The authors of Chicken Soup are putting together a new Chicken Soup Book called Chicken Soup for the Adopted Soul. They are seeking stories to be used in the book and you can submit your stories for consideration.

The editor of the book is LeAnn Thieman who is an adoptive mother. She lives in Colorado and has edited 8 of the Chicken Soup books thus far.

Once all the submissions are received, LeAnn collects them which is about 2000 stories per book, reads them all and selects the top 200 or so. These top 200 stories are then read by a group of 40 volunteer readers who score them with an 8, 9, or 10 which helps her to narrow the field to the top 100 stories.

Once the top 100 are picked LeAnn recrafts each one to fit the style and tone of the Chicken Soup book. Eighty stories appear in each book.

Chicken Soup for the Adopted Soul will contain stories from the adoption triad. Several stories have already been received on Vietnam adoption but don’t let that stop you from submitting your story. I am only mentioning this so that you are aware that LeAnn is looking for a variety of stories that represent many different types of experiences.

If you are considering submitting your story you might want to check out a copy of a Chicken Soup book from your local library or purchase one at a bookstore. Read 10 or 20 of the stories to get a good feel for the style, tone, and length the editors are looking for. By educating yourself about the books you will put yourself ahead of 90 percent of the people who submit.

The Chicken Soup for the Adopted Soul is a collection of true stories sharing the love, laughter, longing, and life events of adopted families. They are looking for stories writing by kids, parents, extended families, friends, recounting tales of becoming a family, growing up, special occasions, reunions, etc. They are looking for the stories you share that are heart warming, insightful, humorous, and powerfully moving that will make readers laugh, cry, or sigh.

There are some tips or guidelines that you might want to follow to help you write in Chicken Soup style.

Stories must be true, inspirational, 1,000 words or less. They should be positive, universal, and non-controversial. No essays, commentaries, tributes, philosophical or biographical pieces accepted.

Include action and dialogue with the characters expressing their feelings throughout the conflict or situation. It should end in a result, such as a lesson learned, a positive change or pay-off.

Above all, let it come from your heart.

I am not sure if the submission deadline has passed or not but you can check it out further and submit your stories on line at www.chickensoup.com. The book is being planned to be released in March 2008.

Also, if your story is selected a 250 word biography will be be included about you as the author of the story and a permission fee of $200 will be paid. Keep in mind that due to the large volume of stories they receive, only finalists will be notified prior to publication.