Written content should relate to the issue’s theme, and reflect a practice, experience, or lesson that highlights the goodness of the ordinary in that context. Real life is funny, weird, interesting, challenging, and full of noteworthy moments if we take the time to notice them. We look forward to reading about the beauty you’re discovering, and lessons you’re learning, in your ordinary everyday.

Accepted written content includes anecdotal stories, essays, fictional tales, poetry, book reviews, lifestyle articles, Bible studies, and interviews.

WRITTEN SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

• Author must be 18+ years of age.
• Articles must be submitted as completed pieces (no rough drafts) of 800-1000 words. Articles shorter or longer will not be accepted. Poetry should fit within two pages, single spaced.
• Articles must be submitted in a .doc or .docx format. Do not submit screenshots, handwritten, or PDF files of your article.
• Please use Chicago-style citation, using full endnotes (not footnotes). No bibliography is necessary.
• Author’s name and the date written should be included in the top left corner of the title page. A title for your piece must be included. DOP reserves the right to change your title to best suit the needs of the volume.
• A brief author bio, written in the third person, should be included at the end of the article/poem.
• Your piece should demonstrate excellence in grammar, spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure. Capitalize all names and pronouns referring to God. Obtain permission to share others’ personal stories or details.
• All submissions are welcome, with priority given to those previously unpublished, and which support the Anabaptist faith tradition.
• Authors will retain the rights to their work and are free to sell, post, or publish it elsewhere anytime. DOP will only publish the piece in the volume for which it was submitted, unless permission is obtained otherwise.

THE PUBLISHING PROCESS:
If your piece is selected for publication, here is what you can expect:

• A staff editor will provide copy and line edits to articles. We do not provide edits to poetry.
• You will receive the edited version of your article to approve. In the event that you strongly object to an edit, we will work with you to reach a result that both you and our team are happy with.
• Once the issue containing your article/poem is released, you will receive an email with instructions for claiming your free copy of the issue, plus a discount code for subsequent purchases, and to share with friends and family.

You do not need to be a professional photographer to submit photography! We’re looking for those with an eye for beauty in the everyday. All submissions will be reviewed by our visuals team and selections based on quality, originality, composition, and coordination with the issue’s theme. You will receive an email notifying you whether or not your work has been accepted. Please keep an eye on your spam/junk folder as sometimes our emails go there.

PHOTOGRAPHY REQUIREMENTS:

• Contributors must be 18+ years of age.
• Create an image/images that are inspired by the issue’s theme, color palette, and Pinterest mood board.
• Photo series are prioritized, though we will consider stand-alone images of exceptional quality/theme cohesion.
• Images taken with either a smartphone or professional camera are welcome.
• Ensure the image is at least 1800px on the long edge and in .JPG or .PNG file format. For step-by-step details for finding the size of photos taken with a smartphone, just google it!
• Please title your image files using your name. Example: Amy_Miller_1.jpg.
• Submission(s) must belong to you and be your original work.
• Photos can be new work (taken for this issue), or from your archives.
• When human subjects are featured, please ensure that they reflect the DOP dress guidelines (see below).
• It is the photographer’s responsibility to obtain permission from people featured in the photos before submitting photos for consideration.
• Photo series must be submitted as a gallery of at least 10, but not more than 25 images, via either a Google folder or personal gallery. Please ensure that permissions are set to open so that our team can access your images.
• You will retain the rights to your work and are free to sell, post, or publish it elsewhere anytime. DOP will only print it in the issue for which you submitted it. Your work may be featured promotionally on our social media and will always be credited, and tagged if possible.

DRESS CODE:

In respect for our Anabaptist tradition, we only consider photos in which the main female subject(s) reflect the following dress:

• Hair gathered up (not hanging loose), covered with a traditional veil, net covering, scarf, kerchief, or hat.
• Sleeved, non-sheer skirt + top or dress, at least knee length, that does not reveal cleavage/undergarment lines.
• No jewelry (engagement/wedding rings, necklaces, wristbands, etc.) or obvious makeup (nail polish, eye shadow, mascara, etc.).

Whether you are a digital artist, or use traditional mediums, we welcome your illustrations of goodness in the ordinary. All submissions will be reviewed by our visuals team, who will make final selections based on skill level, originality, quality, and cohesion with the issue’s theme. You will receive an email notifying you whether or not your piece has been chosen for publication. We look forward to seeing what you create!

Accepted art forms include DIGITAL ART (typography, patterns, illustration, etc.), TRADITIONAL ART (oil, acrylic, pen, watercolor, charcoal, etc.), and HAND LETTERING PROJECTS

ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS:

• Contributors must be 18+ years of age.
• Create artwork that is inspired by the issue’s theme, color palette and Pinterest mood board.
• Submissions must be high-quality .PNG, .PDF, or .JPG files, with a minimum resolution of 3300x2550, or 300dpi at full page size. If creating digital art, please ensure that your artboard is at least 8x10 in size. Pieces that do not meet these criteria will not be considered.
• Submission(s) must belong to you and be your original work. Do not submit illustrations copied off of someone else’s work.
• New (published or unpublished) work, as well as pieces from your archives, are welcome.
• When human subjects are featured, please ensure that they reflect the DOP dress guidelines, listed below.
• Please limit your submissions to 3 art/lettering prints.
• You will retain the rights to your work and are free to sell, post, or publish it elsewhere anytime. DOP will only print it in the issue for which you submitted it. Your work may be featured promotionally on our social media and will always be fully credited, and tagged if possible.

DRESS CODE:

In respect for our Anabaptist tradition of dress, please adhere to the following in illustrations that include female subjects:

• Hair gathered up (not hanging loose) and covered with a traditional hanging veil, net covering, scarf, kerchief, or hat.
• Sleeved skirt and top or dress, at least knee length
• No jewelry (such as engagement/wedding rings, necklaces, wristbands, etc.)