STORYTIME TAPESTRY

The Newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world

Call For Submissions

July 7, 2005

Hi there. Hope this finds you in good health and spirits, and enjoying the summer.
 
Just wanted to let you know what's up with Cup of Comfort. The Women in Love and Nurses volumes are both in production; they will be published in October 2005 and April 2006, respectively. I finally finished reading submissions (a record 3,000+) for A Cup of Comfort for Grandparents, and finalists have been selected and notified. The grandparents volume will be published in Fall 2006.
 
Now, I'm drumming up submissions for two new volumes -- one for "Expectant Mothers" and the other for "Parents of Children with Autism." If you have written or would like to write a compelling true story (or stories) about these topics, I'd love to see them.
 
Would you please also share the following call for entries with your writer buddies.
 
Thank you!
 
Warm regards,
Colleen Sell
Editor, A Cup of Comfort
541-942-3405 (tel)
wordsinger@aol.com (direct)
cupofcomfort@adamsmedia.com (via publisher)

GREAT PUBLISHING OPPORTUNITY FOR UPLIFTING PERSONAL ESSAYS

A Cup of Comfort is a best-selling anthology (book) series published by Adams Media, an F+W Publications company. Each volume features powerful true stories about the experiences and relationships that inspire and enrich our lives. With more than one million copies sold, A Cup of Comfort offers an excellent paid publishing opportunity for contributing authors. 

Submissions are now being sought for two new volumes:

A CUP OF COMFORT FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS

Having a baby is one of the most exciting, challenging, and magical experiences in a woman??™s life. It can also be an emotional roller-coaster ride and a physical endurance test. Never more so than during pregnancy does a woman need a little extra TLC. The 50 heartwarming true stories selected for inclusion in this anthology are sure to bring comfort, joy, and encouragement to expectant moms of all ages and backgrounds, whether awaiting the arrival of their first child or their tenth. For this volume, we want positive personal stories about the memorable experiences that inspire, reassure, sustain, and delight women during those wondrous and sometimes anxious months of planning, conceiving, carrying, delivering, and welcoming home her new bundle(s) of joy. Any topic relevant to this unique time in a woman??™s life is acceptable, as long as the story is positive and meaningful to expectant mothers overall.

    Submission Deadline: September 1, 2005

Note: The submission deadline for Expectant Mothers has been extended to Sept. 1, but the website has not yet been updated to reflect the Sept. 1 date.

A CUP OF COMFORT FOR PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

A child??™s diagnosis of autism usually strikes fear in the hearts of parents??”and often turns their world upside-down and their lives inside-out. The incidence of this mysterious neurobiological disorder has risen dramatically in recent years, leaving parents in search of answers, support, and hope. For this inspirational volume, we seek personal anecdotal stories (not prescriptive articles) about the unique aspects of parenting a child with autism and related disorders (Asperger syndrome, Rett??™s disorder, disintegrative disorder, pervasive developmental disorder). Possible themes include, but are not limited to: impact on other members of family; creative solutions to everyday challenges; breakthroughs; effective treatments; silver linings; tender moments; helpful support; unexpected positive outcomes; blessings large and small; reasons for hope; adult children with autism. We are most interested in stories written by parents, but will also consider and will likely publish some stories written by professionals, family members, and family friends with intimate knowledge of the child and parents in question. Remember, however, the primary audience is parents of children with autism-spectrum disorders.
   
    Submission Deadline: October 1, 2005

Stories must be original (not derived from another published work), true, positive, in English, and 1,000-2,000 words. Open to aspiring, unpublished, and published writers.

Payment: One $500 grand prize per book; $100 each, all other published stories. Plus copy of book.

Guidelines: www.cupofcomfort.com (click on "Share Your Story") or email request to cupofcomfort@adamsmedia.com. Additional volumes with varying themes are planned.

A Cup of Comfort is published by Adams Media, an F+W Publications Company, and edited by Colleen Sell (wordsinger@aol.com).