So, it’s Random Acts of Publicity Week and as it happens, I’ve been meaning to give away a copy of Chicken Soup For the Soul’s Married Life! for the longest time.
Now, honestly, those Chicken Soup people sell those books by the fistfuls, so they probably don’t need my random act of publicity. But I like those Chicken Soup people, so they’re getting a little publicity, anyway.
In fact, I like them so much, I’ll give away TWO copies if I get over 15 commenters. So, why should you comment? Well, let’s see…
If you’ve ever thought you could write a great Chicken Soup kind of story, then reading essays from Chicken Soup books will give you an idea of how your story should be presented. Mostly, you’ll see that, even though you’re writing an essay, it’s important to have a beginning, a middle and an end, just like you would with any story. And I’m going to be really, really honest with you here: it’s about the story. I’ve read a lot of Chicken Soup stories–some of them are beautifully, almost lyrically, written. You can tell there’s a serious writer behind the story. And some of them are very simply written, as if your neighbor’s leaning over the fence, telling you what happened. But they all have a strong beginning, a middle that moves along, and an end that leaves the reader smiling and nodding (or sometimes a little choked up. But still nodding.) Chicken Soup essays say, “Here’s what happened to me.” And Chicken Soup readers say, “Yes, yes. I know exactly what she/he’s talking about. I’ve been there, too.”
Of course, every story strives to find a universal theme so that the reader feels a connection. It’s just that with Chicken Soup, you only have to read about 700 to 800 words to get there. So you get a book with 100 moments of happiness.
Which brings me to the other reason why you may want to comment: Chicken Soup for the Soul’s Married Life is a bunch of stories about fun, family and wedded bliss. I’m not sure if “bliss” and “fun” and “family” really belong together, but maybe that’s just the Hall crowd. I’m sure you’ll find all kinds of stories that will make you laugh out loud and say, “Yes, yes. I know exactly what he/she’s talking about. I’ve been there, too.”
And really, who doesn’t want to laugh out loud at the foibles of the Beneficent Mr. Hall and his lovely, not to mention hilarious wife, me?
So leave a comment. Share a little publicity love and tell me something about a Chicken Soup for the Soul book. And remember, the more comments, the more books I’m giving away. I don’t even know when I’m drawing the name(s)…perhaps I’ll just keep it going all month long. Or at least until I find where I put all my Chicken Soup for the Soul’s Married Life! books.
Cathy C. Hall Writes 
OK. You got me. The honest truth is that I’ve never read a single Chicken Soup story.
If the big random chooser in the sky chooses to let me win a copy, I will read, study, and write and submit a story.
These are actually the kinds of stories I love to tell. I think. I can’t be sure since I’ve never read them.
🙂
why in the heck does my link here always go to my blog from 2005? I’m logging out and seeing if I can change that action.
Looks like you got it straightened out, Sally. (I had to tweak mine to get it to go to my blog. How weird is that?)
And P.S. I think you’ve got a TON of great stories to tell. And P.P.S. They pay 200 bucks. Just sayin’. 🙂
Hi Cathy!
How timely that I read your post today. I’ve been lucky enough to receive an email from the lovely people of Chicken Soup last week. They have picked up a story of mine called “The Road Less Traveled” for their Chicken Soup For The Soul: Angels Among Us edition that will be coming out January 2013.
I love their books and don’t have this one…yet…;~)
Donna L Martin
http://www.donnalmartin.com
http://www.donasdays.blogspot.com
BIG congrats, Donna! (And good luck!)
Okay, if we try to jack up the number of comments by each individual leaving multiple comments, would that be okay?
Just askin’.
So…what’s your answer? 😉
Seriously, I’d love to win a copy, and perhaps someone will use one of your stories as a springboard for one of the 20th anniversary stories. You never know…
Hahahahaa! Nice try, Sioux. I don’t know if you’d use one of *these* stories, Sioux. You did see that part about foibles, right? 😉
This is a great post for anyone interesting in writing for Chicken Soup. You really summed everything up nicely. I’d love to win a copy – I’m sure the stories in this one will be lots of fun.
More fun than a barrel of married monkeys Deb! (Good luck!)
Hey Cathy C! Did I tell you I wrote about Chicken Soup for the Soul….and real food…?? http://beckypovich.blogspot.com/2012/08/chicken-soup-for-souland-body.html
No, but I’m off to check it out–though I have a funny feeling I’ll just be cheering OTHER people on for this one. 😉
You know I’ll read anything if you’re byline is in it, but as it happens I do like Chicken Soup for the Soul books. So please, count me in. 🙂
Oops…*your*…there should be an edit button on these things. 🙂
Okay, Lisa, putting TWO comments will not give you two chances. But nice try, acting like you “accidentally” wrote you’re. 😉
Pingback: This ‘n That Thursday Looks at …(Whatever Could It Be?) « Cathy C. Hall
Hey Cathy,
Dang it. I thought I’d already posted a comment here, but I guess my memory is a bit fuzzy. I’d really, really, really like to win a copy of the CS book with your story in it. I’ll post a link on my blog today.
Hope I’m not too late to the party.
Donna
You’re not too late, Donna! And I really, really, really hope I remember to pick a winner this week. 😉
Whew. I thought I mised the boat–or the book as it may be. I posted a link to your contest on my blog this morning, so I hope it gets lots of folks to come visit. Cheers!
Lately I have read a few Chicken Soup for the Soul books. I have liked them so much that I have gone out and bought them and given them to my sisters and my sister-in-law.
One I really enjoyed is the one about Christmas and Miracles. I have read another one regarding the Law of Attraction. I thought that was very interesting. I keep it by my beside and refer to it every now and again.
Well, Maureen, do you see that name right above you in the comments? I bet you read her story in one of your Christmas Chicken Soup books! 😉 (Good luck!)
Count me in. Most recently I’ve read the CS books that my critique friends are published in… can’t remember the names now, one was about dogs. Oh and I was in the cooking section of B&N and saw CS about getting in shape that I believe Linda and Lisa were in.
Hey Lynn! You have a prolific critique group! You’ll be joining them soon in a CS book, I just know it!
I’ve got a few of their books. One of their books about dogs was so sad, I couldn’t read them all, they made me cry. Well, looks like I might have missed out on the Angels Among Us call out. I see where someone posted that they heard from them already on that one. I submitted a story to it, but haven’t heard back from them. Oh well.
Yeah, I know what you mean, Janet–no go for me, too. But we’ll get ’em next time, right? 🙂
Love to read and love Chicken Soup stories. Hope it’s not to late to be included in the countdown. Nice of you to share!
Not too late at all, Alice. Glad you stopped by and good luck!