Success with Guideposts?

jannawrites · Dec 15, 2007

I'm thinking my newest piece may be appropriate for Guideposts, but I've never submitted to them. Their online guidelines say that, with their receipt of over 2000 unsolicited mss per month, you can expect a response time of 2 months. Not unheard of. But I'm wondering if it's a really hard publication to break in to? Has anyone had recent success with them?

Thanks!

Simple Living · Dec 16, 2007

jannawrites said:
I'm thinking my newest piece may be appropriate for Guideposts, but I've never submitted to them. Their online guidelines say that, with their receipt of over 2000 unsolicited mss per month, you can expect a response time of 2 months. Not unheard of. But I'm wondering if it's a really hard publication to break in to? Has anyone had recent success with them?

Thanks!

I heard a quote that I really liked yesterday. "Concentrate on the task at hand, not the fear of the task." The way I see it, when it comes to writing, write without regard for such details. They may receive over 2,000 manuscripts each month, but they still need to choose some to publish. Pay no attention to such details. Write, submit and trust God with the results. If you're meant to be published in Guideposts, your manuscript will be chosen from among 10,000 manuscripts!

I love Guideposts. Absolutely love it. I would write for it in a heartbeat if I wasn't adverse to writing about my own life -- and providing photographs on top of it.

joyce · Dec 16, 2007

I submitted an article to them two months ago. It was rejected but I was surprised at how quick their response time was. I received a note back from them in probably three weeks. They said they already had an article like mine so they could not use it at this time. According to their guidelines I figured I would not get a response, if any, for probably several months. I would definately submit something else to them. Hope this helps.

jannawrites · Dec 16, 2007

Simple Living said:
I heard a quote that I really liked yesterday. "Concentrate on the task at hand, not the fear of the task." The way I see it, when it comes to writing, write without regard for such details. They may receive over 2,000 manuscripts each month, but they still need to choose some to publish. Pay no attention to such details. Write, submit and trust God with the results. If you're meant to be published in Guideposts, your manuscript will be chosen from among 10,000 manuscripts!

I love Guideposts. Absolutely love it. I would write for it in a heartbeat if I wasn't adverse to writing about my own life -- and providing photographs on top of it.

Thanks, Keith - you're absolutely right, of course; it is indeed up to Him. My cover letter is nearly complete and I'll send it all off with a prayer this week.

jannawrites · Dec 16, 2007

joyce said:
I submitted an article to them two months ago. It was rejected but I was surprised at how quick their response time was. I received a note back from them in probably three weeks. They said they already had an article like mine so they could not use it at this time. According to their guidelines I figured I would not get a response, if any, for probably several months. I would definately submit something else to them. Hope this helps.

That's great to know, Joyce. And thanks! Sorry they didn't bite on your ms, but maybe next time!

Simple Living · Dec 16, 2007

If anyone here gets published with Guideposts, don't forget to let me know!

It's my favorite magazine. I make a point to surround myself with good, positive things and their stories are full of hope and encouragement. The magazine is small and compact enough to take anywhere. I always leave my copy somewhere where others can read it. Everyone needs to be encouraged. You just never know when the copy you leave in the waiting room, in the cafeteria, at work, on the bus, etc., may give someone the hope they need.

Many of their stories seem to have very similar voices and tones to them. I wonder how much editing Guideposts actual does themselves?

jannawrites · Dec 16, 2007

Simple Living said:
I always leave my copy somewhere where others can read it. Everyone needs to be encouraged. You just never know when the copy you leave in the waiting room, in the cafeteria, at work, on the bus, etc., may give someone the hope they need.

That's fantastic!

joyce · Dec 16, 2007

If I ever get anything published in Guideposts there will be something inside of me that says I'm on the way of making it. I do love that little magazine and have been reading it off and on for probably the past 25 years.

jannawrites · Dec 17, 2007

Yay! I just sealed the manila envelope that contains my cover letter, narrative, and SASE. I'll be dropping it in the mail soon, as I leave to pick my oldest up from preschool. If you might, please say a quick prayer and wish me "luck!"

May you guys be blessed in your endeavors, too.

windyrdg · Dec 17, 2007

Great magazine. I've subscribed for over 25 years. My opinion is that it's going downhill since Norman V. Peal died. Too many stars on the cover now and tie-in promos to their new book, movie, song, etc. I also hate the ads.

The closest I ever came with them was one that came back with a note: Sorry we can't use this, everyone loved it. I'm like SimpleLife, my writing isn't always about me. That's why I switched to fiction. I'm happier over here.

A friend of my wife's sent in something and got invited to one of their week-long, all-expense-paid, writer's meetings in New York. As far as I know she's never published a thing in Guideposts.

Simple Living · Dec 18, 2007

windyrdg said:
Great magazine. I've subscribed for over 25 years. My opinion is that it's going downhill since Norman V. Peal died. Too many stars on the cover now and tie-in promos to their new book, movie, song, etc. I also hate the ads.

I'd have to agree with you here. It's not the same magazine that it used to be. Several of the celebrity stories haven't set well with me. I've wondered what some of their definitions of God and Christianity are. I don't look for this, and I don't dwell on it, but there are times when these stories just don't set well with me. I've even questioned the validity of some of them.

There are just as many ads for pharmaceuticals as there are stories, too. The first thing I do with the magazine is rip out all of the "cardboard," for lack for a better term. It's annoying. I'd feel like a cad if I wrote and "complained" about these things, though.

plaidearthworm · Dec 18, 2007

It's been a couple of years, but I was published in one of their offshoot mags, Angels on Earth. (At the time, they shared some editorial staff. Don't know if it's the same case now.) And yes, expect heavy editing, although they pay very well. It was a wonderful experience, they were fast to reply, easy to work with, and I'd highly recommend them (feel like I'm giving rep points on eBay!) to any one interested in inspirational writing.

Simple Living said:
If anyone here gets published with Guideposts, don't forget to let me know!

Many of their stories seem to have very similar voices and tones to them. I wonder how much editing Guideposts actual does themselves?

Success with Guideposts?

jannawrites

no, really

Simple Living

joyce

I'm really shy...

jannawrites

no, really

jannawrites

no, really

Simple Living

jannawrites

no, really

joyce

I'm really shy...

jannawrites

no, really

windyrdg

New kid, be gentle!

Simple Living

plaidearthworm

Rock and Squiggle