I’ve Been In 17 Chicken Soup Collections. If You Want to Break In, Here’s My Advice
When they learn that I’ve been in 17 Chicken Soup for the Soul collections, writers often ask me for advice about how they can get into 17 Chicken Soup for the Soul collections. Here’s what I tell them:
Shorter is Better
The official word limit is 1,200 words. None of my submissions were over 800 words, and the CSFTS editors trimmed almost all of them. Do not submit your 5K word masterpiece.
Stay on Topic
The Possible Topics Page lists (and describes) the topics of upcoming books. If the editors want essays about cats, don’t send them an essay about your dog. “But my essay also has a cat in it!” you protest. “And it’s a really good essay!” It may well be — but not for this book. The editors receive hundreds of essays that are on topic. Don’t waste their time by sending them work that isn’t.
Get the Tone Right
Chicken Soup is not the place for your darkest, edgiest work. Your story can be thought-provoking, sad or serious, but it also has to be an enjoyable read. It’s okay to bring tears to a reader’s eyes — it’s not okay to make them want to jump off the roof. If your story is a downer, it doesn’t belong here. The right tone? Upbeat. Warm. Inspirational. (Humor is good too.)
