A Cup of Comfort - an entire series
edited by Colleen Sell
from Adams Media
For our May issue, I will post a review of the book A Cup of Comfort For Friends which is the most recent release from the "A Cup of Comfort" series. In the meantime, the following is a call for submission for the A Cup of Comfort for Women or A Cup of Comfort for Sisters books from editor Colleen Sell. Check out their website at www.cupofcomfort.com, too!
Submission Guidelines for A Cup of Comfort for Women
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: April 30, 2002
No experience necessary. Aspiring and published writers welcome.
Acceptable Themes
Stories should focus on the relationships, experiences, issues, challenges, achievements, and blessings that are particularly or uniquely important to women. These stories should both inspire and celebrate women. A few of the many acceptable subjects and storylines (as they apply specifically to women) include:
Transformation, self-actualization, personal growth
Life-defining experiences and "Aha!" moments
Self-nurturing, fun, joy, play
Mentors, loved ones, or role models who inspire and help others
Heroines - in their own lives and in the lives of others
Triumph over tragedy, overcoming adversity
Following and reaching the impossible dream
Love - romantic, platonic
Home, marriage, family
Friends and community
The pains and pleasures, joys and jolts of womanhood
Creativity
Solitude
Beauty
Spirituality
Self-improvement
Making a difference in the world
Youth, maturity
Soul sisters
Ahead of her time; innovative spirits; courage under fire
Unconventional, inspiring careers or lifestyles
Miracles, magical moments, serendipity, synchronicity as it relates specifically
to bringing comfort to a woman or women
Any subject and storyline that speaks to the distinctive and positive
or poignant aspects of being a women, of the relationships and experiences
specific to women's lives, and of women's pivotal roles in the lives of
others.
Acceptable Styles: First-person or third-person. Narrative essay, humor,
literary nonfiction, creative nonfiction. You can write about your own
experiences or about the experiences of others. You can even write about
strangers, as long as you have their written permission to do so.
Please, no news articles, journalistic features, profiles, poems, commentaries, academic papers, biographies, film or play scripts, dogmatic treatises, erotica, book chapters, or alternative nonfiction. You can adapt a story originally developed for inclusion in a book or other medium, but it must follow a standard short nonfiction story format. Though creativity is strongly encouraged and welcomed, please remember that the audience is mainstream, so please refrain from topics, writing styles, and language that are inappropriate for that audience.
See full guidelines at:
www.cupofcomfort.com/share.htm
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Submission Guidelines for A Cup of Comfort for Sisters
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:
Poignant, inspiring, or transformational life experience(s) shared
Growing up, growing apart, growing closer
Strong or tenuous bond between sisters (or sister/brother)
Healing rifts and bridging distances between sisters (or sister/brother)
Reconnecting with a long-lost sister or finding an unknown sister
Sisterly support during difficult times
Extraordinary acts of kindness, generosity, courage, love between sisters
(or sister/brother)
Joys and blessings only a sister can bring
Revelatory or defining moments arising from a sisterly relationship
Sister as mentor, hero, healer, surrogate parent, teacher, adversary,
friend
Miracles, magical moments, serendipity, synchronicity as it relates specifically
to a sister/sister or sister/brother relationship
Any subject matter that celebrates sisterhood and that reveals the powerful
and positive nature of sister/sister or sister/brother bonds
Acceptable Styles: First-person or third-person. Narrative essay, humor,
literary nonfiction, creative nonfiction. You can write about your own
experiences or about the experiences of others. You can even write about
strangers, as long as you have their written permission to do so.
Please, no news articles, journalistic features, profiles, poems, commentaries, academic papers, biographies, film or play scripts, dogmatic treatises, erotica, book chapters, or alternative nonfiction. You can adapt a story originally developed for inclusion in a book or other medium, but it must follow a standard short nonfiction story format. Though creativity is strongly encouraged and welcomed, please remember that the audience is mainstream, so please refrain from topics, writing styles, and language that are inappropriate for that audience.
See full guidelines at:
www.cupofcomfort.com/share.htm
