*Call courtesy of Tooth Soup

Soundzine is a

literary e-zine that features poetry and prose from around the world accompanied by spoken recordings of each piece by the author or a voice actor, and artwork specifically chosen by an artistic director to complement the imagery present in the piece.

Soundzine is now up to its tenth  issue, and we’re again looking for submissions to join our ever-growing archive of excellent spoken word. To celebrate our milestone we moved into new digs at http://www.soundzine.net where our ‘Green’ themed tenth issue can now be perused, consumed, or ambled through at your leisure. I think you’ll agree that the quality of poetry and prose that can be found throughout all of the issues is of a high standard, and the added bonus of actually hearing the words spoken aloud is one that is rare in e-journals.

Soundzine is now looking for submissions to its eleventh issue, with the theme of ‘Sapphic’. Anything related to Sapphic goes. By Lesbians. About Lesbians. About Sappho. In Sapphics. Be Sapphic.

In my role as prose editor at Soundzine, I’m looking for any short stories or flash fiction you wish to send in. We have an 800 word maximum (mainly to keep reading times, and therefore file sizes, manageable) and we follow the Voiceworks school of thought with respect to the theme, i.e.:

• Themed work = good
• Good work = better
• Good, themed work = BEST

So if you don’t feel like you can write to our theme, don’t worry! Send in your best work and we’ll see what we can do about getting you into our next issue.

Prose submissions can be sent to prose [at] soundzine [dot] net, while everything else (poetry, articles, pitches) can be sent to submissions [at] soundzine [dot] org and we have a pretty quick turnaround on everything. The due date for issue 11 is June 15th.

Please, tell your friends, retweet this, and get the word around. I’ll be posting further calls as we get closer to the deadline. If you have any further questions regarding submissions, feel free to contact me on twitter @toothsoup. Now g’arn, get writing. (:

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Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive
101 Inspirational Stories about Counting Your Blessings and Having a Positive Attitude

This title is a continuation of the theme of our very popular past titles – Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Tough Times, Tough People. We are looking for stories of optimism, faith and strength to encourage our readers to think positive in these challenging times.

What was the situation that inspired you to think positive? What changes did you make in your attitude — from negative to positive — that turned your life around? These inspirational stories will remind readers to focus on hope and show them that each day holds something to be grateful for.

Here are some suggested topics, but we know you can think of many more:

Attitude! It does make a difference
The unexpected benefits of challenges
Putting things in perspective
Turning negative into positive
How you spread the message of gratitude to others
Lighten up and laugh!
What made you realize that your life is good and that you are grateful
Silver linings that you have discovered
Appreciating the simple pleasures
… Anything else that you think that is interesting and inspirational
If your story is chosen, you will be a published author and your bio will be printed in the book if you so choose. You will also receive a check for $200 and 10 free copies of your book, worth more than $100. You will retain the copyright for your story and you will retain the right to resell it.

SUBMISSIONS GO TO http://chickensoup.com
Select the Submit Your Story link on the left tool bar and follow the directions.

DEADLINE IS APRIL 30, 2010.

…Results Stories…
Have you read a particular Chicken Soup story and, after reading it, found that it changed your life? We are looking for stories on how a story made important changes in your life and what specifically happened to you after you read it. Please be sure to let us know the title of the story that touched your life. ***Please note: If you do not see a book title that fits your story, do not submit it to us at this time. Keep the story in your files and keep checking back with us. We are adding new titles all of the time. Hopefully we will add one soon that will be perfect for your story. Please remember that our editors can only consider stories for the titles listed on our Possible Book Topics list. In the case of “Results Stories,” they will only consider stories having to do specifically with this topic and description above.

Grandmothers
Everyone has a great story about the unconditional love between grandmothers and their grandchildren. We are looking for wonderful stories celebrating grandmothers and grandchildren, written by grandmothers about being a grandmother, and by grandchildren about their grandmothers. Stories about stepgrandmothers and honorary grandmothers are welcomed also. We are not looking for stories from children so please save those for a future book. The deadline date for story submissions is March 31, 2010.

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.

My Cat’s Life
As many of you know this title was going to focus on the grieving and recovery process we humans go through after the loss of a beloved cat. However, despite the many heartwarming and inspirational stories you have submitted, we decided that the topic is too narrow. In its new form the book will focus on all the memorable ages and stages our cat’s lives. Starting with kittens, it will cover the prime years, aging cats, and finally the twilight and the end, when our dear friends leave us. We want to capture the experience of living through the natural life cycle with our cats. Because of the title’s initial form we expect to have a nice large section on grieving and recovery (which isn’t filled despite our collecting submissions!). The deadline date for story submissions is March 30, 2010.

My Dog’s Life
As many of you know this title was going to focus on the grieving and recovery process we humans go through after the loss of a family dog. However, despite the many heartwarming and inspirational stories you have submitted, we decided that the topic is too narrow. In its new form the book will focus on all the memorable ages and stages of our dog’s lives. Starting in puppyhood it will cover a range of middle years, senior dogs, and finally the twilight and the end, when our dear friends leave us. We want to capture the experience of living through the natural life cycle with our dogs. Because of the title’s initial form we expect to have a nice large section on grieving and recovery (which isn’t filled despite our collecting submissions!). The deadline for story submissions is March 30, 2010.

Preteens
The preteen years – those years from nine to twelve can be rough from both a physical and emotional perspective. You are not a kid anymore but you are not yet a teen. There are so many issues to deal with and sometimes it feels like you are all alone. You are not! The stories in this book – almost all of them written by preteens just like you – will prove that to you. We are looking for stories that will inspire you, make you laugh, make you think and let you know that life is not as bad as it might seem. The deadline date for story submissions is June 30, 2010.

Teens
A completely new book on one of our most requested topics – TEENS. The stories in this book, written almost entirely by teens, will be stories that you will want to read again and again. They will serve as your guide on topics such as the daily pressures of life, love, school, friendships, parents and much more. We are looking for stories that will encourage you, inspire you, make you laugh, make you cry and show you that, as tough as things can get, you are not alone. The deadline date for story submissions is June 30, 2010.

Thank you!

Click Here to Submit Your Story

…Results Stories…
Have you read a particular Chicken Soup story and, after reading it, found that it changed your life? We are looking for stories on how a story made important changes in your life and what specifically happened to you after you read it. Please be sure to let us know the title of the story that touched your life.

***Please note: If you do not see a book title that fits your story, do not submit it to us at this time. Keep the story in your files and keep checking back with us. We are adding new titles all of the time. Hopefully we will add one soon that will be perfect for your story. Please remember that our editors can only consider stories for the titles listed on our Possible Book Topics list. In the case of “Results Stories,” they will only consider stories having to do specifically with this topic and description above.

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 February 28, 2010.

Devotionals for Mothers
Being a mom is one of the most challenging — and yet rewarding –jobs a woman can have. With God on your parenting team, the burdens are lighter and the rewards are sweeter. If you have a brief true story (up to 600 words) that shows God’s presence during a parenting moment, please share it along with an applicable Bible verse and a 2-3 sentence prayer. You will receive ten free copies of the book and $100 for each published devotion. The deadline date for submissions is February 28, 2010.

Family Matters
Do you have a great story about a wacky or dysfunctional family member? We know you love them, but it’s still great fun to read about all those crazy relatives and compare them to ours. Chicken Soup for the Soul: All in the Family has been a big hit, so let’s do it again. Send us your stories, funny or serious. 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 February 28, 2010

Grandmothers
Everyone has a great story about the unconditional love between grandmothers and their grandchildren. We are looking for wonderful stories celebrating grandmothers and grandchildren, written by grandmothers about being a grandmother, and by grandchildren about their grandmothers. Stories about stepgrandmothers and honorary grandmothers are welcomed also. We are not looking for stories from children so please save those for a future book. The deadline date for story submissions is March 31, 2010.

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.

My Cat’s Life
As many of you know this title was going to focus on the grieving and recovery process we humans go through after the loss of a beloved cat. However, despite the many heartwarming and inspirational stories you have submitted, we decided that the topic is too narrow. In its new form the book will focus on all the memorable ages and stages our cat’s lives. Starting with kittens, it will cover the prime years, aging cats, and finally the twilight and the end, when our dear friends leave us. We want to capture the experience of living through the natural life cycle with our cats. Because of the title’s initial form we expect to have a nice large section on grieving and recovery (which isn’t filled despite our collecting submissions!). The deadline date for story submissions is March 30, 2010.

My Dog’s Life
As many of you know this title was going to focus on the grieving and recovery process we humans go through after the loss of a family dog. However, despite the many heartwarming and inspirational stories you have submitted, we decided that the topic is too narrow. In its new form the book will focus on all the memorable ages and stages of our dog’s lives. Starting in puppyhood it will cover a range of middle years, senior dogs, and finally the twilight and the end, when our dear friends leave us. We want to capture the experience of living through the natural life cycle with our dogs. Because of the title’s initial form we expect to have a nice large section on grieving and recovery (which isn’t filled despite our collecting submissions!). The deadline for story submissions is March 30, 2010.

New Moms
Becoming a new mom is the most amazing experience, unique and unlike any other. From the moment that baby is placed in your arms, there is an incredible feeling only a new mother can know. This book celebrates the physical, emotional, and spiritual experience of having a child and creating a family. We are looking for heartwarming, insightful, and humorous stories about raising babies and toddlers that share with our readers the wonders of early motherhood. The deadline for story submissions is February 28, 2010.

Preteens
The preteen years – those years from nine to twelve can be rough from both a physical and emotional perspective. You are not a kid anymore but you are not yet a teen. There are so many issues to deal with and sometimes it feels like you are all alone. You are not! The stories in this book – almost all of them written by preteens just like you – will prove that to you. We are looking for stories that will inspire you, make you laugh, make you think and let you know that life is not as bad as it might seem. The deadline date for story submissions is June 30, 2010.

Teens
A completely new book on one of our most requested topics – TEENS. The stories in this book, written almost entirely by teens, will be stories that you will want to read again and again. They will serve as your guide on topics such as the daily pressures of life, love, school, friendships, parents and much more. We are looking for stories that will encourage you, inspire you, make you laugh, make you cry and show you that, as tough as things can get, you are not alone. The deadline date for story submissions is June 30, 2010.

Thank you!

Click Here to Submit Your Story

Submission Guidelines

We are currently accepting submissions for 2010 – 2011.

FICTION:

* Improperly formatted manuscripts will be immediately rejected. Electronic submissions are preferred.*

* Stories from 500 to 5000 words, query for longer. Must be in the Horror/Dark Fantasy and Dark Mystery veins (no straight Science Fiction, Mystery, Fan Fiction, or Sword & Sorcery).

* Looking for well-written, powerful, original ideas and new twists on old Horror conventions. Vampire and werewolf stories are a tough sell, but we are open to those with an original twist. Especially looking for stories that examine the darker side of the human condition, but we are also interested in supernatural tales. New writers are welcome to submit. Please consider purchasing a sample copy to see what type of stories we are publishing.

PAYMENT:

* Three ($.03) to five ($.05) a word (The minimum payment is $25 and the maximum payment is $150).

* Payment is within 60 days of publication. Rights revert to author upon publication. No Simultaneous submissions (to other publications). One story submission at a time (please wait to send another story until your current one has been responded to!). Response time is 3-4 months.

INTERVIEWS/NONFICTION:

* Looking for interviews with established & newer personalities with recognition in the Horror/Dark Fantasy and related fields. Payment for interviews in copies only. Query for details.

* Also looking for relevant non-fiction articles by new & established writers. Query first, please. Payment varies (usually $.03 to $.05 a word). Simultaneous submissions okay, one at a time – same as above.

ARTWORK:

* Looking for original art in Horror/Dark Fantasy style, B&W or Color. Final format for publication: 300DPI minimum, TIFF preferred. B&W illustrations should be formatted for Grayscale. For queries, it is OK to send JPG in email.

* Payment is $25 – $50 for small interior art plus two copies and up to $150 plus two copies for a cover piece. Payment within 60 days of publication. Simultaneous submissions OK. Will look at multiple art subs, but please query first before sending to make sure it’s okay. Rights revert to Artist upon publication.

Moot Mag – Today’s Amazing Stories is a fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, and humor magazine whose stories are illustrated with the finest digital art. Moot Mag could be compared to the old pulp mags and the Onion for it’s attitude and satire, but Moot’s focus is the paranormal, supernatural, and oddity. Moot Mag is also an extension of Moot Movie. Check out MootMagMovie.com to be sure this is for you.

We are seeking writers and an editor for our first issue to be released at WonderCon in San Francisco this April. Please send resume and samples that reflect a unique edgy point of view.

We have specific 500-1000 word articles and stories that need to be written.
Immediate availability.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Family Matters
101 Unforgettable Stories about Our Nutty but Lovable Families

Our first book on dysfunctional and weird family members, Chicken Soup for the Soul: All in the Family, has been a big hit, so let’s do it again! Susan Heim will join our team once again to deliver another volume of 101 outrageous stories about our families.

We all have that certain someone in our own family who, while usually lovable, is nutty or outrageous. A parent, an in-law, a brother or sister, an aunt, uncle or cousin. You know who they are! We are looking for true stories and poems about those family members. We would like your stories to be outrageous, hilarious, or just plain weird, but we know that there are serious issues too. All of the stories should help readers understand that their families are not so different from other families.

Submit under your real name, but rest assured we expect many of you to use pen names for publication and change the names of family members to protect the innocent (or guilty!). Stories and poems must be written in the first person and should be no more than 1,200 words. Please, no ‘creative writing’ as these must be true firsthand accounts.

Here are some suggested topics, but we know you can think of many more, since there is no way we can think of all the ways that families can be nutty:

Wedding woes
Compulsions and obsessions
Holiday meltdowns
Mean or controlling family members
Funny foibles
Funeral flare-ups
Estate issues
Vacationing together
Annoying habits
… Anything else that you think is interesting about your outrageous relatives
We are not looking for stories about the normal trials and tribulations of raising children and teenagers. We already know your kids do weird things, since ours did too! We want these stories to be outrageous and about out-of-the-ordinary situations.

If your story is chosen, you will be a published author and your bio will be printed in the book if you so choose. You will also receive a check for $200 and 10 free copies of your book, worth more than $100. You will retain the copyright for your story and you will retain the right to resell it.

SUBMISSIONS GO TO http://chickensoupforthesoul.com/form.asp?cid=submit_story.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Dog’s Life
101 Stories about All the Ages and Stages of Our Canine Companions

As many of you know this title was going to focus on the grieving and recovery process we humans go through after the loss of a family dog. However, despite the many heartwarming and inspirational stories you have submitted, we decided that the topic is too narrow.

We have added to the book and changed the title to Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Dog’s Life: 101 Stories about All the Ages and Stages of Our Canine Companions. In it’s new form the book will focus on all the memorable ages and stages of our dog’s lives. Starting in puppyhood it will cover a range of middle years, senior dogs, and finally the twilight and the end, when our dear friends leave us. We want to capture the experience of living through the natural life cycle with our dogs. Because of the title’s initial form we expect to have a nice large section on grieving and recovery (which isn’t filled despite our collecting submissions!).

We are looking for true stories and poems written in the first person of no more than 1,200 words. Stories can be serious or humorous, or both. We look forward to reading all the heartwarming, inspirational, funny, crazy stories you have of your dog’s life that we can all relate to.

Here are a few suggested topics:

When you trained your dog to do something, what happened?
Has your dog ever done something that made you laugh out loud? Tell us the story.
How did you get your dog, and how did it change your life?
Have you had more than one dog? How was one different than the other?
Has there been a family situation that your dog took part in that was memorable?
Toddlerhood is a stage that all puppies go through from around three to seven months — how were your dog’s toddler years? How did he/she make you laugh or drive you crazy?
Teenagers, human or canine, can be tough to live with. What did surviving the teenage years, around eight – eighteen months, teach you?
When your dog arrived into his/her young adult and adult years, what did you cherish about the companionship you shared?
The senior years… depending on the breed or breeds your dog is, the senior years begin around age seven. How did you modify your life to care for your aging dog?
Twilight years and the end… it comes to all of us, how did you grieve? How did you recover?
If your story is chosen, you will be a published author and your bio will be printed in the book if you so choose. You will also receive a check for $200 and 10 free copies of your book, worth more than $100. You will retain the copyright for your story.

SUBMISSIONS GO TO http://chickensoupforthesoul.com/form.asp?cid=submit_story.

DEADLINE IS MARCH 30, 2010. Book is scheduled for publication March 2011.

Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Cat’s Life
101 Stories about All the Ages and Stages of Our Feline Family Members

As many of you know this title was going to focus on the grieving and recovery process we humans go through after the loss of a beloved cat. However, despite the many heartwarming and inspirational stories you have submitted, we decided that the topic is too narrow.

We have added to the book and changed the title to Chicken Soup for the Soul: My Cat’s Life: 101 Stories about All the Ages and Stages of Our Feline Family Members. In its new form the book will focus on all the memorable ages and stages our cat’s lives. Starting with kittens, it will cover the prime years, aging cats, and finally the twilight and the end, when our dear friends leave us. We want to capture the experience of living through the natural life cycle with our cats. Because of the title’s initial form we expect to have a nice large section on grieving and recovery (which isn’t filled despite our collecting submissions!).

We are looking for true stories and poems written in the first person of no more than 1,200 words. Stories can be serious or humorous, or both. We look forward to reading all the heartwarming, inspirational, funny, crazy stories you have of your cat’s life that we can all relate to.

Here are a few suggested topics:

Has your cat ever done something that made you laugh out loud? Tell us the story.
How did you get your cat, and how did it change your life?
Have you had/do you have more than one cat? How was one different than the other? How do they relate to each other?
Has there been a family situation that your cat took part in that was memorable?
Teenagers, human or feline, can be tough to live with. What did surviving the teenage years, around eighteen months, teach you?
When your cat arrived into his/her young adult and adult years, what did you cherish about the companionship you shared?
The senior years begin around age seven. What routines have you and your cat established that are the essence of your bond?
Twilight years and the end… it comes to all of us, how did you grieve? How did you recover?
If your story is chosen, you will be a published author and your bio will be printed in the book if you so choose. You will also receive a check for $200 and 10 free copies of your book, worth more than $100. You will retain the copyright for your story.

SUBMISSIONS GO TO http://chickensoupforthesoul.com/form.asp?cid=submit_story.

DEADLINE IS MARCH 30, 2010. Book is scheduled for publication March 2011.