Today's Thought - Editorial protocols

Update July 2007 archive / writing guidelines

Editorial protocols

Today’s Thought aims to produce clear, succinct and contemporary messages for the everyday person!

To do this we have intentionally developed an editorial process to maintain a high standard of work. Below is an outline of the writing/editing process that you will go through to get to a final copy.

If my comments are sometimes confronting, let me know, but in the writing process you need to be quite robust, otherwise it will hold you back from becoming a better writer!

“So also is My Word. I send it out
and it ALWAYS produces fruit.

It shall accomplish ALL I want it to,

and prosper EVERYWHERE I send it.”

Isaiah 55:11

[My motivating verse!]

As an editor, I bring six years of writing experience to this task, having begun Today’s Thought with a piece of paper, an idea and a burning desire to share a message. But there is much to learn, and so the process continues to beckon!

If you are willing to follow these guidelines we would love to have your regular submissions of work. It may be the beginning of something much bigger for both of us!

The process of article development:
WHEN	WHO	WHAT
Week 13+	Author	First draft presented within TT guidelines
Week 12	TT	First draft edited and returned
Accepted - editing process continues. Rejected - clear reasons will be given!
Week 11	Author	Second draft returned with modifications
Week 9-10	TT	Second draft edited and returned
Week 8	Author	Final draft returned
Week 7	TT	Final draft accepted with necessary modifications
Week 5-6	TT	Web production
Week 3-4	TT	Proofing
Week 2	Author	Final proofing [last chance to alter copy]
Week 0	TT	Copy sent out via email

Please follow these protocols closely, because it will save much time. The timelines are a guideline to follow, and will vary depending on the current workload of the TT staff. [N.B. Rarely will your material be published within three months of submission to TT].

Word and tracking changes

Editorial comments will be sent to you on a TT template in Microsoft Word. I will use Track Changes to make sure both of us are aware of any alterations. ALWAYS keep an original copy of your work so that you can refer back to it when necessary.

If you don’t know how to use Track Changes, it’s probably time to learn. If you don’t have access to MS Word, can I encourage you to get a copy ASAP!

Ownership/ copyright / formatting

At the end of the day YOU ARE THE WRITER. The material always remains yours, and thus you always have the final say on any suggested modifications, but by submitting your work to TT it is understood that it will ALWAYS go through this editorial process.

My job as editor is to assist you in getting to FINAL copy, and thus my role to decide what and how the material is presented.

Finally…

I look forward to working with you as an author, and I hope we can build a better understanding and appreciation of communicating God’s truth to the world! May He always receive the glory for everything we do!

Bruce Wadd
Editor