8625 196th ST SW, EDMONDS, WA 98026
The Good News Letter
Written Submission Guidelines
Accepted Formats:
Word Document
Google Document
Article Slot Word Counts:
Front Page Main: 175-300 words
Devotional/Inspirational Articles: 150-200 words
Miracles and Answered Prayers: 200-500 words
Ministry Updates and Event Reports: 75-200 words
Article Style Guide
Required Components:
Suggested Article Title (may be edited to fit space and style)
Your Full Name
Byline: 1-2 sentences describing yourself in the third person
Example: "Sophia Fullerton is the administrator at Edmonds Adventist Church and is passionate about Pathfinder Ministry."
General Guidelines:
Articles may be edited for brevity and clarity as well as to fit the style of the newsletter.
In-article headings may be accepted on a case-by-case basis.
Oxford/Serial comma is used.
All references to God are capitalized.
Short bulleted lists are accepted; items that are more than a sentence or two long should be in paragraph format.
Short paragraphs are preferred.
Please proofread your articles prior to submission.
Look at previous issues of GNL to get an idea of the size and style we are looking for.
Event Reports:
Only events that have happened within the past 2-3 months are considered for submission in a given issue.
Keep it clear and concise.
Write in the third person, past tense.
Make sure the who, what, where, and when of the event is in the first paragraph or two.
Opinions and comments from attendees and organizers are encouraged. Put these in quotations.
Don't use "passive voice" ("The seminar was presented by John Smith"), instead use "active voice" (John Smith presented the seminar.").
Miracles and Answered Prayers Column:
May be written in either the first or third person.
Tense must be consistent within the story.
Devotional or Inspirational Articles:
Write in the first or third person.
Avoid using the second person ("you") as it assumes a comanding or presumptive tone.
Message should be consistent with the beliefs of Edmonds Adventist Church.
Good Medicine
Based on Proverbs 17:22, this section of the newsletter showcases a short joke meant to lift the spirits of readers. Jokes submitted from another publication or online, need to have the source included in your submission (ie author, publication or website name, etc.).
Jokes are selected based on:
Reflection of Christian values
Connection to religion or church life
General funiness
Event Announcements
These can be submitted in the body of an email to info@edmondsadventist.org.
Church and Ministry events only.
Include:
Event Title
Date and Time
Location
Optional: If also submitting to the bulletin, include 2-3 sentences describing the event and who to contact.
Family Announcements
These are short blurbs to keep our church family updated on important events going on in your life. These blurbs do not need to be submitted as separate documents. They can be in the body of the email.
Anniversary:
Couple's Names
Anniversary Number (50th, 65th, 80th, etc)
Wedding Date
Birth:
Baby's Name
Date of Birth
Parents' Names
Birthday:
Full Name
Birthday Number (1st, 80th, 100th, etc.)
Date of Birth
Obituary:
Full Name
Maiden Name (if applicable)
Date of Birth
Place of Birth
Date of Death
Place of Death
Family Information (optional)
Spouse's name
Number and names of children and step-children
Number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, etc.
Life Highlights (optional, 1-3 sentences)
Wedding:
Bride's Name
Groom's Name
Wedding Date
Wedding Location
Couple's New Residence and Contact Info (not published, just for church directory update)
Where to Submit
All written and photo submissions should be emailed to info@edmondsadventist.org with "GNL" in the subject line.
When to Submit
Current Submission Deadlines are as follows:
Spring Quarter (Q1) - Last Monday in February
Summer Quarter (Q2) - Last Monday in May
Fall Quarter (Q3) - Last Monday in August
Winter Quarter (Q4) - 3rd Monday in November
Statement of Rights
By submitting your article or photo to us, you give us the right to publish your work in The Good News Letter both in print and electronically. You also acknowledge that your submission is your own original work or that you have the rights to share and publish it.
Accepted Submissions
Devotional/Inspirational Articles
Miracle/Answered Prayer Stories
Event Reports
Church Ministry Reports
Family Announcements
Upcoming Event Announcements
Jokes that reflect Christian values