Tag: Chicken Soup for the Soul

All Write

How to Get a Bowl Full of Chicken Soup

Cindy Hval

Publication credits can be hard to come by for budding authors, but The Chicken Soup for the Soul franchise offers a smorgasbord of publishing opportunities for writers to offer the world a taste of their work.

The franchise produces dozens of volumes each year, offering a paying market for novice and experienced writers alike

My stories have been featured in 13 Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and I’m delighted to share my recipe for a good soup story.

Learn how to get your writing published by this franchise and increase your publication credits on Saturday, October 29, at this free workshop sponsored by the Spokane County Library District’s 6th annual Spokane Writers Conference.

Sign up here today!

All Write

When What You Say Is Not What You Mean

Cindy Hval

So here’s a fun surprise. My story “The Trouble with Words,” featured in the latest collection from Chicken Soup for the Soul Too Funny! is featured on today’s Chicken Soup podcast.

The title of the podcast is When What You Say Is Not What You Mean. Amy Newmark shares a retelling of my mortifying Netflix and Chill debacle around the 4:40 mark.

You can listen to it on the link below or you find it on Apple Podcasts, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.

https://playlist.megaphone.fm?e=ADL3607376699

All Write

It’s Christmas in October!

Cindy Hval

44197842_2005126899525927_1415508645373804544_o[1]

Delighted to have my story “Christmas Miracle” included in Chicken Soup for the Soul’s newest release “The Wonder of Christmas.”

This marks the 11th Chicken Soup for the Soul book to feature one or more of my stories. What makes this one extra special is that “Christmas Miracle” is about our youngest son, Sam. It’s also the first story in the book!

44237962_2005126942859256_3601586117876383744_o[1]

Even better proceeds from the sale of this volume go to Toys for Tots!

The books are on sale now at stores nationwide, or you can click the link in the title above.

Merry Christmas in October,

Cindy

War Bonds

Christmas in October!

Cindy Hval

2016-10-07-10-24-37

I LOVE Christmas and I received an early gift when the UPS man dropped off this box of books!

I’m thrilled that two of my stories “Christmas Glow” and “Wishing for a Silent Night” have been included in the latest addition to the Chicken Soup for the Soul series: The Joy of Christmas.

My work has been featured in 10 volumes of this wonderful franchise and I’m happy to be part of a series that offers words of inspiration and affirmation to readers all over the globe.

Pick up a copy today and spread the “Joy of Christmas”!

War Bonds

The Power of Gratitude

Cindy Hval

I read a quote from Yoko Ono this morning that’s lingering in my mind. Speaking about her life with John Lennon, she said, “We just accepted what was there for us and lived in grace and appreciation.”

Appreciation. Thankfulness. Gratitude. Powerful words that have the ability to transform our lives.

My story A Wedding and Funeral has been included in the recently released book, Chicken Soup the Soul: The Power of Gratitude.

The story chronicles a memorable day in which my husband and I attended the funeral of a young man who overdosed on his depression medication; and a wedding for longtime single friend who finally said yes to love.

Most days aren’t filled with such epic events, but every day offers us a chance to breathe in grace and breath out appreciation.

Gratitude. It’s powerful.

20160803_145020

War Bonds

A Bookshelf of Our Own

Cindy Hval

Running my hands along the spines, I can scarcely believe it– 14 books featuring my stories.

20160530_154528

From the first time a writer picks up a pen or pounds out a story on a keyboard we wonder if it will ever be read by more than just a family member, close friend or teacher. Rarely in love with our own words, we weigh, sift, edit and groan over balky transitions and awkward phrases. We look back at our first stories and they sometimes seem like primitive scratches in the sand.

And if we’re really lucky, we find our tribe– a group of supportive readers and writers, who push us to do better and who ask for more

20160530_155338

And we celebrate their publications, adding their books to our shelves, always leaving room for the next volume.

How wonderful to take a moment and realize no matter how arduous the journey from idea to print, it is possible to achieve out what every writer longs for– a shelf of our own.

War Bonds

Of Cats and Chicken Soup

Cindy Hval

12654692_1014096315295662_7149196241355040658_n[1]

Getting a box of books with your stories in it never gets old.

“Chicken Soup for the Soul My Very Good, Very Bad Cat,”  is the 8th volume in the series to feature my work and the thrill of seeing my words in print in this popular series is still exciting.

This one hits bookstores across the nation on February 9 and includes my stories, “Another Baby Boy” and “Fat Cat.” One story per cat 🙂

When novice writers ask me how to get published I always tell them Chicken Soup is a great place to start honing your nonfiction skills. The principles of writing are the same whether you’re writing your memoir or laboring on the Great American Novel. You need to be able to tell an engaging story.

The submission process is simple and all online.  They are constantly adding titles and sending new story call outs. Authors are paid $200 for each story, retain the rights to their work and receive 10 free books. You can also purchase more books at a discounted rate.

So while you’re slaving away on your manuscript, sending out agent queries or entering writing contests visit Chicken Soup for the Soul and submit a story.

After all, Chicken Soup can cure just about anything– even writer’s block.

049