Church Magazines Guidelines For Writers, Photographers, and Illustrators Magazine E-mail address Phone number Fax number Mailing address for the four magazines Liahona liahona@ldschurch.org 1-801-240-2490 1-801-240-4225 Church Magazines 50 E. North Temple St., Rm. 2420 Salt Lake City, UT 84150-3220 USA Ensign ensign@ldschurch.org 1-801-240-2950 1-801-240-2270 New Era newera@ldschurch.org 1-801-240-2951 1-801-240-2270 Friend friend@ldschurch.org 1-801-240-2210 1-801-240-2270 We welcome your submissions. The magazines could not fulfill their purpose without the help of contributors like you. The best way to get an accurate feel for what we publish is to look at a number of recent issues. You can find them at www.magazines.lds.org. In some languages, only printed editions may be available. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE CHURCH MAGAZINES The Liahona is for adults, youth, and children, and is available in many languages, including English. The Ensign, New Era, and Friend magazines are in English only. The Ensign is for adults. The New Era is for youth, parents of youth, and youth leaders. The Friend is for children, parents of children, and Primary leaders. WHAT WE NEED For adults: Stories that show the gospel of Jesus Christ at work in the lives of Latter-day Saints, especially personal experiences tied to gospel insights. Watch for the “Call for Articles” on specific subjects. We are also looking for how-to articles and practical ideas on topics of interest to members, such as teaching, serving, strengthening marriages and families, and overcoming challenges. Articles about the Church and its members in various parts of the world and about specific individuals and families who are making a difference in their communities are also of interest. For youth: Articles, both by and for youth, that teach and inspire in an enjoyable and appealing way. In particular, youth might share personal experiences dealing with gaining a testimony, obtaining an answer to prayer, overcoming a difficulty, or sharing the gospel. Youth are also welcome to suggest ideas for posters, to send answers to gospel questions printed in Questions and Answers, and to submit photos they have taken and short poems (in English) they have written. Information about youth activities, service projects, and individual accomplishments that set a good example for others is also welcome. For children: Articles, true stories, and fun activities that teach gospel principles and reinforce good character qualities. We encourage children to submit their own poetry (in English) and artwork and to tell us about their experiences, their interests, and their testimonies. Send these along with a photograph of the child. For local news pages: Local news pages in the Liahona and Ensign and youth pages in the Liahona and New Era publish news items and information of interest to members in your area. Please notify us of upcoming events as far in advance as possible so, where possible, we can make arrangements to cover them. We may refer you to a local pages editor in your area, where available. Your comments and suggestions: We welcome your comments about articles that have been printed and suggestions about articles you would like to see. Please feel free to contact us. HOW TO PREPARE YOUR MATERIAL We prefer to receive submissions electronically (such as by e-mail or over the Web), but we also accept typewritten or, if necessary, handwritten manuscripts. Our preferred manuscript length is 400 to 1,200 words; our maximum length is 2,400 words. For specific length requirements, please contact the individual magazine. On the first page, please include your name, address, telephone number, ward or branch, stake or district, and e-mail address, and indicate whether you wish to donate your work or prefer to be paid upon acceptance for publication. OPTIONS TO DONATE OR RECEIVE PAYMENT Most of what the magazines print is donated material. This includes question-and-answer responses, letters to the editor, articles and artwork for children, and short responses to calls for testimonies and experiences. We invite you to consider donating your material when submitting it to the magazines. If you wish to be paid, we are pleased to send you payment. Payment varies depending on factors such as the complexity of the work and the research required to produce it. Choosing to request payment will not affect how we review your work. COPYRIGHTS When an article is accepted, the author is required to sign a submission agreement that grants the Church license to publish it. A parent or guardian must give written permission for the Church to use articles, artwork, or photography by those under age 18 and to publish a photo of anyone under the age of 18. All identifiable people appearing in photos submitted for publication must sign a release allowing the Church to publish their image (form 37707, available by contacting us). When this form is not available, a written, signed statement from those in the photo will suffice. PHOTOS Please make us aware of available photographs of individuals, activities, or places described in your article. We also purchase artistic photos for the photo featured on the inside back cover of the New Era and occasionally for other uses. Permission: All identifiable people in photos need to sign a statement agreeing to Church use of their image. Those under age 18 need a statement signed by their parent or guardian. Captions: Please provide credit and caption information for each photo. Give the full name of each person in the photo. Use terms such as "from left" and "standing" to clearly identify each person. Digital photography: Please use the highest resolution possible, five megapixels and 300 dots per inch or higher, and send the photos on CD or DVD. Low-resolution images may be accepted for preliminary review. Before sending high resolution photos by e-mail, please contact us. Film: Please develop film before sending us slides or prints. Transparencies (slides) are preferred. Church standards: All people in photos should observe Church standards of dress, grooming, behavior, and respect for property. ILLUSTRATIONS Assignments are made only to artists who have shown their portfolio, but we are eager to know of those who have talent. Please contact us for information about portfolio review, or send samples by e-mail or as color transparencies (slides). MUSIC We occasionally publish short songs or hymns. All music submitted is reviewed by the Church Music Committee. QUESTIONS We are grateful for your interest in the Church magazines. Please feel free to contact us. Thanks again!