Overview:  Thank you for your interest in submitting an article for possible publication in Desert Christian News (DCN).  DCN is an independent non-profit monthly Christian newspaper for the Coachella Valley.  It is distributed free through local churches, ministries and businesses.  The purpose of the newspaper is to encourage communication and unity amongst all Christians in the Desert Communities.  This Agreement clarifies the relationship between DCN and authors submitting articles for possible publication.  Please review this entire document, print a copy, sign and mail it to the offices of DCN before submitting any articles for publication.  DCN will execute the Agreement and return a copy to the author.

 Deadline:  All articles must be received by the 15th of the prior month to be considered for publication in the next issue.

 Production Requirements:  All articles should be sent in an electronic format to smiller@desertchristiannews.org We accept articles either directly in the email text or as attachments in a Word format only.

 Length:  Articles should be limited to 500-750 words.  Articles up to 1,000 words may be considered, but will be edited down as space requires.  Any article over 1,000 words will be returned to the Author for editing and resubmission.

Editing:  All articles submitted to DCN will be reviewed by our editorial board to determine publication and timing.  In addition, all articles will be reviewed by our copy editor for grammar or other issues.  All proposed changes (other than minor grammatical corrections) will be returned to the Author for approval prior to publication.

 Employment:  Submission of an article for possible publication does not create any type of employment arrangement between DCN and the Author.  The decision to publish is within the complete and unfettered discretion of DCN.  No compensation will be paid absent advance written agreement thereto by both parties.

 The publishers reserve the right to reject any article.  The publishers seek articles that are in keeping with the standards of the publication, as follows:

 Statement of Faith:  DCN prescribes to the National Association of Evangelicals and the Evangelical Press Association’s Statement of Faith. 

i.          We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God;

ii.         We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons:  Father, Son and Holy Spirit;

iii.        We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory;

iv.        We believe that, for the salvation of lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential;

v.         We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by those indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life;

vi.        We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, that they are saved unto the resurrection of life and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation; and

vii.       We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.

The terms herein have been agreed upon by both parties and will be honored with respect to each and every article submitted by Author to DCN.

Miscellaneous:  This Agreement (a) incorporates the entire understanding among the parties hereto, (b) recites the sole considerations for the promises exchanged herein, (c) supersedes all prior or contemporaneous oral or written agreements and discussions between the parties, and (d) may be amended or modified only by a subsequent agreement in writing.  In reaching this Agreement, no party has relied upon any representations or promises except those expressly set forth herein.

This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of California.  In the event that any condition or covenant herein contained is hereby deemed to be invalid or void by any court of competent jurisdiction, the same shall be deemed severable from the remainder of this Agreement and shall in no way affect any other covenant or condition herein contained.  If such a condition, covenant or other provision shall be deemed invalid due to scope or breadth, then such provisions shall be valid to the extent and scope permitted by law.

Should any party hereto commence any action through arbitration or otherwise, at law or in equity, against the other party hereto by reason of the breach or claimed breach of any term or provision of this Agreement, the prevailing party in said action shall be entitled to recover costs, together with such sums as and for its reasonable attorney’s fees incurred herein.

The Author represents and declares that he or she has carefully read this Agreement and knows the contents thereof and that he or she signed the same freely and voluntarily.

The parties hereto, and each of them, represent and declare that in executing this Agreement they rely solely upon their own judgment, belief, and knowledge, and the advice and recommendations of their own legal counsel with respect to their rights and claims, and that they have not been influenced to any extent whatsoever in executing the same by any representations or statements covering any matters made by the other party hereto or by a person representing him, her or it.

This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument.  In addition, a fax copy of signatures shall be deemed valid for purposes of enforcement of this Agreement.

Paragraph titles or captions contained herein are inserted as a matter of convenience and for reference, and in no way define, limit, extend or describe the scope of this Agreement or any provision hereof.  No provision in this agreement is to be interpreted for or against any party because that party or its legal representative drafted such provision.

This Agreement is binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each party hereto, and their respective agents, employees, attorneys, predecessors, successors and assigns.

The undersigned parties represent and warrant that they have authority to sign on behalf of the entities/parties identified herein.

Any failure on the part of any party to this Agreement to enforce any rights or remedy provided under this Agreement, shall not constitute a waiver of any right or remedy.

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