Chicken Soup Story Call-out: Messages from Heaven

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Messages from Heaven 101 Miraculous Stories of Signs from Beyond, Amazing Connections, and Love that Doesn't Die  When our loved ones leave this world, our connection with them does not end. Death takes away their physical presence, but not their spirit, and we often sense them after they have gone. Sometimes we see or hear from them after they've passed, giving us signs and messages from beyond. We want to hear from you if you have experienced the other side or received a sign or signal from a loved one who has passed. Has someone who has died come to you in a dream? Given you counsel or comfort? Have you gone beyond, but returned to life with new knowledge, insight, or awareness? Have you intuitively known the moment someone died? Share your true, touching, and astounding stories about messages from heaven or your own experiences with dying and coming back. This book is for everyone who has a story, whether religious or secular. Please note that since we see many stories about messages from heaven in the form of rainbows, bird, butterflies, and coins, we will only be able to use a few stories on those types of messages from beyond. Here are some possible story topics, but we know you can think of more: Words of wisdom from a loved one who has passed Personal exchanges with a loved one who has passed Omens or visions from beyond Receiving guidance or lessons from a loved one who has passed Revelations from beyond Apparitions from beyond Signs from beyond from a loved one Knowing the exact moment someone passed Please remember, we do not like "as told to" stories. Please write in the first person about yourself or someone close to you. If you ghostwrite a story for someone else we will list their name as the author. If a story was previously published, we will probably not use it unless it ran in a small circulation venue. Let us know where the story was previously published in the "Comments" section of the submission form. If the story was published in a past Chicken Soup for the Soul book, please do not submit it. If your story is chosen, you will be a published author and your bio will be printed in the book if you so choose. You will also receive a check for $200 and 10 free copies of your book, worth more than $100. You will retain the copyright for your story and you will retain the right to resell it. THIS IS A NEW ADDITION TO OUR SPRING 2012 LINE-UP, WITH A QUICK PRODUCTION SCHEDULE! DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS OCTOBER 3.  SUBMISSIONS GO TO http://chickensoup.com Select the Submit Your Story link on the left tool bar and follow the directions.

CONTACT US Please do not reply or send questions to this address. For any further questions or correspondence, contact webmaster@chickensoupforthesoul.com or visit our website at http://www.chickensoup.com.

Story Call-out from Chicken Soup: "Finding My Faith"

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Finding My Faith
101 Inspirational Stories about Life, Belief, and Spiritual Renewal 
Faith is more than reading a holy book or following a set of rules. Faith is a lifestyle; it impacts everything we do. Whether we consider ourselves to be Protestant, Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu or any other religion, our belief in a higher power directs our lives and our thoughts. But faith is not something we're born with. We may acquire faith through the teachings of our parents or religious leaders. Or we might find faith through an event in our lives that convinces us of the presence of God. Friends and even strangers can bring us into the knowledge that life is more meaningful when we have faith.

Everyone's "faith story" is different. Some of us find faith late in life. Others lose their faith after a tragic event or spiritual dry spell, only to rediscover it through a divine nudge. Faith can appear quickly or build up over time. It can hit us like a sledgehammer or whisper in our ear. It can show up in a miracle or in an ordinary event. However faith arrives, it is life-changing and powerful.

If you have an inspirational personal story of finding your faith, we want to hear from you! Did a pivotal event bring you to your knees in prayer? Was a special friend or family member the catalyst for your faith journey? Did you lose your faith and then find it again? Was God's presence made known to you in a way that just couldn't be ignored? Your story may even inspire someone else to find their faith!

Please remember, we do not like "as told to" stories. Please write in the first person about yourself or someone close to you. Do not ghostwrite a story for someone else. If a story was previously published, we will probably not use it unless it ran in a small circulation venue. Let us know where the story was previously published in the "Comments" section of the submission form. If the story was published in a past Chicken Soup for the Soul book, please do not submit it.

If your story is chosen, you will be a published author and your bio will be printed in the book if you so choose. You will also receive a check for $200 and 10 free copies of your book, worth more than $100. You will retain the copyright for your story and you will retain the right to resell it.

SUBMISSIONS GO TO http://chickensoup.com
Select the Submit Your Story link on the left tool bar and follow the directions.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS DECEMBER 31, 2011. 
The book will be published in October 2012.

Chicken Soup Story Call-out for Family Caregivers

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Caregivers 101 Stories of Love, Sacrifice, and Bonding  We are excited to announce that we are working with Joan Lunden on this book, which will be published in March 2012. Joan is very passionate about this topic as she is the family member in charge of her mother's care. Caring for a family member on an on-going basis is a very difficult task, whether the care is in your home, the patient's home, or an outside facility. It requires the caregiver to be patient, kind, compassionate and giving. And having a little humor doesn't hurt! Are you caring for a child, spouse, partner, or sibling due to a chronic illness or long-term or permanent physical or mental disabilities? Did you move in with a family member to care for him or her due to age-related illness? Are you part of the "sandwich" generation -caring for a parent and a child at the same time? Or are you the person receiving care from a family member? Your stories are important too. (Please know that we are in awe of professional caregivers, but we are only seeking stories about family members caring for family members for this book.) The true stories in this book will show how lives change when caregiving becomes your responsibility. They will describe how the relationship between loved ones is affected when long-term care is needed. They will point out ways in which laughter or a silver lining can be found during a difficult time. And they will inspire and support family members who are making sacrifices to make sure their loved ones are well cared for. Please do not submit eulogies or biographies of your loved one. We want to hear about the caregiving relationship, either from the point of view of the caregiver or from the point of view of the person being cared for. If your story is chosen, you will be a published author and your bio will be printed in the book if you so choose. You will also receive a check for $200 and 10 free copies of your book, worth more than $100. You will retain the copyright for your story and you will retain the right to resell it. Please remember, we do not like "as told to" stories. Please write in the first person about yourself or someone close to you. Do not ghost write a story for someone else, except in the case of the person you are caring for, if that person would like some help doing the writing! If a story was previously published, we will probably not use it unless it ran in a small circulation venue. Let us know where the story was previously published in the "Comments" section of the submission form. SUBMISSIONS GO TO http://chickensoup.com Select the Submit Your Story link on the left tool bar and follow the directions. The deadline date for story submissions is August 31, 2011.

CONTACT US Please do not reply or send questions to this address. For any further questions or correspondence, contact webmaster@chickensoupforthesoul.com or visit our website at http://www.chickensoup.com. TO UNSUBSCRIBE please send an e-mail to webmaster@chickensoupforthesoul.com with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line or mail your request to: Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, LLC P.O. Box 700 Cos Cob, CT 06807-0700

Writing Opportunity...Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive for Great Health!

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive for Great Health! 
Use Your Mind to Promote Your Own Healing and Wellness 

Chicken Soup for the Soul is teaming with Dr. Jeff Brown of Harvard Medical School to create a wonderful new book, full of inspirational stories and useful medical and psychological information, to help people use positive thinking to improve their health. 

The connection between our minds and bodies is powerful. Whether we experience a short-lived sickness, battle chronic illnesses, or simply want to live a consistently healthy life, our brains can serve as our most trusted ally when it comes to getting better, managing symptoms, and sustaining a healthy life. 

We are seeking stories that highlight the successful relationship between your brain and your health. We're interested in hearing from people who are successful at maintaining healthy lifestyles, who daily win the battles over various symptoms, who have learned to integrate their thinking into a rehabilitation process, who have found innovative brain tricks for managing health, who have learned about themselves more deeply as a result of a medical condition, who stay motivated in spite of chronic symptoms, etc. Your stories will provide the inspiration and encouragement, while Dr. Brown provides the medical facts and psychological strategies. 

Here are some possible story topics, just to get your creative juices flowing:

• How has optimism, hope, wisdom or positive thinking affected your health?
• What brain tricks have you learned to manage your particular health condition? (Quitting smoking, losing weight, irritable bowel syndrome, skin problems, diabetes, infertility, heart conditions, HIV, anxiety, depression.)
• What behaviors have you changed that make you live a healthier life? How did you do it?
• How have relationships with others helped you feel well?
• How has successfully grieving for something or someone helped you feel better?
• Describe how spirituality, humor, or meditation has been part of your health.
• What negative emotions have affected your health?
• Has changing your sleep habits affected your health?
• And any other topic you think would be helpful to someone else in your position

If your story is chosen, you will be a published author and your bio will be printed in the book if you so choose. You will also receive a check for $200 and 10 free copies of your book. You will retain the copyright for your story and you will retain the right to resell it. 

Please remember, we do not like "as told to" stories. Please write in the first person about yourself or someone close to you. Do not ghostwrite a story for someone else. If a story was previously published, we will probably not use it unless it ran in a small circulation venue. Let us know where the story was previously published in the "Comments" section of the submission form. If the story was published in a past Chicken Soup for the Soul book, please do not submit it. 

SUBMISSIONS GO TO http://chickensoup.com
Select the Submit Your Story link on the left tool bar and follow the directions. 

The book is scheduled for publication in May 2012. 
Submission deadline is August 15, 2011. 

Writing Opportunity from Chicken Soup for the Soul

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Say Hello to a Better Body! Weight Loss and Fitness for Women Over 50 Chicken Soup for the Soul is teaming with Dr. Suzanne Koven of Harvard Medical School to create a wonderful new book, full of inspirational stories and useful medical information, to help women over 50 lose weight and stay fit. It can be so hard for women over 50 to lose weight and stay fit. Our bodies have changed and our old strategies just don't seem to work now. How did you find the motivation to lose weight and get fit? What were the creative and fun ways you found to exercise? Are there special routines that you have found that make it easier to maintain your weight and fitness? Did you find ways to make self-care more of a priority? We're seeking Chicken Soup for the Soul stories from women over 50 who have found the answers. Your stories will provide inspiration and camaraderie to other women, and Dr. Koven will provide the hard medical facts. Here are some possible story topics, just to get your creative juices flowing: Moving beyond past failures and trying again Finding new motivation after 50 Finding the right exercise that you can stick with Ways to measure healthy weight and fitness Experiences with weight loss surgery Menopause and weight Osteoporosis and arthritis (prevention, managing with exercise, etc.) Sleep and weight Stress and weight Obesity health complications (heart disease, diabetes, cancers, sleep apnea, etc.) Assessing the array of diets Estimating portions Vitamins and minerals Has your success influenced your friends or family members? Do you have a success story in your seventies, eighties, nineties? If your story is chosen, you will be a published author and your bio will be printed in the book if you so choose. You will also receive a check for $200 and 10 free copies of your book. You will retain the copyright for your story and you will retain the right to resell it. Please remember, we do not like "as told to" stories. Please write in the first person about yourself or someone close to you. Do not ghostwrite a story for someone else. If a story was previously published, we will probably not use it unless it ran in a small circulation venue. Let us know where the story was previously published in the "Comments" section of the submission form. If the story was published in a past Chicken Soup for the Soul book, please do not submit it. SUBMISSIONS GO TO http://chickensoup.com Select the Submit Your Story link on the left tool bar and follow the directions. The book is scheduled for publication in May 2012. Submission deadline is August 7, 2011.

CONTACT US Please do not reply or send questions to this address. For any further questions or correspondence, contact webmaster@chickensoupforthesoul.com or visit our website at http://www.chickensoup.com. TO UNSUBSCRIBE please send an e-mail to webmaster@chickensoupforthesoul.com with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line or mail your request to: Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, LLC P.O. Box 700 Cos Cob, CT 06807-0700