Monday Markets

Those of you who know me, know I believe we should collect bylines whenever and wherever we can. Writing credits boost our credibility and our morale. And I love anthologies. I like reading them, trying to write for them, and I like giving them as gifts and door prizes. I particularly enjoy the variety of points of view on the same subject. Sort of like a family. I just came back from visiting my family and I'm amazed how we grew up under the same roof, yet we're so very different. We see everything in a different way. But I digress.

For years I've toyed with the idea of pulling together my own anthology. I jot down ideas, write out the guidelines then put it all away for a few weeks. By the time I get back to it, the idea isn't nearly as appealing to me. . . or I learn that someone has already done it. :)

Check out A Cup of Comfort and their writer's guidelines, but please note that the deadline for A Cup of Comfort for Military Families has passed. If you have a piece you think is suitable you might contact Colleen Sell, the editor. Sometimes deadlines are extended. :)

A Cup of Comfort for New Mothers

Few experiences bring forth as many anxieties, blessings, challenges, wonders, and changes as having a baby-whether it's your first child or fifth, your birth child or adopted child. And nothing is as miraculous as giving birth to or witnessing the birth of your baby. This heartwarming anthology will be filled with birth stories and newborn homecoming stories as well as a wide range of stories about the various experiences, emotions, and concerns involved in adding a new baby to one's life and family. Potential topics include but are not limited to: nursing (or not), caring for a newborn, bonding/falling in love with infant, lack of sleep, relationship with spouse, how siblings respond, returning to work, balancing responsibilities, post-partum depression, self transformation, unexpected joys, life lessons, small miracles, etc. The majority of the stories will be about birth children, but the book will likely include a couple adoptive stories as well. Likewise, most of the stories will be written from the new mother's perspective, but we are open to including a few stories written from the spouse's or a very close family member's perspective. All stories will be uplifting and positive, no matter how difficult the situation portrayed in the story might be. We do not want stories that simply recount misfortunes and sorrows and that do not clearly reveal a positive outcome or redeeming result (silver lining).

Submission Deadline: 4/01/2008
See Writer's Guidelines for additional details.

A Cup of Comfort for Adoptive Families

The primary purpose of this book is to celebrate adoptive families and to recognize the extraordinary and challenging experiences that are unique to "chosen children" and their families. We are most interested in stories written by adult adoptive children and their adoptive parents and siblings, but the book will also likely include some stories written by members of the extended adoptive family (grandparent, aunt/uncle, cousin), close friends of the adoptive family (i.e. godparent), and birth family members. Virtually any topic relevant to adopted children and their adoptive parents is acceptable-as long as it is authentic, positive, insightful, and uplifting or inspiring. We do not want heartbreaking stories about adoptive parents or birth families that regret the adoption; there is a place for stories of that ilk, but this book is not that place. All of the stories in this collection must show a positive aspect of adoption and must bring comfort or joy or inspiration to those who have been adopted and/or to the families who adopted them-no matter how difficult the experience and emotions portrayed in the story might be.

Submission Deadline: 6/15/2008
See Writer's Guidelines for additional details.