How to Write for Chicken Soup for the Soul

Have you ever read the stories in the ubiquitous Chicken Soup books and wondered how to get your own stories in there? Chicken Soup for the Soul is always looking for true submissions from writers new and old; learn how to submit your stories.

Instructions

1. Find Your story. If you don't have a fabulous story in mind, got to the Chicken Soup website (see Resources below) and look at their list of possible book titles. This outlines the kind of stories they're looking for.

2. Write Your story. As with all good writing, focus on a conflict and characters No one cares about your problems if your characters aren't real people (which, since this is a true story, shouldn't be too difficult). Tell your story the way it really happened, with real dialogue and also real emotion. In the end, the story conveys what you learned, what you felt, and what you have to offer to other people in the same situation, so don't be afraid to let the emotion roll.

3. Check it over. Make sure your story is non fiction, less that 1200 words (but not fewer than 300), and double checked for spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

4. Submit it. Submit online using Chicken Soup's online form (see Resources below). .

Tips & Warnings

• If chosen for the book, you can expect to be notified several weeks after the closing date for submissions, and they will send you a contract and an edited draft of your story as it is set to appear in the book.

• Chicken Soup currently pays $200 flat fee to all published stories.

Resources

• Chicken Soup Possible Titles
• Chicken Soup Submission Page