Posted Saturday, September 20, 2008

By

Michele L. Tune

Due to my recent hiatus, I’ve decided to put out a call for guest posts. If you’re a freelance writer/blogger who would love to share a link to your website, advertise your book, or just get another link back to your own blog(s), this is a great opportunity for you! And, if you’re a lurker who has been following me on the cyber highway and have wished you could find the courage to speak up, now’s your chance!

I’m a nice gal and am told I’m a delight to work with, so no worries there. All I ask is that the post is free of cursing, etc. Any topics related to writing, editing, blogging, etc., should be ok. I won’t publish anything political or extremely religious (especially biased views toward any one certain religion). I’m not against politics or church but this is a blog about writing.

I’d love it if your guest posts shared tips, tricks, ideas, helpful resources, advice, and/or more. Anything that has helped you successfully write (or blog) the cyber highway will probably be of great interest to my readers. Right y’all?

Ideas are not limited to but may include:

• how you cracked a new market
• how you’ve become a full-time blogger/freelance writer
• what makes you so successful in hearing back from editors
• how you get replies from gig ads
• how you get and keep awesome clients
• how you find markets
• tips on writing
• tips for finding inspiration
• how to organize
• how to keep a routine/schedule

The Cyber Highway will be a lot more fun to travel with your unique voices added!

What you’ll get in return:

• a hefty bio
• 1-3 links
• advertisement of your book or services
• author photo (if you send one)
• a guest post from me (if you wish) as soon as I can fit it into my schedule

I can’t wait to read your e-mails! (Contact me here.) I am only one gal so I thank you in advance for your patience as I wade through your queries/submissions. Thanks!

Here’s to lots of amazing guest posts on the Cyber Highway!!

June Cotner has let me know she’s seeking stories for the following two anthologies. If you’re interested in inspirational writing–prayers, blessings, poems, prose–this may be the market for you to submit to!

I’ve pasted her instructions below:

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Note: I have two new projects. The compensation for one-time rights is $25/selection + one complimentary copy of the book. Reprints are okay.

Send submissions to:

June Cotner
P.O. Box 2765
Poulsbo, WA 98370

Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE) with sufficient return postage. Please put all of your contact info on each submission. You are welcome to share this information with other writers and colleagues.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

EARTH BLESSINGS:
Prayers, Poems, and Prose Honoring the Earth.

Preliminary chapter titles for EARTH BLESSINGS include : Love (for humankind) & Kindness, Courage, Compassion, Faith, Simplicity, Unity in Diversity (commonality of all), Group Consciousness, Our Children, Spirituality, Prayer, Community & Worldly Concerns, Forgiveness & Tolerance, Activism, Purpose & Balance, Healing, Miracles, Gratitude, Wonder & Appreciation, Praise & Celebration, Hope for the Future, and Inspiration. For desired spiritual tone, refer to my book, Looking for God in All the Right Places or the previous version of this book, Heal Your Soul, Heal the World. “Green publishing” is popular right now and focuses primarily on the nuts and bolts of how to improve the environment. In contrast, EARTH BLESSINGS is a spiritual book that will reflect upon the beauty of the earth and remind all of us to cherish the earth. I believe that Chronicle Books will be the publisher. Submissions for EARTH BLESSINGS need to be postmarked no later than April 30, 2008.

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SERENITY PRAYERS:
Prayers, Poems & Prose to Soothe Your Soul

My agent is currently negotiating a contract with Andrews McMeel. SERENITY PRAYERS will offer serenity, encouragement, and inspiration as individuals navigate the challenges of everyday life. The overriding intention of SERENITY PRAYERS is to provide a timeless collection of prayers, poems, and prose that will leave the reader feeling more at peace, relaxed, hopeful, and encouraged after reading passages from the book. It will be packaged like my book, Comfort Prayers. Please refer to my books Comfort Prayers and Bless the Day for desired spiritual tone. Preliminary chapters include: Serenity, Faith, Courage, Hope, Healing, Relaxation, Reflections, Gratitude, and Inspiration. Submissions for SERENITY PRAYERS should be sent via USPS (with an SASE) and postmarked no later than Feb. 29, 2008.

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On the lower left-hand corner of your envelope, please list the book’s title of the project for which you are submitting. You are welcome to include submissions for multiple projects in one envelope. If you want any rejected submissions returned, please include sufficient return postage on your SASE. It’s easiest for me if you list your poem titles on a cover letter and tell me to recycle any unwanted submissions. Thank you!

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Good luck with your submissions!

Over the weekend I was blog surfing and stopped by a few of my favorites. Heather Strang posted about her friend Christine Hassler, who is co-authoring Chicken Soup for the Twenty-Something Soul. You can learn more about the specific details at Christine’s blog.

Now, you don’t have to be in your twenties to submit a story. Just tell about a wonderful, inspiring event you experienced when you were in your twenties. Reflect, write, submit–it’s that easy!

Guidelines for a Chicken Soup for the Soul Story

1. Tell an exciting, sad or funny story about something that has happened to you or someone you know. Make sure that you introduce the character(s).

2. Tell your story in a way that will make the reader cry, laugh or get goose bumps (the good kind!) Don’t leave anything out — how did you feel?

3. The story should start with action; it should include a problem, issue or situation. It should include dialogue and the character should express their feelings though the conflict or situation. It should end in a result, such as a lesson learned, a positive change or pay-off.

4. Above all, let it come from your HEART! Your story is important!

What a Chicken Soup for the Soul story IS NOT:

1. A sermon, an essay or eulogy.

2. A term paper, thesis, letter or journal entry.

3. About politics or controversial issues.

4. A “My Grandma Just Died, and Let Me Tell You What A Wonderful Person She Was” or “Let Me Tell You About My Disease or Operation” or “I Gave a Bum Some Money, Aren’t I Incredible?” or “Why My Mother Is the Best Mother” or a personal testimony that may mean nothing to the reader.

Story Specifications

1. It is preferred that all submissions are sent via our website by clicking here. If you don’t have access to the Internet, please submit your stories preferably typed on plain white 8 1/2” x 11” paper, in 12-point Times New Roman font.

2. Please be sure to type the author’s name and contact information on the first page of each and every story.

3. Stories should be non-fiction, ranging in length between 300-1200 words.

4. Mail your submissions in a flat, 9×12 envelope if possible.

5. No anonymous or author unknown submissions please.

6. Send only one copy of each submission.

7. We do not return submissions, so please don’t send the original.

If the story you wrote is published, you will be paid upon publication of the story. Payment amount will be determined at that time.

The only way to receive an acknowledgment of your submission at this time is by submitting through our website, by clicking here . By submitting through the website, you will be taken to an acknowledgment screen on our website directly after hitting “send”. This screen will inform you that the story has been accepted into our submission process. We strongly encourage you to submit stories online as it is both the fastest and easiest way to process and review your submission. If you do not have Internet access at home, you can always visit a local library.

It can take up to three or four years for Chicken Soup for the Soul books to develop. Please be patient, as this is an important, yet time-consuming process. If your story is chosen for a future edition of Chicken Soup for the Soul or any other projects, you will be notified and your permission to print it will be requested.

Feel free to submit more than one story.

You can submit your story 3 different ways:

Internet: www.chickensoup.com

Mail: Chicken Soup for the Soul
Attn: Story Submissions
PO Box 30880
Santa Barbara, CA 93130

Fax: 805-563-2945

Please contact Christine directly at christine@christinehassler.com with any questions.

Good luck with your story submissions and I wish you a successful week writing the cyber highway!