The Comfort & Power of Story: Open Call for Submissions

The critically acclaimed and top-selling series A Cup of Comfort provides a welcome home-- and an excellent paid and highly visible publishing opportunity--for personal essays and compelling creative nonfiction stories.

Each Cup of Comfort anthology features 50-60 soul-stirring true stories about the experiences and relationships that comfort, inspire, and enrich our lives. Written by people from all walks of life, these slice-of-life stories are carefully selected for publication based on originality, creativity, emotional impact, and substance.

Submissions are currently being sought for the following three volumes, and additional volumes are planned.

A CUP OF COMFORT FOR FAITH
Inspirational true stories of personal relationship with God. Possible themes: power of prayer; evidence of God’s holy grace; miracles; divine intervention; enlightening “messages” and “calls to action” from God; affirmation of religious teachings/scriptures in daily life; finding or reclaiming one’s faith; communion with religious brethren; good works of God’s servants. Traditional organized religions only.
Submission Deadline: July 15, 2004

A CUP OF COMFORT FOR LOVE
Heartwarming true "love stories" for and about couples, lovers, soul mates. Possible themes: puppy love; true love; new love; enduring love; first love; unrequited love; the love of one’s life; mature love; rekindled love; friends become lovers; unique engagement, wedding, anniversary experiences; turning points and milestones in a marriage/partnership; defining moments and “aha” moments that spark, shape, or strengthen a love relationship. Romantic love only; not platonic friendships.
Submission Deadline: August 15, 2004

A CUP OF COMFORT FOR SPIRITUALITY
Soulful, personal stories about enlightening and enriching spiritual experiences and relationships. Possible themes include: gifts of spiritual teachers/mentors; soul-nurturing spiritual practices and rituals; discovering a spiritual path, divine truth, or kindred spirit; receiving and actualizing (putting into positive action) a spiritual lesson or epiphany; divine intervention and direction; evidence of the presence of a higher spirit; the awakening and/or deepening of one's inner spirit; enlightening, life-defining, or life-changing spiritual experiences. All benevolent spiritual paths and religions welcome.
Submission Deadline: December 31, 2004

Stories must be original, positive, true, in English, and 1000-2000 words in length.

Aspiring and published writers welcome.

Entrants pay NO entry or reading fees.

One $500 grand prize per book; $100 each, all other published stories; complimentary copy of book.

Guidelines: www.cupofcomfort.com (click on "Share Your Story"); or email request cupofcomfort@adamsmedia.com; or mail SASE to Cup of Comfort, Adams Media, 57 Littlefield Rd., Avon, Massachusetts, 02322