About LLM
Light & Life Magazine [LLM] is a monthly magazine by Light & Life Communications, the publishing arm of the Free Methodist Church – USA. The magazine has a monthly circulation of 53,000 English copies. Each issue is translated into Spanish and published concurrently as Revista Luz y Vida, which has a monthly circulation of 6,000 copies. Articles are also published online at fmcusa.org/llm.
Free Methodism’s entry into publishing occurred in 1860 when principal founder B.T. Roberts published the Earnest Christian. He hoped by “uncompromising advocacy of ‘righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit,’ to make our magazine a favorite and welcome visitor.” Another publication, The Free Methodist (later renamed Light & Life Magazine), debuted in 1868. Our mission to develop earnest Christians remains.
Each issue of LLM focuses on a specific theme with a cohesive approach in which the articles complement each other and flow in a progression that takes the reader from discovery through personal application. The magazine offers compelling content with a uniquely Free Methodist emphasis designed to connect the 74,000 members of the Free Methodist Church – USA. As a resource serving the local church, the magazine welcomes writers from outside of Free Methodism with relevant perspectives on an issue’s theme. We search for authors who write competently, provide clear information and employ contemporary style and illustrations. We publish well-written articles that are accessible to a wide range of readers. Articles must be consistent with the theology of the Free Methodist Church, an evangelical Christian denomination with a Wesleyan-Armenian perspective.
LLM strives for accuracy and journalistic integrity. The Evangelical Press Association has repeatedly recognized LLM as an award-winning magazine. In addition to the theme-based articles, each issue includes a section reporting on newsworthy Free Methodist members, congregations and affiliated institutions. We want the magazine to be a reliable source of denominational news.
Articles
Outside writers provide approximately half of the articles in each issue of LLM. Many articles are assigned, but we welcome submissions from freelance writers. Every manuscript is carefully evaluated, but we are able to accept only a small percentage of the many we receive. We are looking for articles for the following magazine sections:
Feature
- The magazine’s feature article (approximately 1,100 words) sets the theme for the entire issue.
- LLM’s use of the term “feature” does not necessarily reflect traditional journalistic notions of a feature article. Instead, we use the term to denote a main article that provides a more detailed examination of the issue’s theme than the other articles, each of which is typically one-third the length of the feature article.
- The well-researched article should be written in third person unless the author draws upon personal experiences for which first-person narrative would be more appropriate.
- The article is published with a headshot photo and brief bio of the author.
Foundation
- This concise article (approximately 300-325 words) points to several Scripture passages that relate to the monthly theme. (This doesn’t mean Scripture can’t be used in the other sections’ articles.)
- As the title suggests, the article sets a biblical foundation for addressing the theme.
- In addition to the Scripture references within the article, a sidebar lists all of the references for reader accessibility.
History
- This article (approximately 300–325 words) connects Free Methodist history with the issue’s theme.
- The history article must include accurate research. It should help modern Free Methodists learn lessons from the denomination’s past or understand how their theological ancestors have wrestled with the issues they face today.
- The history article typically is assigned, but submitted articles will be considered.
Discipleship
- The discipleship section is designed for use by a weekly small group or for individual study.
- The print version of the magazine includes one article of 300–325 words reflecting the theme plus three group discussion questions.
- Three additional articles run online for a total of four discipleship articles per month. Each online article also includes discussion questions.
- The writer of each month’s discipleship section must agree to write all four articles. With special permission, multiple authors may collaborate for an issue’s discipleship section.
Online articles
- LLM is interactive. The theme-based content is not limited to the print magazine. Additional articles may be published exclusively online with potential promotion within the print magazine.
- Writers may submit articles that are found to be relevant for the monthly theme but not usable in the constraints of the print magazine.
Themes, Query Letters
Information about upcoming themes is available upon request by emailing jeff.finley@fmcusa.org. For other query letters, please allow eight weeks for a response.
Submissions
Length: 300–325 words for each foundation, history and discipleship article; 1,100 words for feature articles; 300–1,000 words for online articles not published in the magazine.
Response time: eight weeks for approval/denial; payment within eight weeks of acceptance.
Electronic acceptance: Please indicate in the email’s subject line that you’re sending a query or a manuscript submission. Attach your document in Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx) format. Send to Lead Writer Jeff Finley: jeff.finley@fmcusa.org
Information to include: Please include all of your contact information (phone, email, mailing address) and the manuscript’s total word count at the top of the first page. In the body of an email or as an attachment, please include a cover letter introducing yourself and the article. Please do not submit multiple pieces at one time. Send seasonal material at least six months in advance.
All book and Web sources must be cited. The New International Version is our preferred Bible translation. (When using another Bible version, please identify it immediately following the reference.) The NIV was updated in 2011. Please use the latest NIV text, which can be accessed at biblegateway.com.
Recommended resource: Associated Press Stylebook
Please indicate if photographs and/or graphics are available to accompany your article.
Payment
Rates differ depending on the article. Pay is $200 for a feature article; $300 total for the four discipleship articles; $75 for a foundation or history article, and $75 for an online extra article. Three complimentary copies will be sent to you upon publication.
Poetry
We do not accept poetry.
Rights, Reprints
Light & Life is a copyrighted periodical. We copyright the “work as a whole” — including our print and online editions — and not the individual articles.
Light & Life buys one-time rights to articles. We prefer first-time rights and rarely use “second rights” or reprinted articles. If/when offering second rights on an article, you must list the publication(s) and dates where the article has already appeared at the top of the manuscript’s first page.
Inquiries from other publications or organizations regarding permission to reuse articles that have appeared in LLM are referred to the author for permission and payment arrangements. When granted permission to reuse any of our articles, others are asked to include a credit line indicating that the article first appeared in LLM.
Internet use
Magazine content from current and past issues is published at fmcusa.org/llm with additional promotion on fmcusa.org. Authors do not receive additional payment for articles that appear on the website, but they receive the added exposure of having their names and writing available to readers around the world. Online articles may be promoted through social media such as Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.
