How to Submit an Article to Guideposts Magazine

The basic steps for writimg all magazine articles are similar.

Writing an article for Guideposts Magazine or any periodical requires the same basic steps. You must first research the publication to familiarize yourself with its content. Secondly, check out the submission guidelines and closely adhere to those guidelines. Your final steps include choosing a topic, writing your article and submitting it to the magazine. Staying on topic is paramount--Guideposts' niche is inspirational stories about real, everyday people.

Instructions

1. 

   Familiarize yourself with Guidepost Magazine's website.

   Familiarize yourself with Guideposts Magazine. This is easily accomplished without subscribing to the publication. Your first step will be to locate the magazine's website where you can access published articles on a variety of topics. If you prefer to read hard-copy issues, contact your local library to verify if they subscribe to Guideposts Magazine.

2. 

   Adhere to the magazine's submission guidelines.

   Read article submission requirements for Guideposts Magazine. Again, these guidelines are available through the magazine's website. From the homepage, scroll to the bottom of the page, click on "General Submission," and then select "Writer's Guidelines." Because writing is such a competitive field, it is imperative that you strictly adhere to the posted protocol.

3. 

   Capture the flavor of the magazine with your article.

   Choose the topic for your article--this is the most critical step. According to WritingCareer.com, "The key to writing for magazines and selling what you write is knowing your market." Initiated in 1945 by Norman Vincent Peale, Guideposts Magazine publishes only non-fiction works. The Writer's Guidelines note that the selected "articles present tested methods for developing courage, strength and positive attitudes. They help readers achieve their maximum personal and spiritual potential."

4. 

   Carefully proofread your article before submitting it to the publisher.

   Submit your article, but not before proofreading to catch any grammatical errors and re-reading to determine the relevance of the article.

5. 

   Don't get discouraged if your article is rejected.

   Consider writing additional articles. Because the world of freelance writing is so highly competitive, it's common for beginning (and seasoned) authors to receive rejection notices. Rather than getting discouraged, go back to the drawing board. Again, read Guideposts Magazine's published articles to hone your own writing skills.

Tips & Warnings

• "Writer's Market," an annual publication available in your local library or for purchase, is an invaluable reference book both for anyone hoping to break into the freelance writing field and for established writers. The title gives general tips for getting published and covers the submission guidelines for magazines in multiple genres.

• Your success will depend on your ability to capture the magazine's flavor and your skill in connecting to the pulse of the magazine's readership.

References

• Guideposts.com
• WritingCareer.com: What Is Freelance Magazine Writing?

Resources

• "2010 Writer's Market;" Robert Lee Brewer; 2009