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Program Builder Contributor's Guidelines
To Our Potential Sketch Writers and Playwrights
We currently are not accepting any full length plays.To Our Potential Program Builder Contributors
Your interest in submitting manuscripts for use in our program resource publications is
appreciated. Our purpose is to provide creatively conceived and practically producible
resources for church and school programs. Most are published as 38-to 56-page collections
called Program Builders. Each utilizes short scripts, program outlines, recitations, and the like.
- Christmas Program Builder series:
short plays, recitations, exercises, and full-length program outlines (yearly) - Easter Program Builder series:
short plays, recitations, exercises and full-length program outlines (every other year) - Other seasonal Program Builders:
Thanksgiving, Mother’s/Father’s Day, etc. (upon demand)
Submission of ManuscriptsFour to six months or more should be allowed for the editor and staff to consider and report on material. Seasonal manuscripts are purchased year-around. We purchase only original, previously unpublished material. Direct all manuscripts to: darlene.carter@lillenas.com
Please include your full name, address, phone number, and e-mail address with your submission.
Manuscript Specifications Manuscripts should be typed double-spaced on 8” x 11” white paper. Please include author’s name, address, and social security number on the first page.
Copyright Regulations All of our program publications are copyrighted. This is primarily for the protection of the author; therefore, materials submitted must comply with copyright regulations. If another author’s work is included in yours, you are responsible for securing permission to use the other material. In purchasing a manuscript, Lillenas buys first print rights only. After it appears in print, the author is welcome to offer it to another publisher. However, the second publisher should be advised of its previous use. Write us if you have any questions about copyrights.
Payment Payment is made on acceptance, and complimentary copies of the publication carrying the material purchased are mailed to the contributor. The basic payment schedule is:
- 25 cents per line of poetry
This may vary according to type and quality of the material. If we purchase your work for a Program Builder, do not be overly anxious to see your work in print unless the piece is selected to become part of a seasonal collection or one that we are assembling at the present time. It sometimes takes years to collect enough manuscripts to fill out a specific collection. We produce one to three Program Builders per year.
Editorial Needs We never receive too many manuscripts. There is almost always a need for work that fits into some, if not all, of the following classifications:
Readings and Recitations
Because we produce Program Builders, and not devotional literature, it is important to remember that anything we consider for publication must relate to a public presentation. That means we can use manuscripts that are seasonal, general, missionary, of interest to women, and so on. They may take the form of:
Monologues: suggest possible costume and
props, if applicable.
Short prose: for oral interpretation.
Recitations and exercises graded by age:
Preschool; 5 to 7; 8 to 10. Provide brief instructions for staging.
Short Sketches and Skits
All categories and for all ages. Short, humorous, inspirational, or informative. Suggest costumes, props, cast list, and playing time. Remember to limit the number of scenes or acts. The most successful scripts are those that are confined to one or two locations and suggest a primary truth.
Puppet Scripts
Lillenas publishes a series of Puppet Program scripts collections. Unusual manuscripts that entertain and impart a message are considered: all season, all categories, all ages. In our puppet program series, each book contains 12 to 15 scripts all by the same author. The emphasis in this series is simplicity. A set of four or so puppets should be usable for all the scripts in the book. We really have no outlet for single puppet scripts.
A Realistic Note To All Writers The Lillenas Drama Resources and Program Builder editorial offices receive scores of manuscripts a month. Each is given careful consideration in the light of the foregoing. We do not purchase a high percentage of what is submitted. This is offered not as discouragement, because we count on freelance writers like you. We invite and suggest that you visit your local Christian bookstore and peruse the display of Lillenas Drama Resources and Program Builders/Puppet Scripts you will find there. Acquaint yourself with our publications and style. We never receive too many manuscripts, especially from serious playwrights. However, there are many more opportunities for the less experienced writer to sell his or her work in the Program Builder market.
Two other words: We receive a great quantity of poetry. Unless it is for seasonal recitations for a children’s program, we really have little outlet for your verse.
Original music is not considered by this department. The music staff reviews dramatic musicals before being reviewed for dramatic content.
All questions may be directed to the email address listed under “Submission of a Manuscript.”
With Appreciation Lillenas leads the way in providing program and drama resources for local church and Christian school use. Without you, we would be unable to do this. So, we thank you for your creative interest in Lillenas.
Please note: Due to the holiday season, we do not review manuscripts during the months of November - January.
Lillenas Publishing Company