GUIDELINES FOR CHRISTIAN WRITERS
- Eldridge Publishing is always looking for new plays and musicals. In business since 1906, we are an independent publisher not supported by any denomination. We want our plays to help spread the Word no matter what religion or size church.
- We publish about 15 new plays and one or two musicals a year. Generally, when no separate performance royalty is charged, we offer the playwright an outright purchase contract. Payment is made upon publication. (We also publish a larger catalog of non-religious plays for schools and community theatres. For those guidelines see www.histage.com.) If you have any quick questions you may reach us via e-mail at editorial@histage.com.
- Here are a few helpful tips if you're thinking about submitting a manuscript to us.
- As you can see from our website, we like all kinds of plays and we are always open to new ideas. In full-length plays (an hour or longer) we prefer large casts, about 10 characters or more. Flexible casting, that is roles which can be played by men or women, is a real plus. Otherwise, we generally need more female roles than male. Skits and one-acts (about 30 minutes or less) may have smaller casts. We like easy costuming and scenery, if possible, as many church budgets are limited. For musical submissions be sure to include a cassette tape or CD of the music and lyrics and a sample of the printed score.
- We appreciate a cover letter telling us about the play and you. Has the play been performed before submission? How long does the play run? What are the appropriate ages for actors and audiences? Is your play special in a way that will appeal to directors? Also, please have the courtesy to tell us if this is a simultaneous submission. And what about you? Have you ever been published before? If you've answered no, don't despair. We've successfully published many first-time authors.
- We receive hundreds of
manuscripts a year and want to give each careful attention and review.
That's why it takes us about 2 months to respond. Some playwrights include
a stamped postcard which we return immediately to acknowledge when we
received the script. That's optional. One thing that's not is the SASE,
the self-addressed, stamped envelope, so if we can't use your play you can
continue to market it. We look forward to reading your work! You may submit electronically or via snail mail.
EMAIL:
Using your cover letter as the message, attach your play as a Microsoft Word or PDF document
and e-mail to this special address: NewWorks@histage.com.
SNAIL-MAIL:
Susan Shore, New Plays Editor
Eldridge Publishing Co. Inc.
PO Box 14367
Tallahassee,FL 32317
Please do not use certified or registered mail. It actually takes longer to receive. The Postal Service has increasingly stringent mail regulations. No materials can be returned.