Ancient Paths Submission Guidelines
Last Updated 3/20/2007

Publication & Submission Calendar:

January 1, 2007:   Issue 14 published and available for purchase
March 1, 2007 - June 1, 2008: Open submission period for Issue 15. Submit work between these dates only.
August 31, 2008: Final decision made on works being held for consideration for Issue 15.
January 2009: Issue 15 published and available for purchase.

Mail Submissions To:

Skylar H. Burris, Editor
Ancient Paths
P.O. Box 7505
Fairfax Station, VA 22039

No queries necessary.  Please submit entire manuscript.

If you wish your manuscript returned, be sure to enclose a large enough envelope with appropriate postage.  If you just want notification, a #10 envelope with a first-class stamp is sufficient.  You may omit the SASE altogether if you include an e-mail address for reply, and your manuscript will be recycled.   If you do not include either an SASE or an e-mail address, your manuscript will be recycled and you will not receive a reply.  

E-Mail Submissions:

U.S. residents, please do NOT send e-mail submissions of poetry or prose.  However, artists may send submissions as . jpg or .gif attachments.

Authors in countries outside the U.S. may send submissions via e-mail, with the text pasted directly in the message (no attachments unless requested).  Please use the subject heading "AP Submission: Title of work."  Please send a separate e-mail for each submission, with your name, mailing address, and e-mail address typed at the top.

My e-mail address (for artists or non-U.S. residents only) is: SSBurris@cox.net.

When to Submit:

Submit works March 1, 2007 - June 1, 2008 for consideration for Issue 15.  Within 3-5 weeks of receipt, your submission will be read and you will receive an initial response of either "no" (about 70% of submissions) or "maybe" (about 30% of submissions).  If the answer is "maybe," that means your work will be retained for consideration until August 31, 2008.  If your work is accepted for publication, you will receive an acceptance form by that date.  I accept both simultaneous submissions and previously published works.  You may withdraw your work from consideration at any time for any reason. 

Theme:   

Works should have either Christian or universal religious themes.  The religious element may, but need not be, explicit.  Works by non-Christian authors will be considered provided  that the themes, values, and issues explored are appropriate in a Christian context.  Works that are not focused on a particular denomination, but which have more general Christian themes, have a slight edge over denominationally-specific works. Communicate your message in a subtle manner; do not directly tell the reader what to think. The diverse works published in Ancient Paths may celebrate God,  explore man's struggle with faith, depict the consequences of sin, or convey Judeo-Christian values in a subtle and beautiful manner. 

Prose Guidelines:

Submit up to three prose works per submission period.  Type your name, address, e-mail (if you have one), and word count on the first page of each submission.  Double-space your submission and use a normal font size.

I consider fictional short stories, stand-alone novel excerpts, and creative non-fiction stories to 2,500 words. No devotions, testimonies, reviews, essays, or articles. I tend to favor literary fiction, but genre fiction (historical, mystery, fantasy, science fiction, etc.) may be selected if it is particularly good. I rarely publish allegories, parables, fables, or retellings of Bible stories.

What to Avoid--
1.  Excessive narration (telling rather than showing)
2.  Inconsistent use of tenses
3.  Present tense narration that sounds forced or too immediate
4.  Flat or stereotypical characters
5.  Poor grammar
6.  Unbelievable or supernatural plot resolutions
7.  Didactic or preachy tales

Poetry Guidelines:

Submit up to five poems per submission period, free verse or traditional, up to 60 lines each.  Include your name, address, e-mail (if any) and line count at the top of each submission. Use single line spacing and a normal font size.  Include each poem on a separate page.  

Unlike most modern editors, I have no prejudice against traditional, rhymed verse, but it must be well written.  I prefer that free verse employ standard punctuation and capitalization. 

I look for many things at once--profound insights, resonant sound, and striking imagery.  I will avoid both poetry that is entirely image driven and poetry that communicates a moral message without beauty or poetic skill.   Ideally, poetry should be accessible at the surface level and then contain other levels of more subtle meaning.

What to Avoid--
1.  Undisciplined or inconsistent meter
2.  Prose poetry or poems distinguished from prose solely by line breaks
3.  Experimental or avant garde forms
4.  Forced rhymes
5.  The excessive reversal of natural word order for the sake of rhyme or meter
6.  The lowercase "i" for the personal pronoun
7.  Irrational imagery or imagery without a purpose
8.  Works that cannot be understood even remotely on the first reading 
9.  Preachy or didactic works

Art Guidelines:

Send up to five works per year.  I prefer to receive works as a .jpg or .gif attachment to an e-mail, as these are easiest to work with.  However, you can also mail hard copies (in a photo mailer to prevent bending), up to 5 by 8 inches large.

Include your name and address on the back of the submission or in the e-mail message area. Artwork should be black and white and should reproduce well if photocopied.

I usually use work to illustrate stories or for the cover, but I occasionally use stand-alone art work as well.  If you are interested in illustrating stories, please send samples of your work.  I already have one excellent artist I frequently use to illustrate stories, and I am currently looking for additional illustrators.  

Payment:

Upon publication, artist and authors will receive--

1.  One free copy of the issue in which their work appears
2.  $6 per short story, $2 per poem, and $6 per art work
3.  A 30% discount on all reserved copies, including copies ordered for delivery directly to friends and family

Rights Purchased:

One-time rights.  All rights revert to the author upon publication. You also have the option of granting electronic rights, but this is not required.

The Goal:

The goal of Ancient Paths is to provide a forum for quality literature on Christian themes; the magazine was not primarily established for evangelistic or instructional purposes.  Ancient Paths is a one woman operation, though I occasionally solicit opinions from my Board of Outside Advisors.  Consequently, as editor, I choose the works that I personally like best.    To best get a feel for the kinds of works I publish,  order a sample issue.

Additional Notes:

I sometimes comment on rejections by writing directly on your manuscript (so please note if you do not want it written on). I accept both simultaneous submissions and previously published works.  If previously published, please note when and where. To see what kind of works I publish, order the most recent issue.

Book Review Policy:

Ancient Paths will no longer include book reviews. However, poets and authors may purchase half page advertisements for $30. Contact SSBurris@cox.net for details. 

Advice:

Before submitting your work for publication, you may want to read "The Top Ten Pet Peeves of Literary Magazine Editors."

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