May 31, 2007 10:09 AM
Chicken Soup for the Soul story call-out: Home Improvement
This just in - I'm sure some of you have some stories - this is a great way to get published. And they pay $200!
Shannon of Rocks in My Dryer recently turned a blog into a Chicken Soup story. So if you're so inclined, don't just think about it - do it! Just be sure to follow their guidelines.
We are in immediate need of funny, inspirational and heartfelt stories for our newest upcoming title “Chicken Soup for the Do-It-Yourselfer’s Soul: Home Improvement Stories from Decorating to Demolition.â€Owning your own home is the American Dream, but transforming a house into your own HOME—and doing it yourself—is what this book is all about. From decorating to demolition, painting to plumbing, pounding nails to pounding thumbnails, these stories will offer encouragement and entertainment to do-it-yourselfers, the novice and the experienced.
This book will be a collection of the best stories about those who love making their own home improvements—or at least attempting. These are personal stories that will bring laughter or tears from home improvement projects that have gone right, or gone awry.
Tentative chapter headings include:
Home Repairs 101
Honey I Did It Myself
Decorating Disasters
Making Grown Men Groan
Measure Twice—Cut Once
Oops! I Did It Again
Habitat Harmony
The Money Pit
Worth Every Penny
Built from Scratch
All in a Day’s Work
The Grand Design
Hardhats Required
The Handyman Can
The Handywoman CanStories must be true (non-fiction), written in first person, and 1,000 words or less. Stories should make readers laugh, cry or sigh, and be positive, universal and non-controversial. Also, the "point" or "message" should be evident without preaching. No essays, commentaries, tributes, philosophical or biographical pieces will be accepted. Please refer to other Chicken Soup books to better understand our story-telling style.
You may submit more than one story. We accept previously published pieces, as long as you retained all rights to your story. For each story selected, a 50-word biography will be included about the contributor and a permission fee of $200 per story will be paid within 30 days upon publication. We also need cartoons and poems; if accepted, payments of $100 and $50, respectfully, will be paid within 30 days of publication. The tentative submission deadline is September 30, 2007, but please note that this deadline may adjust, so the sooner, the better!
You can submit stories one of three ways:
1) E-mail stories through the Chicken Soup for the Soul website under “Submit a Story.†Be sure to select “Do-It-Yourselfer’s Soul†as the book title.
2) E-mail your story with your name, address and phone number to Story@PublishingSyndicate.com. List “Do-It-Yourselfer’s Soul submission†in the subject line. Please note that we do not accept e-mail attachments; for specific submission information guidelines, please visit www.PublishingSyndicate.com.
3) You may mail your submission to:
Chicken Soup for the Do-It-Yourselfer’s Soul
c/o Publishing Syndicate
P.O. Box 607
Orangevale, CA 95662We look forward to reading your story!
Jack Canfield
Mark Victor Hansen
Dahlynn McKowen
Ken McKowen
I'm planning on writing about writing soon. But today I have to get back to me - well, writing. Seriously, I have an assignment due Monday and
Must. Start. Working. Now.
