Editor’s Note from February 03, 1967

The mailman recently delivered a blurb sheet for a new book on writing for money. It promised to show me how to turn out 10,000 words a week for as much as 30¢ a word. Editors will buy this stuff by the ton, I learned, even if it isn’t grammatically correct and lacks any “unusual inspiration.” For a moment or two I was tempted to switch rather than struggle. Then I recalled advice by a former fiction editor of Collier’s, Thomas Uzzell, who taught narrative techniques to a small group of us in the thirties. The very first night he said: “If you want to write for the public, turn out a million words of your best and toss them into the wastebasket; then you’re ready to begin.”

Somewhere between these extremes there’s probably a happy hunting ground for success in the word business. But if as a beginner I had to choose between these two lines of approach, I’d buy the giant wastebasket before opening the bank account. At CHRISTIANITY TODAY we receive hundreds of manuscripts a month, and we get both kinds of copy daily.

There’s a difference between literary hacks and literary artists. The essayists who are out in front with our editorial readers are almost always those who search patiently for words to fit the theme. Some of the losers, however, think that if a religion editor doesn’t accept material on a “first come” basis, he forfeits his right to survival in this age of equality, tolerance, and bloody murder of the king’s English.

Our Latest

Public Theology Project

The Star of Bethlehem Is a Zodiac Killer

How Christmas upends everything that draws our culture to astrology.

News

As Malibu Burns, Pepperdine Withstands the Fire

University president praises the community’s “calm resilience” as students and staff shelter in place in fireproof buildings.

The Russell Moore Show

My Favorite Books of 2024

Ashley Hales, CT’s editorial director for print, and Russell discuss this year’s reads.

News

The Door Is Now Open to Churches in Nepal

Seventeen years after the former Hindu kingdom became a secular state, Christians have a pathway to legal recognition.

The Holy Family and Mine

Nativity scenes show us the loving parents we all need—and remind me that my own parents estranged me over my faith.

Why Christians Oppose Euthanasia

The immorality of killing the old and ill has never been in question for Christians. Nor is our duty to care for those the world devalues.

China’s Churches Go Deep Rather than Wide at Christmas

In place of large evangelism outreaches, churches try to be more intentional in the face of religious restrictions and theological changes.

Wire Story

Study: Evangelical Churches Aren’t Particularly Political

Even if members are politically active and many leaders are often outspoken about issues and candidates they support, most congregations make great efforts to keep politics out of the church when they gather.

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube