Islamic Finance Writer Wanted

This Malaysia-based ad asks for:

"a journalist/writer with exposure to Islamic Finance (Shariah Finance) for a reputed publication. Editing knowledge would be added advantge. "

This is a paying opportunity.

Islamic Topics of General Interest

studentBMJ is a web site and monthly medical journal "for students with an interest in medicine." It's not a Muslim publication, but I really like the way one writer came up with the idea of writing an article on How Islam Changed Medicine for this journal. It is written for a general audience and would spark the curiosity of almost anyone interested in such topics.

Opportunities like this exist in almost every publication out there - from newspapers to magazines to web sites. Right now, for example, Learning through History Magazine (which is geared to homeschoolers) is seeking articles on the Mughal Empire. Check out their Guidelines for Writers for more specific information.

Have you ever written an article on an Islamic topic for a general audience? Let us know by leaving a comment.

Gaining Name Recognition

As Sis. Widad mentions in A Muslim's Guide to Publishing and Marketing, gaining name recognition is a vital part of marketing your book successfully. One way to do this is to write articles for magazines and web sites, especially those that allow you to mention your book or link back to your web site at the end of the article.

I have listed a number of Muslim magazines, web sites and newspapers here. This is certainly a good place to get started with your marketing efforts.

In addition, there are numerous web sites that allow you to post articles on various topics. For the most part, these are non-paying markets, and there are many of them. When submitting to these web sites, always consider the quality of the web site and what your name will be associated with. Also realize that some web sites are there for the sake of dawah, while others are businesses and have the goal of drawing more traffic to their sites through your articles. There is nothing inherently "wrong" with the second model, but do make sure that you are not inadvertently giving away rights to your article - and always make sure that your by-line is there, preferrably with a 2-4 sentence bio. at the end that helps you with your marketing goals. Also make sure that your articles are not being sold or compiled into an e-book (unless you are okay with that).

Every now and then, I will list some sites that accept article submissions. Here are five for now:

Hilal Plaza
General articles on Islam, culture, and Middle East affairs.
Businss-oriented.
No payment.
Guidelines for Writers

Islam For Today
Conversion stories are particularly welcome.
Dawah-oriented.
No payment.
Guidelines for Writers

IslamWay
General articles on Islam.
Dawah-oriented.
No payment.
Submit Articles Here

IslamWay Sisters
Articles of interest to Muslim women.
Dawah-oriented.
No payment.
Submit Articles Here

Muslims Internet Directory
Accepts articles and e-books on various Islamic topics.
Business-oriented.
No payment.
Submit Articles Here

Interview with Ausma Khan and Kid Magazine Writers

Just read an interview with Ausma Khan, the editor-in-chief of Muslim Girl Magazine.

The interview provides very specific information on the magazine's vision and how writers can pitch everything from feature articles to fillers such as quizzes.

I have, by the way, received confirmation that Muslim Girl is a paying market.

Also, if you are interested in writing for children/teens in general, the website the above interview is a great resource with detailed market reports and interviews with editors:

Kid Magazine Writers

AVER Magazine

Aver is a Canadian magazine for Muslim youth.

Submissions are encouraged:

"Contribute articles, stories, poems, photography, cartoons or whatever it is you do!"

Here are the guidelines for submission.

The website does not specify whether this is a paying market.

Selling Science to Islamic Media

This is a great article on how to write about science for IslamOnline.net:

Selling Science to Islamic Media

Iqraa Ms. Ideal Daughter Competition 2007

The Iqraa Satellite Channel is sponsoring a competition for young women (ages 16-26) called the Iqraa Ms. Ideal Daughter Competition 2007. Basically, you need to write an essay that describes how you have shown gratitude to your parents.

Prizes are as follows:

First winner receives:
1. A crown set with diamonds
2. The 2007 Miss Gratitude-to-Parents Award (issued by Iqraa Satellite Channel)
3. $10,000 USD in cash

Second winner:
1. Receives the title 2nd Miss Gratitude-to-Parents
2. Receives $7,000 USD in cash

Third winner:
1. Receives the title 3rd Miss Gratitude-to-Parents
2. Receives $5,000 USD in cash

Fourth winner:
1. Receives the title 4th Miss Gratitude-to-Parents (requirements set by selection panel)
2. Receives $3,000 USD in cash

Fifth winner:
1. Receives the title 5th Miss Gratitude-to-Parents (requirements set by selection panel)
2. Receives $3,000 USD in cash.

Read more about the competition here.

Freelance Writers Needed: Sisters Magazine

Na'ima B. Robert (author of From my Sisters' Lips) has started a new magazine for Muslim women called Sisters.

A message from Na'ima says: "My editorial team and I are currently looking for feature writers, columnists, and reviewers to feature in our magazine. We are particularly interested in Muslim women writers and artists and want to showcase exciting new talent.

"'Sisters' is a Muslim women's magazine whose focus is inspiring Muslim women to reconnect to Allah and to their Islam, to better themselves and their lives holistically and to have a positive impact on the wider community. The publication is stylish but accessible and our voice is intelligent, sisterly and conversational, with a strong Islamic consciousness. If you are able to write clear, lucid prose and produce articles that are well-researched with a professional finish, we want to hear from you."

This is currently a non-paying market, but writers will receive a free subscription to the magazine.

Click here to read more details about the submission process.

Sister's Space Blog Carnival - Writing Our Lives

If you are a Muslim woman, you might be tired of others writing about the lives of Muslim women with such authority. March is Women's History Month, and Um Zaid at the Sunni Sister Blog is hosting a Sister's Space Blog Carnival with the theme Writing Our Lives.

According to the site: "Your post can be about practicing the diyn, spiritual experiences, converting, race, marriage, motherhood, gender issues, non-Muslim society, Muslim society, people who are not Muslim and / or women acting as authoritative voices on our lives, etc. It can be a regular post, a poem, a short story, or anything else unusual. Only posts written by Muslim women are eligible."

Read more about the carnival here.

Faith and the Arts

Here is an interesting web site dedicated to Faith and the Arts. Currently, there are articles and resources on the following faiths: Bahai, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Jain, Judaism, Islam, Rastafari and Sikhism.

According to the site: "We are currently looking for new content to feature on the website including faith and the arts related research papers, case studies, feature articles and event listings. We are also looking to showcase artists working within a faith context as well as showcasing the best in faith related visual arts. If you would like your work to be featured on the site please contact us at info@faithandthearts.com "

I'm not sure if this is a paying or non-paying opportunity. Click here for more details about the project.

Job Opening: TV News Journalists for the Islam Channel

The Islam Channel needs professional TV news journalists to work on its news bulletins.

Job Description: "We are looking hard-working native English speakers who are brimming with ideas and are not afraid of taking on responsibility. We want solution-orientated, proactive people who work well in a team and are committed to the channel’s values."

This job is in the UK.

Click here to learn more about this job.

Job Opening: Art and Culture Editor at IslamOnline

Are you interested in living in Cairo and working for IslamOnline.net as an Art & Culture editor?
Click here to read more about this job.

Job Opening: Assistant Manager of Corporate Communications

Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad is seeking an assistant manager of corporate communications in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Responsibilities include:

• To perform editorial task that includes interviewing, writing, editing, copy-editing, proof-reading and maintaining quality standards in publishing process i.e. press releases, articles, speeches, letters, internal newsletter, annual reports, brochures etc.
• To conduct primary and secondary research to develop content for publications and other communication materials.
• To liaise with various channels of content partners and providers on a regular basis.
• To handle customers’ queries and feedback for the bank.

Read more about this job here.