Writers Guidelines & Submissions

CURRENT RECRUITMENT STATUS:

Thank you for your interest in Catholic Stand. At this time, we are accepting inquiries for columnist positions. 


Who are we?

Catholic Stand, an online publication presenting essays, offering substantive resources with thoughtful insights into how to live the Truth that the Church teaches. We are owned by Little Vatican Media, Houston, TX. We were recognized by Our Sunday Visitor as one of the best, must-read Catholic sites on the Internet.

Interested in Writing for Us?

Query us first with your interest. Please contact the Editor in Chief, Melanie Jean Juneau. In your query, you should:

  1. Tell us a little about you and why you want to write for Catholic Stand.
  2. Identify any credentials you posses that uniquely positions you as a contributor.
  3. Provide links to published work, if any, such as other websites, print publications, your blog, or simply acknowledge that you are just beginning your journey as a writer.
  4. If you have written for other publications, we ask that you provide us with a reference.
  5. Provide a writing sample, if you have never published any work, following the submission criteria below.

♦  You submission should be between 1,500 and 2,000 words of one of these topics:  1) Why I Remain Catholic; or 2)  Share a time when your faith was challenged and how you persevered.

♦  Your manuscript should be in an 8-1/2 x 11 format, double spaced, saved as a PDF file and attached to your email query. Do not cut and paste your manuscript into the body of the email message.

♦  Place you name and email address in the top left hand corner. Place the word count in the top right corner.

Review and Recruitment Process

Once you supply the information listed above, we will evaluate your submission to discern if your writing style is a good match for our publication. If you are approved, we will ask you to give prayer consideration to this commitment before proceeding. Then if you still feel led by the Holy Spirit to write with us, we will begin processing you into our system.

Please read the following carefully and prayerfully consider your obligation in writing with us . . . before you contact us.

Our Identity and What We Publish

  1. Our articles/essays bear a distinct voice of our brand. We are interested in articles that educate, motivate, inspire, heal and unify. IMPORTANT: We do not publish articles that launch personal attacks, or nit-pick the opinions/positions of another person by name. However, we do encourage citing opinions and offering contrasting points-of-view within the structure of intelligent dialog, such as apologetics and theological comparisons.
  2. We have one paramount rule: No heresy! We are a group of faithful, orthodox Catholics. We respect the Magisterium. We don’t tolerate or condone “Pope bashing”, calling out and publicly chastising other Catholic apologists and evangelists by name who are not faithful to Church teaching, or promoting apparitions, visionaries or private revelations that have not been sanctioned by the Church.
  3. We support well-written, theologically sound prose that unites the faithful. Catholic Stand columnists may write their own blogs, and write for other Catholic publications/websites. However, their tone and respect for the Church should be consistent with what they present on Catholic Stand. Columnists who deviate from the character and integrity they present on Catholic Stand when writing for other publications/websites, and thereby produce work for others that is clearly in stark contrast both in tone, language and/or respect for the Magisterium, are grounds for dismissal. Your brand is your integrity; both for the writer and Catholic Stand.
  4. We will only work directly with the writer; not his representative, family member or assistant.
  5. We only publish original articles and essays.
  6. We do not publish fictional stories, poems, or plays.
  7. We do not publish filler material—anecdotes, jokes, speeches, parodies.
  8. We do not publish content that contains profanity, or commentary designed to ignite or agitate controversy.
  9. Plagiarism is not tolerated; grounds for dismissal.

How We Operate

  • Our online publication is nonpartisan; it is Catholic. Our global target audience is Catholic citizens of all ages, professions/vocations; both believers and seekers. We publish articles that inform, instruct, and inspire. Each of our writers has a unique voice and is true to their message be it theological, personal testimony, or commentary. The editors routinely check the content, edit punctuation, grammar, spelling and spacing, but do not generally edit to the point of changing your writing style. Upon joining the staff, you will receive a copy of Catholic Stand Policy and Standards Manual for more specific instructions.
  • Feature articles are typically 1,200 to 2,000 words. We increasingly are publishing shorter pieces, as well, no less than 800 words.
  • A more reader-friendly and accessible writing style is preferred. Our global audience consists of believers and seekers. Articles should contain links to sources, and/or links to endnotes in order to give readers additional information for discernment.
  • Reprint requests from other publications are approved at the discretion of the writer. Publications requesting reprint approval should include byline with writer’s name, CS title, any credentials and identify Catholic Stand as the originator of the piece.
  • We never consider articles submitted simultaneously to other publications. We request first right of refusal. After your article has published on Catholic Stand, you are welcome to post on other sites.
  • We will only reprint articles previously published outside of Catholic Stand, based upon merit, at the discretion of the Executive Editor.

Thank you,

The Editorial Staff

 

35 thoughts on “Writers Guidelines & Submissions”

  1. Markelle Gateley

    Ms. Juneau,

    How long should one wait to receive a response to their article submission for CS?

    Thank you.

  2. A funny story: My granddaughter, Nina, who I haven’t seen for a few years, drove up from N.C. with her step-bro and boyfriend Colin. Since it was her Aunt Mary and Uncle Bills birthdays which we were celebrating, Nina arrived and introduced Colin to us. Uncle Bill, who served in the Army 20 years, started asking Colin as to what he planned to do , maybe college. Colin answered, “my father is a career Marine and my brother joined the marines and I plan to join. Bill asked, “Did you sign up yet? ” Colin answered, “no”. Uncle Bill said, “I can do that for you, I have the recruiter on speed-dial.” Hope he didn’t scare him.

  3. Francisco Ruffolo

    Dear Melanie Jean Juneau:

    Did you receive my acceptance e-mail for the Columnist position from this morning? I do not see this morning’s post on this page so I am not sure it got to you. How do we proceed to the next level?

    Let me know if you did receive or I will have to send you another one. Please leave contact telephone for you and Little Vatican Media in Houston, Texas. Remember I am currently in hospital so I would have to wait before I begin writing.

    God Bless You
    Francisco Ruffolo
    9225 Jane Street Suite 503
    Maple, Ontario Canada
    L6A OJ7
    647-677-5748
    ruffolofrancisco33@gmail.com

  4. Francisco Ruffolo

    Dear Melanie Jean Juneau:
    I would like to be considered as a Columnist for The Catholic Stand. My life’s story is one for the ages. Currently I am in hospital so I do not have access to my computer at home.

    To make a very long story very short I was born on Junes 3rd, 1954 in Buenos Aires, Argentina and emmigrated to Canada in March of 1959. Most of my schooling was in the public school system but I did attend Catholic Schools during my primary years at both St. Helen Catholic School in Toronto and St. Veronica Catholic School also in Toronto.

    I graduated with a BA in History and Political Science from the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario. After University I had a few part time jobs including being a waiter on the Canadian Pacific Railway train that traveled across Canada.

    Afterwards I was hired as the English News Anchor, Reporter and Talk Show Host for CHIN Multicultural Radio and TV broadcasting in over 32 different languages. At a very young age I quickly became the right-hand man to the late Johnny Lombardi, who owned and founded CHIN RADIO TV empire in Canada. I became known as the golden boy of multicultural media in Canada.

    I interviewed Prime Ministers, Premiers, Mayors from every political persusaion. I am an excellent and fearless interviewer. All qualities I learned from my late Mother, Maria Assunta Ruffolo whose family is originally from France. My talk shows and interviews were picked up by national wire services like NewsRadio and Broadcast News. I was never very well paid and I guess all good things come to an end.

    I suffered a massive nervous breakdown and left the industry for years. Later on I became the English New Voice and Talk Show Host for Catholic Radio Maria Canada and after that English Voice for Catholic Radio Teopoli that broadcasts throughout Southern Ontario.

    I started going to Mass every single day and even went to Eucharistic Adoration every single day. My high-lite interview of many with Archbishops, Bishops, Priests and lay people was vast. I even interviewed Father Federico Lombardi who was the Spokesman for Pope Benedict XVI and Head of Vatican Radio and Vatican TV. He was shocked by the tremendous knowledge I had about what was going on in the Church.

    I started reading books written by the Saints because I wanted to know what made them a Saint and what special gifts they had as well to share with my radio audiences. Deep down inside I too want to be a Saint.

    I was also commenting on Catholic issues on Internet sites like yours most recently under my given name Francisco Ruffolo. Many times years ago I would write under the names of Saints and the Apostles. In the past the Apostles evangelized on foot. Today we evangelize via the Internet. To me it is all about saving Souls.

    I just submitted my conversion story yesterday on the Feast Day of St. Joseph for a writing contest held by California Catholic Daily News. It is about my personal encounter with Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta when I was a young radio reporter and the important role she played in my conversion.

    Melanie I look forward to hearing from you.

    God Bless You and to the staff of The Catholic Stand.

    Francisco Ruffolo
    9225 Jane Street, Suite 503
    Maple, Ontario Canada
    647-677-5748
    my other e-mail ruffolofrancisco33@gmail.com

  5. Hi Melanie. I was sending to the wrong email address. I resent both my inquiry for your opening for a columnist, as well as an individual submisssion for your consideration. Thanks for your patience. Bob Blundell

  6. Ms. Juneau…I had sent a couple of responses showing my interest in being considered as a columnist. I also submitted some examples of my previously published work and a new article submission for your consideration. I haven’t received a response. My original inquiry was sent to you on 8/22 and I submitted a follow-up on 10/19.

    Thanks in advance for your time. Bob Blundell

  7. Hello Melanie
    I am a published catholic writer who has previously been a regular contributor to a Franciscan magazine, “The Crusader”, based in England and is currently producing weekly reflections for on-line bible study courses via zoom. I’ve also done some work for Matthew Leonard (Next Level Catholic Academy). Currently I have over 50 articles/reflections stored on a Trello board to which I could give you access. The Catholic faith is the greatest ‘gift’ my mother passed on to me and I have always tried to live my life as ‘a good Catholic’. Having considered my having a possible vocation to the priesthood or religious life for some years, I was blessed to meet my wife in 2016 and we married in 2017. In the church I have served as a Eucharistic Minister, a Lector, helped with R.C.I.A., the youth group and set up and ran a Bereavement group for 2 years. I love our faith and desire to take every opportunity to spread the good news of God’s love for us to as many people as I can. I also need to consider my financial situation and would ask if there will be any payment for the writing work or if it is just wider exposure?
    God bless you
    Dr Chris Wroe

    p.s. I am also a member of a group called “CORe” (Communio of Rejoicing Evangelists), founded at St. Raphael’s parish in St. Petersburg, Florida, and am actively involved in its future development.

  8. Good morning,

    As a U.S. citizen and a Republican, I cannot distinguish myself or my interests as separate from my government. That is why I am having difficulty understanding my own local government’s unwillingness to uphold its own laws.

    I am contacting you for guidance regarding the possible direction I am to take when officials fail to administer and enforce the statutory functions of their agencies, and in outright dismissal, says “that’s not our problem.”

    My question is, how can a citizen assert her rights to life, liberty, and property worthy of equal protection of the laws, not in theory but in reality.

    I leased and was vacated from my home last April for unabated high mercury levels. I have been displaced for over a year. I have no access to the courts. I have no ground to stand on. I am a hazard to my children and my community.

    My faith in God has become aligned with the need to take justice into my own hands. As a former U.S. history professor, however, I must place faith in my country first. Otherwise, I am the blueprint for homegrown terrorism.

    No Knees

  9. Pingback: Catholic Publishers and Their Guidelines – Catholic Proofreaders

  10. Are references to Medjugorje permitted? Although the apparitions have not yet been fully approved, Pope Francis has allowed pilgrimages there. Aside from the the minuscule material that mentions the ten secrets, the majority of the messages focus on prayer and penance. Not that I am any kind of authority on ecclesiastical matters, but from what I can tell none of the messages seem heretical.

  11. Ms. Juneau:

    You had previously accepted me as a columnist for Catholic Stand. I have been waiting for a reply on how to proceed to the next step in the processing.

    I thank you for your time.

    Sincerely,

    David Schloss

  12. Hi Ms. Juneau,

    I was wondering if you received my email regarding the opportunity to write for you? I’m eagerly awaiting a response and hope to hear from you.

    thank you,

    Alex

  13. Dear Ms. Juneau,
    You have considered me as a columnist for Catholic Stand and I have gladly accepted this position through email. I have eagerly been waiting a reply. When will we move to the next level of processing? I already have an article written that I think will interest you. Hope to hear from you soon.
    JMJ
    Diana

  14. From,
    SOMAR C V
    Reference to your mail dated Wed 6/17/2020 2:29 AM
    Dear Ms. Juneau,
    I feel like the labourers waiting for work in the vine yard of Jesus:
    “3 And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the market place; 4 and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went. 5 Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing; and he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too.’ Mt. 20: 3-7
    I am waiting in prayers and meditation for your call to work in the vine yard of Catholic Stand— for the true evangelization works for Jesus Christ.
    Will I get a chance?
    I’ll be a very good worker for Jesus.
    SOMAR

  15. Hello Ms. Juneau

    I hope you are doing well.

    How long should one wait to receive a response to their query to write for CS?

    Thank you.

  16. richard s auciello

    To: mjjuneau.editor@gmail.com
    From: rsauciello@att.net
    Re: follow up on submission 06-05-20
    Date: June 15, 2020

    Dear Ms. Juneau,

    You really had my interest when you wrote that: “We are confident that your voice will
    resonate with our readers;” those words epitomize my objective–to evangelize through writing.
    Am I still being considered ? Do I need to keep waiting ? I don’t want to submit the same article to other magazines, if I am still under consideration.

    I have been praying, but need a response from your magazine.
    JMJ
    richard
    (note: PC e-mail problem: I can receive but not send).

  17. Dear editors at Catholic Stand: would you kindly clarify what seems to me ambiguous at point 2. of your Identity statement? Among three things you don’t tolerate is “calling out .. apologists and evangelists by name who are not faithful to Church teaching.” The word “not” seems problematic where a dissident is well-known not to accord with Magisterial teaching. This avoidance of controversy with controverters might not be ambiguous in certain unorthodox journals. But between two discountenanced activities (pope bashing and promotion of suspect apparitions), the admonition not to name – let us say – Schillebeeckx (for his condemned transignification doctrine) seems hampering for faithful orthodox Catholics. Perhaps you would require circumlocution as to the doctrine (as complex as its name or description may be) without naming its author? Thus Anselm’s opponent (of his Proslogion) would not be named, even though Anselm names him in the title of his important reply.
    At all other points than this niggling one, I would have no trouble complying with your brand, projected identity or methodological requirements. I might with difficulty comply with wordy circumlocution, but I already struggle to approximate taciturnity.

    1. I totally agree. Though I realize it can become a tightrope issue; writing with charity about a public sinner. But in the past so many great Saints have done so – publicly condemning public sinners’ actions, so as to warn the faithful and call back the public sinner to repentance. Surely with great prudence this task can be made, without ignoring the whole issue altogether?
      I wanted to apply to write for Catholic Stand but this seems to be such an awkward compliance, if that makes sense…

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