Being Published in Chicken Soup for the Soul is a Big Deal

I have several friends who are writers. However, the majority of my friends and loved ones know nothing about the writing industry. When I told my extended family that Chicken Soup for the Soul had accepted my story, one of my relatives asked, “What’s Chicken Soup for the Soul?”

I was shocked because I thought everyone had heard of this great publication. My cousin explained the book, while I tried to figure out how to express the magnitude of an honor being accepted into one of the Chicken Soup books is. I settled on saying that it’s the World Series or Super Bowl of short nonfiction. Many people try, but few make the cut.

Chicken Soup for the Soul doesn’t believe in negativity, so they don’t send out rejection notices. Their website says you can assume they won’t use your story if you haven’t heard from them within 60 days of the on-sale date. I’m proof that there are exceptions.

I sent “Dollhouse” to them in January of 2018 for their 2018 Christmas book. When I didn’t hear anything from them by October of last year, I assumed they didn’t want to use it. I’ve never been so happy to be wrong. I received notification of my acceptance 15 months after I submitted my story.

Chicken Soup for Soul is known as a quality, family friendly publication. All of the stories must be true, 1200 words or less, and wholesome, funny, or heartwarming. I’ve submitted my work to them before, but this is the first time they accepted anything.

I’m proud to have “Dollhouse” published in Chicken Soup for the Soul. Billie Holladay Skelley, my friend and fellow Chicken Soup for the Soul author, will be signing books with me at a joint book signing on Saturday, November 9, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Our book signing is being held at Always Buying Books, 5357 North Main Street in Joplin, Missouri. We’d love to see you there!

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