in other formats.

Photographic Submissions: Authors are solely responsible for providing high quality photographs or high resolution electronic images and caption material to complement their stories. The author should send at least four photographs. Photographs may be 4-color or black and white. The Present Truth Herald accepts high-resolution (300 dpi for a 4” x 5” photo) electronic photographs in JPG, TIFF, Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop formats. DO NOT EMBED PHOTOS WITHIN THE TEXT OF THE ARTICLE. If sending electronically, send each photograph and the caption material to explain what and who is in the photo in separate e-mails. Photographs and other artwork must be free of any copyright restrictions. Hard copy photographs to be returned must be marked.

Artwork supplied by someone other than the manuscript author should be clearly identified for credit, along with necessary releases. Please fill out and return our photograph release form found here on our website. We assume no responsibility for material submitted, but every effort will be made to return original artwork. Please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope if return of items is requested and allow 45 days after the mail date of the publication for return.

Biographies: All authors of an article should provide a one or two-sentence biographical sketch. This should include your name and occupation. Provide any additional information you think may allow us to become acquainted with you.

After-edit review
The Present Truth Herald reserves the right to edit all articles for consistency, clarity and style, length, cohesiveness and logic, and grace of expression. The editors make every effort to work closely with the authors during the editing process. Authors who wish to review the final version of the article may proofread edited copy at The Present Truth office in Palmdale, California. Neither printed nor electronic copies of edited articles will be released prior to publication. Authors may proofread edited articles for fact-checking purposes only, not for style or format revisions. Authors who are unable to travel to The Present Truth office can have the article reviewed with them over the telephone. Requests to review articles, either at The Present Truth office or via the telephone, should be directed to the senior editor.

Submit manuscripts to the attention of:
Senior Editor
The Present Truth Herald
PO Box 900729
Palmdale, CA 93590
editor@thepresentturht.org

Types of articles
Touching Tales/Stories: We publish articles that give details of God’s leading in a specific manner or incident, on the mission field and in everyday life. We’re looking for cheering testimonies. Submissions should be 1,000 to 2,500 words.

Spiritual Life: We publish articles that emphasize practical faith and godliness and obedience and salvation, with a specific focus on a definite Biblical principle. Consider an in-depth Bible Study written in a conversational tone and applied to everyday life. Submissions should be 1,000 to 3,000 words.

How-to Articles: We publish a variety of articles offering specific and Biblically-based direction to our readers. Consider writing on witnessing, exercise, at home health treatments and personal relationships, among others. It may be helpful to divide the principles into a certain number of clearly separated points (e.g. 7 Steps to A Happy Marriage, Effective Witnessing in 10 Easy Steps). Submissions should be 1,000 to 3,000 words.

News Briefs: We publish a number of news articles. These articles must display concise, fact-checked reporting and direct or paraphrased quotes, and must focus on current events such as health issues and mission activities. Submissions should be 200 to 800 words.

Features: We publish many full-length feature articles per year. Topic examples: early Adventist pioneer experiences; signs of Christ’s return; the law of God; clear explanation on a passage in Revelation; wonders of redemption; and affirmative side of truth, among others. Submissions should be 1,500 to 3,000 words.

Mind/Body/Spirit: We publish on the topic of the relationship(s) between mind, body, and spirit, with a specific focus on a number of news articles. These articles must display concise, fact-checked reporting and direct or paraphrased quotes, and must focus on current mission activities. Submissions should be 200 to 800 words.

Guest Editorial: We occasionally publish guest editorials. These may be written by either a health educator or pastor who is passionate about a particular issue, who has a challenge to present, or who has a unique perspective on Christians in today’s society. Guest editorials must be accompanied by a professional-quality head shot of the author. Submissions should be 750 to 1,500 words.

Q & A: We occasionally publish Q & A articles. These may be written by either a health educator or pastor who offers practical answers. Submissions should be 500 to 750 words.

Fillers: We try to make the best use of every page of The Present Truth Herald, so we use small gaps to publish fillers. Topics include: Who God is to me; Jesus loves me; A person who changed my life; A memorable experience; An article that changed my life; My most informative mistake; Any other story conveying instruction, pathos, or thanksgiving. Submissions should be up to 600 words (we also like and need much shorter ones).