Do you serve a great cup of literary comfort?

The editors of the "A Cup of Comfort" book series contacted us because they are now seeking personal essay submissions for the following three new volumes:

A CUP OF COMFORT FOR MILITARY FAMILIES

It has been said that military life is “not for the faint of heart.” But neither is it without its benefits and blessings. The popular Cup of Comfort book series now seeks powerful and positive stories about how military life affects the personal lives of service men and women, how family affects soldiers on the job, and how military life affects families. The stories in A Cup of Comfort for Military Families will cover a wide range of topics and reveal a variety of perspectives, experiences, and emotions specific to military personnel and/or their loved ones. All branches; all ranks; active and veterans.

Submission deadline: March 15, 2008 (extended from March 1)
$500 grand prize; $100 each, all other published stories; plus copy of book

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: April 15, 2008 (extended from April 1)
$500 grand prize; $100 each, all other published stories; plus copy of book

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: June 15, 2008
$500 grand prize; $100 each, all other published stories; plus copy of book

All Cup of Comfort stories must be true, original, and positive; narrative essays (creation nonfiction); and 1,000-2,000 words. Entrants pay no fees. Writer's guidelines: http://www.cupofcomfort.com/share.htm.

From Freckles to Wrinkles: A Sliver Boomer Book ~

From Freckles to Wrinkles: A Silver Boomer Book, is accepting submissions of prose and poetry until April 15 for publication this year. They are looking for stories of lives lived large, or of simple, significant sagas spanning from the Great Depression to September 11. Fiction or memoirs, essays or scenes, poetry, prose, or something in-between, they're interested in stories of ordinary lives lived in extraordinary times. Beyond these simple guidelines, they welcome surprises. They will pay $5 for poetry, and $10 for prose, plus a contributor's copy. If you agree with them that a writer's most productive years are between 60 and 80, and you have achieved this accomplishment, here is a chance to share your wisdom and achieve the public acknowledgment you richly deserve!

Call for Essays - Lamberson Corona Press

Lamberson Corona Press is looking for essay writers for an anthology, details as follows:

First and Last Name: Margaret Shaw
Company: Lamberson Corona Press
E-mail: lambersoncorona@gmail.com
Call Description:Wanted personal essays for an anthology on looking back at childhood or adolescence. Nonfiction essays only. For possible publication. Payment: one copy of the book free and ability to buy other copies at cost. (Which you may sell at full price) Send essay 2,000-4,000 wds via email. No fees. Deadline April 1, 2008 Need essays about disabilities and perceptions of the disabled, gender identification, family stories and changing cultural and family traditions (and anything else. Seeking essays that tell a story rather than just about what it means to be a family, etc. Change over time is especially appropriate. Then and now essays. I'm in New York but with email, this is easy.
Contact: lambersoncorona@gmail.com
Payment: There is no payment unless we actually make a profit from the books which so far has not happened. If it did, there would be royalties. We are a new small press. But authors can buy the books at cost and sell them at a higher price which actually can be more than royalties when there are multiple authors involved. (and of course, this also keeps us from making a profit. Amazon.com and other retailers also take a big percentage of the price so being small we are often lucky to break even.) But profit is not our purpose at this time. We do not yet have a website but are planning to have one soon. All information can be obtained through this email address. Many of our authors are college professors who can use the publication for promotion. I am hoping that I get a few responses to fill out the anthology which is coming together but is only half the size we hoped.

Camp Quest West Essay Contest

If you are a middle school student, or you know a writer who is, this contest might interest you: Camp Quest West is announcing an essay contest whose winner will receive a free campership at Camp Quest West 2008, valued at $390! Simply write a short essay, between 200 and 400 words, on any one of the following intriguing questions:

1. Should Intelligent Design be taught in public schools along with evolution? Why or why not?
2. What, if anything, does evolution tell us about the interconnectedness of life and how we should treat each other?
3. Is science the only way of knowing about the universe, or are there other ways? Explain.

The submitted essay must be entirely the work of a middle school student, with the exception of attributed quotations. Any work that does not meet these qualifications will be disqualified and the deadline is March 15, 2008. Please go to the Camp Quest West website for the application form.
Camp Quest West 2008, for campers aged 8 through 15, will be held at Camp Ross Relles in Nevada City, California, from Sunday July 13 to Saturday July 19. In addition, campers aged 16 and 17 are welcome as "staff in training,"