Get Your Story Published in Chicken Soup for the Soul

Have you ever read a story in one of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books and thought that you could write a story that was just as good? Have you ever read a story in one of those books that reminded you of a similar touching experience that you have had? In researching publications to send a manuscript to in order to get published, I came across some interesting information in Writer's Market. I actually stumbled upon it as I was searching through 440 pages in the Consumer Magazine's section of the Writer's Digest. Really, that section is 440 pages long. I did the Math! Come to think of it, I have no idea why it was listed in that category, but it was, and I am glad I found it.

The information listed told me that those books are 95% freelance written, they buy 1,000 manuscripts each year, and they actually pay the writer of accepted stories $200 each!!! Well now, this was exciting. This was much better than some of the magazines that say they only accept four to six manuscripts per year and pay only if funds allow. Or the ones that say they buy one to two manuscripts per year and they pay contributors in three copies of their magazine. Whoa yeah, $200 seems a lot better than that. I jotted down some information such as what categories they accept, and how many words each piece had to be. Then I jumped on my computer to head over to the website.

Once on the website, I became even more excited as I read the submission rules and saw that not only do they pay accepted contributors financially, they also provide them each with ten free copies of the book their story is published in. Oh my, this was too good to be true. That's enough for Mom and Dad, each of my three kids, my best friend ( or 2 depending on if they want one or not) and of course I would have to save one for me. I would need that for future proof that I actually did get published somewhere as a start to fulfilling this dream of mine of becoming a published writer. Someone recently told me that being published on HubPages doesn't count as getting something published. I think he meant because there's no money involved and since he is a published author, he must have more authority on this than I do!

The website gives potential contributors all the information they need to know. There are guidelines for submissions, story specifications, and a description of the process of submitting material, which by the way can only be done online through their website,

There is also a section on possible upcoming book topics that range from multitasking mom's, to dating, rebooting your life, overcoming challenges, Canada in winter, guardian angels, and miracles to stories about your cat or dog. If you are anything like me, you are ready to run right over to the website to learn more. But beware, the deadline for some of the ten topics are coming up soon, and I don't want you to miss out. And I don't want to miss out either so I am heading over to the website now...hey, wait a minute...if you're an aspiring writer, what are you still doing on this page? Why haven't you already gotten on the Chicken Soup For The Soul Website? Go my friend,... go. And with luck and a prayer, we will be seeing your story in the next issue of Chicken Soup For the Soul book.

Oops, don't forget to take the poll before you go!