Writing an Article for the Lotus Resource Guide
If you are in a health-related field and want to write an article for
the Lotus Resource Guide website, please look over the following
guidelines.  Then you can submit the article via email to Penny
Cole at lotusrg@sbcglobal.net.

Who can submit an article for the website?
Anyone who is in a health-related field can contribute an article to the website. You don't need to
be a current advertiser in the Lotus Resource Guide. The main purpose of the articles is to
educate the public of complementary, alternative, and natural resources for the mind, body, and
spirit. If your article is written with that purpose in mind, it is welcomed on this site.

How long will the articles remain on the website?
If an article is submitted and accepted for the Lotus website, it will remain on the website until the
author requests otherwise.  Since the main purpose of the articles is educational in nature, we do
this as a service to the community.

Will all articles that are posted on the website appear in the Lotus
Resource Guide that is printed and distributed three times a year?
Not all articles on the website will appear in the printed Lotus. The main reason is that we publish
the articles without charge in the printed Lotus.   For that reason, only 2 or 3 articles are selected
from the those submitted to be printed in each issue. There is a good chance that your article will
appear in the printed Lotus, but there is just no guarantee when it will be printed, and priority is
given to current advertisers.  Also, each article must be reviewed and accepted by the Lotus editor
to determine if it will be printed.

Is there any reason an article will not be posted on the Lotus
website?
Yes, if the person submitting the article is not the author, we must have direct authorization from
the author before we can post the article on the website.   If we already have an article on the topic
you wish to write about, you might be requested to revise your article or to write on another topic.

How long can the article be?
An article on the website can be any reasonable length.  If it is long, it might be shown on
separate web pages with links joining the parts of the article (see
Homeopathy).  If your intention
is to also have the article appear in the printed Lotus, then it should be approximately 300 words
to fit on a page of print.

When can an article be submitted?
You can submit an article for the Lotus Resource Guide website at any time.  After it has been
reviewed and accepted by Penny Cole, it will be posted right away to the website. The articles for
the printed Lotus are selected months ahead of time.  Contact
Penny Cole if you are interested in
writing an article.

What is needed in addition to the article itself?
We need (1) a title for the article and (2) a brief description of your credentials that qualify you to
write this article, which usually means how long you have been using this technique or product
and any relevant titles or certification. Please do not include a list of your classes and workshops
in your credentials since that information should be displayed either on the Events web pages or
as part of an advertisement.

How will writing an article for the Lotus benefit you?
Although the article is intended to provide health-related information to the public, your writing of
the article shows potential clients what knowledge you have on the subject.  On the Lotus website,
I will provide a link to any advertisements you have on the Lotus website as well to your own
website if you have one.  If the article also appears in the printed Lotus, the article will reference
the page of your advertisement so that it will reinforce the impact of your ad.

Article Checklist
  • Consider that your reader may not have any background in your technique.  Explain
    techniques clearly and give examples to further demonstrate your ideas.
  • You are encouraged to provide real life examples of how your product or technique was
    helpful to others.  You can use your own life experience as an example as long as it
    relates to the subject of the article.
  • The article should be approximately 300 words if you would like it to appear in its entirety
    in a printed issue of the Lotus.  Articles that only appear on the website can be any
    reasonable length.
  • The information in the article should be your own original writing.
  • All articles submitted will be reviewed by Penny Cole.  She may suggest further edits to
    the article before it can be posted on the website or printed in the next Lotus.
  • You are encouraged to submit a picture of yourself to accompany the article.  This is an
    option and not required.  You can send the picture as an email attachment to
    lotusrg@sbcglobal.net or mail it to Lotus Resource Guide, PO Box 437, Savoy, IL 61874.
  • Please provide a brief description (2 or 3 sentences) of your credentials to show why you
    are qualified to write this article.  In other words, what training did you receive in this
    technique or how long have you sold this product or practiced this technique?  Remember
    the primary purpose of the article is educational.  Information pertaining to classes and
    workshops would be submitted for the Events pages. A detailed list of products or services
    you provide would belong in an advertisement.

Further questions?  
Call Penny Cole at 217-552-7679 or email lotusrg@sbcglobal.net.