Editorial Policies
Magazine production is currently paused for redesign. Our next, newly designed issue is scheduled for late July. However, we are accepting submissions from potential future contributors. Please read our editorial policies and email your submissions.
Our Purpose
“Teaching the truths of God’s Word” is our mission at DTS Magazine. We publish articles applying biblical truth to life as a ministry to friends of Dallas Theological Seminary. Our articles are based on conservative exposition of Scripture.
We encourage all of our prospective authors to set aside some time to read and review DTS’s doctrinal statement. All articles will be in conformity with DTS’s policies, mission, and doctrinal statement.
Our Readers
Please consider our audience as you choose a topic and approach: We write primarily for evangelical lay people.
Although the magazine goes to more than 15,000 alumni, most of our approximately 35,000 readers are not DTS graduates. But most are actively involved in church. DTS Magazine is not a forum for theological debate or exegetical controversy, but a ministry through which we teach God’s Word and demonstrate to others what it means to love well.
Authorship and Contributors
DTS Magazine is a ministry of Dallas Theological Seminary. We prefer articles written by our alumni, faculty, students, staff, board members, donors and their families.
Successful Articles
DTS Magazine publishes the following types of articles (print or online):
Exposition Pieces
Our exposition articles are usually authored by DTS faculty or similarly qualified individuals. These pieces are heavy on Bible teaching, usually revealing truth about a scriptural passage or theological doctrine. When writing such an article please remember to include points of application—answering the question, “So what?” Keep in mind your audience when communicating theological truths, and use non-technical language.
Christian Living Pieces
Our Christian Living articles communicate truths the author has learned through experience. Typically, these pieces appear in the first person, with one or more stories illustrating a scriptural point. When writing a Christian Living article for us, please always include one or more Scripture verses. The article should encourage the average Christian in how to live out his or her faith in the world. Please include some exposition that ends with application of truth.
Book Excerpts
DTS Magazine prefers book excerpts written by our alumni. Publishers are welcome to submit excerpts for consideration from books that fall under Christian Books (i.e., Bible Study, Christian Living, Worship and Devotional, Pastoral Leadership, Ministry and Evangelism, etc.). We do not publish excerpts of poetry, fiction, or children’s books.
Stories – Student or Alumni Profile Articles
Do you know a DTS student or graduate who is making an impact in his or her community? Is there something unique about the ministry or minister? In our profile articles, our readers can learn about the kind of people DTS is or has trained, people using their personal gifts well, those whose passion has inspired others, and/or people who are plugging away faithfully in obscure positions of service.
Student profiles are published online. In each print issue we try to run a 1,500-word profile of a DTS graduate that may be written by a friend of the seminary or alumni. We welcome news for and about our alumni. When writing a profile, make the story live through real-life examples and direct quotes from your subject as well as at least two other friends and/or colleagues who can support your premise.
A well-done profile should include at least three sources. The profile is not a biography that provides a chronology of someone’s life. The focus is more on a specific time and ministry. Please avoid listing dates and places. Find a theme in the graduate’s or student’s life, and work the information around that topic. You are revealing faith in action. For further inquiry, read our current student and alumni profiles online.
Article Specifications
Length: Up to 2,000-word maximum (please do not submit articles that exceed this limit and suggest that we edit them down to size). We prefer 1,500-word pieces.
Style
DTS Magazine conforms to the style set forth in the Chicago Manual of Style.
Manuscripts should be single-spaced with margins of one inch at the top, bottom, and sides.
All articles and titles are subject to editorial revision.
Please add section headings every three to five paragraphs. We use Scripture references from the NIV Bible. Authors may cite other Bible versions where they prefer different renderings. In such cases include the abbreviation of the version in parentheses after each reference (e.g., NKJV).
In your email, please include a statement with the submitted article, warranting that the writing is your original work. We do not accept work that has been crafted by a ghostwriter. Be sure to properly credit any material you quote from another’s work.
Please do not quote verses from popular hymns or end the article with poetry. Check your work to make sure you use strong verbs, active voice, and few negations. Do not include a period in Scripture verse abbreviations. Use en dashes instead of hyphens in Bible verses (e.g., 1 Cor 1:4–6).
Queries
The Editor of the magazine maintains a pool of articles throughout the year. Please feel free to submit your article via email with the phrase, “Article Pool Submission” in the subject line. If your article is chosen for an issue, then you will be notified.
For the print magazine, keep in mind that we assemble most issues at least six months before distribution; therefore, submit winter articles by May or June. Because of this required lead time, it is virtually impossible to run articles directly related to specific news events (e.g., Columbine shootings, tsunamis, terrorist attacks). We want articles that explore timeless truths.
Submissions
Before you submit an article, be sure to study several recent issues of DTS Magazine. Look at the types of articles we publish, common writing styles, and the way our writers approach their topics.
Please email your submissions to the editor. In your email please include your mailing address, daytime phone number, and your relationship to DTS. An accepted query does not guarantee purchase or publication of the manuscript. All submissions are received on speculation. Editor and the editorial committee reserve the right to reject any manuscript at any stage. Due to the volume of submissions that we receive, we regret we are unable to respond to all submissions.
Requested articles
When submitting an article that we’ve requested, please attach a high-definition, current, color photograph of yourself and a two-sentence author description. Articles should be typed, single-spaced with word count in the upper right corner of the first page of the manuscript. If your article has already appeared elsewhere, please say so. Submissions should be emailed to the editor with an attachment in MS Word.
Payment for Articles
Currently we pay up to $100 for reprints from other periodicals and up to $300 for first rights to well-edited, original articles that fall within the correct word count, that will be promoted on the contents page. When we excerpt material from books, payment is negotiated with the publisher.
For online content: Currently we pay $50–$100 per article for web content, based on word count and other aspects (such as keywords, photographs, additional research, etc.).
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