The Good News Letter
Written Submission Guidelines

Accepted Formats: 

  • Word Document
  • Google Document
  • PDF

 

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