The Byline: It’s a Legacy. What Will Yours Be?

Award-winning writer Kathy Widenhouse has helped hundreds of nonprofits and writers produce successful content and has gained 600K+ views for her writing tutorials. She is the author of 9 books. See more of Kathy’s content here.

An online devotional for writers

A Word From The Word

A psalm of Ethan the Ezrahite.  I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. (Psalm 89:1, NLT)

A Word For Writers

A byline in a newspaper or magazine gives credit to the writer of the article. It literally means “second line.” That’s why a byline is placed just below the article title.

Bylines were rare until the mid-1800s. Nameless writers could share content anonymously, which could lead to unsourced and false allegations in print.

But when a writer’s name was attached to a “signed article” or “signature piece,” the writer assumed public responsibility for the content. 

Bylines grew in popularity and by the 1970s, all but the shortest stories had a writer’s name attached. Today, a non-bylined article is the exception rather than the rule. 

Jesus said, “The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you” (Matthew 12:37, NLT). Writers are answerable to God for their words, with or without a byline. But a byline leaves a public legacy of truth or untruth.

Just eight writers of scripture get a traditional byline – credit to the writer just below the title – and they’re all credited with penning songs of worship, found in The Psalms. The writers? David, Asaph, the Sons of Korah, Asaph, Moses, Agur, Heman, and Ethan.

These writers are credited with leading us to praise God. And their bylines are forever associated with honoring Him.

A Wise Word

Your byline is a legacy.

A Word To Pray

Heavenly Father,

Guard my heart, my mind, and my fingers as I write. I will be answerable to you. Let my words honor you.

In Jesus’s name, Amen. 

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