We're looking for fictional stories that flesh out little known characters or tell stories with an eye toward contemporary issues. This is not meant to be a translation or another version of the bible like The Message, rather authors will create a fictional story inspired by the ideas, characters or well known stories and reimagine them in a contemporary setting. This may include writing about a character we don't know much about, or telling the before or after story that doesn't appear in the gospels.
Your story can be smart, historically rooted, funny, provocative, progressive and/or political. Stories should be rooted in justice, expand the diversity of people who can see themselves as faithful or simply be a good story. While it's okay to reference fancy academic ideas, the audience for this book is progressive pew sitters, pastors and those curious about faith.
If you have a great idea, or are unsure if your submission fits what we are looking for, send it in anyway. Our editors will work with you to help it meet our submission guidelines or to get it into another book or journal in our Bible Study that Doesn't Suck series.
Accepted authors will receive a free copy of the book. Proceeds from the book will benefit Welcome: A Communal Response to Poverty and support projects that seek to end hunger.
Deadline for consideration for the first edition: October 1st.
How to Contribute to Bible Stories: Reimagining Between the Lines:
- Contributors are encouraged to email pastor@gracesf.com before you begin writing. Send a short synopsis of your idea and we'll give you feedback or let you know if we already have submissions using similar characters or stories.
- Email your fictional story (no longer than 20 pages), with a one paragraph biography to pastor@gracesf.com.
- Because we plan to do more than one volume, authors may submit as many stories as they would like.
