
Welcome!
You are interested in writing for URBANwell Magazine – that’s awesome! We created URBANwell Magazine for writers like you – wordsmiths who engage the depths of faith, culture and community.
Writers FAQs
What is URBANwell Magazine?
URBANwell Magazine is a full color magazine print publication that is published quarterly on the third week of February, May, August, and November. The magazine is direct mailed free of charge in Ellis County, Texas and beyond. It currently runs 36 pages, with a circulation reach of about 81,000+ and a roughly 70:30 editorial to advertising mix. In addition, we offer a digital experience including The Well, a reservoir of original articles written by urban folk like you.
Who publishes URBANwell Magazine?
In 2014, the founders of Q Ministry Project, Charles and Kristine Frame, were inspired to launch a magazine that reflected the unique character of Ellis County, Texas. As students of the Bible, Charles and Kristine turned to a particular story about a woman who met Jesus at the well. As a metaphor, “the well” seemed fitting for a faith-based hyperlocal magazine. After all, community wells serve the common good in everyday ways, even today.
What kind of voices and styles are you looking for?
We enjoy publishing well-crafted, story-driven articles about faith, culture and community that engage, enable and empower urban folk. We welcome all writing styles that are redemptive and restorative – from serious to light and reverent to irreverent (not foul but constructively critical).
What kind of articles are you looking for?
For our printed publication, we are mostly looking for articles that compliment our quarterly themes. Our editorial team prayerfully and intentionally selects each theme three months prior to our print deadline. Anyone is welcome to suggest and write the content as listed below, and if you have something else to offer that you think we might like, don’t hesitate to query us.
∆ Features (1500-2500 words)
∆ Spotlights & Interviews (600-1000 words)
∆ Columns & Reviews 300-800 words
∆ Bible Theology & Doctrinal Teaching (1000)
∆ Op-eds (500-1500 words)
For our digital platform, you are also welcome to craft posts that fit with our quarterly themes as well as any of the topics below.
FAITH
∆ Bible Engagement
∆ Science & Faith
∆ Theology
CULTURE
∆ Counseling
∆ Family
∆ Trending Topics
∆ Generations Q
∆ Health & Fitness
∆ Marriage
∆ Perspectives
∆ Opinion Editorials
∆ Relationships
∆ Roundtable Q
COMMUNITY
Profiles and Q&As with members of the following groups
∆ Art & Culture
∆ Business
∆ Church
∆ Education
∆ Entertainment
∆ Events
∆ Ministry
∆ Nonprofit
∆ Sports
Writer’s Tips
Listen
For “as told to” stories, use a recording device to capture the interview with your subject. During the conversation, listen for details that will add life and color to your story. Please do not conduct interviews by e-mail.
Show, Don’t Tell
It’s all about the story. Appeal to the five senses through strong descriptive writing that offers examples, anecdotes and specific stories. Use colorful words and strong verbs to describe a person, place or thing.
Focus on the best Scenes
Don’t try to tell it all. Pick scenes that are relevant and develop those to the fullest.
Verb Usage
Pay attention to your verb usage. Use active verbs and refrain from repeatedly using being verbs (are, there are, am, is). Refrain from starting sentences with “There are… .”
Active Voice
Stay away from using the passive voice in your sentences (Instead of “The story was presented”—“The pastor presented the story”).
Quote Usage
Do not write with running quotes. A quote should be short and colorful, and should not include information you could paraphrase or convey in some other way.
Capitalize Pronouns for Deity
Our practice is to capitalize pronouns for deity (He, Him, His, Himself).
Endnotes
With rare exceptions, we do not use endnotes, so necessary citations should be worked into the body of the text (e.g., “In his book How to Train Koala Bears, John Smith argues . . .”).