Adams Media - Call For Stories

Woodstock Revisited

We are seeking fifty true stories (850-1100 words) written by people who attended the 1969 Woodstock Festival. This anthology will document the event itself, but will also provide a portrait of America as that tumultuous decade came to a close. Stories should be historical within the context of 1969 and yet unique to your experience. Stories must be TRUE, 850-1100 words, vivid, and substantive. Please carefully review the details and sample story provided on the "Woodstock '69 Guidelines" page available on www.literarycottage.com.

HURRY - DEADLINE: SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2008

My Dog Is My Hero

For My Dog Is My Hero, the fourth book in Adams Media's Hero Series, we are seeking fifty 850-1100-word stories featuring a remarkable dog in your life. Yes, about dogs and only dogs, not cats, or other pets. Please review the spelled out guidelines and sample stories on the "Hero Series Guidelines" page available on www.literarycottage.com.

DEADLINE: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2008.

A Cup of Comfort is a bestselling anthology (book) series featuring uplifting true stories about the experiences and relationships that inspire and enrich our lives. These slice-of-life stories are written by people from all walks of life and provide unique personal insights into powerful universal truths.

Writer's 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 real-life tales that reveal the positive aspects of humanity; that inspire, entertain, and enlighten 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 original, creative, slice-of-life 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; overcoming adversity or challenges
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 and compassion

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—in other words, dramatic action. 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.

• 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 (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. A few sample stories are also posted on the Cup of Comfort web site.

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 nonfiction, creative nonfiction, literary nonfiction. But it must be a story.
We do not publish articles, fiction, poetry, prose, profiles, eulogies, sermons, testimonials, letters, commentary, expository essays, persuasive essays, diatribes, academic papers, confessionals, erotica, pornography, or experimental literature. Only the Christian-themed volumes of A Cup of Comfort contain stories with religious themes or references.

• Tone: Stories must be uplifting and can be poignant, heartwarming, and/or humorous.

• Stories must be original, true, uplifting, 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 .

How to Submit Your Story

Electronic (emailed) submissions are preferred; mailed submissions are acceptable.

Typed submissions are preferred; neatly handwritten submissions are acceptable.

Each submission must include the following:

• Your full name

• Your mailing address

• Your phone number

• Your email address, if applicable

• Story word count

• Story title

Choose one of these submission methods:

Email: In the subject line, cite the Cup of Comfort volume (for example, "Single Mothers"). Copy and paste (or type) the story into the body of the email; no attachments. One submission per email.
Send to:cupofcomfort@adamsmedia.com or to wordsinger@aol.com.

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

Please direct questions and suggestions to: cupofcomfort@adamsmedia.com or to wordsinger@aol.com.

We cannot accept phone calls.