CarePoint Christian Support Group Ministry — Resources for those who hurt and those who care...

Welcome!
Thank you for visiting our submissions page. Here is where you will find all the information you need to decide whether you and CarePoint might be a good fit. If you are, we really want to hear from you and will respond within 7 days to let you know if we are interested.

We are always looking for authors/resource developers, so if you have written or are interested in developing a resource for CarePoint, please print out and carefully read the information on this page before submiting a query, proposal, or manuscript.

General guidelines
Above all, we're interested in fresh perspectives and unique angles/approaches to common "dis-eases" facing contemporary Christians. We are seeking grace&truth-full materials/programs that integrate timeless biblical principles with sound helping strategies to mediate the love, grace, and mercy of the Lord Jesus in a broken world. If you write to encourage the discouraged, give hope to the hopeless, joy to the joyless, and grace to us all, we want to hear from you.

What we are not looking for
Please note that our CarePoint mission is committed to sharing the Best News of all, the radical grace of God through Jesus, and thus we are not interested in:

What we are looking for
We are currently seeking only those manuscripts that fit into one of the two categories below:

Care group resources: We are looking for care group ministry resources that we can develop and publish as turnkey care group ministries (think DivorceCare or GriefShare...and by the way, we are not looking for resources on those two issues as, well, you know, they are pretty well spoken for).

If you have started or run a care ministry for people facing a specific life-challenge (such as pornography/sex addiction, abortion grief, physical disability, debilitating guilt/shame/regret, sex abuse, blending families, etc.) and have written a book, we want to hear from you. We will work with you to develop the manuscript into a complete turnkey ministry that others can host in their own church or para-church ministry.

Edgy is good. Real is wonderful. Meeting a real need with the life-changing grace & truth of Jesus...priceless!

Issue Novellas: The only fiction we are interested in publishing is novella-length to be published through our 5 Loaves Press / Way-Out Books imprints.

Mission: To publish “transformational” novella-length fiction in printed and digital (e-book) formats for those facing various life-challenges, such as depression, anger mismanagement, abortion grief, eating disorders, etc. The stories will be able stand on their own merits as works of fiction (plot, character, structure, pacing, conflict, story value, dialogue; the art of the story) and will minister to readers by showing how the main character finds freedom from her or his issue with God’s help.

What is a novella? A novella is a fictional narrative ranging in length from 15-25,000 word that is tightly focused on a single, suspenseful event, situation, or conflict leading to an unexpected turning point, provoking a logical, but surprising and in our case inspiring and encouraging end. For CarePoint purposes, this means it is the story of a main character who is facing a life-challenge and finds deliverance and healing through the truth of God's Word and the resources of Christian faith.

Aim: Edgy, realevant, inspiring. Realistic, not contrived. Page-turners that have all the elements of outstanding well-crafted fiction.

Market: Pastoral counselors, Christian mental health professionals of every designation, peer counselors, small group leaders, Stephen (and other care) ministers (lay or professional). Excellent bibliotherapy resources; can be used as an adjunct to counseling.

Discussion Questions for Care Group Use: Each book will be care group ready (may have a CD keyed to each chapter or section that will break the ice and stimulate group discussion).

Why fictionalized accounts? No one person’s story tells the “whole story” on an issue. Composite case studies can reach more. Fictional truth; parable. Thoroughly drawn from real life.

Interested? So if you are interested in submitting a novella-length piece that shows a protagonist overcoming (by the resources of faith) a particular life-challenge, please feel free to contact us by e-mail or query using the form below. God bless your writing ministry!

Do your research:

Understand the realities of publishing in 2012. Projections indicate that a record number of new titles (more than 5o0,000) will be released in the U.S. this year. The average bookstore has shelf space for 15,000 books (not different titles). Do your research and know your options given the various publishing models available (publishing on demand; self-publishing; traditional publishing; niche publishing). Decide which model best suits your publishing objectives and pursue it...with realistic expectations.

Pre-submission checklist:
Ask yourself the following questions (which we will ask ourselves when evaluating your submission):

Does your material offer a fresh approach to the topic? Is your angle unique? What sets it apart from existing materials on the same topic? Edgy is good! Is it practical and useful? Is the material clearly presented and concise?
Is it case-based (i.e., do case studies and vignettes demonstrate someone overcoming the issue)? Does it offer the reader exercises and practical application guidance?
Why would a care group minister select this resource over other resources that cover the same topic or issue?
Does your work reflect biblical principles and sound helping strategies? (Remember: CarePoint is a transdenominational publisher that targets a readership of evangelical and mainstream Christians.)

Electronic submissions are preferred! Simultaneous submissions are OK, but please let us know about it.

Complete the form below to submit your online query or send query and sample materials in digital format to info@CarePointMinistry.com.

Cover letter (remember to define the target audience)
Author bio
Proposal with 2-3 sample chapters and a chapter-by-chapter outline (for a work in progress) or the complete manuscript (for completed works)