Get Paid for a True Story: Submitting to Chicken Soup for the Soul
How to write and submit a true personal story to Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies: topics, guidelines, payment terms from the editor, step by step.
What is it?
Chicken Soup for the Soul publishes anthologies of true, first-person stories on set themes (pets, family, humor, holidays and more). Anyone can submit through the website for free. The editor-in-chief wrote: "We pay $250 to use your story in our books but you retain your copyright and the right to use the story again," and contributors living in the U.S. or Canada get 10 free copies (editor's post). Each book has room for 101 pieces and receives thousands of submissions (same source).
Who it suits
- You have a real experience that moved you, with a clear beginning, middle and end.
- You can write warm, plain English (the stories are published in English).
- It doesn't suit fiction, essays or political opinion.
What you actually need
- A true story written in first person, within the length limit in the official guidelines (widely reported as 1,200 words).
- An email address. Submissions are accepted only through the website form.
First steps
- Open the website and find Submit Your Story.
- Open the list of current book topics and note the deadlines.
- Read the official story guidelines all the way through.
- List three memories that fit one open topic, and pick the one where something changed for you.
*Results vary. Nothing here is a promise of income; the figures quoted are platform rules, not typical earnings.*
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--- bamsuni · Questions or corrections: moneynova247@gmail.com