Finding The Bacon
By Jenna Glatzer

Anthologies

C'mon, it's fun to write for anthologies!  Personal essays, poetry, inspirational stories, fiction... anthologies are generally good markets for personal writing and experimental fiction, and they make great conversation pieces for your coffee table, even if they usually don't pay all that well.

My mom came over tonight, and peeked at my bookshelf.  She spotted two of the anthologies for which I've written buried in the shelves, and said, "What are these doing here?!"  I said, "Where should they be?"  She yelled, "The toilet tank!"  I was momentarily insulted, and then remembered that some people consider bathroom time great reading time.

Anyway.  I've said too much.  Good thing my mom doesn't read this.  Please don't send it to her.

Onto the anthologies!

God Allows U-Turns: New call for submissions (pays $50)

Christian inspirational book series. Each book in the series will contain approximately one hundred uplifting, encouraging and inspirational true short stories written by contributors from all over the world. Stories go into a book. Multiple volumes are planned.

Release date: Volumes one and two were released in 2001, available in bookstores everywhere now. Volumes three and four will be released in 2002. Future volumes to be released 2-3 per year thereafter, spring and fall. 100% freelance. Pays $50 Honorarium per story upon publication (plus 1 copy of book). Byline and short bio. Send complete story via web site or email.

HISTORIC STORIES NEEDED

Inspirational book series, "God Allows U-Turns" is seeking stories for a new book "God Allows U-Turns; Historic Moments in Time - True Stories of Hope and Healing from National Tragedies"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
STORY SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS MARCH 1, 2002
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Have you been touched by an historic moment in our nation's history? Our world is a volatile place --- every day we are confronted by tragedy-- how have these tragedies brought you closer to God? Has God spoken to you in a special way, or have you made a u-turn closer to God as a result of a national tragedy?

How did the events of September 11 touch your life? What about the Oklahoma bombing, did that touch you in some inexplicable way? Did you live through the Viet Nam war? How about Pearl Harbor, the Japanese Internment, or other historic
military events? Has an "Act of God" touched your life, such as an earthquake, tornado, fire or flood? What about events like the Columbine shootings, or other school shootings? The assassination of Martin Luther King stunned the world, as did the assassination of President Kennedy, and the tragic death of his son and his young wife in a plane crash. Have other major airline crashes or freak accidents changed your
life?

It seems a day does not go by that our world is not rocked by an event the likes of which leave us speechless. Please share those historic moments in time with us - those moments that profoundly affect us and often bring us closer to God and instill in us a desire to turn toward Him as never before.

Release Date: Fall 2002
Submit story via web site at: http://www.godallowsuturns.com 
Complete guidelines available on web site or send a blank email to:
godallows_request4submissions@getresponse.com 

Chicken Soup For the Soul of Home (pays $300)

See complete guidelines at http://www.goscape.com. 

"Chicken Soup for the Soul®" is heading Home! The bestselling series which has sold more than 65 million books worldwide and literally transformed the lives of readers from all walks of life, is now seeking stories, poems, quotations, anecdotes and other material appropriate for inclusion in the upcoming Chicken Soup for the Soul of Home®.

What makes a good Chicken Soup for the Soul of Home® story?

A "Soul of Home" story is an inspirational, true story with a beginning, middle and an end that opens the heart and re-kindles the spirit. It makes us all feel more hopeful, more connected, more thankful--more appreciative of house and home. It usually has that poignant "Chicken Soup" emotional moment of greater clarity and understanding.

Whether it's a bungalow in the suburbs, a 100-year-old log cabin or a cardboard box over a heating grate, be it a noisy apartment in the city or a solitary dwelling perched on the crest of a hill in the countryside, no matter how small or how large, a home stands for the spirit of individuality, the love of family and friends, the web of community. For some, home is a struggle; for others, a place of peace. For many, it's cooking, gardening, entertaining and holidays--family and memories--a sense of gathering. In its broadest sense, home is a whole community, an entire neighborhood, an intangible sense of place beyond a roof and four walls. Chicken Soup for the Soul of Home® celebrates the spirit of sheltering and caring, of creating a place filled with pride and love, a place called home.

A "Soul of Home" story isn't a sermon or an essay. It isn't about politics or ultra controversial issues. If you have not read a Chicken Soup for the Soul® book, we highly recommend that you first read one or more in the series to get a clearer idea of the kind of story we are looking for.

Chapter headings and topics include: Home Sweet Home, The Comforts of Home, The Home of Our Dreams, If You Build It..., Be It Ever So Humble, First Homes, Moving In/Moving Out, Right at Home, Through the Eyes of a Child, Home is Where the Heart Is, An Open Door, Home for the Holidays, Of House and Home, Sold!, A Place Called Home, Welcome Home, Precious Memories, Home Away from Home, In Search of Home, Returning Home, Childhood Homes, Making a Difference, There's No Place Like Home.

We prefer that all submissions be made by email to: submissions@soulofhome.com. We ask that each submission be sent in the body of the email message (not as an attachment) and that you send a separate email message for each submission. Be sure to put "Soul of Home Submission" in the 'Subject' line.

However, if you do not have any access to email, you may send your submissions to: Soul of Home Submissions, P.O. Box 292581, Los Angeles, California U.S.A. 90029. Please include both a hard copy as well an electronic copy on an IBM compatible disc. Be sure to keep a copy of your submission as we are unable to return material.

Stories should be less than 1000 words, in English, and typewritten.

Ensure that you include your name, address and telephone number on all correspondence and, at the top of each submission, indicate the chapter heading which is most appropriate for your story. You may make as many submissions as you wish.

You may submit original unpublished stories or previously published material such as newspaper, newsletter and magazine articles, excerpts from books, online materials, etc. Please indicate if you are the author. If you are not, be sure to provide as much information as possible about the author and the publication in which it appeared.

Our standard rate of payment is $US300 for each story that ends up being published in our book. The book will also contain a short bio on each contributing author. Please be patient as this is a very long selection process.

Chicken Soup for the Everyday Hero's Soul (pays $300)

See complete guidelines at http://www.goscape.com. 

"Chicken Soup for the Soul®", the bestselling series which has sold more than 65 million books worldwide and literally transformed the lives of readers from all walks of life, is now seeking stories, poems, quotations, anecdotes and other material appropriate for inclusion in the upcoming Chicken Soup for the Everyday Hero's Soul®.

What makes a good Chicken Soup for the Everyday Hero's Soul® story?

An "Everyday Hero" story is an inspirational, true story with a beginning, middle and an end that opens the heart and re-kindles the spirit. It makes us all feel more hopeful, more connected, more aware of those ordinary individuals whose extraordinary acts of caring and courage serve as a calling to our higher selves.

Being an everyday hero means taking the time to care, to make a difference, to go out of your way to help, without expecting something in return.

An "Everyday Hero" story isn't a sermon or an essay. It isn't about politics or ultra controversial issues. If you have not read a Chicken Soup for the Soul® book, we highly recommend that you first read one or more in the series to get a clearer idea of the kind of story we are looking for.

Chapter headings and topics include: Good Samaritans, Daring Rescues, Courageous Lives, Loving Portraits, A Sense of Community, Making a Difference, Achieving a Dream, It's All in the Attitude, Under Their Wings, The Righteous Path, On Healing, Mentoring, Overcoming Obstacles, On Children, A Matter of Perspective, and Special Moments.

We prefer that all submissions be made by email to: submissions@soulhero.com. We ask that each submission be sent in the body of the email message (not as an attachment) and that you send a separate email message for each submission. Be sure to put "Everyday Hero Submission" in the 'Subject' line.

However, if you do not have any access to email, you may send your submissions to: Everyday Hero Submissions, P.O. Box 292581, Los Angeles, California U.S.A. 90029. Please include both a hard copy as well an electronic copy on an IBM compatible disc. Be sure to keep a copy of your submission as we are unable to return material.

Stories should be less than 1000 words, in English, and typewritten.

Ensure that you include your name, address and telephone number on all correspondence and, at the top of each submission, indicate the chapter heading which is most appropriate for your story. You may make as many submissions as you wish.

You may submit original unpublished stories or previously published material such as newspaper, newsletter and magazine articles, excerpts from books, online materials, etc. Please indicate if you are the author. If you are not, be sure to provide as much information as possible about the author and the publication in which it appeared.

Our standard rate of payment is $US300 for each story that ends up being published in our book. The book will also contain a short bio on each contributing author. Please be patient as this is a very long selection process.

A Cup of Comfort for Women (pays $100)
Adams Media Corporation
57 Littlefield St., 2nd Floor
Avon, MA 02322
E-mail: cupofcomfort@adamsmedia.com  

Traditionally, whether by choice or by design, women tend to be comfort givers. Of course, even comforters need comforting sometimes. But just how, where, and when - from what and from whom - do women find comfort?

A Cup of Comfort for Women is your chance to share true stories about the people, experiences, and things that bring meaning, comfort, and joy to women. Because comfort often is as comfort does, we'll also consider your stories about extraordinary "ordinary" women who've found personal comfort by comforting or helping others, particularly other women.

Story Length: 1000 to 2000 words
Submission Deadline: March 15, 2002
Selection Deadline: April 1, 2002

No experience necessary. Aspiring and published writers welcome.

Acceptable Themes

Read complete guidelines at http://www.cupofcomfort.com/submit.htm#women. 

A Cup of Comfort For Sisters (pays $100)
Adams Media Corporation
57 Littlefield St., 2nd Floor
Avon, MA 02322
E-mail: cupofcomfort@adamsmedia.com  

They've shared secrets and colds, toys and sweaters, dreams and disappointments. They know one another's flaws and foibles, fears and hopes, gifts and strengths. They are rivals and comrades, different and alike, separate yet infinitely connected. They provide a bridge to the past, an anchor in the present, and a light for the future. They are sisters.

Please join us in celebrating the unique and powerful bond of sisters by submitting your stories for publication in A Cup of Comfort for Sisters.

No experience necessary. Aspiring and published writers welcome.

Story Length: 1000 to 2000 words
Submission Deadline: June 15, 2002
Selection Deadline: July 1, 2002

Acceptable Themes

Stories can be about two or more sisters or about a sister/brother relationship - and might focus on:

Read complete guidelines at http://www.cupofcomfort.com/submit.htm#sisters. 

World's Worst Erotica (pay rate not yet determined)

Okay, I couldn't even copy one line of these guidelines on this PG-rated website.  Suffice it to say, if you enjoy erotica, and enjoy writing parodies of terrible erotica, this one might be for you.  Check out the full guidelines at http://www.hanne.net/anthology/WWE.html. 

The Low Port Anthology
Low Port
Lee and Miller
P.O. Box 179
Unity, Maine 04988-0179

"Concept: Throughout history real and imagined there have always been those who, through choice or necessity, have lived, worked, loved, and sometimes died, in the low port of their era. There always will be a low port, of course, and our intent is to collect original science fiction and science fantasy stories exploring the lives and adventures of the scrapin'-by folk not the star captains in their glittery tradeships, or the merchants in their silks, but the people who work on the on the docks, or who steal, or whore, or minister, or who dream of getting out. This is *NOT* a shared Liaden Universe® anthology.

"Soliciting: Science fiction, fantasy, magic realism, genre benders (sf/f and mystery; sf/f and romance, the ever-popular etcetera). No horror (as in graphic blood 'n guts; we'd love to see a good ghost story)."

Needs stories from 3,000-10,000 words.  Submit by July, 2002.  No e-mail submissions.  Pays $.05-.08/word on acceptance, plus royalties.  See full guidelines at http://www.eternalnight.co.uk/chronicle/c7/lowport.html. 

Kinships Fantasy and Comic Anthology (pays $.01/word for fiction, $5 for poetry)
Rick Silva
c/o Kinships
43 W. 41st Street, #3
Bayonne, NJ 07002

"For Kinships, we seek nonfiction on mysticism, the occult, and anything relevant to spirituality. Autobiographical pieces (i.e. past life confirmations, ghost encounters, UFO sightings, etc.) are welcome. Overtly political/controversial essays are discouraged but may be considered if presented diplomatically. We especially seek guest columnists for our regular feature, Article of Days, which focuses on Magical Issues.

"Kinships primarily accepts fictional material of the Science Fiction and Fantasy genres. We are not seeking pornographic material. Sexual situations are sometimes acceptable if they are necessary and/or a key point to the plot. For a better idea of Kinships' criteria, we suggest you obtain a recent copy of the magazine.

Manuscript sizes are up to 7,500 words for fiction, 3,000 for non-fiction. Poems accepted up to fifty lines. We buy first North American serial rights and one time rights."

Pay starts at $.01/word for fiction and $5 per poem.

Read complete guidelines at http://www.pentegramkomix.com/kinships/submission.html.

Justice: Stories of Fair Play (pays $10)

We seek manuscripts of no more than 2000 words which tell a true story about some experience the writer has had with justice or fair play in life. This need not deal with criminal justice, and should not dwell on retribution or revenge -- we want to read a story about times in which the balance of life has been fair, or mercy has outweighed retribution, or an outcome has shown that exquisite balance of karma (or whatever one choses to call it) we think of as justice. The story should be written to engage the reader, with a beginning, middle, climax and an end. We reserve the right to edit for style and syntax, of course. We pay a small honorarium ($10. each piece), and a copy of the book.

Manuscripts may be mailed to me, Elizabeth Testa, at 220 Sunrise Lane, CR 245, Durango, CO 81301, and are due no later than May 30, 2002. You may also e-mail it to me (Etindurango@aol.com), in the body of the e-mail. PLEASE DO NOT SEND A MS. AS AN ATTACHMENT--I WON'T OPEN IT (attachments often crash my computer). There is no reading fee.

We look forward to receiving your submission and/or reply.  Thanks -- Elizabeth Testa

Beyond the Last Star (pays $.05-.10/word)
Edited by Sherwood Smith
Volume V in the Darkfire Anthology Series

"Stories for this volume should be set in the far far distant future--so far distant that there is little connection with our present world. Therefore, almost anything goes in terms of setting and genre: Beyond the Last Star is for stories that take place in the universe after ours--either metaphorically or literally--on new worlds after the next Big Bang, in a fairytale universe, in a spiritual afterlife, or in new sort of life here.

"Recent volumes in the series dealt with technological advances we might expect to see in the near or distant future rising from humanity's current situation. Think beyond that to what comes next--changes of kind rather than changes of degree. Characters may be human, alien, machine, sentient suns (but be sure to explain how that works), or something entirely new."

Read the complete guidelines at http://www.sff.net/books/guidelines.html.

The Midnight Rose (pays $10)

"I'm looking for well-written stories with fast action and suspense with horrific or supernatural elements.  These stories will feature female main characters who may be either super heroines or super villains.  Think Cat Woman, think Dark Angel; then create your own main character  and give her a problematic situation and circumstances all her own.  The main character may be a vampire, witch, werewolf, etc., or just an ordinary lady with a deliciously wicked dark side.  Humor is welcome.  No length requirements (please stay within reason) and NO PORN.  Tasteful erotica and sexual situations that are necessary to plot development are acceptable."

Read the complete guidelines at http://tapestrymagazine.homestead.com/MidnightRose.html