Monday, January 18, 2016

Announcing new magazine for teen girls, PURSUE Magazine! { + Erin Condren LifePlanner Giveaway!}

When I was eleven, my friend and I launched an online website and Christian e-newsletter for pre-teen girls. It was called The Girls of Grace Group. We sent a newsletter every Sunday and reached almost 200 subscribers. It was then that I fell in love with the creative process of writing articles, overseeing an e-zine, and encouraging girls through the written word.



I decided that, along with my dream of becoming an author, I would eventually launch a Christian magazine for teens.



Fast forward a few years. I was fourteen, enrolled in an online school so I could pursue writing--yet I was discouraged, wondering if I was truly doing what God wanted me to do. One day, as I was having my quiet time, I came across the scripture Ecclesiastes 11:9 (MSG translation):


You who are young, make the most of your youth.
Relish your youthful vigor.
Follow the impulses of your heart.
If something looks good to you, pursue it.
But know also that not just anything goes;
You have to answer to God for every last bit of it.

I could hear God speak to me as I read this verse. Telling me that I was where He wanted me to be. Reassuring me that I was making the most of my youth by pursuing the dreams He had placed on my heart since I was 3--the dream to become an author. 



It was soon after this moment that I knew what I wanted my future teen magazine to be titled: PURSUE. Over the years, the desire to launch this magazine has yet to leave. I've tried to prepare myself for this by gaining experience in other publications: 



I was a teen columnist for Whole Magazine, editor over the faith department for Temperance Magazine, a Teen Advisory Board member for Devozine, and contributing writer for Imagine Mag and MoreToBe.com. My articles have been published in Guide Magazine, Devozine, Refresh Magazine, Broken But Priceless MagazineIbegat.com, etc.



A few months ago, God impressed this magazine on my heart again. As I continued to seek His direction, He began to bring into my path others--close friends of mine--who were willing to contribute their own expertise and help me breathe life into this dream. 



So now, the desire that was birthed in my heart as a pre-teen is coming true. PURSUE Magazine is now in the works. 



And you can be apart of it.


March 1st, 2016 will mark the official launch of PURSUE Magazine's website, and we're currently searching for writers -- as well as teens -- to join the team.



Is this a Christian magazine?



While PURSUE is founded on Christian beliefs and will contain a faith department, the articles are directed to teens of all backgrounds and religious beliefs. 
 

PURSUE is an online magazine that encourages and inspires girls to pursue their youth by discovering their calling, embracing their uniqueness, and learning how to sustain health in body, mind, and spirit. It is a general interest magazine that covers topics in Life, Entertainment, Encouragement & Motivation, Inspiration, Arts & Creativity, and Beauty & Fashion.



Mission Statement:



PURSUE Magazine encourages and inspires girls to pursue their youth by discovering their calling, embracing their uniqueness, and learning how to sustain health in body, mind, and spirit. 



Is PURSUE a print magazine?



While print issues is our long-term goal, as of now we are preparing to build the online magazine through the website. We will then publish our the first online issue in September 2016.  We will, however, publish articles via the website beginning March 1st, 2016.



Here's where you come in the picture.



I don't want PURSUE to be just a magazine.



I want this to be a community. A community where girls can meet and encourage one another along their paths through youth. 



Pin this!


How to join the team:



{You must be 16+ to apply as a writer.}



Contributing writers will write one post per month in their category of choice. They will also have access to the PURSUE Staff Team's private Facebook group and will be invited to enter future giveaways and contests.  
 


Guest writers writers will write one article in their category of choice. (This is for those who cannot commit to submitting one post per month.)



Teen Advisory Board members help to influence future themes and articles published in PURSUE. They will also contribute to the magazine's social media, offer ideas and suggestions on designs, offer their input on upcoming issues of PURSUE, and will be featured within the magazine. They will also have access to the PURSUE Teen Advisory Board private Facebook group and will be invited to enter future giveaways and contests. {You must be 13 - 19 to apply.}



Launch team members will help to spread the word of the magazine by telling their friends, posting about the magazine on their blog and social media, interacting within the comments on the website, etc. They will also have access to the PURSUE Launch Team private Facebook group and will be invited to enter future giveaways and contests.   



Want to apply? Email submissions (at) pursuemagazine (dot) net. In your subject line, please mention the position(s) (listed above) that you are interested in applying for. (Feel free to submit for more than one position!)



As soon as we receive your submission, we will send the writer's guidelines, as well as the giveaway entry form to win a $50 Erin Condren LifePlanner



We hope to hear from you! =)


Do you have a specific dream that has been on your heart for years? What steps can you take in 2016 to reach (or prepare) for this goal?

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14 comments:

  1. This sounds incredible, Tessa!
    So, let me get this straight, to be an actual WRITER (guest writer or contributing writer) for PURSUE, you need to be sixteen or over? But 13 through 19 is the age range for the teen advisory board?
    I can't wait for March 1st!

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    1. That's right. =) 13+ can join the launch team as well.

      Glad you're looking forward to it, Savannah!

      Tessa

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    2. Okay, cool. Might I ask what would be wanted of people who are on the teen advisory board?

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    3. Their duties are listed in the post. Are you referring to how to apply as a TAB (Teen Advisory Board) member? We have a form we can send when potential TAB members contact us. =)

      Tessa

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    4. I might be interested in this, but I was wondering if any part of this magazine would be written concerning different religions, since you said that magazine would be directed towards people from different religious backgrounds. I don't think I would feel comfortable writing for a magazine that is writing about religions other than Christianity in a positive way, so I just wanted to be clear on that point :).

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    5. It's geared toward teens of any religious background, but the articles will certainly hold to Biblical standards and beliefs. =)

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    6. Perfect, that's what I needed to know :).
      I'd like to email you about being on the teen advisory board. You said something about a form that you would give to potential TAB members, do you want me to contact you through the email you had in the post? Thanks :).

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    7. That'd be great! Thanks so much for your consideration, Savannah.

      Tessa

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  2. Hi Tessa! This magazine sounds great!
    - Jai

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Anna! I'm thrilled to finally pursue this dream of mine -- no pun intended! ;)

      Tessa

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  3. I'm a bit confused...I applied via e-mail and received the writing guidelines...however, I was wondering if we had to submit an article beforehand as proof of our writing aptitude? If so, when do we need to turn that in by, and when will we find out if we're on staff as contributors?

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    Replies
    1. Hi, Rachel,

      Sorry for the confusion! I should've made that more clear.

      Yes, you do have to submit an article before consideration so we can see how you follow the article guidelines for PURSUE. Please have the article(s) in by February 5th if you would like to be considered as a regular contributor. (The TAB application is due then as well.)

      Thanks!

      Tessa

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  4. By the way, I was wondering when anyone who applied would hear back about whether they were accepted or not? Sorry if I sound impatient, I just want to make sure I didn't miss anything :).

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