"Live your life from your heart. Share from your heart. And your story will touch and heal people's souls."—Melody Beattie

How Do I Get Writing Credits When I Don't Have Any?

This question is one of the most asked questions that I've heard at Springs Writers over the last three years. Beginning writers often feel frustrated because they don't have any clips or writing credits to include in a query letter or book proposal.

Whether you're published or unpublished, it's a great goal to write and submit articles regularly to anthologies. According to Harris Polls, 88.7 percent of the public not only recognizes the Chicken Soup for the Soul® brand, but knows what it is. So why not target your writing towards anthologies?

Listed below you will find the call for submissions from A Cup of Comfort® and Chicken Soup for the Soul®. However, there are other fiction, nonfiction and poetry anthologies requesting submissions. To find your writing genre, log on to Google.com. Type in key words: anthologies, anthology, submission, and your writing genre.

Top 10 Benefits of Submitting to Book Anthologies

It's true that publication in an anthology does not pay the big bucks. Sometimes they request all rights. If your goal is publication and building writing credits, grab a cup of tea, a pen or computer, and start writing. Here are some benefits.

It's easy. No query letter. Just submit your story online.
Anthologies do not require prior writing credits.
Writing for submission provides a writing goal and a firm deadline.
Your story receives acceptance based upon quality of writing and the story's impact, not a famous media platform or prior publication credits.
Their writing guidelines help you narrow the focus of your story by clearly spelling out what they want and do not want.
Regularly submitting to anthologies encourages you to write and hone your writing skills.
If published in an anthology, the instantly recognizable name looks great on your list of writing credits.
If published, you have a book to offer on your website or at speaking engagements.
If you're not published, you have an article or story to submit elsewhere.
Provides numerous opportunities for you to share inspiring, personal experiences.

A Cup of Comfort® Anthology Book Series

A Cup of Comfort®,a bestselling anthology (book) series, features uplifting true stories about the experiences and relationships that inspire and enrich our lives. These slice-of-life stories are written by people from all walks of life and provide unique personal insights into powerful universal truths. Cup of Comfort® is currently accepting submissions for the following books.

Please note that all four of these anthologies are for the secular (non-religious) inspirational nonfiction book category. Before you submit a story, review A Cup of Comfort® writing guidelines.

A Cup of Comfort® for Mothers: Stories celebrating the women who gave us everything

While it's true that each of us has "only one mother the wide world over," there are many different ways to be a mother and many different forms and flavors of mother-child relationships. And in this Cup of Comfort® anthology we want to capture it all—with personal stories about a wide range of mothering and mother-child experiences, including those that test your mettle as well as those that enrich your life. The book will include stories written both by mothers and about mothers (by their adult children, spouse, own mother). Any topic and tone goes, as long as it's meaningful to mothers and suitable for Cup of Comfort®. Whether a story is endearing or entertaining, inspiring or insightful, humorous or heartwarming, poignant or empowering, or all of the above, it must be uplifting and authentic. And most should be about living mothers/children. Although a story may be about a deceased mother (or a deceased child, if written by the mother), it should focus on her life, not on her death. Narrative essays preferred. Story length: 1000–2000 words.

Submission Deadline: June 1, 2009

Finalist Notification:June 10, 2009

A Cup of Comfort® for a Better World: Stories that celebrate generosity, compassion, and volunteerism

To coin a phrase of President Barack Obama, Yes, we can! make a positive difference in the world. And this Cup of Comfort® anthology will feature living examples of good Samaritans whose good deeds inspire others to do their part to make the world a better place or to just make life a little bit easier—for loved ones, neighbors, strangers, future generations, or any of God's creatures, great and small. Potential themes include (but are not limited to) charitable work, random acts of kindness, paying it forward, or lending a helping hand, a port in a storm, or a shoulder to lean on. Stories must be uplifting and personal, preferably narrative essays; we are not interested in journalistic articles or thinly disguised PR pieces for charitable organizations. Story length: 1000–2000 words.

Submission Deadline: June 15, 2009

Finalist Notification: July 1, 2009

A Cup of Comfort® for Couples: Stories that celebrate what it means to be in love

It is said that love works in mysterious ways. And this anthology will reveal the many mysteries as well as the inner workings of true love. Of course, being a "happy couple" involves more than being in love, and making a romantic relationship work takes more than romance. So this book will feature uplifting true stories with a balanced mix of tones—romantic, poignant, humorous—and on a wide range of topics: From falling in love to the secrets of lasting love. From celebrating special moments between you to overcoming bumps in your relationship. From experiences that brought you closer together to experiences that threatened to tear you apart. From endearing rituals to challenging changes. From sparkling new love to glorious golden love. Or any other topic that speaks to the joys, the challenges, and/or the nature of a romantic partnership that works for you. Narrative essays preferred. Story Length: 1000–2000 words.

Submission Deadline: October 1, 2009

Finalist Notification:October 15, 2009

A Cup of Comfort® for Golfers: Stories that celebrate the follies, the triumphs, and the joy of the game

This anthology will feature upbeat, insightful, inspiring, and humorous true stories about learning, playing, and enjoying the uniquely challenging and satisfying game of golf. The book will include stories about golfers of every age and of every persuasion—amateur, pro, casual, recreational, hard-core, newbie. Most of the stories will be written by golfers, but the book will likely include stories written by golf "widows" (or widowers) or other loved ones of "golf nuts." Stories must be about personal experiences. We are not interested in articles on how to play the game, profiles/bios of professional golfers, etc. Narrative essays preferred. Story Length: 1000–2000 words.

Submission Deadline: December 15, 2009

Finalist Notification:December 31, 2009

Chicken Soup for the Soul®

Chicken Soup for the Soul® adds new titles all the time. They provide a publishing outlet to help real people share real stories reflecting hope, courage, inspiration, and love. Before submitting, read Chicken Soup for the Soul®'s writing guidelines to discover the winning recipe for their stories.

A Book of Miracles

Everyone has experienced extraordinary events in their lives that cause wonder and astonishment. Perhaps the only explanation is divine intervention. The true stories in this multi-faith book will awe you with examples of amazing coincidences and prove to you that miracles do happen every day.

Submission Deadline: May 30, 2009

All in the Family

These serious or hilarious, oh so true stories will touch your heart and make you see that even in the most difficult situations, other families are not all that different from your own. Share your stories with others who may realize we all have the same in-laws, siblings, parents, etc. Submit under your real name, but rest assured we expect most of you to use pen names for publication and change the names of family members to protect the innocent (or guilty!).