Greeting Card Opportunity: Dig Out Those Old Photos and Tap Your Funny Bone

I have a great opportunity to share with you. Believe me, I'm tempted to keep this one to myself because I hope to take advantage of it myself and would rather not have any more competition than necessary. But hey, I love you guys too much and I'd feel guilty if I didn't tell you about it.

A couple weeks ago, I was at my local Hallmark store and saw a rack of greeting cards by Shade Tree Greetings. I started browsing and found myself laughing out loud. Some were cute, and some were downright hilarious. Warning (actually, a disclaimer): some were also not exaclty squeaky clean. Just letting you know up front. Nothing terrible, but these cards definitely can't be considered "Christian."

Anyway, the front of the cards are real pictures submitted by real people like you and me. The ones I looked at were probably from the fifties and sixties and they were so funny! So I turned the card over and saw their website listed, along with a statement that they accept freelance submissions.

Well, yesterday I finally got around to checking out their site. And it looks like a wonderful opportunity to send in either your photos or your humorous verse. You can even submit your verse for several specific photos already posted on their website. They are looking for photographs taken from 1940 - 1975 (my mom and I have some doozies and can't wait to dig through our pile!).

Shade Tree Greetings pays $50 for each photo and each verse they use. One note: they do go through a period of market review, so the process can be lengthy. But who cares? I mean really, how fun would it be to see an old family photo on the front of a national greeting card?

For more information about Shade Tree Greetings, visit their website.

Quick links:

Photo Guidelines

Funny Verse Guidelines

Sample Cards

Good luck! Be sure to come back and let me know if your work is accepted!

The Ultimate Opportunity

I came across a great opportunity and I want to share it with you guys. Recently, I posted information on The Chicken Soup series. But here is another series that you may be interested in submitting to.

Health Communications, Inc.(Or, HCI) has been named by Publishers Weekly as the #1 Self-help publisher and many of their books, including many Chicken Soup for the Soul titles, have gone on to the New York Times best seller list.

The Ultimate series made its debut in November, 2008. The website informs us that: "Each title in the ULTIMATE series features talented writers who express the texture and nuances of everyday life full-color photography that tells a story without wordsthe insight and knowledge of top experts and mentors in specific topics of interest to readers."

For a list of previously published and soon-to-be-published titles, click HERE.

Now for YOUR opportunity. The three books currently under development are The Ultimate Pastor, The Ultimate Runner, and The Ultimate Bird Lover. Suggestions for chapter topics are posted HERE.

They are looking for not only stories, but photographs, as well. So this is an excellent opportunity for both writers and photographers.

The deadline for submitting your work for these three Ultimate books has been extended until August 15. Publication date is scheduled for Spring, 2010.

I know what you're wondering...if my entry is selected, will I get paid? The answer is YES you will!

Here is the pay structure:

$200 per story (500-1500 words)
$200 for expert "must-know" info (750-1800 words)
$50 per "words of advice" (less than 200 words)
$200 per interior full-page (1725 x 2666 px at 300 dpi) photo

You will also receive credit for your work, including a bio, one copy of the book per story or photo, and a generous discount on purchasing additional copies from the publisher.

Quick links:

FAQ'S

BASIC GUIDELINES for submitting

STORY AND PHOTO SAMPLES

HCI HOME PAGE

Freelance Opportunity ... Chicken Soup for the Soul

Before I tell you about a great opportunity with Chicken Soup for the Soul, I have to share... Last Thursday, I had another story accepted by LIVE. That makes two in about a month. They won't appear until next May and June, but who cares? LIVE is published by Gospel Publishing and is a weekly Adult Sunday School take-home paper for members of Assemblies of God. The pay is good and "on acceptance" and, so far, they've been great to work with. With both submissions, I heard back within a few days and received my contract and payment very quickly. Here's the link if you'd like to check it out and consider submitting something yourself. Scroll down for the LIVE guidelines: LIVE WRITER'S GUIDELINES

OK. Now that I've tooted (my own horn, that is), on to another great opportunity. Chicken Soup for the Soul is a (still) wildly popular series with dozens of books on various topics. If you browse the shelf of Chicken Soup books, you'll certainly find something that relates - and appeals - to you. I have many friends who have had work published in Chicken Soup books. It's a wonderful opportunity and if you have a story to share, and can write it in a way that makes readers slurp it up, either by laughing or crying, chances are good that you will be able to add "Chicken Soup author" to your writing resume'.

So I've always wanted to submit to this series but I've never done it. But, in looking over some of the upcoming titles, I'm thinking now is the time. I can definitely think of a couple of stories from my life that would fit quite nicely under these topics. So look over the list, then click on over to the website to check out the SUBMISSION GUIDELINES. Pay close attention to the deadlines. A couple are coming up very soon!

By the way, if you have a story you'd love to share but are not a writer, I would love to write it for you! If interested, please feel free to contact me. :-)

Good luck!


A Book of Miracles Everyone has experienced extraordinary events in their lives that cause wonder and astonishment. Perhaps the only explanation is divine intervention. The true stories in this multi-faith book will awe you with examples of amazing coincidences and prove to you that miracles do happen every day. The deadline date for story submissions is July 31, 2009.

All in the Family These serious or hilarious, oh so true stories will touch your heart and make you see that even in the most difficult situations, other families are not all that different from your own. Share your stories with others who may realize we all have the same in-laws, siblings, parents, etc. Submit under your real name, but rest assured we expect most of you to use pen names for publication and change the names of family members to protect the innocent (or guilty!). The deadline date for story submissions is June 30, 2009.

Christmas and Holidays - Ho Ho Ho We love the holidays! They are a magical time of the year; a time of family, friends and traditions. They can bring special joy and unexpected blessings into our lives. Please share your Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa stories with us... stories that will touch the souls and warm the hearts of our readers. The deadline date for story submissions is January 15, 2010.

Dieting and Fitness Eat less - exercise more! We have all heard these simple words but, in reality, dieting and staying fit require a lot of work. Tell us about your commitment to health and fitness. What changes did you make in your eating habits? What kind of an exercise program did you follow that made the difference? Were you still able to treat yourself to that occasional delicious piece of chocolate cake and stay in shape? The true stories in this book will inspire you, make you laugh, touch your heart, and let you know that you can do it! The deadline date for story submissions is September 30, 2009.

Endurance Sports (run,cycle,swim) Whether you are a triathlete, a duathlete, or you just love to swim, run, or cycle, we want to hear about your sports, your races, and how endurance sports fit into your life, whether you are an amateur, a student athlete, or a pro. The deadline date for story submissions is September 30, 2009.

Grieving and Recovery Grieving is a difficult process that those who have lost a loved one must go through in order to get to the recovery phase. This important collection of stories will be like a support group that will offer comfort and understanding and show you that, no matter how devastating your loss is, you are not alone. You can get through the process and, with time, you will regain your strength and move forward with your life. The deadline date for story submissions is March 31, 2010.

Mothers and Daughters Mothers and daughters… they are, at the same time, very similar and also completely unique. Mothers show daughters who they will become. Daughters live out mothers’ dreams. Through birth, childhood, teen years, adulthood, grandchildren, aging, and every step in between, this relationship can be the best, the hardest, and the sweetest. The deadline date for story submissions is December 31, 2009.

NASCAR Everyone loves great stories about families working and playing together, grit and perseverance, and fast cars! We are collecting stories for the ultimate NASCAR book, coming out in February 2010, in time for the new season. We are excited to have well-known NASCAR columnist Cathy Elliott editing the book. The deadline for story submissions is June 30, 2009.

Not Really Retired This book will share humorous and fun stories from those who are actively enjoying their "senior years!" Tell us about your new careers, your volunteer work, your sports, your travels, and those things you always wanted to do that you are finally doing. The deadline date for story submissions is June 30, 2009.

Teacher Tales We have all had that one teacher who has made a difference in our lives. And teachers, remember that one student who made you know why you decided to be a teacher and who you will never forget? We are looking for stories from both teachers and students that will tell that unforgettable story. The deadline date for story submissions is August 31, 2009.

Thanks Dad We are looking for stories of thanks from “children” of all ages about their dads. These stories of innumerable joys and challenges will touch your heart, make you laugh, inspire you and remind you that it doesn’t matter how old you are, the job of a parent never ends. The deadline date for story submissions is June 30, 2009.

Thanks Mom We are looking for stories of thanks from “children” of all ages about their moms. These stories of innumerable joys and challenges will touch your heart, make you laugh, inspire you and remind you that it doesn’t matter how old you are, the job of a parent never ends. The deadline date for story submissions is June 30, 2009.

Christian Markets

In a recent blog post, I mentioned that I have been submitting more of my work to paying markets. My goal is to always have at least five to ten stories or articles out for consideration at any given time. This should not be a problem since at this moment I have at least seventy articles and stories sitting idle in my computer.

Many of these pieces are former FaithWriters Challenge entries. A couple days ago, someone asked me if we're allowed to publish our entries elsewhere after they are posted in the Challenge. The answer is ABSOLUTELY! Even if your entry placed in the top ten and will be published in an upcoming quarterly anthology, the only rights that FaithWriters asks for are One-Time rights. This means that FaithWriters wants permission to publish it once. But the piece is still yours to use in any way you choose.

A couple months ago, I had a previous #1 entry accepted by Mature Living. Well, accepted in the sense that they are holding onto it until they can use it. I won't actually get paid until then but that's ok. I have faith that it will happen. If nothing comes of it within a year, I'll send a quick email, requesting the status, and go from there.

Most recently, I submitted a former Challenge entry to Disciples World. They responded within a couple days that although the story was well-written, they no longer publish fiction.

Bummer.

But, I didn't allow myself to wallow. I chose another publication (LIVE) and sent it off again that day. Two days later, I heard back that my story was accepted. This time, my check is in the mail. Woo-hoo!

Currently, I have five stories or queries out there that I'm waiting to hear back on. Stay tuned...

In the meantime, I thought I'd list just a few of the hundreds of Christian markets available for you to check out. If you have never submitted to a magazine before, I challenge you to take the plunge. Read over the guidelines carefully and go for it. You have nothing to lose and a bigger resume' to gain!

Good luck!

ALIVE NOW!

BIBLE ADVOCATE

CATHOLIC DIGEST

CATHOLIC FORESTER

CHARISMA AND CHRISTIAN LIFE

CHRISTIAN HOME & SCHOOL

DECISION MAGAZINE

DISCIPLESHIP JOURNAL

DISCIPLES WORLD

GUIDEPOSTS MAGAZINE

HARUAH

HOMESCHOOLING MAGAZINE

IN TOUCH

THE LOOKOUT

THE LUTHERAN DIGEST

NOW WHAT?

RELEVANT MAGAZINE

SEEK

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