This is info I received as a previous contributor to Cup of Comfort books-- the group is legit and makes a nice product. The only problem I've had with them is the lack of communication-- I never got acceptance messages, but much later received a check and author's copy.
Adams Media has ordered up three new Cups of Comfort, and I wanted you to be among the first to know. I hope you will forgive me sending this to you as a group email, but it's the only way I can get word out to everyone quickly ... and when you see the deadlines, you'll understand that time is of the essence is my getting word out about this paid publishing opportunity with the popular Cup of Comfort book series.
I'm really jazzed about these new anthologies, as the themes are near and dear to my heart: dogs, single moms, and writers. And I hope you'll submit stories for all three.
Below, please find the call for submissions and guidelines for these books. Please feel free to share them with anyone you think might be interested in submitting stories for publication consideration in any, or all, of these books. I’m on a tight deadline with both the Dog Lovers and Writers volumes, so truly appreciate your assistance in spreading the word. And I look forward to reading your stories.
Thanks!
Warm regards,
Colleen Sell
Cup of Comfort editor
[email protected] (direct)
[email protected] (via publisher)
A Cup of Comfort Call for Submissions
A Cup of Comfort is a best-selling anthology (book) series featuring inspiring true stories about the extraordinary experiences of “ordinary” people. We're now actively seeking submissions for the following new volumes:
A Cup of Comfort for Dog Lovers
As any dog lover will attest, dogs are, indeed, our best friends… and so much more. They’re also our helpers, heroes, champions, teachers, and beloved family members. For this volume, we seek heartwarming true stories that speak to the amazing bond between dogs and the people who love them. Stories can focus on any experience/theme that demonstrates how a dog has inspired and/or enriched the life/lives of a human(s). Possible themes include but are not limited to a dog’s:
Devotion and loyalty
Courage
Amazing feats
Role as a member of a family or community
Companionship
Therapeutic effect on a human
Unique relationship with a person
Unique relationship with another pet or animal
Inspirational effect on one or more people
Amusing, endearing, exceptional ways
We do NOT want sad stories about a pet’s suffering or death. However, stories can be about the life of a dog that is now deceased and can include a fond farewell to a lost pet—provided the story isn’t solely about the pet’s death.
Please see writers’ and submission guidelines, below.
Submission Deadline: July 31, 2006*
A Cup of Comfort for Writers
Only another writer can truly understand what it’s like to aspire to become and to be a writer. For this anthology of true stories celebrating (and commiserating) the writing life, we seek compelling, insightful, and exceptionally well-written personal essays from writers of every persuasion and level of experience. Possible themes include but are not limited to:
Mentors or teachers
Overcoming challenges in becoming a writer, in your life as a writer, or in your writing process
Milestone(s) in your journey to become a writer or as a writer
Discovering and/or heeding the call to become a writer
Writers groups / the camaraderie of other writers
Why you write
Transcending self-doubt and fear
What writing has taught you about life
What life has taught you about writing
Your muse: what inspires your writing
Best or worst writing experience and what you learned/gained from it
Why you write
Please see writers’ and submission guidelines, below.
Submission Deadline: August 31, 2006*
A Cup of Comfort for Single Mothers
As Oprah Winfrey has often said, parenting is the most difficult and important job in the world. It can be even tougher for single mothers, who face all the usual parenting challenges plus another whole set of unique ones. But single motherhood also brings many untold rewards, for both moms and children. For this collection of personal essays celebrating single mothers, we seek uplifting true stories about the joys and the difficulties of single mothering. The majority of stories selected for publication will be written from the single mother’s point of view, but we will also consider stories written by the children of single mothers as well as by third parties with intimate knowledge of (and the permission of) the single mother and her child(ren). Possible themes include but are not limited to:
Juggling the myriad responsibilities of single motherhood
Raising sons or daughters without fathers
The support of family, friends, other mothers
Hard lessons learned
Busting myths about single mothering
Defying stereotypes about single moms and/or children of single moms
Overcoming adversity
Self-acceptance and self-respect in a society that sometimes disparages single mothers
Unconventional wisdoms gained
Blessings, joys, and rewards of being a single mother or the child of a single mother
The unique bond between a single mother and her child(ren)
The courage, resilience, ingenuity, devotion, accomplishments, and/or integrity of a single mom
Why you chose single motherhood (if applicable) and how you’ve made it work
The unexpected and/or under-recognized advantages, joys, and/or rewards of being a single mother or having a single mother
Please see writers’ and submission guidelines, below.
Submission Deadline: December 31, 2006*
*Because stories are reviewed and semifinalists are selected throughout the submission period, early submission is strongly encouraged.
Writers’ and Submission Guidelines
How to Create a Savory Cup of Comfort Story
A Cup of Comfort stories weave powerful life lessons into vividly told tales. They are nonfiction stories that read like fiction but always ring true. They are slice-of-life tales that reveal the positive aspects of humanity; that inspire, entertain, and enlighten the readers; and that bring tears of compassion and joy to our eyes, hope to our hearts, and comfort to our souls. Cup of Comfort stories are honest, original, and creative depictions of the most important and influential experiences and relationships in our lives.
Each Cup of Comfort anthology includes a balanced mix of stories of varied themes, such as:
Extraordinary achievements and experiences of “ordinary” people
Life-changing, life-affirming, or life-defining experiences and relationships
Epiphany, synchronicity, serendipity
Finding/giving comfort in difficult times
Triumph over tragedy or adversity
Life’s blessings and miracles, big and small
Finding the silver lining in a dark cloud; turning lemons into lemonade
Relationships and experiences that bring hope, understanding, healing
Catalysts for and examples of positive change; acts of kindness
Tips for Writing a Winning Cup of Comfort Story
Create an anecdotal story about an event or series of event(s) that had a profound and positive impact on you or on the person(s) you are writing about.
Write a personal story that embodies a universal truth.
Show, don’t tell. Color your story with action, imagery, dialog, and/or dramatic scenes. Minimize use of adjectives and adverbs. Make the reader experience the events and emotions portrayed.
Write from the heart. Tell your story honestly, fully, and succinctly. Make each scene as real for the readers as it was for the person who lived or witnessed it.
Begin with a strong lead that hooks the reader and that clearly and creatively introduces the main character(s), establishes the central theme of the story (plot), and sets the scene.
Create a rich middle that depicts compelling life experiences and human emotions. The mid-section should include at least one compelling plot point (pivotal moment) as well as transitional scenes or other transitional devices that continually move the story forward and toward the conclusion.
End with a satisfying conclusion that resolves the conflict/challenge in a positive way, leaves readers with an Aha! or Wow! or Yes! moment, and elicits tears or cheers or both.
Build your story around a distinctive, compelling, and believable premise that weaves together the story and drives the plot forward.
Use lively, descriptive language that is appropriate for the time, place, and people depicted in the story as well as for A Cup of Comfort readers (that is, mainstream adult).
Read your story out loud and then revise it to remove anything that is not essential to the story. Make sure that every word counts and that the story flows together seamlessly.
One of the best ways to discover the nature and flavor of Cup of Comfort stories is to read them. A Cup of Comfort books can be purchased at booksellers everywhere. Sample stories are also posted on this Website; just click on a “Selection” in the menu to the left of this window.
Terms & Conditions
Payment: $500 Grand Prize awarded to one story per volume; $100 (each) all other stories published in book. Plus complimentary copy of book. On publication.
Story Length: 1,000–2,000 words
Point of View: First-person or third-person (no second person)
Style: Narrative essay or creative nonfiction, dramatic or humorous, but it must be a story.
We do NOT publish vignettes, short-short pieces, fiction, poetry, prose, profiles, eulogies, sermons, testimonials, journal entries, letters, academic papers, commentary, articles, diatribes, memoir chapters, academic papers, confessionals, erotica, pornography, or experimental literature.
Tone: Stories must be uplifting and positive, and can be poignant, heartwarming, and/or humorous.
Stories must be original, true, positive, and in English.
Some previously published material is acceptable. We do not publish reprints of material that has been or will be published in a glossy magazine with a large circulation or in a book (with the exception of books comprised solely of the author’s original works).
A publishing agreement will be mailed to the Author of each story selected as a finalist.
Due to the large volume of submissions received, we cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions nor report on the status of individual submissions (with the exception of finalists, who are notified in writing). The grand-prize winning story and the list of contributors for each volume are posted on the website upon the book’s publication.
Manuscripts are not returned.
Authors may submit multiple stories for any volume of Cup of Comfort .
Entrants pay no entry or reading fees.
How to Submit Your Story
Electronic (emailed) submissions are preferred; mailed and faxed submissions are acceptable.
Typed submissions are preferred; neatly handwritten submissions are acceptable.
Each submission must include the following:
Your full and legal name
Your mailing address
Your phone number
Your email address, if applicable
Story title
Story word-count (approximate)
Choose ONE of these easy submission methods:
Email: In the subject line, cite the Cup of Comfort volume (i.e., Grandparents) or theme (i.e., Bereavement). If the story is being submitted for more than one theme, list all themes in the subject line and submit the story once. Copy and paste (or type) the story into the body of the email. No attachments. One story per email. Send to:
[email protected]
-- or --
[email protected]
Mail: You can send more than one story per envelope. Include one self-addressed, postage-paid envelope for each submission. Send only the paper copy of the story; do not send computer disks or CDs. Mail to:
Cup of Comfort
Adams Media
57 Littlefield St.
Avon, Massachusetts 02322, USA
Fax: On a cover sheet or at the top of the story’s first page, indicate the volume(s)/theme(s) for which you are submitting the story and the number of pages being submitted. If the story is being submitted for more than one volume/theme, send only one copy of the story. Fax to:
1-508-427-6790
Please direct questions and suggestions to:
[email protected] or
[email protected]. We cannot accept phone calls.