Focus on the Family's BREAKAWAY is a 32-page magazine, published monthly, for teenage boys age 12-17.

This fast-paced, four-color publication is designed to creatively teach, entertain, inspire and challenge the emerging teenager. It also seeks to strengthen a boy's self-esteem, provide role-models, guide a healthy awakening to girls, make the Bible relevant, and deepen his love for family, friends, church and Jesus Christ.

Some of our readers get spiritual nurture at home and at church; many don't. To reach both groups, the articles must be written in ways that are compelling, bright, out of the ordinary. Nearly every adult in a boy's life is an authority figure. We would like you, through the magazine, to be seen as a friend!

Given the network of friendships among most young adolescents, we also want BREAKAWAY to be a magazine any pre-Christian teen could pick up and understand without first learning "Christianese." Stories should spiritually challenge yet be spiritually inviting.

NON-FICTION
About 50-75% of BREAKAWAY will be staff written or assigned. Free-lance material accepted will contain:

1. Biographical articles and/or "question and answer" interviews with junior highers, senior highers or even young adults whom junior highers would look up to. These individuals should have gone through trials (major or minor) or have done something outstanding. They must be able to communicate their feelings and the spiritual lessons learned in a way readers will relate to.

2. How-to stories. Examples would be: making extra cash, getting homework done, approaching their parents for..., relating to the opposite sex..., etc.

3. Personal profiles of Christians in the spotlight. Pro athletes, missionaries, musicians, actors, etc.

FICTION
Our quality stories on young-adolescent themes contain adventure with well-developed characters that kids can relate to. They will be fast-paced in style, holding the reader's interest throughout. They may also contain one or perhaps two "points" that are easily caught by the reader. But at all costs avoid Christian jargon, cliches, preaching and other dialogue that isn't realistic or that interrupts the flow of the story. We will consider fiction up to 2,000 words.

HUMOR
Short or long, humor that teen guys will relate to is a must for BREAKAWAY. Things that happen at school, home, on vacations or at church are fair game. Humor at the expense of adults, however, is not appropriate. Don't try to weave in spiritual content here unless it comes naturally; just be funny. Most stories will run between 600-1,000 words.

DEVOTIONAL
The "Epic Truth" department is our chance to go deeper into the particular theme for the month. They need to be biblically solid, but not too theological for the 13-year-old mind to comprehend. Up to 900 words.

NO POETRY will be accepted for BREAKAWAY.

PAYMENT
BREAKAWAY will pay between 12-15 cents/word upon acceptance.

FORMAT
Please type all of your submissions, double-spaced on white paper. A sample copy is available at no charge on request.
A query letter is preferred, though not required.
Also, enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope with sufficient postage if you would like your submissions returned.
Allow 4-6 weeks for review. Address your material to:
      Michael Ross, Editor
      BREAKAWAY
      8605 Explorer Drive
      Colorado Springs, CO 80920