My mother has been my guiding light all my life. She believed in me when I didn’t. She told me that I could accomplish anything I put my mind to. These are the types of positive people writers need around them as they struggle to accomplish their writing goals. Unfortunately, I lost my mother to cancer at the end of the summer. Mom may be in Heaven now, but some of her sage advice lives on in the new Chicken Soup for the Soul Mom Knows Best issue released on March 19, 2019.
Have you ever had an essay included in a Chicken Soup issue? Which one? Was it your first attempt, or did it take a while for them to accept one of your essays?
For me, it took quite a while for Chicken Soup for the Soul to accept one of my essays. I have been trying to break into this niche on and off for years. Several friends in my South Jersey Writers Group have been published in Chicken Soup. They gave me courage to try again and again. There is no charge for submitting to Chicken Soup for the Soul.
Like any other writing project, it’s always best to begin by studying the market. Read other Chicken Soup for the Soul books to see what they are publishing. Break down the essay to see how the writer put it together. Notice how tightly the prose is, how specific the details about place are. Notice there are no extra words or throwaway dialogue and thoughts. Then check Chicken Soup’s website to see what topics they are currently looking for and start drafting your essay.
Although the editors at Chicken Soup give you lots of guidance on how to prepare your story, nothing beats a critique partner, especially someone who has already been published by the market you wish to enter. Ask to see their document of the essay they submitted to the market. This will be what they sent in as opposed to the one that was edited by the publisher before publication. It helps to see how they structured their essays.
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| I was ecstatic when I saw one of my own stories in the Chicken Soup for the Soul Mom Knows Best issue. |
And keep the essay simple. This was my biggest problem. I could study issues from Chicken Soup, strip down the essays, study the language used, and feel I have created just what they want, and receive silence for all my effort. Chicken Soup for the Soul will contact you ONLY when they want your essay. Otherwise you don’t hear from them.
And God knows, be persistent! Like I said, it doesn’t cost anything to submit to Chicken Soup, so why not follow these steps and send in your best advice on a topic they’re looking for. Good Luck!
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Mom Knows Best is on sale now. My particular story, Evening Things Up, will be featured in a podcast from Chicken Soup on April 29, 2019. You can listen to the podcast for free by going to Chicken Soup’s website and clicking the podcast tab.
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My beloved mother, Elaine McDonald
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Congrats on getting published in one of the Chicken Soup series books. That's even more special that it was an article about your mom. So sorry for your loss of her. My mom is independent living near me now, and I take care of her. We're gotten a lot closer since she moved here.
Hi Victoria Marie – I went to the library to check your (the) book out – but the library was shut that time … so I'll go down again and order it … congratulations and I love both photos – gorgeous … cheers Hilary
Oh my goodness, Victoria Marie! I'm thrilled for you! I've browsed the submissions page for Chicken Soup in the past, but I haven't found a book theme that inspires me to try to contribute yet. Congrats!
Wow. Your story is featured in a podcast!! So cool, Victoria. Congratulations again.
I've never read any of the Chicken Soup but I definitely want to check it out now. Congratulations!
Congrats on getting published. I'm sorry to hear about your mum.
Ronel visiting on Author Toolbox day: The One…
Congratulations! That is truly exciting, especially with such a near-and-dear article. I'll check it out.
How cool that you got a story in Chicken Soup. And what a beautiful way to remember your mom.
Congrats on your publication. I tried once with Chicken Soup and should think about it again. Thanks for the advice.
Susan Says
Good for you, Natalie. And thank you so much for your kind words. I truly appreciate them. All best to you and your Mom. Thanks for your comment here at Adventures in Writing. Have a wonderful week!
You are so kind, Hilary. It's always a pleasure seeing you here at Adventures in Writing. Have a wonderful week!
Thank you, Raimey. It's very exciting. Keep looking at Chicken Soup. They're always adding topics. Thanks so much for your note here at Adventures in Writing. All the best to you!
I'm sooo excited, Dawn. I can't wait to hear what they do on the podcast. Thanks for your kind words here at Adventures in Writing. I truly appreciate them. All the best to you!
Thank you, Allie! The Chicken Soup series have wonderful stories in them. I've been reading them for years. Thanks so much for your note here at Adventures in Writing. All the best to you!
Thank you, Ronel. I truly appreciate that. She's in a better place now. No more pain. Thanks for your kind words here at Adventures in Writing. All the best to you!
Thanks, Jacqui. I wish Mom were around to see her advice in print. Thanks for your kind words here at Adventures in Writing. I truly appreciate them. All the best to you!
It certainly is, S.E. I'm sure Mom would be proud to know her advice lives on. Thanks so much for your note here at Adventures in Writing. All the best to you!
Thank you, Susan! I'm glad you found this post encouraging. I tried for quite a while before I got this publication. Thanks so much for your comment here at Adventures in Writing. Good luck!
Congrats. Stubbornness pays–apparently. 😉
Anna from elements of emaginette
Congratulations, Victoria! That is awesome. I’d be ecstatic as well. I think I have submitted one story to them before, many years ago. I regularly check out the themes Chicken Soup for the Soul is looking for and I really – really – want and plan to submit again one of these months/years, but I don’t have time now. Or better, I have other priorities. I do have it in me, though, and I will persist at some point as it’s a goal of kind to be published in an anthology. And now I know someone who submitted a successful essay, who could critique my story. 🙂
Yes it does, Anna. Thanks for your good wishes. And thanks so much for your note here at Adventures in Writing. All best to you, my dear.
This is true, Liesbet. As I've said before, you have the most exciting life. Persistence pays off. Thanks for your kind words here at Adventures in Writing. I truly appreciate them. All the best to you!
Congratulations on your inclusion. Well done.
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing! Thanks so much for stopping by. And thanks for your kind words. They are greatly appreciated. Have a beautiful weekend!
Congratulations n getting your essay published. I admire your persistence and appreciate how you detailed the way to study the market – in this case – Chicken soup for the soul.
Hello and welcome to Adventures in Writing, Kalpana! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a note. And thanks for your kind words. They are greatly appreciated. I'm glad you found this post helpful. Have a beautiful weekend!
I'm sorry for your loss. Congrats on the Chicken Soup publication!
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