The narrow gate 4
Sept/Oct 1998 Issue 4
This is not like the typical TNG issue, but since it would kill me not to get an issue out (hey, it's the 15th and I've missed you!) I've decided to call this diminutive excuse for a publication "Issue 4".
Actually I have exciting news. I've decided to give TNG a major overhaul. We're still open to the things we published before, but we're now opening our door (or should I say our gate?) to more creative input. TNG has always been geared to Christian artists of all kinds, be they performers, writers, musicians, etc; but until now we've only sought nonfiction to publish.
I've decided to change that.
These are our updated writers guidelines and the areas we're seeking submissions in:
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES FOR THE NARROW GATE
MUSICIAN EDITORIALS: (max. 1000 words)
Are you a musician who is also a Christian? Do you play in a band? Do you compose music? We'd like to hear from you. You could tell us some of your experiences in music (good and bad), how/when you became a Christian, or what God and music mean to you. How do you write your music? What advice would you give new musicians starting out? Do you play a particular instrument? If so do you have tips for others who play that instrument? What genre do you play? What's unique about your genre? Do you make a living as a musician, or is it just a hobby? Do you play as a ministry? The possibilities for musician articles are endless, so write us!
ARTIST/ILLUSTRATOR EDITORIALS: (max 1000 words)
Are you an artist/illustrator who is also a Christian? How does one become an artist? What kind of art do you do? Have you found a way to minister to others through your art? Any advice for new artists? We want to hear from you.
WRITERS/POETS/EDITORS: (max 1000 words)
Are you a writer or editor who is also a Christian? If so, how long have you been writing or editing? What have you published? What advice do you have for those just starting? Any tips on perfecting this craft? How does being a Christian affect your writing? Give us some practical pointers.
FICTION: (max 3000 words)
We'll consider short stories up to 3000 words. The first 500 words will run in the email version of TNG along with the URL to our website where interested readers may go to continue reading. A complete version of the story will run on our website. We're doing this because we'd like to keep TNG fairly short via email so we don't have to send multiple emails or attached files. We'll look at just about all genres, but we plan to be selective on the stories we accept.
POETRY: (no set length, but longer poems will run on our site)
We'll look at all kinds of poetry, but we're selective about what we publish. Both classic verse and free verse are encouraged, so if you're a burgeoning Blake give us a try.
ASCII ART:
We would LOVE to feature your ASCII art in TNG. Since we're a text publication, visual art is something we're lacking. Make TNG more visually stimulating and send us something. Please note: I realize there is much ASCII art circling the Net, but we only want ORIGINAL art submitted by the original ARTIST. Please do not send art that you did not create yourself. Doing that is like submitting a painting by Botticelli and taking credit for it. We will accept all ASCII art submissions on good faith.
CRITIQUE MY WORK! (max. 3000 words)
If you're just starting out you may have a poem, article, story, etc that you'd like to have critiqued. In every issue we'll feature one submission which will be open for our readers to critique. Many of these critiques will be featured in the email version of TNG and on our site. NOTE: We do not guarantee a critique of your work. Critiques depend entirely on the readers who may/may not choose to comment. Works featured here are not necessarily endorsed by TNG, but will run for the sole purpose of giving feed back to help the author and new writers improve their craft.
BOOK REVIEWS: (max 500 words)
Read a good book? Want to review it? We prefer reviews of new books, but if you'd like to review a classic or older book that is fine. Please include all pertinent information about the books (author name, when it was first released and/or written, etc).
MUSIC REVIEWS: (max 500 words)
Have you gotten a new CD you'd like to talk about? We'd like to receive your reviews, particularly of Christian groups. Reviews should include info on how our readers may obtain the music (i.e. mail order, Christian bookstore, etc.)
CONCERT REVIEWS: (500 words)
Been to a Christian concert lately? Review it for us!
ARTIST REVIEW: (500 words)
Discover a new painter? A new cartoonist with a ministry? Review them! If possible include information on how our readers may get hold of or see the work.
MAGAZINE/ZINE/EZINE/NEWSLETTER REVIEWS: (500 words)
Read a Christian publication worth mentioning? How about a Christian publication not worth mentioning? Tell us about it. Include as much info as possible.
HOW TO SUBMIT
We'll only look at email submissions. Please include a cover letter and brief bio. Paste your submission within the body of the email, not as an attached file. If you're submitting fiction you may paste the story in more than one email if you have to. All submissions go to editor/publisher Shauna Skye (ShaunaSkye@aol.com).
PAYMENT:
Accepted articles will run in the email version of TNG and be posted at our site indefinitely. Payment is the option to run a pre-approved 50 word classified in the issue the accepted submission appears in.
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And that's it for the guidelines as of 9/98. We're always changing so please check our site: http://members.aol.com/shaunaskye/index.html or email us if you're unsure of anything.
Now . . . onto other things. . . .
This Saturday (September 19) our very own assistant editor Brian Hischier is getting married to his beloved, Lisa J. Flora. They're having an outdoor wedding with a garden setting, and plan to incorporate "Renaissance and Celtic traditions, with touches of everything else [they] find beautiful". The closer this date approaches the happier Brian seems when I see him. He is usually always heerful and outgoing, but now he is practically bouncing off walls. I introduced him to a possible future band mate of mine Sunday, and after some brief happy chit chat he announced: "I'M GETTING MARRIED SATURDAY!!!!!!!" I am so happy for Brian and Lisa. They're wonderful people who love Jesus. Congratulations and well wishes may be sent to bran_aischer@juno.com.
As for me I recently auditioned for the musical Godspell. The first song I sang was "Turn Back, O Man" which is typically performed by the "harlot" in the show. However, I'm a soprano so they suggested I sing "Bless the Lord" instead. After singing I read from the script and acted out several characters, doing a different voice for each. I switched from an English accent, to a middle eastern accent, to my irritating Lena Lamont "Singing in the Rain" impression. The people holding the auditions laughed out loud so I thought that might be a good sign.
Afterwards the director said she'd get back to me by Saturday or Sunday. Of course I was hoping she'd call Saturday, so when she didn't I assumed I probably wasn't cast. However, Sunday evening she called and asked if I'd like a part. Turns out I'll be singing "Bless the Lord" in the show. Yippee! I'm very happy about it, and secretly glad that I didn't get cast as the Harlot. I think I'd have made myself sick doing Mae West impressions over and over: "Pardon me while I slip into something more comfortable . . ." Ugh! :)
Anyway, that's about it for now. I'll let everyone know performance dates, addresses, times and all that in the next issue. And if all goes as planned Bob Robert Bob Productions will be putting on another play this year. Brian usually writes the script and directs the demented things, while his partner Drew Gandy handles most of the music and fun technical stuff. Last year their production of Pandora's Present was great fun. I am looking forward to learning what this next show is about. When I do I will tell YOU.
Until next time.....
Shauna
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Our ad rates are $.03 a subscriber. (Your email address, and URL are not counted as words.) Ads run here as well as on our site for one month. If you buy a 50 word classified between August 15 and Sept 15 cost is $9 for 50 words, 10 cents each additional word. Make checks out to Shauna Skye. Email your ad to us first so may approve before you send payment: *See bottom of newsletter for snail mail address.
All That Official Info
The Narrow Gate is a free monthly ezine geared to Christian musicians, writers, artists, performers etc., as well as those who love music, literature and art. TNG may also be found on the web: http://members.aol.com/shaunaskye/index.html *This link contains content from old issues as well as new material.
If TNG was forwarded to you and you'd like to subscribe, email ShaunaSkye@aol.com and put SUBSCRIBE TNG in the subject. To unsubscribe put UNSUBSCRIBE TNG in the subject. *We are not on a Listerv so mistakes occasionally happen. If you're receiving more than one copy of this let us know.
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EDITOR/PUBLISHER: Shauna Skye (ShaunaSkye@aol.com)
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Brian R. Hischier (bran_aischer@juno.com)
THE NARROW GATE: 1819 North Center St. Suite 3 E,
Crest Hill, IL.60435 (Note: This is a NEW address.)
*Shauna and Brian attend Heart Maneuvers Christian Center, a biblically balanced Christian church located at the above address in the old Chaney School building. The main services are at 10:30 on Sunday, and 7:00 on Wednesday evening. Pastor is Lary Dean. Come on out and visit us!
