The Sai Young Adult Newsletter ("SYAN") is the official young adult newsletter of the Sri Sathya Sai Organization, USA, and follows the guidelines set forth by the Organization.

SYAN invites all young adults (ages 16-35) to submit poetry, prose, stories, photographs, and artwork for the Newsletter. Every submission is carefully considered and edited by SYAN's team of young adults and then approved by the USA Young Adult National Executive Committee.

Each issue has a particular theme to help create continuity between the pieces however, young adults are encouraged to submit pieces on any topic that is dear to them.

We ask that all authors please keep their submissions within certain standards. While we are open to various styles of expression, please aim to keep your piece:

· Meaningful, helpful, uplifting
· Thought provoking
· Inspirational, mindful, and from the heart
· Based on direct experience (currently, SYAN does not publish experiences relating to dreams)
· Personal but not private (appropriate for print/public sharing, some situations are best shared in a small group)
· Practical and truthful but not critical or preachy
· Accessible and humble in tone (while each author has an experience to share, it is most rewarding when the submission does not talk down to the audience, attempt to flaunt the author's expertise in a certain area, or invoke feelings of guilt or shame in the readers. Again, uplifting submissions make an uplifting newsletter.)

All quotes should be referenced (Book name/author, page number(s), discourse date).

The best submissions are those that are a combination of instruction, information, creativity, and experience. Ask yourself:
· Is the message clear?
· Does the experience come across as lecturing, critical or "I" centered?
· Have I connected my experience/story with a corresponding lesson,teaching or opportunity for personal growth?
· If I were the reader, What would I learn as a result of reading the piece?

When submitting a piece, please note:
SYAN reserves the right to edit and publish or not publish submissions received. Authors may not always be consulted about edits made to their pieces prior to publication.

If you would like to write, but need help at any stage of the writing process or have a question about a submission, please email us at contact@syan.org.

Word Limit

There is no fixed maximum or minimum word limit; however, submissions should not be so long that they take too much space in the average 12-page newsletter nor should they be so short that they lack substance. As a general rule, +/- 600 words for short pieces and +/- 1500 words for long pieces. If you have a question regarding your piece, please send an email to contact@syan.org.

Suggested Writing Topics And Formats

· Personal Experiences
· Personal Transformation Narratives
· Reflection on Swami's Teachings
· Interview(s) with Swami
· Lessons Learnt: (i.e., How did you overcome or deal with a difficult situation?)
· Living Swami's Message in Day-to-Day Life
· Cross-Cultural/Ethnicity Tolerance and Unity
· Special Topics such as Vegetarian Diet
· Questions/doubts
· Service projects
· Young adults' participation in all aspects of the center/organization, not just young adult activities.
· Young Adult Reports - timely and relevant (including photographs)
· Crosswords - with clues related to spirituality and/or Swami's teachings
· Human Values Based Comic Strip or Art
· Poetry