Author: | Nola | Published: | over 9 years ago |
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Tags: | autobiography, memoir, shorts, magazines, anthologies, devotions, inspirational, outlets, true stories, life stories | Category: | Writing tips |
My Life as a Tap-Dancing Astronaut is a great title for a memoir, but will the public be interested? Try writing some short pieces first (e.g. magazine articles, true stories for anthologies or devotions for religious publications). There are a number of benefits.
When writing shorts, always follow the required guidelines (e.g. word limit, format). If it’s a magazine, read past copies so you know the types of stories they accept. You can often find sample articles or issues online. Before submitting, ensure that your prose is the best it can be. Constructive critique from others is indispensable.
Here are a few outlets for your short autobiographical pieces. (Click on the links for guidelines).
Reader’s Digest - They accept contributions for the following sections: Anecdotes and Jokes, Smart Animals, Power of Good, and My Story.
Chicken Soup for the Soul – They have new anthologies coming out all the time (see the Possible Book Topics and Guidelines tabs on that page). They’re currently seeking submissions on dreams, hope and miracles, volunteering, Christmas stories, support for mental health professionals, gratitude to mothers and taking time to thrive.
Take 5 and That’s Life – These magazines typically look for stories with a bit more drama. For example, a recent issue of Take 5 included ‘I woke up with a knife in my chest’. However, the same issue also ran a story about a boy who’d donated a kidney to his grandmother. You have to complete a free registration on these sites before you can submit a story.
Guideposts – This magazine is always looking for inspirational stories of hope and faith.
The Upper Room – This daily Christian magazine accepts short devotions that describe how one of your experiences relates to scripture. I’ve had four devotions published in that one. You can access them by typing my name in the search box on the home page. You might have to register for free first.
There are many other outlets of course. I’d be interested in hearing about any you’d recommend.
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